College News

Enrolments 2021

Enrolment applications for Year 7 2021 are now open. Contact Mrs Gemma Creagan by calling 6772 1666 or email gcreagan@arm.catholic.edu.au for an enrolment pack. Limited spaces are also available for Years 8 -12.

Promotional Video

Reconciliation Week

Last week the College celebrated Reconciliation Week. This year marks 20 years after the Walk for Reconciliation over the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney. The Bridge Walk for Reconciliation and similar events that took place around Australia in the weeks following were collectively the biggest demonstration of public support for a cause that has ever taken place in Australia. Over 1 million people signed the Sorry Books which circulated around Australia.

In PAC (Pastoral Academic Care) on Monday, National Sorry Day, students explored the meaning of the week which incorporated viewing a powerpoint which was organised by Mrs Russell. Our College Leaders also delivered this powerful message.

Vinnies' Winter Appeal - Hot Chocolate on a Day of Snow

A two dollar donation not only bought you a warm hot chocolate on snowy day at the College, but also a warm feeling from knowing you had donated to the Vinnies Winter Appeal. Year 12 Leaders prepared the much welcomed drinks on a very appropriate day!

From the Archives

From our Archivist Anthony Kelly.

As many would know, the first Catholic Chapel in Armidale was located where the main doors of the Angela building now stand. (1926 building).

PHOTO: Mr Anthony Kelly at the site of the first Catholic Chapel built in 1848.

The drive up to the front office was a continuation of Chapel Street and the photo below shows remnants of the street behind College.

PHOTO: Aerial photograph showing the De La Salle College circa 1940.

It is believed that the first recorded Catholic service was conducted in Armidale in 1848 by a travelling priest in the newly-constructed Catholic chapel.

The first permanent Priest arrived in Armidale in 1853 and the Presbytery which was built near the elms next to the school oval was named 'Florence Court'.

Poetry Corner

A Poem by Mr Peter McLeish

The whole gang of O’Connor

There was movement at the College, for the word had passed around

That the gang from all around would soon return;

And they all were so excited - it was the end of lockdown.

The teachers for their classes, they did yearn.

So all amazing students, who had coped so well with Zoom

Would muster in the quad on Monday morn,

The students missed their friends and learning, wanting to resume

And the staff no longer had to feel forlorn.

There she was, our own Ms Menz, with the microphone in hand

It’s doubtful that she needs it, when she takes control,

And all the beaming faces, listened on to each command

None would interrupt her, while she was on a roll.

Teachers looked on lovingly, their leader they admired

Social distancing was her daily lesson

Hand washing, wiping tables, and chairs we never tired

And once all back, this effort could not lessen.

The game is all so new now, as the second wave we must avoid

Follow rules, stay safe, and always keeping distance

Our way of life has changed, but is so far from destroyed

We stayed the course and fought with great persistence.

As we keep on moving forward, through this still uncertain time

Our school community we will always honour

The effort of parents, teachers, and students has been sublime

All in this together, the whole gang of O’Connor.

Z-Club

Z Club would be grateful for any donations of toothbrushes and toothpastes to add to the care packages that are ready to be distributed to those vulnerable groups within our community.

Also, we are starting a knitting club in BTX during Break B. We are knitting squares which will then be stitched into suggestions blankets for foster children. If you would line to help with this great project, please contact Mrs Channon.

Speaking 4 the Planet Competition - includes TikToks and Memes for the first time

The Speaking 4 the Planet competition deadline has been extended to 26 June.

If you want to participate in the following sections please email or see Mrs Roff early next week:

Speaking: Send a video of yourself giving a prepared speech of 4mins. Submissions longer than this time will not be considered.

Drama: Send a video of your drama team (up to 5 students) doing a 3-5mins drama piece. Submissions longer than this time will not be considered.

Artworks: Send 3 photos of your artwork. Specifications about the size will be provided in the support package.

Writing: This is a 30-word competition. Prose only. Send in a Word document. Submissions with more than 30 words will not be considered.

Memes: For the first time, S4P invites students to present a meme on the topic.

TikTok: Also a first for S4P. Maximum length 15 seconds. Submissions longer than this time will not be considered. The package contains details on the format for submitting your video. Video: Submit a 3minute video on the competition topic. Submissions longer than this will not be considered. The package contains details on the format for submitting your video.

GREAT PRIZES

TELSTRA SIMS

The College has received a further allocation of SIM cards from Telstra to assist with connected. Please see the College and Parent Information page for details.

Textiles

Year 8TC had limited time this term for planning and making something creative. They made great use of their time and chose to design a felt monster, decorate, stitch and stuff (all hand stitching) and some chose to do a macrame wall hanging.

Some of these skills were very new to the students but they did really well, and in the limited time they had it was very rewarding to see the enjoyment on their faces working mindfully on a small creative piece of work.

Food Tech / Hospitality

Last Tuesday a selection of staff were served a two-course luncheon by Mrs Healey's Year 12 Hospitality students. The dishes received rave reviews from those dining, and the students showed their resilience under pressure. It was amazing to see what goes on behind the scenes in a commercial kitchen.

PHOTO: Mrs Healey with Isabella Craig.

GALLERY: Year 12 Hospitality cooking up a great feast for our staff last Tuesday.

Relationship Cake

With cooking and baking having a resurgence in popularity during the COVID-19 lockdown, Ava Loughan shares her recipe which includes a couple of cups of kindness.

Relationship Cake

Ingredients:

2 cups of kindness
1 teaspoon of trust
¼ cup of friendship
¼ cup of respect
125gms of melted understanding
2 large eggs made with love
Method:

In a bowl place the kindness, trust and friendship and combine really well.
Now add in the respect and stir well.
Finally pour in the understanding and love and mix until all ingredients are combined.
Pour into a cake tin and bake with thoughtfulness.
Serve with laughter and friends.

PHOTO: The finished product