St. Thomas 
 Aquinas College
 
 

College Chronicle

October 8th, 2009

STUDENT PHOTOCOPYING
Students are asked to please note that any photocopying needs that they have are now carried out in the library by Mrs Hurst, Miss Bradbury or Miss Murnane. This service is not available after 2.30pm on Tuesdays. Costs remain the same as usual. i.e. 10c per copy or 15c for a double sided copy.

CONGRATULATIONS
To Mr & Mrs Paul K. on the birth of their first child, a daughter, Julia. Julia was born on 25th September.

P&F MEETING
The next Parents and Friends meeting is on this Monday 12th October. The meeting will commence at 7.30pm and will be held at STAC. All welcome!

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS
A new order of summer hats has arrived, if yours is looking worse for wear. I also have a large range of new and second hand leather shoes in junior and senior sizes, priced from $3 to $20. Other items include: Pure cotton socks for girls: $2.50 - $3 a pair. Cotton rich senior boys grey socks 3 for $10.
In regard to summer uniform dress length: the hem must be at mid calf length. If yours is only knee length or less, you need to buy a new one straight away or let down the hem. Senior longer length: Sizes 8,10,14, 16 & 18 will arrive next week. Junior sizes - longer length will arrive in 4 weeks. Next year all dresses must be the more modest, dignified length.

What's On

23rd October   KANGA CRICKET
Yr 9/10
25th October   CHRIST THE KING
First Holy Communions
26th October   VCE STUDY WEEK
30th October   VCE EXAMS START
2nd November   NO SCHOOL TODAY
3rd November   NO SCHOOL TODAY
Melbourne Cup
12th November   KANGA CRICKET
Year 7/8
13th November   PRIMARY SCHOOL CONCERT
18th November   GR 5/6 KANGA CRICKET
10th December   TERM FOUR CONCLUDES
  7PM PRESENTATION NIGHT

TYNONG’S GOT TALENT CONCERT

This Saturday
10th October 2009

Church Hall

Doors open at 7pm.
Show starts at 7.30pm.

$5 per adult. $1 per child (2 - 18yrs).

Everyone to please bring a plate for supper.

Drinks can be brought on the night.


Musical Evening

Friday 23rd October
7.00pm
Bunyip Town Hall


All are welcome to attend this
most enjoyable evening

Tickets available on the night:
$15 Family
$8 Single, Pensioner, Student

Families please bring a plate for supper.

Saint Thomas Aquinas College
Parents & Friends Association
Minutes of Monthly Meeting - 7th September 2009

Chair: Mr Greg Hardiman, P&F President
Present: Father Delsorte, Principal Mrs Maria Hardiman, Secretary
21 Families were represented
Apologies: Mr Harley Chipperfield, Vice Principal, Mr John Sauze, Treasurer, 3 Families notified absence

Meeting commenced 7.37 pm.
Correspondence In: Westpac Bank Statements to be forwarded to Treasurer.
   EFTPOS Machine received.
Correspondence Out: None
Treasurer’s Report: N/A
Special Business: N/A

School Building Plan Update

  • Objectors to the STAC Building Plan have until 24 September 2009 to lodge any further submissions through VCAT. Building plans will be on display following this date.
  • STAC is required to provide the government with an Environmental Architect Plan of Future Development within the next two months.
  • Construction work to be conducted over the coming school holiday period once approved:
  • veranda built onto Primary School building
  • awning will be removed from the old Science building (new afternoon pick up point for students to be advised)
  • old toilet block will be demolished
  • old science block will be moved
  • good quality cricket nets for the Senior Boys – two full length nets will be in place ready for 4th term.

Grant and Fundraising Update

  • Grant of $5000 is available to the P&F under Volunteer Grants Program – President seeks assistance to write application. Submission date is 25th September 2009.
  • President has called for anyone who wishes to assist with grant applications or who has ideas for grants to contact him.
  • Mrs Kim Mullins approached the P&F regarding possible stainless-steel drink bottle fundraiser: various colours and designs are available along with option to have school logo imprinted on bottles with a minimum order of 100 bottles. decision was made not to proceed with the school logo imprint on bottles. Various sizes are available for the price of $15.00 each. Advertising will be made available in the College Chronicle. Bottles will be made available for display in the Office or the Uniform Shop. Please contact Mrs Mullins for more information and orders.

Dinner Auction Committee Final Update
Final figure for the 2009 Dinner Auction is $45,124.95. 2010 Dinner Auction to be held on 16th October 2010. New committee members for next year are welcome. Please contact the P&F if you can assist in any capacity.

Secondary School Sun Hat Final Update
Decision has been made to include a non-compulsory Secondary School Sun Hat in the Summer Uniform for boys and girls. It is a maroon slouch hat that will cost approximately $8.00. Purchase of this hat can be made from the Uniform Shop in the 4th term.

Bendigo Bank – Bunyip & District Community Bank Branch
STAC is liaising with Branch Manager in relation to a School Banking Program for students.

Victorian Student Number and School Leaver Regulations
Father Delsorte addressed the P&F regarding the education system changes to take place next year. The Government is implementing a unique Student Number for every child to stay with the child through to tertiary level. More information on the Victorian Student Number can be obtained from: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/governance/vsn/default.htm. The Victorian Government has introduced legislation to increase the minimum school leaving age from 16 to 17 years, as part of Victoria’s commitment to implement nationally-agreed reforms. The Education and Training Reform Amendment (School Age) Bill 2009, which would come into effect in 2010, would require all Victorians to complete Year 10 or its equivalent and for youths up to the age of 17 years who were not in school to be in training, employed or a combination of both for at least 25 hours per week. Schools would be required to track early leavers to ensure that they met these conditions and, as under the current legislation, parents of children who failed to meet these requirements could be fined.
STAC is looking to offer VCAL subjects for students from 2011 depending on relevant student numbers.

Questions on Notice (from previous meeting)

  • What is the Cambridge System and how it will work? Father Delsorte provided detail on the higher standard of “International Cambridge”. There are a wide range of subjects and levels of ability available to students.
  • A representative from Cambridge may liaise with STAC and the Independent Schools Association regarding the implementation of the system. Cambridge will also need to negotiate with the Vice Chancellor for the early release of results to coincide with university entrance cut-off dates.
  • STAC will implement this system of education in 2011 for Year 9 students.
  • Implementation for Year 11 and 12’s will be put on hold awaiting the impact of the National Curriculum System due in 2013.
    Please refer to the website for more information about the Cambridge system: www.cie.org.uk.
  • Can we start recording and publishing sporting results?
  • In order for these results to be recorded accurately and then published volunteers are required. Greater assistance from parents at sporting events is required in order to be able to record names, times and distances. Please see Ms Schaefer if you are able to assist.
    More notice will be provided to parents for 2010 sporting dates.
  • Can we install concrete footpaths now for areas not affected by construction?
    Planning is still being conducted for the upgrade of the College. The chapel will be relocating along with other buildings.
    The entire college will be impacted by the works done, therefore we will need to wait until the buildings are constructed before installing the footpaths.
  • Why are the primary school boys unsupervised while changing for swimming lessons?
    The students are changing in rooms provided by the Swimming Centre which are meant solely for the use of STAC students at that time.
    Teachers are reluctant to enter the changing rooms to avoid any hint of impropriety but do supervise the students from outside the door.
    A suggestion was made to create a signs for the door to advise members of the public not to enter while school students are inside.
    ACTION: Although swimming lessons are now concluded for the year, Fr Delsorte will speak to Ms Schaefer regarding next year's program.

Miscellaneous
Parents have expressed great interest in using a Coffee Wagon for School events, such as Book Week, Sports Days and Cross
Country. ACTION: President to liaise with relevant business for future events.

Questions on Notice (for next meeting)
Can anything be done to improve the security of the college? This is in response to the latest break-ins in the Prep to Year 2 Building. The P&F may be able to assist with improved security measures, such as security cameras, better doors and locks. There is also a concern that personal information regarding parents, teachers and students can be accessed by those breaking in. (B Whibley)

Next meeting 12th October 2009.

Meeting adjourned at 9.00pm.

Future agenda items can be directed to Maria Hardiman:
Email: mariahardiman @ bigpond.com
Phone: (03) 5941 9240


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