Newsletter November 2023

Principal's Welcome

Dear parents and carers,

MySTART

This week all students will begin their 2024 classes. Our staff are ready to begin the curriculum and some classes will even undertake their first assessment for their course! Please ensure your child is present each and in the right mindset for these final two weeks of learning – the content taught over these weeks will not be repeated at the beginning of 2024.

We have approximately 30 new families joining us for these ‘first’ two weeks of the school year. Our Boarding Houses are full for 2024 (with wait lists) and there are still several families moving into the region who have arranged for their child to begin with us rather than finishing at their current school. We wish them all the best.

Visit of Mr Paul Finneran

Paul visited Assumption College for two days last week as part of the extensive handover he and I have been working through. Paul met all of the staff and quite a lot of the students. He also spoke to the incoming Year 7 parents/carers at their information evening. Paul is tremendously excited to be joining the community at Assumption and I know that you will make him very welcome when he begins next year.

Staff who are leaving

We have several staff who are moving on from Assumption at the conclusion of the school year. Happily, we have almost finished the staffing for 2024, which accommodates more growth in the student/staff population and the replacement of the following staff who are off to new beginnings (most simply moving to jobs in schools closer to their homes): Jo Porch, Ethan Welker, Sarah Cross, Jim Edmonds, Greg Loucas, Zoe Scott, Bart Sinkeler, Scott Dixon, Tabitha Herd, James Sarraf, Shemalah Anthony, Bridget Campbell (boarding) & Kara Lawson (youth minister). We thank them all for their time at Assumption and wish them every best with for their future.

Prayer for Peace in the Middle East

Lord Jesus Christ,

The Holy Land is once again struck by violence, hatred, and death.
Lord, look with mercy upon the land that was your earthly home.

Receive the deceased into your presence.
Comfort those who mourn, are wounded, or forced to flee.
Be close to all who are full of fear and despair.

You are our peace and the light of the nations,
put an end to the spiral of terror and suffering
in the Holy Land and in the whole Middle East!

Let peace and justice flourish at the holy sites.
You are our refuge. Let the people be safe in your Love. 

Have mercy on us and on our time.

Amen.

Key Dates

Below are some key dates for the rest of the term and early next term. For full calendared events please see PAM. 

13 November Subject Change Selections - Open

17 November Student Leader Retreat, Phillip Island

20 November MyStart Commences

29 November College Awards Night

1 December House Carnival

3 December Marist Cricket Carnival, hosted by Assumption College

6 December Last day of Term 4 

11 December Year 7 2024, Orientation Day

13 December Teaching Staff Final Day

Remembrance Day

Students and Staff gathered at the Le Rosey Chapel on Friday the 10th of November to prayerfully commemorate Remembrance Day. We especially remembered the teenagers who have been the victims of war, including those who have died in the current conflicts in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza.

A number of students represented the College and their families at Remembrance Day services around the region the next day.

Lest We Forget

World Teacher's Day

On October 27th we celebrated World Teacher’s Day with the incredible staff at Assumption College.

A morning tea was hosted during recess, allowing staff to come together and acknowledge each other and all the great work teachers worldwide provide for others.

The staff were joined by student leaders who shared their thanks and gratitude to the teaching team.

Thank you to all of our wonderful teachers!

VET Acting Graduation

The VET Acting Graduation for 2023 was held on Wednesday 18th October led by their teacher Georgina Dymock.

Assumption College students Harrison, Sophie and Tahlae completed their 2^nd year alongside students from other local schools.

Well done to all students!

Seymour Performance Workshop- Legally Blonde

Assumption College students have been cast in this years Seymour Performance Workshop production of 'Legally Blonde'.

Students Harrison, Olivia, Thomas and Findlay have been working alongside a fantastic team to get the show underway.

The show ran from the 11th to the 19th of November and  was a huge success!

We continue to wish them luck as they continue to shine.

Le Petit Café

Our Sandstone French class transformed the Marlhes restaurant into 'Le Petit Café,' where students brought their French language and culinary skills to life.

Operating their own class café, they took orders in French and served authentic dishes with flair!

Squid Dissection 101

Students of the MyMap Dark Blue Animal behaviour and biology class conducted on a hands-on activity learning about the cephalopod anatomy.

Students explored the external features of a squid, followed by a dissection to examine the internal features.

Throughout the process, they gained insight into how these distinct features contribute to the squid's survival functions.

Upcoming 2023 Awards Night

Dear parents and careers,

On the evening of 29 November in the Gonzales Centre we will be hosting our Annual Awards night.

If your child has been nominated and is successful for one of our prestigious awards, your invitation has now been issued.

Please keep an eye on your inbox for an invitation and we look forward to seeing as many there as possible

Times and RSVP details will be in the email.

2023 Marist Cricket Carnival

Assumption College will be hosting the Australian Marist Cricket Carnival in 2023.  It is our privilege to host and to share in the Marist spirit that is so dear to us all. The various Marist Carnivals provide an opportunity not only for a terrific sporting competition, but perhaps more importantly, for each of us grow a little more in our understanding of what it is to be Marist in the world today. The family spirit in which the Carnival is played has always been its hallmark, and we invite each of you to use our time together to appreciate and live your "Marist-ness" in new ways.

The Carnival commences Sunday 3 December, and finishes Friday 8December.

Participating schools are Assumption College Kilmore, Catholic College Sale, St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill, Marist College Canberra, and Lavalla Catholic College.

To stay up to date with Carnival news, results, and photos follow the Marist Cricket Carnival 2023 webpage and Facebook page.

Sport Achievement - Taylah Mason

Congratulations to Taylah Mason who has made the final selection for the Under 16s Vic Country Cricket Team.

She is heading to Tasmania in January to compete in Nationals.

We wish her all the best!

Sport Achievement - Darcy Macaulay

The Victorian Interschool Equestrian Team has won the Harry le Bherz Perpetual Tropy as the Champion State Team at the Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships.

Darcy Macaulay joined over 2,000 enthusiastic inter-school competitors, their families, friends and supporters as they converge from every corner of the nation to Werribee Park Equestrian Centre for the Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships. The event is Australia’s most extensive grassroots program and ran from September 29 to October 3.

The event was opened to school aged equestrians who had qualified throughout the year in the Victorian Equestrian Interschool Series and/or the State Interschool Championships.

Darcy was elected as the Victorian Team’s Dressage Captain. He competed on Parklands Faltango in the Senior Preliminary Dressage achieving 5th place in the first test, 10th in the second test and 13th overall.

Darcy also competed on Parklands Time Traveller in the 90cm Senior Show Jumping event placing 5th in the first round, 12th in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, resulting in 10th place overall.

Darcy credits the event as a great experience. He is thankful for the support and assistance that he has received from many, especially his family (notably mum, Sally) to get to this level of competition. He is grateful for the opportunity to meet new people from all over the country and recommends the event to the Assumption College Equestrian team members.

Darcy then went on to compete at the Australian National Dressage Championships in the CPEI Intermediate Grade 4 class which is an international class. Then he will level up to Grand Prix Dressage in his campaign to qualify for the para-Olympics. The campaign involves 3 competitions held at Boneo Park in the Mornington Peninsula, Willinga Park in Bawley Point and Sydney in Horsley Park, requiring a score over 68%.

Congratulations Darcy and team. We wish you every success in your campaign and look forward to hearing about you journey.

Sport Achievement - Kade Coulthard

After competing in the Under 13 National Hockey Carnival during the month of September, and playing an extraordinary 11 games in 7 days, Kade earned the title of player of the match against South Australia.

Kade has just been announced as part of the 2024 Under 13 State Indoor Team and will head to Canberra in mid-January for the National Indoor Championships.

Congratulations Kade!

VIC AS T&F Championships

On the 28-29 of October and the 4-5 of November, students competed in the VIC All School Track and Field Championships.

Congratulations to all of the students who participated the event was a success for all of our students!

Here are the results from the event:

Male 16
2000m Steeple: Jonathan Neethling 6:16.03 (1st);

3000m: Jonathan Neethling 9:07.22 (3rd);

Discus: Mitchell Browne 43.12m (3rd);

Shot Put: Mitchell Browne 13.59m (5th);

Male 14
Discus: Will Browne 26.71m (6th);

High Jump: Xavier Bush 1.55m (5th);

Shot Put: Will Browne 10.12m (5th);

Female P17
100m: Kirra Wright 15.51 (1.6) (1st);

200m: Kirra Wright 33.97 (-0.7) (1st);

400m: Kirra Wright 81.31 (1st);

Long Jump: Kirra Wright 3.84m (-0.5) (1st);

Shot Put: Kirra Wright 6.84m (1st);

Kilmore Golf Club

Enrolments Update

Round 1 offers for our Year 7 intake in 2025 have now been issued. There has been immense interest in the College for the 2025 intake and we thank families for their cooperation throughout the interview process. A review of acceptances is now underway and families will receive an acknowledgement of their acceptance form in due course. If your child is on our waitlist, rest assured a review will be undertaken again in the New Year.

There remain limited positions across Years 8-12 for 2024, prospective families are encouraged to contact our team for a discussion. 

Our online Enrolment Application Form as well as our Enrolment Policy and School Fees can be found on our College website, here.

Any questions regarding enrolment can be directed to our friendly team 0357835000 or registrar@assumption.vic.edu.au

Financial Assistance - CSEF

The Victorian State Government's Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps ensure no student will miss out on the opportunity to join educational activities. CSEF is provided to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities. If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. New applicants should contact the school to obtain a CSEF application form or download it from HERE. You do not need to complete a new application if you have previously applied. You only need to re-apply if your child has enrolled at a new school or family circumstances have changed.

Reception and Student Services Update

Families are now invited to visit the Reception of the College, via Gate 5. Reception is now located at Shandon House and we welcome your attendance in our newly refurbished space. Car parking remains on Sutherland Street until our new carpark is established.

Families and visitors are asked not to drive up the pedresdrian access. Our community will be advised when the circular drive in front of Shandon House is available for vehicle access.

Student Service remains in its temporary location. Students are aware that they sign in and out via this location. Parents should report to Reception at Shandon House to collect their children.

A friendly reminder, that dogs are not allowed on-site unless they are an authorised support companion. 

Thank you Danihers!

Our team from Danihers Facility Management help keep our College safe, clean, tidy and beautiful.

Thank you to each of the 25 individuals who continue to work tirelessly each and everyday. 

They are a fabulous team that we love working with and couldn't do without!

Class of 2013 Reunion

On Saturday the 11^th of November over 65 Alumni from the Class of 2013 gathered for their 10 Year reunion. 

Our Alumni Officer Kate Boulton assisted Harrison Taylor (Alumni) with preparing for the event.

The night was a huge success with plenty of fun, laughs and memories remembered. 

Held in Melbourne at the Bells Hotel in South Melbourne in the Lady Kaye room, the alumni proudly stood amongst the college’s silk banners, remembering their years at Assumption College.

Alumni Call Out for Shandon Calls!

Attention all alumni of Assumption College! We would love to hear from you and feature your story in the next edition of Shandon Calls.

Submissions Due 24 November 2023

If you have any updates or interesting experiences to share with the college community, please reach out to Kate Boulton, our Enrolments & Community Relations Officer, at:

Kate.Boulton@assumption.vic.edu.au

As a past student, you are an important part of the Assumption College community, and we value your contributions to our newsletter. Whether you have a success story to share, updates on your life after college, or just want to say hello, we want to hear from you.

Don't miss the opportunity to be featured in the next edition of Shandon Calls. Get in touch today! And if you want to catch up on the latest news and updates from Assumption College, check out the latest edition of the Shandon Calls by clicking the link below.

Marist Schools Australia Newsletter

Please find the link to November 2023 MSA Newsletter.

https://msa.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1c3e5ccb3d562d388519690d8&id=c7c8fce92f&e=9d901d9e2c