Winton News

A word from the year 11 Cluster Leader 2017: Allison Caruana

As our journey as Year 11s comes to an end, I wanted to take the time to acknowledge the greatness of the Winton cluster through the year.

We had an amazing year. Retreat was our first proper bonding session as a cluster, and from that I think we can all say that many new friendships were created. We were all able to grow closer together within not only our clusters, but also our tutors.

Cluster sports was another activity which brought us all together, and though we didn’t get too many wins, our enthusiasm and persistence is what makes Winton, Winton.

Unfortunately, we haven’t had many opportunities to come together as a whole Cluster, but through our tutors, it is clearly seen that we all withhold our cluster values of creativity, stewardship and respect.

As we embark our last year of schooling, my only hope is that as a Cluster we stick together and support each other. Though majority of us are heading off to Year 12, we have said goodbye to one Winton student who has left the college to complete an apprenticeship. So, to Max Tessari from W5, on behalf of all Winton students and staff, we wish you the best of luck and we will miss you.

It’s been a great year and it’s been more than a pleasure being the Year 11 Winton Cluster Leader. But as I take up my new role as College Captain, I must hand over my thrown to two hard-working and amazing people, which are Magdalena and Anthony!

I’d like to give a special thanks to all Winton staff, especially our Cluster Coordinators for 2016, Adam and Chloe, for always being there to guide us throughout the year.

A look to the future from the Winton Cluster Leader 2017: Magdalena Dolic

My name is Magdalena Dolic and I am the year 12 Winton Cluster Leader for 2017. Firstly I would like to thank Allison for being a truly amazing leader this year, for her dedication to the not only the Cluster but to all students alike and taking initiative in representing Winton. Likewise I believe that we should all be very grateful to Adam and Chloe, our Cluster Coordinators for 2016 and all Winton homeroom teachers. Thank you for you continuous support throughout the year, guidance through the troubles we face and overall drive to support the Cluster year in and year out. 

Next year will be a new year filled with new possibilities and goals to tackle, including the various challenges and hurdles up ahead. It offers us the chance to rethink our game plan and to become readily prepared to face different obstructions, different hardships and different situations with a fresh mindset. Though as year twelves we will have our own priorities to attend to, it is important that we remember to also become involved within the Cluster, whether through fundraisers, Cluster sport or initiatives organised throughout the year. I certainly believe that through cooperation and dedication to all, with both individuals and community, anything is achievable.

Alongside Creativity and Respect, One of the Winton Cluster Values is Stewardship, where we are responsible for taking care of the world we live in and sharing its resources with others. Our changing environment prompts us to stop and think about how we live on our planet. That is why supporting social justice initiatives based on the environment and more importantly those living marginalised are foremost importance to me. It is up to us to take action and work towards a more sustainable and structured future, to help maintain our college community and Winton spirit so that others may have the opportunity to experience it just as we did ourselves. Whilst working alongside the Student leadership group, I also aim to support and collaborate with our Sustainability and Environmental captain, Nhi in hopes of living up to this Cluster value. 

I am also extremely passionate about the Winton Clothing drive which supports St. Vincent de Paul, I believe that next year we can commit to supporting those who require our dire most attention in the community. It’s one thing to feel compassion and proclaim your intentions of helping others and another thing to stand up and take action. Each and every individual has an important role to play, we are all vital in making a difference and helping those who are less fortunate than ourselves. We have been given the opportunity to attend such a lively, diverse and innovative college, which is why I stress the urgent importance for us to give back to community. 

I look forward to what the next year brings with Catholic Regional College Sydenham’s 35th Anniversary and various new possibilities to explore what our faith and education have to offer. It will also be a great opportunity to incorporate the value of creativity as much as possible whether through art, music, dance, theatre and other forms of creative expression.

We will welcome 2017’s year elevens in with open arms and the same hospitality and vibrancy we received as year eleven’s ourselves even though it seems like yesterday we walked through those gates unaware of what was ahead of us. We can’t wait to demonstrate and express what it really means to be a part of Winton and how important it is that we regain the O’Reilly shield. I can hardly wait to see what the 2017 holds for us.