The Mazenod Gazette

Principal's Post

Dear Parents,

 

The first of our VCE Exams were held on Monday. Our VCE Units 3 / 4 Japanese students attended their oral exams. The Term 3 holiday break is traditionally a time to refine skills and understanding in all subjects. Practice exams, extra classes and tutorials were managed utilising initiative and creative means. The first measure of success is the immediacy of how a student feels leaving the exam space. Of course there is also the feeling of relief, "one down and my preparation is over".  In the LOTE subjects, students and teachers have worked hard over recent months and school holidays to practice their oral component of the course. The Japanese students seemed very pleased with their preparation and subsequent performances and the Italian and Chinese students are working hard to hone their skills.

 

Tuesday provided another example of that moment of relief. This time it was for all involved in the GAT. Mr Mark Rolfe and Ms Stef Sepe always meticulously prepare for the exam period but the administrative complexities of this year’s GAT were wide-ranging. The examiners / invigilators commended the attitude of the students who were compliant, focussed and disciplined. The students had clarity and guidance because of the hard work behind the scenes and the clear direction provided by all the extra staff assisting with the extra restrictions and conditions need to keep students safe. Thank you to all involved.

 

Rion Morgan was one of several Mazenod Students who entered the Hotham Writing Prize 2021 for Secondary Schools. Rion wrote about mental health. He also won the competition and bursary for $250. Ms Clare O’Neil MP, is the Federal Member of Hotham and will be presenting Rion with his prize at an upcoming on-line event.

 

Our Chess Team operate and compete regardless of restrictions. The online world of Chess enables our ACC and other competitions to continue. The performances of our Intermediate and Junior Teams were amazing. They dominated the competitions as the following data indicates.

 

Fifty Mazenod College students were involved. 

 

Intermediate:-

  • The Intermediate Teams (Yrs 9-10) Division 1 came 1st and 3rd.
  • Best player for the competition was Jackie Li who was undefeated on the day.
  • 12 of the top 14 players were from Mazenod.

Junior:-

  • The Junior Teams (Yrs 7-8) Division 1 came 1st, 2nd and 4th.
  • The best players, both undefeated, were Chris Boey and Khoi Do.
  • 12 of the top 15 from Mazenod.

That makes 39 of the last 40 Division 1 ACC titles (three each year) have been won by Mazenod. 

 

Congratulations to all involved, coaches, mentors and players.

 

On Thursday evening our Year 12 Debating Team defeated Girton Grammar School in the Quarter Finals of the Debating Association of Victoria’s competition. Mazenod now proceeds to the Semi-Finals on October 14 as one of the last four Victorian schools left in the competition.

 

Congratulations to Mateo Acosta-Fernandez, Darko Trkulja and Yr 11 Gavin Pan on their success.

 

The week finished with our annual Steven Tynan Memorial Presentation. Ms Tina Giacco and Mr Merry De La Zilwa managed the presentation and organised the testimonials of current members of Victoria Police.  Fr Harry Dyer OMI, Ryan Dean and his parents, Greg and Natalie Dean, Gerard Curtis, James Munro and Sean Schimizzi all presented to our students and staff. They graciously reflected on the dedicated service of all members of our Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and Emergency Service workers who so generously look after our wellbeing.

 

The presentation commemorates the lives of Steven Tynan (Mazenod College Old Collegian) and Damian Eyre who lost their lives, performing their duties in order that we may all be safe. 

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

Mr Tony Coghlan

Principal