Newsletter 07 March 2023

Principal's Welcome

Term 1 Week 6

130 Mass and the celebration of our special community

Term one is always busy and for those of us in senior leadership especially, there really isn't a spare moment. Of course there's the business of getting the school up and running for the year, welcoming new staff and families and doing what we can to ensure they settle in quickly, but there are also boarders to meet and help to build routines quickly, sport to attend, a myriad of evening events to attend as our programs hit their stride, and of course, this year, the 130th Anniversary. 

When people visit our College (and we've had quite a few from other schools over the past few weeks as they seek to learn about MyMAP and our staff professional learning program), they often comment that the scope and scale of what we undertake here is nothing less than astounding. The Mass last week epitomised this for me – the joy, respect and awe of our students and staff as we sat where 130 years of students had sat before, saying the same words and singing the same hymns, and remembering that we stand on the shoulders of giants is something very special, and even precious. 

I was saddened that some families elected not to send their child to this important milestone event – saddened for the students that missed out on this very unique and precious occasion to be with our community in such a different way, but also saddened that some families do not seem to value that being part of a school like Assumption comes with obligations. Growing young people of commitment and character is something that we are in partnership together to achieve, especially to help them understand that the community organisations we belong to and wish to preserve don't come about by individualistic choices, but by choosing communal membership, including accepting the responsibilities of being in that community such as being present at significant community moments and showing our support for those whom that ritual is particularly meaningful. Just as you wouldn't miss the birthday celebration of a beloved elderly family member (because we know it matters to be present, to see and be seen and to participate in the family rituals that accompany these major milestones), so it is with institutions we care about. We all need to work together to help our young people understand this reality, so that they can grow into positive community members who do not take for granted, but instead actively support, the institutions that make our families, our towns and our broader communities good places to be. 

130 Gala

It was wonderful to see so many parents and carers at the Gala on Saturday evening. Thank you so much for your attendance – from what I saw, everyone had a terrific evening! Our students did a marvellous job entertaining the crowd. However, the highlight of the night was certainly the celebration of the ten new inductees into the Hall of Excellence. I hope you have had an opportunity over the past few days to enjoy some of the photos on the College's social media, but I also commend to you the short videos on each of the Inductees, who are worthy role models for us all of the motto 'Quae Supra Quaere'.

Hall of Excellence Inductees:

Fr John Brosnan, James Butler, Robert Chipman, Damian Drum, James Dullard, David McNamara, Tony McNamara, Damien Meredith, James Tibballs, Peter Traynor.

Rising Stars:

Tony Armstrong, Belinda Bourne, Kaitlyn Cummins, Alisa Urokohara.

Sports Partnership Announcements

As you would be aware, last year we entered into an agreement with the Liverpool Football Club International Academy to offer coaching and training opportunities for our staff and students. At the Gala on Saturday evening, we also announced the following partnerships to support other sports within our High-Performance Sport program: Essendon Football Club (AFL program) Netball Victoria, Cricket Victoria and the Melbourne United Basketball Club. Each of these clubs/organisations will work with our staff to build elite training opportunities for our coaches and our students, inclusive of access to premier training facilities and programs. We are deeply grateful to each of these organisations for their courage in joining us in this new endeavour and look forward to sharing our work together over the coming years. 

Lent is a time of reflection

We're one week into Lent now on the journey towards Easter. As Easter is the most sacred of experiences on the Christian calendar, we use the forty days prior to put ourselves through a kind of intense re-training program, reflecting on where and how we might improve our capacity to 'love one another as ourselves'. I urge all parents and carers to open a conversation with their children about the personal attributes they value in others and the ways that they might grow more to emulate those people and thus become more loving, patient, kind, forgiving, compassionate, humble and gentle. 

School Captains' Report

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all students, staff and families for the 2023 school year at Assumption College. 2023 also marks our 130th birthday!

Over the last few weeks, students and staff have been busy preparing and participating in our College's 130th anniversary celebrations. This included a memorable liturgy held inside St Patrick's Cathedral, followed by a shared lunch in the sunny Fitzroy Gardens. The day marked a moment to celebrate our school's rich history and gave students an opportunity to come together and reflect on their time at Assumption College. For us and our fellow year 12's, we were reminded of the 125th anniversary mass held in our first year of high school. Undoubtedly, the growth we have witnessed since then makes us extremely proud to be students at this school, and we are eager to keep growing over 2023. 

The following night welcomed families, staff, and alumni of the College to the 130th Gala dinner, where we celebrated the achievements of the community. Most notably, the Hall of Excellence inductees and Rising Star award recipients stole the show, as their significant contributions to their respective fields left us inspired to seek (and go beyond) the things that are above. 

With all this and more events coming throughout the term, the staff and student leadership team will continue to create an inclusive, creative and inspiring environment throughout the college. Encouraging students to continue to abide by our school theme of 2023 - 'Created and Called to seek the thing that are above'. This means doing things in the Assumption Way, which calls for us to be humble, modest and selfless. As a community, we continue to strive to reach our goals, and whilst each individual's goal is different, we all continue to work together in search of these achievements. 

A strong aim of the 2023 student leadership team is to encourage students to try everything. Make the most of the privilege and opportunity of pulling on the blue blazer and encouraging those around them to do the same. The importance of participation and getting outside of your comfort zone was spoken about fondly by our Hall of Excellence inductees, and are important attributes of Assumption College graduates. Let's continue to create an inclusive, exciting and fun environment where we can celebrate our individual and collective successes as well as challenge each other to be the best that we can be.

130 Year Mass

It was a day to remember as Assumption College celebrated its 130th anniversary with a Mass at the historic St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne. 28 buses filled with eager students arrived on the morning of the 24th of February.

The Mass was a proud moment for the students, who represented the college in their blazers and displayed their respect throughout the ceremony. After the Mass, the students were treated to lunch in the nearby Treasury Gardens.

We want to extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to this celebration and a special thanks to the school choir who performed at the event. The Mass was also streamed live, allowing those who couldn't attend in person to still be a part of the memorable occasion.

Links to the livestream and the Mass booklet are below.

Ash Wednesday

Assumption College acknowledged Ash Wednesday on 22nd February, marking the beginning of Lent with a ceremony that dates back to one of the earliest Christian practices. During the ceremony, students and staff were marked with ashes, symbolising the need for repentance and the recognition of human frailty.

The tradition of marking oneself with ashes is a powerful reminder that we all have a need for God in our lives. It is a time for reflection and renewal as we embark on the 40-day journey towards Easter, the most solemn Christian celebration of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

The Ash Wednesday ceremony is an important part of Assumption College's spiritual calendar, and we are grateful to all those who participated in the event. We hope the ceremony will serve as a reminder to the entire community to embrace the Lenten season and deepen our relationship with God.

Student Achievements

Lily Hocking

Assumption College is proud to announce that Year 12 student, Lily Hocking, has been chosen to represent the college at the Shepparton Art Museum FRESH exhibition. The exhibition showcases the top Studio Art students from the local area and is a fantastic opportunity for Lily to display her exceptional talent.

Lily's hard work and dedication to her studies have paid off, with her achieving outstanding results last year and now being invited by the museum to participate in an ABC radio interview about her artwork and process. 

The Shepparton Art Museum will host a special Award Night on the 30th of March (Thursday), where Lily and other talented young artists will be recognised for their achievements. We encourage the Assumption College community to support Lily and attend the event to celebrate her success.

Click the button below to learn more about the Shepparton Art Museum FRESH exhibition.

Join us for Open Evening

Assumption College is delighted to invite prospective families to our Open Evening on 20th March 2023, from 4-7 pm. Our student leaders will conduct group tours to showcase the College and provide an authentic student perspective and insight into life at Assumption College.  This is an excellent opportunity for families to see our innovative myMAP program in action, explore the range of subjects on offer, and learn about the extensive co-curricular activities available to our students.

In addition to the tours, attendees can enjoy a BBQ and socialise with the Assumption College community. We are also seeking parent volunteers to help make the event a success. Further information on how to volunteer will be provided in future communication.

Whether you are considering our College for the first time or simply wish to know more about what we offer, we look forward to meeting you and answering any questions you may have.

Bookings are essential to ensure a tailored and personalised experience. Click here to book now.

Marlhes Restaurant Back in Action

Assumption College's Marlhes Restaurant is back in business! The restaurant opened its doors on 1st March, and the night was a resounding success, with a full house of satisfied guests. We congratulate our chefs, bar, and wait staff for their hard work and dedication to making the night a joyous occasion.

Throughout the year, the Marlhes Restaurant will host a range of exciting events, including themed dinners, buffets, and special occasions such as Mother's Day and Father's Day dinners. The restaurant's diverse menu offers a blend of Eastern and Western cuisine, ensuring that there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The Marlhes Restaurant is not just a place to indulge in delicious food but also an opportunity to support talented students. The restaurant provides students with hands-on experience in hospitality, preparing them for future careers in the industry. 

The complete list of restaurant dates for 2023 is provided below, and bookings are essential (Trybooking links will be posted on our socials closer to each event date). We look forward to seeing you!

Fundraiser for Syria-Türkiye Earthquake Victims

Assumption College would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to the entire community for its support during our recent fundraiser for the Syria-Türkiye earthquake. Through our 'Round up at the ref' initiative and other fundraising efforts, we raised $2367.38, sent directly to Caritas, who are on the ground in both countries, assisting those affected by the earthquake.

The devastation caused by the earthquake was widespread, and we are proud to have been able to contribute to the relief efforts. We would like to thank our mission team, who have been running fundraisers, for their incredible efforts.

Once again, we thank the entire Assumption College community for its generosity and compassion. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the earthquake.

As a community, we can continue to support those in need by donating to the link below.

Year 12 Retreat

Assumption College's Year 12 students recently participated in an overnight retreat, which took place on Thursday, 2nd March and Friday, 3rd March. The students had a fantastic time as they engaged in various activities that fostered team-building and moments of reflection.

The retreat provided students with a much-needed break from their hectic academic schedules and allowed them to connect with one another in a relaxed and supportive environment. Highlights of the retreat included journaling and meditation sessions, which allowed students to unwind and explore their spiritual potential.

We are grateful to all the staff and volunteers who made this retreat possible and ask that you keep our Year 12s in your thoughts and prayers as they continue their academic journey.

130 Year Gala Gallery

Assumption College recently celebrated its 130th Year Gala, and what a night it was! The event was a grand celebration, with students, staff, alumni, and the wider community coming together to mark this momentous occasion.

The night was filled with entertainment, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to catch up with old friends and make new ones. The Gala served as a platform to recognise the achievements of our Rising Stars and newly inducted Hall of Excellence members.

We are thrilled to share some sneak peek images from the night-of-nights, with more images and video clips to come.

Click the link below to see more!

Gala Sneak Peak

4 New Partnerships

At the Gala, we announced four new partnerships with Netball Victoria, Essendon Football Club, Melbourne United, and Cricket Victoria. These partnerships offer students unique opportunities to engage with the wider community and pursue their passions through high-quality coaching and development programs.

The new partnerships complement our existing Liverpool Football Club International Academy Partnership, providing a diverse range of opportunities for our students. We are thrilled to offer these additional opportunities for our community and look forward to the positive impact they will have.

Liverpool FC IA Soccer Clinics

Seek your AMBITION and take advantage of an exciting opportunity to learn to play 'The Liverpool Way!'

Wear the Liverpool red with DIGNITY as you develop and hone your soccer skills and learn the core values of the LFC International Academy.

Train in UNITY with other aspiring soccer players under the guidance of experienced Liverpool FC International Academy qualified coaches.

Make the COMMITMENT and register now for Liverpool FC International Academy Clinics at Assumption College.

Places are strictly limited. Assumption College - let's make our mark on the soccer world!

Click the link below to sign up now!

Sport Captains' Report

Hi everyone, it's Bel and Isaiah, your 2023 Sports Captains. 

We want to give a huge congratulations to all 47 sports teams across the school who represented ACK for the summer season, demonstrating the ACK values each week. 

After a great home and away season, Firsts Cricket has placed second on the ladder, going into finals with a strong chance to take home the Premiership. First Basketball missed out on finals by one point but are now looking towards the upcoming Marist Carnival. Whilst First Tennis battled it out amongst tough competition, showing up each week and giving it their all. 

This term was filled with heaps of amazing achievements both on individual and team levels. Senior girls softball remained undefeated the whole season, whilst girls touch football had their highest scoring season, their senior team taking out previously undefeated teams. Seconds boys basketball made it an exciting habit to score a 3 pointer in the dying seconds of the game to take home wins, and our girls volleyball teams demonstrated the ACK sporting values in the way they came together for both the wins and losses. 

This year we look towards facilitating more mentorship opportunities between senior and junior students through student-run training sessions. We also aim to continue building culture amongst all our sporting teams, from Firsts teams all the way down to juniors, establishing even more positive and respectful environments. By including our younger teams in these culture initiatives, every sportsperson at ACK will understand what an Assumption culture looks like and will be able to act as role models when they reach senior levels. 

Good luck to the 41 winter teams across each year level and sport, as we move away from summer sport into an exciting winter season.

Sport Gallery

Australian Marist Solidarity

Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS) is a vital Marist ministry in the region, dedicated to meeting the educational needs of our closest neighbouring countries. With the educational needs in many of these countries becoming more acute and growing, AMS plays a crucial role in ensuring that children have access to quality education.

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. If you have any updates or interesting experiences to share with the college community, please reach out to Jack Buckingham, our Enrolments & Community Relations Officer, at jack.buckingham@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.