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Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield

Newsletter

Important Dates

Term 4, Week 9
4 December 2014

2014 Theme: Persevere with Faith

Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Friends of the College,
Last week the tragic loss of one of Australias young sporting heros galvanized a nation. There was and still is
an unprecedented outpouring of collective grief and emotion. This has transcended Australia to many other
nations, some not traditionally known for their knowledge and love of cricket. Elton John dedicated a song,
Dont let the sun go down on me at his Berlin concert to Phillip Hughes and to the other young man who
bowled the delivery, Sean Abbott. In pondering the mysteries of life, the tragic loss of a young man such as
Phillip Hughes not only reminds us of our own fragility but how we never know what lies around the next
corner. The media reports and testimonials regarding the life of this man, his joie de vie and generosity are a
reflection of the great Saint, Francis of Assissi It is in giving that we receive. When tragedy affects a community
the community needs to gather together. In many places this was often the local church. Increasingly it is
becoming the school. Whilst it may also be for convenience, such as a large gathering space, it is largely a
reflection of where a significant portion of a persons life is spent. This is especially prevalent in adolescence.
Phillip Hughes funeral was held yesterday at Macksville High School. Whilst schools facilities must never
replace our Churches, our schools are places of faith, evangelisation and hope for many young people. This
Advent Season it is my prayer that many families will reconnect with Parish in worship.
Advent is actually a Latin word meaning coming. The Lord is coming in the form of the Christ Child. The Gospel
readings for the coming liturgical year are taken from Mark. This Gospel was written around 66-69AD, probably
for a community of Roman citizens living in a Roman city outside of Palestine. Marks Gospel of last weekend
reminds us that we need to be watchful and not to be caught off guard. Dr Laurie Woods from Australian
Catholic University has shared this beautiful reflection on Advent.
Chapter 13, which is described as an apocalyptic chapter because, like all apocalyptic writing, it deals with
revelations. Apocalypse comes from the Greek verb meaning to uncover or reveal. In these verses from Mark
13 Jesus is revealing to his disciples the signs that will herald his second coming. The thrust of Jesus advice is
that we need to stay awake and keep watch so that we are not caught off guard at the appointed time. This
admonition is preceded by Jesus statement that no one knows when the second coming will occur. In the
verse just before todays extract (verse 32) we read, As to the exact day or hour, no one knows it, neither the
angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. In the season of Advent we are preparing for the spiritual
coming of Jesus into our lives. This is a season when we focus on the kind of spiritual housekeeping that would
make us ready to receive Christ as a guest.
Jesus uses the analogy of the master who goes away on business but expects his servants to be ready to receive
him when he returns. The welcome from his servants is not regarded as a special event but rather forms part of
their duty. It is something the master expects as a matter of course. The obvious implication from Jesus is that
his followers should live their lives in such a away that they would always be ready. Their relationship with God
would be such that they would always be close to their Lord. However, readiness means living the Christian
life to the full according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. It means serving each other, ministering to those we
meet along lifes way and getting on with the business of life, but life according to the Spirit, not, ad Paul says,
according to the flesh, with its tendency to selfishness, arrogance, outbursts of rage and impatience, bickering
and lack of respect for others.

Thursday, 4th December

MCS Basketball and Cricket
Round 9.

Friday, 5th December

End of Year Mass, 9.15am All Welcome.

Monday, 8th December

Prayer in Chapel, 1.35pm.
Year 11 Assessment Week.

Tuesday, 9th December

-

Wednesday, 10th December

Year 10 Ryda Excursion.
Year 8 TAS Incursion.

Thursday, 11th December

Staff vs Student Cricket Match.

Friday, 12th December

Year 11 Viva Voce Orals.
Pastoral Care Period, P5.
Years 7 - 10 Reports Distributed.

Mark uses the remarks of Jesus to encourage his community to take a stand against the negative forces of their
society and to strive for goodness and wholeness in their relationships. In this way their readiness to meet
Christ is assured.

Please remember in your

prayers

In a week where the Australian and World Community was galvanised by a tragic event we can take hope that
what unites us should never separate us.

Those Who Are Sick:

Mr Domenic Leonello
Mr Peter Teather

Best Wishes and Gods Blessings.

Mr John Killeen
College Principal

Telephone:
Fax:

9728 4488
9727 7651

268 The Horsley Drive, Fairfield, NSW 2165

www.pbcfairfield.catholic.edu.au

Educational Excellence in the Patrician Tradition

Message from the Religious Education Coordinator:

The Second Sunday of Advent, Year B, 7th December 2014

Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will
prepare your way (Mark 1:2).

St Vincent de Paul Society Christmas Food Hamper Appeal

The Appeal will run from Friday 31st
October to Friday 5th December.
The hampers will be presented to the
Society at the End of Year Mass on
Friday 5th December. Last year over
180 food hampers were distributed to
families from the support of the College.
The following items can be brought to
school and placed in the Chapel in baskets. Please check use by
date and or best before date on items. Items can be placed in
baskets before morning homeroom.
TINNED TUNA/SALMON, CHRISTMAS CAKE/FRUIT CAKE, JELLY,
PEANUT BUTTER, VEGEMITE, TINNED FRUIT, JAMS, PASTA/PASTA
SAUCE, BEETROOT, MIXED BEANS/BAKED BEANS, BISCUITS,
LOLLIES, RICE, NUTS, CORDIALS/SOFT DRINKS, TEA/COFFEE,
TINNED HAM.
NO ALCOHOL, NO TOBACCO PRODUCTS, NO CLOTHING

Any questions see Mr Neaves or Mrs Wild

The Meaning of Advent
Advent takes its meaning from Christs passion, death,
resurrection, ascension, and sending of the Spirit. For three
hundred years the church celebrated no other aspect of Christ
than this paschal mystery. Our Christmas celebration takes its
meaning from this mystery. The crib, the cross, and the crown
are closely connected. Advent is a time of joyful anticipation
of the realisation of Gods promise. It is a grace-filled season of
new hope, new life, and new love. There is a sense of urgency in
Advent that wakes us up from our complacency. Advent should
challenge us to prepare ourselves and our world for the full
coming of the kingdom of peace and justice.
The Advent Wreath
The Laurel wreath was a custom of ancient Rome. It sybolised
a friendly greeting to a neighbour, of a victory, of a joy and of
a celebration. The Church used this symbolism and more to
introduce the Advent Wreath. The Advent Wreath is always in
the form of a circle. It is a symbol for God who has no beginning
or end. Each week during the Advent Season we are preparing
for the birth of Christ at Christmas. Our colour violet reminds us
that Advent is a season for preparation. As each candle adds to
the wreath, we become more aware that the birth of Gods Son,
Jesus Christ, is coming closer.
Our first candle, the First Sunday of Advent, is called the
Prophets Candle of a people waiting in hope for the
promised Messiah.
Our second candle, the Second Sunday of Advent, is called
the Peace Candle, the peace that God has given us in
Christ.
Our third candle is a rose candle, the Third Sunday of Advent
or Gaudete Sunday, the Rejoicing Candle awakens us to
the joy that Christs birth is almost here and we are filled
with rejoicing.
Our fourth candle, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, is called
the Love Candle where our hearts are turned to love
and the challenge it holds for us, to dare to trust in Gods
promise.
Our centre candle is white, the Incarnation Candle, our
time of preparation is over and we enter into a time of great
joy, for our saviour has been born, he is Christ the Lord; God
is with us.

The Gospel of Mark begins with the

powerful announcement that his Gospels
central character: Jesus Christ, is the Son
of God. Only at the end of his Gospel does
another person give Jesus that title, the
centurion at the cross (Mk 15:39). Unlike
Matthew and Luke, Mark tells nothing of
the infancy of Jesus. Instead he introduces
us to the adult Jesus through his forerunner, John the Baptist.
John proclaimed the Good News that the Messiah, the Christ
(the anointed one), was coming to save his people. John was
the new Elijah who prepared the people for the arrival of the
Day of the Lord (Malachi 3:1, 23). Like the great prophet, John
appeared in the desert proclaiming a message of repentance.
John realised that his role was that of a lowly herald of the glad
tidings; he himself was not the message. John was a humble
servant unworthy to untie the sandals of his master. His baptism
of water was for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus was one more
powerful who would baptise with the purifying grace of the
Holy Spirit.
Reflection: Lord Jesus, help me to proclaim the Good News of
your coming.
Am I willing to be a servant to Gods people?
Maria Duce
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us
St Patrick, pray for us
Live Jesus in our hearts forever
Mr Christopher Neaves
Religious Education Coordinator

Messages from the Assistant Principal

The final month of the year has started, and as we move into
the summer season, many of us will prepare for Christmas and
the holidays that beckon. The tragic death of the Australian
cricketer Phillip Hughes last week is a reminder of how accidents
can happen regardless of how well prepared we are. The Advent
reading on Sunday from Isaiah calls us to be awake as we dont
know when God will call us from this life. This Friday is the end
of Year Mass at 9.15am in the College Hall, which all parents and
caregivers are warmly invited to attend. It is a great opportunity
in celebrating the Eucharist as a College community in giving
thanks for the blessings of the year that has passed, and is
equally important in our preparation during the season of
Advent for the joy that Christmas brings for many families.
However Christmas can be a time of sadness, loneliness and
despair for some families, and the Christmas hamper donations
for the local SVDP Conference at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish
will hopefully bring some assistance to local families. As usual
the students and their families have been very generous to this
appeal coordinated by Mr Neaves.
Last week we held our final College Assembly for this year. Parents
and caregivers this year will be able to see the rich diversity
that is celebrated at the College Assemblies during the year in
the 2014 Rosarian. Last weeks Assembly included recognising
the students involved in the Principals Writing Challenge (and
winners!), the recipients of the Premiers Reading Challenge,

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the successes of the Senior debating team and the Junior and
Intermediate Chess teams, students acclaimed for sporting
successes at MCS and State level, presentations from students
in multi-media. A usual standing item at each College Assembly
is at least one musical item which occurred last week. We are
blessed to have so many teachers passionate about providing
such diverse opportunities, and an affirming community who
genuinely enjoy celebrating and recognising the achievements
and talents amongst those in our community.
SEMESTER TWO REPORTS
The Yearly Reports for Years 7 10 will be distributed next week
on Friday, 12th December. The 2014 Rosarian will also be
given out to take home with the Reports. The Rosarian for Year
11 students will be distributed Monday 8th December.
PARENT TEACHER MEETINGS LAST WEEK
There is the opportunity for parent teacher meetings at the
end of this Semester for parents of students in Years 7 10.
This will occur on Monday 15th December between 2.00pm
4.15pm. Parents who wish to make interviews are asked to
contact the College Office by Friday 12th December. These
interviews will take place in the hall. Interviews are required to
be booked through the College Office, as staff will be involved
in meetings during the afternoon.
TEXTBOOKS
All Year 7 11 textbooks should be returned at the start of next
week Monday 9th December, to allow for the annual stocktake,
and ensure that texts are ready for distribution for the academic
year.
PICNIC DAY 16th DECEMBER YEARS 7 11.
A reminder that the Year 7 11 Picnic Day on Tuesday 16th
December is the last day of school. Boys who have a Wet N Wild
Season Pass should have informed their Year Coordinator at this
stage, as this pass can be used on the day. The catch up day for
the swim tests is next Thursday 11th December during sport,
and boys who wish to do this swim tests are required to inform
their Year Coordinator, and bring $5 on the day to cover the
entry cost to the pool. The boys who are non-swimmers will be
given wristbands on the Picnic Day.
AWARDS UPDATE 2014
Parents and caregivers would be aware that we have an
accessible and affirming College Awards System. As of last week,
it is worth noting the following awards had been conferred
during this year;

Bronze Awards 1524

Silver Awards
110

Gold Awards
4
This is a great commendation of the Awards structure, and
the achievements of the students throughout the year. The
College hopes that in 2014 these numbers might treble, as the
students who receive these awards are usually achieving across
a number of areas of College life.

BRONZE AWARDS
Congratulations to the following boys who will receive a Bronze
Award from their Year Coordinators in the next week, as they
have collected either 5 academic or merit certificates;
Riley Burchell 7 Gilroy
Haydon Kelly 7 Gilroy : 2 Awards
Tommy Hoang Nguyen 7 Gilroy
Frank Barbara 7 Therry
Paul Barbara 7 Therry
Matthew Lau - 7 Therry
Jaden Palteng 7 Therry
Jimmy Pinidmontee 7 Therry : 2 Awards
Stanley Yahko 7 Therry
Raymond Chung 7 Polding
Rhys Magno 7 Polding
Robert Ciccarelli 7 Mackillop : 2 Awards
Samer Younus 7 Mackillop
John Shlimun 7 Dixon
Nicholas Tran 8 Gilroy : 2 Awards
Lachlan Kenton 8 Dixon : 3 Awards
Daniel Oshana 8 Tullow
Silver Awards
The following young men who will receive a Brother Aengus
Kavanagh Silver Award at the next full school assembly. These
students have entered into a sustained period of commitment
in both areas of Academic Achievement and School Community
Service, over a long period of time. They have received and
accumulated 5 Bronze Awards to receive this Silver Award.
Matthew Cameron 7 Freeman Nicholas Baeza 9 Therry
Michael Kelleher
Assistant Principal
Chess
Boys from Patrician Brothers. Three keen and eager teams
travelled halfway across Sydney to record their best result
ever in an away tournament, winning and placing second in
the Intermediate division (years 9-10), and placing third in the
Junior division (years 7-8).
Playing in teams of three and up against teams from 7 other
Catholic Colleges, they showed mettle and concentration in
achieving this excellent overall result.
Congratulations to:
Intermediate A team consisting of Kevin Settle, Manoeil Botros,
Aln Shamoun and Edric Tubig, second place in Intermediate
division
Intermediate B team consisting of Patrick Obmasca, Brandon
Rojas and Milad Matti, first place in the Intermediate division.
Junior team consisting of Kelland Cassar, Paul Charbel, Damian
King and William Tran, third place in the Junior division.
Congratulations to these students for their fine display of skill
and sportsmanship in representing our College.
Mr David Ricketts

PRIZEGIVING AWARDS EVENING FOR THE 2014 YEAR

The Prize giving evening for the 2014 school year will take
place at the start of next year, on Wednesday 11th February,
in the College Hall. Students in Years 7 11 who will be award
recipients will have letters sent home to families in the last
week of this Term.

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Principals Writing Challenge 2014

Mind on Maths

This years Principals Writing Challenge saw Mr Killeen expand

the boundaries of the challenge to allow students from Years
7-11 to showcase the variety of writing skills they have in any
form they chose. This saw an increase in the number of entries
submitted with forms ranging from the traditional narrative and
poetry through to business and scientific reports to academic
History and English essays. The narrative was the most common
form submitted and the genres ranged from historical dramas,
horror, fantasy and dramatic realism. It was fantastic to see
the amazing writing skills of our students on display with their
expansive vocabularies and control of the chosen form. It was
pleasing to see that so many boys had the confidence in their
own work to have it judged and considered for the generous
prizes on offer.
This year prizes were awarded to the following students:
Highly Commended
Rhys Magno (Year 7), Ryan Tram (Year 8), Simon Ayoub (Year 10)
and Paul Villegas (Year 11).
Year 7 Winner: Memories Past by Phong Tran
Year 8 Winner: The Glint by Jake Marurai
Year 9 Winner: Christmas in the Crosshairs by William Tran
Year 10 Winner: The Old Man and the Sea an alternate ending
by Ivan Blaskovich
Year 11 Winner: Why School is more important than you think
by Joshua Botroos
Overall College Winner: My Mind and I by James Tran (Year 11)
My thanks to Mr Killeen once again for initiating this annual
competition, to Mrs George who organised all the entries
and of course to all of the students who participated in the
competition. The standard was very high and I hope to see you
enter again next year.
Ms Lowing

On Wednesday the 26th of November, a handful of Year 7 and

8 boys (Kelvin, Liam, Darren, Andy, Daniel and myself ) travelled
to All Saints Catholic Girls School to participate in the Mind on
Maths competition against 14 other schools. The day included 5
rounds of maths that not only tested our individual knowledge
and skills but our ability to work as a team. The day was highly
successful as the boys finished 2nd place, beating our previous
record of 5th set the year before. I would like to personally thank
Mr Wang and Mr Tran for the organisation of the day.
Gabriel Izgi

Year 9 Spelling Bee

The Year 9 Spelling Bee Competition held on Thursday the
27th November was the last event for the year. The students
were very enthusiastic about showing their skills in front of
their year group and disappointed that this would be their final
Spelling Bee. On the day, 35 students were on stage competing
for the championship. In the first round none of the students
were eliminated but as the competition progressed students
began to be eliminated. In Round 3, 10 boys were eliminated
with some of these words being misspelt: luminous, synopsis,
sabbath, catharsis and denouement to name a few. In Round
9, a further 6 boys were eliminated and now we were left with
6 boys competing with each other for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.
These boys were Joshuah Mak (9.6), Dan Nguyen (9.6), Joseph
Nguyen (9.1), Ryan Raganas (9.3), Matthew Taverniti (9.2) and
Majd Wadee (9.6). Ryan misspelt polocrosse placing him 3rd,
Dan spelt prowess correctly placing him 2nd and the 1st place
winner was Madj spelling kaleidoscope correctly. Again, many
thanks to Mrs Michelle George who read out the words and to
Miss Angela Stanley who assisted her. To Mr Wendel Delpechitra
for his skills with taking lovely photos of the event. A big thank
you to the teachers who supervised: Mrs Sandra Fellows, Mr
Michael McGovern, Mr Daniel Simonian, Mr Frank Iemma, Mrs
Emma Honey, Mr Robert Tunbridge, Mrs Haifa Gebran and
Miss Pamela Anjoul. I would like to extent my graditude to the
teachers who supported the Spelling Program throughout the
year and look forward to 2015.
Ms Dia Bardas
Spelling Coordinator

In 2015 the school year commencement

dates are:
Friday, 23rd January : Office Reopens
Tuesday, 27th January : All Staff Return
Wednesday, 28th January : Years 7, 11 & 12 Commence
Friday, 30th January : Years 8 ,9 & 10 Commence
Dan Nguyen, Madj Wadee, Ryan Raganas
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Educational Excellence in the Patrician Tradition

LAST WEEK IN SPORT

CANTEEN ROSTER
Monday
8.12.14

Anne Spiteri

Tuesday
9.12.14

Loretta DAmico

Wednesday
10.12.14

Last week saw the cricket and basketball teams play matches
against Terra Sancta College, with the exception of the 2nd X1
cricket, who played against St Gregorys College. The basketball
teams once again were strong with victories in all grades. The
cricket teams also had some success with strong wins to the A
Grade and Year 7 teams.

Norma Nolan
Mehnazz Modhvan

THIS WEEK

Thursday
11.12.14
Friday
12.12.14

Hedy Brunet

URGENT CANTEEN HELP REQUIRED

Please contact Mrs Julie Olivieri (Canteen Supervisor) on
9728 4488. Why not join up with another parent and come
together. Help is still needed on some days of the month.
Vietnamese News

This week the cricket and basketball teams play against St Pauls
Catholic College. The 1st X1 team play at St Pauls, the 2nd X1
team play at Daniel Street, the Year 9 boys play on the College
Oval and the Year 7 team play at Brenan Park.
The have the A Grade, B Grade and Year 10 teams at the Leisure
Centre with the Year 8 and 9 teams playing at St Pauls College.
NEXT WEEK
Next week the MCS competition takes a break and resumes in
Term 1 2015. We will play a staff student cricket match on the
College Oval in place of our regular competition.
Please remember that all details regarding our MCS Sporting
competitions and draws can be found at the MCS website
(www.mcscolleges.com) .
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the Year 7 cricket team on their victory last
week. A special mention must go to Luka Zepina who claimed
3 wickets for 0 runs off 2 overs. Well done Luke on what helped
the team achieve victory.
Robert Ciccarelli who represented NSW
over the weekend in the Friendship cup at
Marrickville in U13 boys foil. This is a huge
event with teams from around Australia,
Japan and New Zealand. His team, NSW A,
placed 2nd behind the visiting Japanese
team earning them a silver medal. In the
individual U13 State rankings, Robert has
ended the year ranked 2nd in NSW.
Remember Too much Sport is barely enough.
Mr B Wallace
Sports Department

OFFICE HOURS
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday

Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield

pays respect to the Cabrogal People of the
Dharug Nation, the traditional custodians of the
land on which we gather to celebrate our faith
and worship God.
We acknowledge with respect the Elders past
and present.

8.00am - 4.00pm
8.00am - 4.00pm
8.00am - 4.00pm
8.00am - 4.00pm
8.00am - 3.30pm

UNIFORM SHOP HOURS

Monday
8:00am - 12:00pm
Tuesday
12:00pm - 3:15pm
Wednesday
CLOSED
Thursday
8:00am - 12:00pm
Friday
12:00pm - 3:15pm
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