St Agnes

Catholic High School

June 7 newsletter term 2

Sacred Heart

Today we celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with a liturgical celebration with Stage 4. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Feast Day is important for Catholics because it reminds us of Jesus’ love, kindness and compassion.

The essence of Christ’s boundless love for humanity is found in the devotion to His Most Sacred Heart. Here are three ways to contemplate His Most Sacred Heart – as a symbol of God’s love, as a mirror of our true place in God’s plan, and as an invitation to live more mercifully. Symbolically, the heart has long been regarded as the centre of love, both in a physical and metaphorical sense.

In the devotion to the Sacred Heart, the heart of Jesus represents the divine wellspring of love, the source from which flows an abundance of compassion, mercy, and grace.

It is the heart that symbolises the core of Christ’s message – love God above all and love your neighbour as yourself.

Often depicted within the image of the Sacred Heart is a flame, representing the burning fire of divine love.

This flame signifies the intensity and transformative power of God’s love, capable of purifying and enkindling our hearts.

I would like to thank and acknowledge the following people for our Mass today: Fr Neil, Assistant Priest St Aidans for celebrating mass, Mr Madigan and Mr Sadsad for organising the liturgy, Miss D'Aprile and Ms Balyasuriya who prepared the choir and band for this Liturgy, the students in the band and choir, the IT Team, Mr Talbot and Mr Vellio and Mrs Bettiol who captured the event and posted on our social media pages. I would also like to acknowledge the students and staff who participated in the Liturgy.

Creative Hub

We are very close to transitioning into the new Creative Hub, with occupancy plans set for early in Term 3. CSPD has authorised a special 'moving' day on July 4, 2024, to facilitate the relocation of our TAS and Creative Arts department’s machinery, resources, and materials from our current buildings to the learning spaces.

On Thursday, 4th July, students will be engaged in remote learning in their homes while staff members aid in the relocation process.

In the coming weeks, we will send out a schedule, via email, outlining the lessons planned for our students on this day. Students are required to participate in the Zoom sessions from their homes, and attendance will be recorded.

Year 11 2025 Subject Selection

We are currently in the process of Year 11 Subject Selection. It was wonderful to see the parents who attended the Subject Market that was on this afternoon. I would like to express my gratitude to the parents of our Year 10 students who participated in the Subject Selection process for Stage 6. We appreciate your acceptance of the school's invitation to engage in this discussion and to attend the information sessions. I would like to especially thank Geoffrey Kemmis and our Leaders of Learning Mr Madigan, Mrs Cruickshank, Mrs Mullen, Mr De Martin, Mr Loughlin, Miss Clark, Mr Cheung, Mrs Vincent and Mrs Penna for organising this event. Also, thank you to Mr Cruikishank, Mr Neilson and the teachers who were involved in the Subject Market. The students gained a great deal from this process. Finally, I would like to encourage students to think carefully about their interests and aspirations when selecting their subjects for next year.

Stage 6 Academic Scholarships

St Agnes Catholic High School is renowned for its commitment to fostering personal growth and offers a multitude of pathways for students to nurture their talents and passions. This year, we are again proud to offer Academic Scholarships to Year 11/2025 students. These scholarships will provide the opportunity for them to achieve their personal best and take responsibility for, and be proactive in, the development of their education. We aim to recognise and promote accomplishments, while also supporting students in enhancing their capabilities.

In the coming weeks, Year 10 students will be provided with details outlining the scholarship criteria and process, including how to submit their applications. Submissions must be completed by the end of Week 2 of Term 3,

We believe in the potential of every student, and we want to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder students' pursuit of education. We aim to ease some of the financial challenges parents may face, enabling their children to pursue their studies with dedication and determination.

Partial scholarships will be provided, wherein one third of the tuition fees will be waived for Year 11 in 2025 and Year 12 in 2026.

Harmony Day

Harmony Day provides an opportunity for our diverse school community to come together and celebrate our unique cultures and faith backgrounds. The 2024 theme ‘Everyone Belongs’ has inspired our planning for this year, as we seek to demonstrate our pillar of inclusiveness in action.

At St Agnes, we celebrate Harmony Day by providing rich opportunities for our students to celebrate and share their culture through performances, cultural picnics and year-group challenges. This year we have partnered with the non-profit organisation ‘Together For Humanity’ who have been actively engaging our students for the last 5 weeks in workshops. This organisation seeks to foster intercultural understanding and acceptance of difference through their focus on ethnicity and faith.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate our Year 12 School Leaders: Jewel Osborne, Beminet Habte, William Planer, Amir Gorgise, Sienna Edwards and Bronte Norris for their planning and organisation.

A special thanks goes to our Year 11 Events Portfolio Leaders who have worked with the Year 12 leaders to develop the promotional materials for this event.

Miss Fielding, our Cultural Diversity Leader has been working with our school leaders, mission team and teachers to bring this day to fruition. Her energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and her attention to detail in the planning has been outstanding. This helps to ensure that this day will be a great success for our school community.

Likewise, the energy and enthusiasm of our school community have been evident since Term 1 and our cultural performers have worked tirelessly preparing for the main event on Friday 21st June, as well as our parent performance on Monday 24th June.

You're warmly invited to join us for the Harmony Day parent performance on Monday 24th June from 5:00pm - 6:30pm. The purpose of this performance is to showcase the rich cultural diversity of St Agnes through a focus on song, dance, and music.

To attend the event, you will need to purchase a ticket via https://www.trybooking.com/CSOEH. The cost per ticket is $5, with the proceeds being donated to Together For Humanity. Initially, there is a limit of 3 tickets per family, due to our spacing in our performance area. Any additional tickets can be requested by contacting the school email stagnes@parra.catholic.edu.au and we will do our best to accommodate this. (Tickets go on sale on the 14th June).

Any student involved in the performance will not need to purchase a ticket.

Debating - Well done and thank you

Throughout Term 2, St Agnes was represented by debating teams from each year group in a Friday afternoon Debating Competition. In this competition, the participants are encouraged to focus more on developing their debating skills, especially by engaging in developing an argument and refuting that of their opponent. Each school prepares a negative and affirmative case on the nominated topic.

Congratulations to all teams and their mentors/teachers, for their commitment to preparation, as well as their courage and skill in speaking before an audience. I would like to congratulate all of the students who have participated in the competition. They are outstanding ambassadors for St Agnes. I am always so proud of our students for the way that they conduct themselves and how they wear their uniforms. When we are hosting schools, our students are welcoming to our visitors. Their warmth and hospitality are commendable.

Tonight we will participate in Round 6, at Santa Sophia Catholic College, The Gables, which is the final round of the competition. I wish them well for their final debate.

Australia’s Greatest Shave

The Leukaemia Foundation World’s Greatest Shave is one of Australia’s biggest fundraising events. Each year our school community comes together to celebrate this event by encouraging a brave student and staff member to raise funds by shaving their hair. Not only is the money raised to support families impacted by blood cancer, but it also helps brilliant research scientists continue their search for more effective ways to diagnose and treat blood cancer.

This year staff member, Mr Wilson, teamed up with our School Captain William Planer to raise money that will cover some of the treatment for an impacted individual. Their target was $2000 and they have exceeded this amount. Mr Wilson and William were overwhelmed by the community's kindness, support, and generosity.

TTFM Survey

The best way to inform school innovation and improvement is through authentic engagement with all stakeholders in the school community: students, staff and parents/carers. The Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Survey is one way that we listen to what students and parents say and provides valuable insight for our school planning. I would like to thank the students and parents who have completed the survey and I look forward to sharing the insights with you next term.

Ms J Holland

Principal

CLICK HERE to access our Parent Calendar. Click subscribe at the bottom to connect the school calendar to yours and stay up to date with school events

Teachers and students often find Term 2 to be a more settled and productive term building on previous learning. All students should be demonstrating good study habits by completing class and home learning activities as directed by their teachers. It is these positive behaviours which amplify success and allow the students to actually enjoy learning. In our semester reports, we identify Learning Profiles.

It is timely to discuss these with your child and encourage them to seek personal success. Academic growth stems from the willingness to develop skills and positive learning behaviours.

Year 12 will find that this term has a significant workload. There are important HSC assessment tasks due to increased weightings. Assessments are easier to complete when students work consistently, complete all home learning on time and seek feedback from their teachers. Year 12 students are encouraged to complete all school learning during the day and to create a routine for study in the afternoon. Recognising the unrealistic nature of expecting constant motivation, we advise setting daily minimum work goals, such as reading a set number of pages or completing a revision quiz to ensure steady progress. It is the consistent effort in Year 12 that is more beneficial than inconsistent progress.

Our Yr 12 students will have the opportunity to be additionally supported in their learning during the second week of the July break, as we have a structured study session timetable. This will allow students to engage with their teachers and also, work on any major project. The Trial HSC will commence on Monday 5th August and conclude on Monday 19th August.

Study Skills Tip for June –

Starting Assignments Straight Away: Why It’s Crucial for Success

Ever leave your assignments until the last minute? Procrastination might seem harmless, but it can lead to unnecessary stress and lower-quality work. Here are four compelling reasons to start working on your assignments immediately:

1. Get Your Brain Thinking About the Topic

At the very least, read through the requirements of the assignment on the day you receive it. Even if you're not actively working on it, your subconscious will begin processing the information. This early engagement can help you come up with ideas and understand the scope of the assignment more thoroughly.

2. Find Library Resources

Although the internet offers a wealth of information, the school library is also a valuable resource. Drop in soon after receiving the assignment. Reference books, academic journals, and magazines are often in high demand and can disappear quickly. Relying solely on Google may limit the depth and quality of your research. Your librarian is a great ally in your research. Librarians can guide you to relevant books, journals, and digital resources that you might not find on your own.

3. Starting Early Means More Time to Explore & Ask for Help

Starting your research early gives you more time to dive deep into your topic. Use a variety of sources such as the library, teacher references, school textbooks, and reliable internet resources. If you start early, you can identify gaps in your understanding and have ample time to ask your teacher for clarification or additional help.

4. Create a Safety Net

Life is unpredictable. Starting your assignment immediately creates a buffer for unforeseen events like illness or emergencies. A well-planned schedule that allows for the unexpected ensures you have enough time to complete your assignment without unnecessary stress.

Additional Tips for Effective Assignment Management

Break Down the Assignment

Divide your assignment into smaller, manageable tasks. Create a timeline with specific goals for each day or week. This will help you stay organised and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Stay Organised

Keep all your research materials, notes, and drafts in one place. Use folders, both physical and digital, to categorise information by topic or section of your assignment. This organisation will save you time and keep your work streamlined.

Set Specific Goals

Set clear, achievable goals for each study session. For example, aim to complete a specific section of your assignment or gather a certain number of sources. This focused approach will keep you motivated and on track.

Take Breaks

While it's important to start early and stay on task, it's equally important to take regular breaks. Short breaks can help you stay refreshed and maintain a high level of productivity.

Review and Revise

Once you’ve completed your assignment, take time to review and revise it. Check for any grammatical errors, ensure all your sources are properly cited, and verify that your arguments are coherent and well-supported.

By starting your assignments as soon as possible and following these tips, you can reduce stress, improve the quality of your work, and achieve better academic results.

You can learn more about being more effective with assessments in the ASSIGNMENT SKILLS unit of www.studyskillshandbook.com.au by logging in with these details:

Username: stagnes

Password: 24success

Year 12 July 2024 Study Sessions/

Major Project Timetable

Mr G Kemmis

Assistant Principal - Learning Transformation

Tell Them From Me Survey

Thank you to the many families that completed the parent Tell Them From Me (TTFM) survey over the last few weeks. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we greatly appreciate your feedback. The information provided is used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing.

The students also completed their version of the survey during class time. The survey provides valuable insights into what our school community thinks about school life including how engaged students are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them.

School Start Time

All parents and students are reminded that our start time each morning is 8:10am. Students are expected to be in class at 8:15 as teachers will take attendance during Homeroom at this time. We understand that traffic in our area and on Evans Road in the morning continues to be an issue, but we ask that this is taken into account each day. The front gate will close at 8:10am each day and all students arriving after this time will be required to enter via the office.

Students who arrive at Homeroom after 8:15 on any day will be marked as late. Students will be issued with a late infringement notice (run each Wednesday) if they are late without reason twice or more in a week. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in this matter.

Enhance Your Child's

Instagram Safety

with Hidden Words

Many parents are unaware that Instagram has a powerful built-in feature called "Hidden Words" that can significantly enhance online safety for our children. This feature automatically filters offensive words, phrases, and emojis from comments and message requests.

Here's how to use it to protect your child's online experience.

How to Access and Use the Hidden Words Feature:

1. Enable Hidden Comments: Open the Instagram app, go to your profile, access Settings and Privacy, navigate to Privacy, and tap on Hidden Words. Toggle on the "Hide comments" option to automatically filter out offensive comments.

2. Advanced Comment Filtering: Enhance protection by enabling the "Advanced comment filtering" option under the same menu.

3. Custom Keywords: Add specific words, phrases, or emojis you want to filter out by tapping on “Manage custom words and phrases,” then enter your choices separated by commas. This will automatically hide these from your child's comments and message requests.

Mr G Hilder

Assistant Principal - School Culture

Pace e bene,

Peace and blessings to all members of the St Agnes community.

Pentecost - Sunday 19th May, 2024

The Christian holiday of Pentecost is celebrated on the 50th day after Easter Sunday. It can also be referred to as ‘WhitSunday’ or White Sunday, due to the colour of vestments that are typically worn along with the Red Chasuble. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles. It is also significant as it marks the birth of the Church.

In the Book of Joel 2:28-29, he tells of the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecy;

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even my own servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”

Pentecost was the moment in history after Christ had ascended. And he had promised during the gospel narratives, during his earthly ministry, that he would leave, but that he would send the comforter, he would send the Holy Spirit. And it was in that moment in Pentecost, where the spirit came, and he empowered the early believers, more specifically the apostles that were left.

Let us pray;

Come Holy Spirit.

Fill the hearts of your faithful.

And kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.

And you will renew the face of the earth.

Amen

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

7th June, 2024

We love because He first loved us - 1 Jn 4:19

Today students in Stage 4 attended Mass to mark the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Mass was celebrated by Fr Neil, from St Aidan’s Parish, Rooty Hill. This is a significant celebration in the Catholic Church’s calendar. It takes the physical heart of Jesus as a representation of His Divine love for humanity. The Feast of the Sacred Heart has been in the Roman Catholic Liturgical calendar since 1856, and is always celebrated 19 days after Pentecost Sunday and always falls on a Friday.

Mr P Madigan

Head of Mission

Exciting Experience at

LIFTED Rise

and

Lifted Unleashed

for Stage 4 and 5 Students

Our Stage 4 and 5 students recently had an unforgettable experience at the LIFTED Rise and Unleashed event. This special day was filled with engaging activities and learning opportunities centred around Pentecost.

Students participated in vibrant sessions of song and dance, creating an energetic and joyful atmosphere that brought the story of Pentecost to life. The event also featured various workshops focused on prayer, reflection, and leadership. These sessions provided valuable insights and practical skills that students can apply in their daily lives.

Through prayer and reflection, students deepened their spiritual understanding and personal faith. Leadership workshops encouraged them to develop key skills, fostering a sense of responsibility and community spirit.

Student Reflection:

LIFTED Unleashed -

Lifted Unleashed was not only a good experience for myself but also for my peers as it gave us an opportunity to connect and get to know other students from different schools who are trying to find their path with Jesus Christ. Not only this but it gave us all an opportunity to focus on the three main workshops which were silence, music and leadership, which made us realise how we can connect with Jesus through many different ways. As a result, this event left us with lessons learnt and a positive impact on our lives that created friendships and relationships with students who drive towards a relationship with God.

By Shante Tupe and Tiana Bawab

LIFTED Rise -

On Thursday 14th students involved in Mini Vinnies and FAM attended Lifted Rise, an event held for Years 7-8 students within the Parramatta Diocese to help deepen our faith and teach us about our gifts of the Holy Spirit and how to share them with others. During the Lifted Rise, we all gathered in one of the conference rooms to start the lift for the day by singing praise, getting to know people from the other schools and playing games that taught us about the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Afterwards, we split into groups and made our way through workshops that taught about the Pope's message to young people through Christus Vivus and how to connect with others and God through conversation, song and silence. Overall the Lifted Rise was a fun learning experience that helped us to feel more involved in Mini Vinnies and FAM as well as more excited and motivated to share what we learned about God with our community. Throughout Lifted Rise we made friends with students and teachers from other schools which also added to our great experience during Lifted Rise and it is something the students look forward to attending in the future.

By Cassandra Pascual

Society and Culture - Walking Tour of Sydney

Earlier this month, the Year 11 and Year 12 Society and Culture classes combined for a walking tour of Sydney to apply the concepts we learned in class and experience first-hand how these concepts are evident everywhere in society. Starting at Central Station, students walked to the Capitol Theatre, to Chinatown, through the Queen Victoria Building, up to the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park, down Macquarie Street past the Parliament of NSW and Law Courts, through the Royal Botanical Gardens, around the Opera House, finishing at Circular Quay.

As we walked we observed our surroundings, the people, the food, the natural and urban environment and we applied the course concepts, focusing on elements of continuity and change. For example, opposite the Parliament of NSW, where we have female politicians and have been led by female premiers, is the Australia Club, a gentleman's club that still does not allow female membership. We walked past street vendors and people busking, but instead of collecting coins, the changing times and influence of technology showed signs with QR codes for bank transfers. It was an interesting and rewarding day.

Sienna and Drew share their experiences.

Our day was filled with observing people and places to understand better how Sydney has changed over time while still preserving traditional objects and traditions, such as St Mary’s Cathedral and the Australia Bank building (which is now a pub). As we were doing a country study on China, we also got the opportunity to explore parts of Chinatown. One memorable moment was trying the Emperor's Cream Puffs in Haymarket while being surrounded by other food stalls and shops. We had to record the types of people who ordered from this shop through observation. Our data found that when we were there, people who had different cultural backgrounds also had an appreciation for the tasty food. It was amazing to see a glimpse of Chinese culture and immerse myself in it. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity, I had an amazing experience!

- Sienna Edwards

Last Thursday, I along with the rest of the year 11 & 12 Society and Culture classes went on an excursion to Chinatown. We examined different aspects of Sydney's culture, looking at ties between multiculturalism and technology to architecture, shopfronts, and street vendors. We saw the influence of globalisation, social inclusion and exclusion and power/ authority while looking at sites such as the Law courts, Emperor's Garden restaurant and the statue of homeless Jesus, which has become an international phenomenon, uncovering a new layer of Sydney's rich culture most of us didn't know much about before. - Drew Stevenson

Mrs N Udovicic

Building Bridges:

Students Engage with

Together For Humanity

Recently, students from our school had the opportunity to participate in engaging and insightful workshops conducted by Together For Humanity. This not-for-profit educational organisation, renowned for its inclusive approach, is dedicated to combating prejudice and fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion within school communities.

The workshops held at our school focused on three key areas: faith, culture, and leadership. Through interactive activities and discussions, students explored various religious and cultural traditions, learning to appreciate and respect the differences that enrich our community. Leadership sessions encouraged students to reflect on their roles in fostering inclusive environments, equipping them with skills to become ambassadors of unity and understanding.

We are proud of our students' enthusiastic engagement and look forward to more collaborative efforts with Together For Humanity, as we continue to build a school environment that celebrates diversity and champions inclusion.

Mr M Goco

WSU: Unlocking Careers in

Sport and Health

On Friday 17th May, Indigenous students from St Agnes attended Western Sydney University in 'Unlocking Careers in Sport and Health'. Students had the opportunity to participate in a range of hands on practical workshops in fields such as:

- Occupational Therapy

- Sports & Exercise Coaching and Teaching

- Psychology

- Sport Journalism

- Nursing

- Paramedicine

During these workshops, students learnt about the different study and career options that are available in these fields in Western Sydney. Students were also lucky enough to participate in a 'Q&A Yarn Up' featuring four prominent Indigenous Australians from Western Sydney who are successfully living out their dreams in the sport and health space.

Mrs N Tomich

English - around the classes

Year 7 students work on drafting novel reviews for their Hero’s Journey unit.

Year 10 students completed their Socratic Circle Assessment task on Overcoming Prejudice. This involves small group discussions where students listened and respond to each other's ideas about the issues of prejudice and discrimination represented in films like Hidden Figures and Freedom Writers.

Year 11 Extension students Angelica Prasad, Rosemary Shamoka, Katrina Knezevic and Joanne Imlay begin their study of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen as part of the Texts, Culture and Values module.

Mr P Loughlin

Leader of Learning - English

Year 11

Penrith Lakes

Environmental Education Centre

Field Study

On Tuesday 28th May, our Year 11 Biology and Year 11 Investigating Science students had the opportunity to visit the Penrith Lakes Environmental Education Centre (EEC). This centre runs various courses relative to ecosystem interactions, influences on environments, and most importantly the restoration and rehabilitation of the Penrith Lakes Ecosystem.

Our visit to the EEC was incredibly insightful and interactive. Our Year 11 students were able to collect valuable primary data to examine the quality of the water at Penrith Lakes, as well as carry out bird-watching and dip-netting to collect insects and various organisms found within the water. By collating this data, students could determine the relative health of the Penrith Lakes.

“Going to Penrith Lakes was an amazing experience. It helped enhance my knowledge of local ecosystems and overall had a multitude of fun experiences like bird counting, using nets to catch bugs in water and using a variety of tools to test various aspects of the environment like water pH. We learned a lot about how ecosystems can be restored by planting native plants and adding shales to prevent runoff from entering the water, furthermore how these techniques put into action helped restore the Penrith Lake area, which improved biodiversity dramatically while also making the land more sustainable.”

• Angela Younan
  

Students had the opportunity to listen to staff experts at the EEC who gave them valuable information about how the ecosystem has changed from its natural state, through farming, mining, and then its eventual rehabilitated state. Students will now use these new skills and case studies to prepare their understanding as part of their next assessment task.

“We were able to more deeply explore abiotic and biotic factors in the environment practically outside of the classroom. Along with my peers, I had a great day and learned many things. Thanks to the teachers and staff at the Penrith Lakes EEC, we are now ready to begin working on our depth study.”

• Ruby O’Keefe
  

Penrith EEC staff and instructors commended the students for their behaviour and engagement in the data collection activities. Mr Wilson, Mr Bianchi and Mrs Hitchcock are highly proud of the students for the way they represented St Agnes and wish to congratulate them for their efforts.

Mr Wilson, Mr Bianchi and Mrs Hitchcock

Science Teachers

UNSW Civil & Environmental Engineering

Valencia Gunawan was 1 of 90 students accepted into the UNSW Civil & Environmental Engineering program. A program that was a competitive work experience program where one person from each school was allowed to engage with industry.

Reflection

During my work experience, I was able to partake in daily experiences that gave me first-hand experiences of what Civil and Environmental engineers do in their daily lives, the different branches of Civil and Environmental Engineering such as geospatial, mining, water and construction and I also got to learn the impact of engineers on society through viewing real projects Civil and Environmental engineers worked on. Some projects visited included the Opera House, Belmore Park, Centennial Park, Warringah Freeway upgrade and Stanwell Tops. Alongside this, I met many academics and socialised with people/students who share the same interests as me.

• Valencia Gunawan Year 10
  

Year 10 Drama Assessment Task

This term, our Year 10 Drama elective students embarked on a group performance for their assessment task. Students explored the powerful dynamics of Political (Epic) Theatre. Their performances entertained and engaged the audience in thought-provoking reflections on societal issues, politics and human nature.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates and future performances from our expectational drama actors!!

Ms M Oraha

Library News!

CBCA 2024 Notable Books

If you haven’t had a chance to see some of our newest fiction books, the Library has a display that includes books that the Children’s Book Council of Australia have judged to be the best Young Adult fiction books for 2024. These are on the black shelving next to the Library Service Desk, facing the Fiction Collection. Some of the titles include:

The Premier’s Reading Challenge

A reminder that the 2024 Premier’s Reading Challenge is underway and open to all students in years 7-9.

The Challenge is to read 20 books, and students have until the end of August to submit their reading log. At least 10 books need to be from the Year 7-9 or Year 9+ reading lists and 10 books are free choice.

Well done to those students who are already reading and recording their books.

It is not too late to participate and the July school holidays are a great time to catch up on reading!

Simply, scan the QR code to complete an entry form, or click the link in the Compass Notification.

Staff Book Club

It’s not just the students at St Agnes who enjoy reading for pleasure. In Week 4, our new St Agnes Staff Book Club had its first meeting. This provided a wonderful opportunity to enjoy afternoon tea together whilst also sharing a love of books and reading. It is always interesting to hear different responses to books and learn what others thought of the stories, writing and ideas explored. Three books were chosen to discuss at this meeting and this included a combination of fiction and non-fiction options.

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart was perhaps the most widely enjoyed book of the three selected. Here is a brief description:

“A young girl loses both her parents in a tragic event and is taken to live with her grandmother on a flower farm. Growing up, Alice learns the language of Australian native flowers as a way to say the things that are too hard to speak. But she also learns that there are secrets within secrets about her past. An unexpected betrayal leaves her reeling, and she escapes to try to make her own - sometimes painful - way through the world, and to find her story.

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart is a story about stories: those we inherit, those we select to define us, and those we decide to hide. It is a novel about the secrets we keep and how they haunt us, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive.”

What Are Our Staff Reading?

Mrs Udovicic is currently reading a non-fiction book called People of the River, by the award-winning Australian historian Grace Karskens. She is also reading a fiction novel called The Ink Black Heart, by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling).

Her comments on what she is reading:

“People of the River is a history of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River and the First Nations peoples who called that area home. It also explores their earliest interactions with Europeans. It is really interesting, especially as I have grown up and live in the Hawkesbury-Nepean area. It is also a non-fiction book that takes a lot of concentration.

I am also reading the fiction novel The Ink Black Heart, which is written by JK Rowling under a nom de plume and is a detective series focusing on fictional veteran detective Cormoran Strike.”

Mrs Berman loves reading Crime Fiction and is currently enjoying ‘Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter?’ By Nicci French.

About this book:

“She’s loved by all who meet her. But someone wants her gone . . .

1990

When beautiful and vivacious Charlotte Salter fails to turn up to her husband Alec’s 50th birthday party, her kids are worried, but Alec is not. As the days pass and there’s still no word from Charlie, her daughter, Etty, and her sons, Niall, Paul and Ollie, all struggle to come to terms with her disappearance.

How can anyone just vanish without a trace?

Left with no answers and in limbo, the Salter children try and go on with their lives, all the while thinking that their mother’s killer is potentially very close to home.”

We hope to see you in the Library soon!

Happy Reading

Ms Sharman, Mrs Ayden, Mrs Berman & Miss Brogan

Careers

What is a Midwife?

You don’t need to be married or even be a woman to be a midwife, but you do need to be fascinated by the miracle of birth. Midwives practice midwifery, the profession that provides care, education, advice, and support to women and their families during pregnancy, labour and birth. They also provide postnatal care to women and babies in the early weeks following birth.

What skills and strengths are needed?

Midwives must be good communicators who can work as part of a team. They need to use initiative and take responsibility in emergencies, so being able to work under pressure in a stressful environment is key.

What are the pathways?

You usually have to study midwifery at university as either a single degree or a double degree (usually combined with nursing). If you’re already a registered nurse, you can become a midwife through postgraduate study.

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set you up for living your best life.

The many faces of accounting: Who

knew there were so many cool types of

accountants? Discover the role that

screams 'you'!

Is accounting for you?: Help to figure

out if accounting is your calling.

Download your copy of our new

guide to kickstart your career!

From classroom to boardroom: The steps to take from your school gates all the way to landing that coveted Chartered Accountant title.

Choosing the right course: Not all

accounting courses are created equal,

so learn what to look out for.

Kickstart your career now: Why wait?

Ways to get a head start in the

accounting world now!

What is the Australian Signals Directorate? The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) is an Australian Government agency specialising in foreign signals intelligence and cyber security. It protects the safety and wellbeing of Australians by intercepting and analysing foreign communications on issues of national interest, including international terrorism and cybercrime, and countering cyber threats.

Get the right skills by studying STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths

(STEM) school subjects open pathways to

cybersecurity careers by honing your

problem-solving, technical, analytical, and

creative powers - essential for

understanding and solving national security challenges.

Year 6 - 12 Girls’ Programming Network

If you’re interested in computers and

technology and would like to meet other

girls with these interests, this extra- curricular program might be for you.

ASD Cyber Security and Robotics Work

Experience Program

A week-long program for Year 11–12 (and

high-achieving Year 10) students at the

Australian Signals Directorate in Canberra.

Interstate students are encouraged to apply

and will receive assistance with

transportation costs.

In an industry that's expanding as ​rapidly as our need for connectivity, ​careers with the NBN are varied, ​valuable, and vital!

Discover career pathways with the ​NBN from post-school beginnings to ​potential university endeavors - with ​the added advantage of earning ​while you learn for some roles.

Explore what it’s like to be a Network Engineer and Field Technician in the Year 13 x NBN Network Engineer Virtual Work Experience. See how you can play a role in connecting the nation and crafting the digital pathways that drive businesses, education, and innovation.

Throughout the experience be immersed in:

Network architecture that serves as the

backbone of Australia's digital

landscape.

Strategic thinking behind network

technology innovation roadmaps.

Day-to-day adventures of connecting

customers to the NBN.

Art of troubleshooting as you learn to

pinpoint and resolve faults, ensuring

seamless connectivity.

Upon completion, you’ll receive a

certificate to add to your resume.

Visit this Virtual Work Experience to see

where a career with the NBN can take you!

Compass is our primary parent communication tool for day-to-day operational matters, upcoming events, notices, and notifications so it is essential that all parents download the app.

It is more important than ever that we are able to communicate effectively, especially when it involves the safety of our children. If you haven't already, we ask that parents download the Compass app onto their devices for either Apple or Android.

• Compass is a web-based system allowing you to access up-to-date and meaningful information about our school and your child’s progress. Compass includes many different features, including the ability to:
  
• Be informed of important updates, events, and reminders
  
• View your child’s timetable
  
• Review your child’s attendance
  
• Provide explanations for periods of absence
  
• Update your contact details
  
• Book Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences.
  

Compass is accessible on any modern web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari) or by using the Compass iOS or Android apps.

If you have not received notifications via email can you please email the school to check on our contact details for you.

stagnes@parra.catholic.edu.au

shttps://www.facebook.com/StAgnesCHSRootyHill