Current Newsletter - Seton Catholic College

SETON CATHOLIC COLLEGE
NEWSLETTER
Established in 1990 through the amalgamation of De Vialar College and St Brendan’s College.
Educating in the Fremantle area since 1855.
13 February 2015 Issue #1
Principal: Mr Egmont Melton
Dear Parents, Students and Friends
Congratulations to everyone for their work involved in
providing such a smooth start to the new academic year at
Seton. The fact that the College Campus looks quite
stunning despite the recent hot weather is no accident.
Behind the scenes a huge Maintenance Program included
significant refurbishment of the Student and Public
Reception as well as turning Room C11 into an extra
Dance/Drama Studio.
The decision to bring all students on to a one-to-one iPad
program has required many weeks of preparation and PD
for staff. Besides the “iPad Configuration Day” in 40˚C
heat a fortnight ago, all Parents are encouraged to attend
a special Seminar on iPads to be held in our Lecture
Theatre run by Greg Port. Parents will be shown many
useful little tricks, how to avoid its misuse and certainly
how to get the best use out of it. This opportunity will be
held at 7pm this Wednesday 18 February and is free to
anyone interested.
This Friday we take Year 7s off Campus for the day as part
of their Induction and transition to College life. All Year 7
Parents should be aware that the Year 7 Information
Night is on Tuesday 24 February when you will meet your
Head of House, your PCG Teacher and the other parents in
that House.
You will be pleased to hear that our Year 12 students once
again did very well academically and have achieved some
outstanding results. Jack Paterson’s ATAR score of 99.8
was bettered by only 34 students in the whole of WA. Sam
Nunn and Jaime de Gois scored 98.85 and 98.55
respectively. Justin Reid, Cheyenne Payne-Poultney and
Joel Galipo all achieved ATAR’s over 96. In fact over a
quarter of the students attained an ATAR over 90. Seton’s
Median ATAR was 81.5 compared with that of 79.00 for
the State with 11 of our 13 Stage 3 Courses above the
State mean scaled score.
Jack and Cheyenne were each awarded Certificates of
Distinction for finishing in the Top 0.05% in the State in
Chemistry and CFC respectively, while Jack and Jaime will
also be presented with Certificates of Commendation for
obtaining at least 20 grades of “A”, in course units over
Years 11 & 12.
It is well known that I decry the use of League Tables but
strongly put our focus on trying to encourage individual
students to achieve their best. However, it is always nice
to receive public recognition such as a congratulatory
letter from the CEO, affirming staff and students on “the
excellent Year 12 results in 2014 that follow a pattern of
outstanding results from previous years”.
We were especially pleased to note that similar to last
year, 39% of our students achieved an ATAR in the top
third of the State (ie. 33% would be the norm), and only
19% in the bottom third of the State (again, 33% would
normally be expected). Finally, it was good to note that for
the sixth year running, Seton College achieved a 100%
Graduation rate and that nearly all the Leaving Class of
2014 achieved their goals, whether they be to study at
University, TAFE or enter the Workplace. They can be very
proud of their achievements.
With 2015 marking the 25th Anniversary of Seton Catholic
College there is much we have cause to celebrate: the
richness of our heritage dating back to 1855, the success
achieved over the past quarter of a century and, not least,
the present culture and quality of education enjoyed
within the Seton Community. Later in this Newsletter is a
one-page overview that will outline some of our plans to
celebrate our Anniversary.
Forthcoming Events
February
Yr 7 Induction Day
Ash Wednesday
Parent iPad Information Night
Seton Swimming Carnival
Yr 7 Parent Info Night
AGM Board & P&F
March
Public Holiday
Yr 12 Parent Information Night
OLNA Testing begins
Open Day
Seton 25th Anniversary Mass
Seton 25th Anniversary International
Food and Cultural Festival
Fri 13
Wed 18
Wed 18
Fri 20
Tues 24
Wed 25
7pm
7pm
7pm
Mon 2
Wed 4
7pm
Mon 9
Wed 11 3:40pm
Fri 13
9am
Fri 13
5 - 9pm
Year 7 Parent Information Night
De Vialar Centre - 7:00pm Tuesday 24 February 2015
(Parking on the Oval off Letchford Street)
The evening offers an opportunity to meet with your child’s Head of House and Pastoral Care Teacher, as
well as providing an excellent forum for you to meet other teachers and clarify any issues that may have
arisen over the past couple of weeks. We would like all families represented.
Following the Meeting, we invite you to join us for drinks and finger food, offering the chance to talk to
other parents and staff in an informal setting.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Working Together for Seton
7:00pm Wednesday 25 February 2015 - College Lecture Theatre
ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
The Seton College Board and Parents & Friends Association will hold a joint meeting on Wednesday 25
February to report on the activities of 2014 and to establish new membership for 2015. The School Board
plans for the operations of the school, oversees school financial matters and works with the College
Executive to supply the best facilities for Seton staff and students. The P&F raises funds to support College
initiatives, plan Social functions and provides opportunities for parent information and education. In
particular, it recognises the importance of building a strong sense of community that helps us take an active
interest in the progress of our students in the College.
Curriculum
I am very impressed by the positive way students from all Years have started. Occasionally schools, or
particular students, can take a while to settle into the routine of a new school year particularly with their
organisation, homework and study. I do believe that the work teachers have put into providing lessons and
programs on SEQTA has given students much needed direction for these early days. I hope this is continuing
when students work at home. Teachers place the homework on SEQTA and students expand on those notes
more specifically so what work is to be done should be clear both to students and parents.
OLNA TESTING
Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessments (OLNA) testing occurs for a significant number of Year 10 students
and some Year 11 students from Monday 9 March. Correspondence around these tests will be sent to parents
next week. It is important that students are preparing themselves to be at their best for these tests because
students must demonstrate a minimum standard of literacy to be eligible to graduate with the Western
Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).
Year 10 Progress
On Wednesday I spoke to Year 10s about making sure that they are working in such a way that as many
options as possible are still available to them by early Term 3, when we all work through subject selections.
One of the reasons why our WACE results have been so consistently pleasing in the last few years is that the
students have been well directed through the subject selection process. Students and parents are making
informed choices and the school is confident in its advice and decisions. Part of the subject selection process
is that prerequisites are required for students to be enrolled in particular Year 11 subjects. It is in the control
of parents and students to be aware of these prerequisites at the earliest possible stage so that they are
actively working during Semester 1 to achieve these prerequisites. There should not be any surprises come
subject selection information evening in Term 3. Whilst there may be some changes, a guide to Year 11
prerequisites is on the College Website.
Mr Don Parnell, Deputy Principal Curriculum
PASTORAL CARE
Year 7 Orientation
Our wonderful Year 7 students seem to have settled into life at Seton very well. I would like to thank and
congratulate the Peer Support Students who gave up their time at last year’s Welcome Day. Next week Year 7
students will be involved at an Induction Day at Woodman Point with Heads of House and Year 11 Leaders as part
of building a sense of belonging and House Spirit. A letter will go home to parents early next week.
Uniform and Grooming (Haircuts)
We congratulate students on the positive way they have presented themselves at the start of the school year.
Whether students are aware of this or not, the way they present certainly makes strong statements about the
pride they have in themselves, their work and their College. There were some students who would have been
directed by their Pastoral Care Teacher or Head of House to fix an aspect of their uniform and grooming. This
should happen as a matter of urgency.
Student Communication
Information that has been provided to students over the last two weeks includes:

Immunisation Forms (to all Year 8s) - Forms should have been returned to the front office

Year 10 Camp Information - Medical information Forms to be returned to the front office

Year 12 Ball Information and Application Forms - to be returned before purchasing a ticket

Driving Permits - to be returned to the front office prior to a student driving to school
Mr Campbell Brown, Deputy Principal Pastoral Care
PEER SUPPORT LEADERS 2015
McAuley
Melissa Blanch
Tayla Breglia
Alyssa Dening
Melissa Di Chiacchio
Diana Di Martino
Estelle Dunning
Nelson Fannon
Elena Loreto
Sarina Roose
Dean Rotondella
Danielle Yakas
Madison Yakas
Loyola
Rachael Ah Chong
Shae Armstrong
Chloe Calameri
Eloise De Aguiar
Connor Ensor
Lani Galipo
Eliza Mitchell
Panashe Mutizwa
Lleyton Palmer
Sarah Platt
Kayla Polkinghorne
Marco Rodgers
Delany
Antonio Carcione
Alisha Cavallo
Johnathan Chegwidden - Jackson
Tarin Colendo
Ashlee Cuijpers
Emilio Fernandez
Mark Ferron
Natasha Griffin
Delaney Harper
Nicola Jones
Joseph Lofthouse
Claudia Rocha
Isabella Willcocks
Marion
Brianna Alsop
Jessica Delmadoros
Jenna Elliott
Anita Gallucci
Liam Gasbarro
Jimmy Lulinda
Breeanna Ross
Emmanuel Waran
Paige Ward
Curtis Waterman
MacKillop
Madison Cammarano
Madison Collier
Natalie Davies
Rafael Fabris
Andrea Gavranic
Chloe Hunter
Reilly Nylund
Jasmin Retta
Carlos Revelo
Zoe Spencer
Ward
Bradley Anderson
Monique Beck
Megan Edwards
Serena Eldrid
Alex Hazell
Elvis Kurubone
Alice Marler
Ally McWilliams
Eleanor Narey
Amber Taylor
Emma Walford
The Ministry Team is very busy preparing for Ash Wednesday on 18 February and the Opening School Mass which
will be held in the St Brendan’s Centre on Friday 13 March to correspond with the 25 th Anniversary Celebration of
the opening of Seton Catholic College.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the Liturgical Season for the preparation of Easter. During Lent the
students are asked to engage with Project Compassion. Caritas is a Catholic Charity which supports those much
less fortunate than us. We encourage students to give up a little each day and to make a donation through their
Pastoral Care Groups. Please support your son or daughter in raising money for Project Compassion.
Mrs Joanne Smith, Deputy Principal Staff and Ministry
Calling on all of our talented Seton entertainers past and present.
Where are you and what are you doing now?
It’s time to dust off your dance shoes, rehearse your signature tunes, locate
your fellow musicians and tread the boards for one last time to be a part of
Seton Catholic College’s 25th Anniversary celebrations on Friday 13 March at
the International Food Festival from 5:00 – 9:00pm. All entertainment will be
performed on the thrust stage in the St Brendan’s Gymnasium. So if you sing,
dance, play an instrument or are part of a performance group or band, or even
if you have a special skill or talent that you would like to share, then we urge
you to be a part of our celebrations. To book your timeslot, please contact
Sharon Le Ray on 9331 9627 or email sleray@seton.wa.edu.au
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SETON CATHOLIC COLLEGE
25th ANNIVERSARY - OVERVIEW
A
During 2015 we will celebrate the theme of our Silver Anniversary in a variety of ways that will include
the St Brendan Lecture, Seton Day, the Brother Francis Exhibition, Awards Night, Cockburn Fun Run,
conservation of Samson Park, some multi-cultural lunches, art work on display, student research into the
lives of our House Patrons and Academic Portfolio Files for students & staff.
B
We have selected Friday 13 March, as our special Day of Celebration.
1.
In the MORNING, we will welcome our VIPs to
Our whole-school Anniversary Mass (St Brendan Centre 9:00am)
Morning Tea in DVC
Visit normal classes (between Recess & Lunch)
Archival displays in DVC
Tours of the College (11:30am - 12:30pm)





2.
In the AFTERNOON
Whole-school aerial photo (Period 5)
Set up for the Evening Fair (Period 6)


3.
In the EVENING - International Food Festival with Entertainment for all ages.
Open to the public for families to enjoy (5:00pm - 9:00pm)
Parking on the Oval


C
Prior to 13 March, we will have on display

Launch new Seton Website

25th Anniversary Logo stickers and Letterhead

Half a dozen 3 metre high banners

Old uniforms on display

Past photos on display

Digital recordings of life at Seton

Documenting “our Story”

Flags of nations (related to our Seton Community)
D
Our Annual Open Day on Wednesday 11 March from 3:40pm offers families looking to enrol their child a
guided Tour of the College led by volunteer students
SPORT
COLLEGE SWIMMING
CARNIVAL
Friday 20 February 2015 - (First Event 10:00am)
HBF (Challenge) Stadium - (Mt Claremont Indoor Pool area)
Students will arrive at Seton at the normal time and be taken to and from HBF Stadium by Bus.
 Lunch: Students must supply their own lunch and drinks
 Uniform: Students must be dressed in their College PE uniform with their HOUSE T-Shirt
 Bathers: Seton Bathers or Plain Black Racing Bathers (wearing a Black Rashie is allowed)
 Bathers are not to be worn with other bathers underneath unless they are black.
 Entry Fee: Parents/Spectators $3.40 (Students paid for by the College).
A full program of events will be run in the 50m pool, while a modified program plus novelties will also be run
throughout the day in the diving pool. Parents are welcome to attend and a section of the main stand has been
allocated for parents to sit directly above the finish line. Parents are requested not to move into the student
sections of the stands at any time.
If parents would like to take their son/daughter home from the Carnival at the end of the day a letter should be
forwarded to their Head of House prior to the Carnival.
ACC Swimming Training – North Lake Pool - 7.00am on Tuesdays
 Students need to be dropped at North Lake Senior Campus and they will then be bussed back to the
College. Breakfast is provided.
ACC Junior Sport - Current Teams - Games are on a Wednesday afternoon (4pm – 5pm)
 Year 7 Boys – Cricket
 Year 7 Girls – Basketball
 Year 8/9 Boys – Touch and Cricket
 Year 8/9 Girls – Touch and Basketball
HATS - Physical Education (Term One)
Parents and students are reminded that it is College Policy that students are to wear a hat during PE classes and
After-School Sport in Terms 1 and 4. All students are expected to have purchased a College Hat from the Uniform
Shop. Sunscreen is also available to students in Oval Store 1.
Wed 18 February – Seton vs Corpus Christi
 AWAY – Yr 7 Girls Basketball and
Yr 8/9 Boys Touch & Cricket (Returning to Seton at
approx. 5.20pm).
 HOME – Yr 7 Boys Cricket and Yr 8/9 Girls
Basketball & Touch (Finishing at approx. 5pm).
Wed 25 Feb – Seton vs John Wollaston
 AWAY – Yr 7 Girls Basketball and
Yr 8/9 Boys Cricket & Touch (Returning to Seton
at approx. 5.40pm)
 HOME – Yr 7 Boys Cricket and Yr 8/9 Girls
Basketball & Touch (Finishing at 5pm).
John Chegwidden had success in athletics at the end of 2014, when he tied for first place in
the State All Schools High Jump championships in the National event in Adelaide. In midJanuary 2015, John became the WA Athletics U18 Decathlon Champion. His gold qualifies him
to compete in the decathlon at the National Athletics Championships in Brisbane in March.
He will also compete in six events in the State Little Athletics Championships in late March.
We wish him all the best of luck in these events.
TECHNOLOGY IN MATHS
The Faculty is looking forward to an exciting year of Learning through technology. Besides the E-book replacing
the textbook we have the following:


Mathletics in years 7 and 8
Mathspace in Years 9 and 10
In addition, the Lightbook by Pearson for the new Year 11 courses is an exciting challenge for teachers. In all of
the above, teachers can track student progress through instant feedback. Teachers get to know the capabilities of
students early in the year and plan lessons accordingly.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
COMMUNITY NEWS
St Jerome's Primary School is celebrating 80 years!
We want it to be a true celebration and are keen to connect with St
Jerome's current and past students and members of our broader school
community.
Register your interest via our new website at stjeromes.wa.edu.au and we
will keep you updated or perhaps you would like to join the organising
committee.
Enquiries are also welcome at 80years@stjeromes.wa.edu.au
Maranatha Centre for Adult Faith Formation: Looking for some soul-food now the kids are back at school?
Married to a Catholic, but not one yourself? Just want to explore something new? Why not take a course at the
Maranatha Centre for Adult Faith Formation. Many courses are during school time, there are no exams or
assignments and you don’t have to be a “good” Catholic (or a Catholic at all!). Topics for Term One include
“Exploring Faith: Theology for Beginners,” and “Ways of Praying”. For more information or to register for a course,
visit www.maranathacentre.org.au or call 9241 5221.
COCKBURN DRAGON BOAT CLUB need Juniors for
their new squad. To express interest, please visit:
cockburndragonboatclub.org.au or email
cockburndragonboatclub@gmail.com
KARDINYA JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB are holding a
Registration Day on Sunday 22 February from 10am 2pm. If you are interested in joining a team, head
down to Kardinya Hall at Morris Buzzacott Reserve to
sign up.
Spearwood Dalmatinac Netball Team have their
registration day on Tuesday 17 Feb 4:30 - 7:30pm.
Players turning 8 in 2015 are eligible to commence
playing netball.
For enquiries: please email
spearwooddallies@gmail.com or ph 0438 933 134.
Tennis Coaching with Pop Tennis @ The Melville
Tennis Centre, Corner Stock Rd & Canning Hwy,
Melville. Lessons starting from 3 years old, all
standards welcome, for more information visit
www.poptennis.com.au or call Glen on 0433 340 646