Delany College - Granville

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome back to Term 2!  It was great to see our students arrive back at school after a reinvigorating Easter Break. 

Over the break a number of activities took place at the College and I would like to thank the staff that have given up their time to work with students, particularly those in Year 12, who participated in holiday workshops to ensure they are on track with the preparation for assessment and exams. For Year 12 students the start of Term 2 often awakens them to  the reality that their secondary school days are quickly coming to an end and that every lesson, every workshop, and every opportunity to get assistance from their teachers counts.

Senior teachers will be meeting with students from Year 12 to discuss their reports and academic progress.

Term 2 is marked by some significant events for both students and the community. Next Wednesday we will pay our respects to ANZACS past and present with a commemorative ceremony for ANZAC day.

Later in the term we will celebrate the rich diversity of the Delany community with our multicultural day activities. Of course on the learning front our Year 7 and 9 students will participate in NAPLAN.

All students will continue to work on benchmarking and formative assessment that form the basis of reporting information provided at the end of the term. It is important that each student makes the most of their opportunities to improve by being at school everyday, be ready to learn and keep on track with their learning. Success comes from persistent hard work and challenge. 

I have received valuable feedback from parents throughout Term 1 on many aspects of college life. I thank you for that. This term, we will undertake our annual feedback process, Tell them from Me, that formally gathers information from students and parents about their learning and experiences at the College. When you receive the link for this survey in mid-May, can you please take the time to complete it to enable us to best understand and respond to the needs of the College community.

One piece of feedback I receive regularly is in relation to the College uniform. As you would be aware we have made some changes to our uniform for students in Years 7 to 9 from the beginning of the year in relation to the College blazer. This is no longer compulsory and students in Years 7 to 9 may wear the soft-shell jacket as part of their winter uniform. Students in Years 10 to 12 are still required to wear the College blazer. Girls are also permitted to wear grey slacks (available from the uniform shop) instead of a skirt and stockings.

Students are expected to wear their full winter uniform until the end of the mentor lesson each day with the exception of Thursdays. On Thursdays students in all year levels can wear the College sports uniform to and from school. If they do not have the full sports uniform then they should wear the normal winter uniform.  

Wearing of the uniform correctly and standards for grooming are clear expectations of the College and an expression of our standards. It is also a good barometer of a student's readiness to learn and participation as a member of our community. In no way should these standards be a barrier to learning or participation in educational activities, however, they often become issues that are easily avoided. I ask for your assistance in assuring that your child leaves home in full uniform and appropriately groomed. We have worked to ensure that the current uniform is appropriate for all students, warm and cost effective. A summary of the winter uniform requirements is outlined later in this newsletter. If for any reason you are unable to access the uniform or a piece of equipment to support your child’s learning, please contact their house coordinator. We are always here to help. 

Finally, we have been refining our communications protocols to better reflect the technologies. As part of that process we will now publish a newsletter on a monthly basis. School updates and broadcasts will be delivered via Skoolbag and highlights of learning and activities will continue to be broadcast on our Facebook page. Important information about the College, learning and contacts are available on our website.

Best wishes for the term,  God bless.

Paul Easton 

Principal

The liturgy then continued onto the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus contemplates His fate. The Psalm read gave students the opportunity to reflect on the torture and pain that Jesus undertook for us. A drama to a song entitled ' Try' featuring both acting and dance then allowed us to reflect on the way in which Jesus took our sins to Calvary with Him on the Cross. This beautiful part of the liturgy was thanks to a number of students across the years, most notably Maddy Hughes in Year 8 and Brandon Zaiter in Year 12. A group of Year 9 students then recited a version of a spoken word poem entitled  "You Need Not Say Goodbye". This powerful statement reminded us that Christ is always with us, despite His human death on Good Friday. Thank you to Keziah, Vanesha, Rosabel and Yara for your hard work in presenting this powerful testament. 

The liturgy concluded with the Litany of St Joseph and optional veneration of the Cross, Catholic traditions which draw us closer to Christ. The liturgy was also accompanied by some beautiful pieces of music. Thank you to the choir for their preparation. A big thank you to the staff and students who helped prepare for the Easter liturgy, it made the celebration of this season in our Church so special and meaningful for the community.

We ask all parents/carers to be mindful and considerate of our neighbours when dropping off and/or picking up students. Please DO NOT park across anyone's driveway. Fines can apply.

Thank you 

Delany College

On Thursday, 25 March the annual CEDP Commissioning Mass was celebrated by Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen. It is a time when staff come together at the start of each year to welcome beginning teachers and new principals to the Diocese. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the work of our schools and ask God's continued blessing on our work.

Year 7 and 9 students will be sitting their National Literacy and Numeracy Test (NAPLAN) between 12 - 20 May. Every student in these year groups across Australia will complete diagnostic tests with the results available to all schools sometime in Term 3. NAPLAN is a single test at a point in time. It does not create a full picture about the child, their strengths and differences. 

It does, however, provide us with valuable feedback and data on student performance in literacy and numeracy, which allows us to modify our teaching to better assist student learning. 

Please read the information attached for more details and contact the College if you have any concerns.

We wish all our students in Year  7 and 9 the very best for the NAPLAN testing period.  

The College winter uniform is to be worn during Term 2 and 3 of the school year.

The College blazer is compulsory for students in Years 10-12 and optional for students in Years 7-9. Junior students have the option of wearing the College soft shell jacket or the blazer. The College jumper may be worn under the blazer or soft shell jacket in winter, however it does not replace the blazer or soft shell jacket.

Girls Winter Uniform:

Skirt                      College skirt with green check

Trousers              College issued grey trousers only

Junior blouse      College white blouse

Senior blouse     College blue blouse

College blazer     Y10-12 - compulsory

                               Y7-9 - optional

Soft shell jacket   Y7-9 students only

Jumper or cardigan   College blue wool blend V neck jumper or cardigan, both are optional. If worn, it must be under the blazer

or soft shell jacket.

Scarf            College scarf or plain navy blue scarf - optional

Socks           Navy opaque stockings with skirt 

                      Dark grey or black socks with trousers

Shoes          Standard black leather lace-up school shoes. No 

platform heel or coloured thread is permitted. 

Bag             College bag for Years 7-12

Cap             College cap - optional

Boys Winter Uniform:

Trousers            College issued grey trousers

Belt                     Black belt with an appropriate buckle

Junior shirt        College short or long sleeve white shirt

Senior shirt       College short or long sleeve blue shirt

Junior tie            College green tie with crest

Senior tie           College blue tie with crest

College blazer       Y10-12 - compulsory

                                Y7-9 - optional

Soft shell jacket    Y7-9 students only

Jumper                  College blue wool blend V neck jumper, optional. If

worn, it must be under the blazer or soft shell jacket.

Scarf                      College scarf or plain navy blue scarf - optional

Socks                     Dark grey or black socks

Shoes                    Standard black leather lace-up school shoes. No 

boots or coloured thread is permitted. 

Bag                        College bag for Years 7-12

Cap                        College cap - optional

SPORTS UNIFORM / PE

The sports uniform is not to be worn to school other than Thursday as it is sport day. At times, there may be exceptions for carnivals or gala days however it will be communicated to students and parents/caregivers prior to the event.

School Fees are now due, if you have paid thank you otherwise  if you have any queries regarding your account or your payment arrangements, please phone on 02 8633 8100 or email

deln-grnvlfees@parra.catholic.edu.au  

Christine Marji  

Senior Finance Officer

Year 7 Induction - What it means to be a PATRICIAN!

On Friday, 5 March 2021, 20 students from Year 7 were invited to All Saints College, Liverpool to find out what it means to be a part of a Patrician School. We arrived in the morning, just in time for recess which was provided by the school, where we joined to meet and greet students from the Patrician network. We gathered in a hall to begin our day, Tayla Kayrouz offered to do a reading, while a few other students carried a candle and banner to represent our school. We met the Patrician Brothers while keeping Brother Mark in our hearts as he recently passed away. Students were eventually sent off on their first activity to complete a bingo game to find out more about their other schools, learning that Delany College was originally a boys only school evolving into a co-ed school that welcomes everyone of any culture in it! 

Later, we were sectioned into mini groups to complete the following activities: creating our own schools, crests, and writing about what we had learned throughout the day. We were given a theme in each of our groups where we read a special parable that defined that theme. 

We prayed the Angelus together and shared our thoughts and opinions. As the day came to a close, students were given the challenge to share their knowledge with others, with our peers and our families. We finished up with a nice lunch and headed back to Delany College. 

After the day came to an end we acknowledged our Patrician Heritage that came from Daniel Delany and all of the Patrician Brothers who have taught us about our heritage and to be proud of being a part of a Patrician School and history.

 Sienna Shamoun & Lamea Pirini - Year 7

English EAL/D

Throughout Term 1, Year 12 English EAL/D have been engaging in Module B - Language, Culture and Identity exploring the play Shafana and Aunt Sarrinah by Alana Valentine. The play highlights various complex concepts in such simplistic dialogue which takes place between two characters, a niece and her aunt.

To summarise the play and the unit students engaged in a language learning game known as a barrier activity.

The aim of the game is for students to replicate the text in the unseen script through verbal (The Messenger) and written (The Scribe) communication. Students were allocated roles and had to move between the script which was located at the front of the room and the scribe to communicate the information in the text. Halfway through the game students swapped roles.

The first team to replicate the script without any errors was the winner. This was a fun and engaging way to help students improve their written and oral communication skills and summarise key content for the module. 

Marie Greenberry

Literacy Coordinator and English Teacher

My Darling

With an exasperated sigh, Jane opened her door and dragged her distressed self into her old apartment. Gazing into the small mirror above her shoe cupboard, Jane frowned at her reflection. Today’s workload had entirely worn her out. She stood there for a moment, pondering about how her life had led her to this moment. Jane was a top student from high school leading up to university, where she had then graduated with a honour degree in Law and Criminal Studies. She had tried very hard for that, desperate to do anything to escape the poverty that had been shadowing over her life hence the moment she opened her eyes to greet this world. But that, that thing had left her with nothing in this world. Snapped back to reality, Jane stared long and hard into the mirror, wondering if all that hard work had even worth the effort given the state that she was currently in. Droplets of tears began to course down her pale, drained-out face but she quickly wiped it away and walked into the washroom to refresh her lifeless soul and vacuous mind. The only wish that she had for the moment was to be able to peacefully pass the night, but it seemed that even fate had abandoned her for its unpredictability in character. 

The gushing sound of water coming from the washroom soon awoken my awareness as I leapt down from the high stool of the bedroom. The waiting time was tiresome, but it was worth it now that my prey is in the grasp of my claws. I steeled myself against the inner side of a wardrobe, the place that put me in incognito with all beings that enter the room. Hitching a long breath and sharpening my knife, a demonic growl of anticipation for blood escaped me, causing a petrifying expression to course through my face. I had finally found her, the one that I was desperately searching and looking for. She’d crossed me and she deserved to be reprimanded. Just a few more moments, and my hand will drip in her blood. I tried my best to suppress my excitement as the rushing sound of water from the bathroom began to die down. 

Jane stepped out of her bathroom with a set of oversized pyjamas enveloping her body, enjoying the warm feeling that the warm bath had brought her. Jane tried to open the door to her room, but the wooden door would not budge hence its oldness in age. Rolling her eyes backward, Jane made an effort and finally managed to yank it open. Because of the force that she’d put into the process, her phone dropped out of her pocket and landed onto the floor. Just as she bends down to pick it, a thud sounded and she saw a knife sticking on the wall opposite her, merely inches from her skull. Petrified by fear and bewilderment, she spun her face around and saw it’s face, the being that had caused her misery. Jane released a frightening scream and began to rush out of her room, desperate to reach her apartment door. She would do anything to escape it, to keep this puny life of her’s and continue to live on. 

I watched with much amusement as my puny prey tried to escape from me. I had been searching for her for too long, I will not allow it to happen again! I quickly rushed out of my spot and leapt for her, pinning her down, skull against the dusty floor. With it’s little strength and vigour, it wrenched away from my grip and made an immense effort to stand up. I was taken back by its action, but I then easily forced it into submission with a swing of my hand. I began to choke it, feeling the prey begin to lose its momentum. With its last breath, it begged “Damien, please! We can be like before; we’ll be together hand-in-hand. I will be yours again! Spare me some mercy please!”. I smirked, a smile of the Devil and said “Sorry, my love! It is true that I wanted you to be mine. But in my own way!” I released a laugh of satisfaction and swung my knife, blood beginning to pour from the side of it’s neck. 

It wiggled for one last time and stopped, losing momentum from the loss of blood. I smiled and kissed it’s lips, gripping it’s hands tightly.

My Darling.

Victor Nguyen - Year 9

Science club is happening again this year-

Thursday afternoons from 3:15- 4:20pm.

If you would like to attend please talk to your Science Teachers. 

Come along if you would like to participate in Science competitions, perform some different experiments or get some help with Science. 

Science club has been hard at work exploring how chemistry can be used to create art. Students explored using coloured chemicals to create portraits and using the chemical reaction between baking powder and vinegar to create other colourful designs.

While not perfect, students had fun exploring some of the Chemistry of Art. 

Mid-Winter Musical Soirée    

Students from Stage 5 Music, our HSC Music Students and the Delany College Band will be performing at the CaPA Mid-Winter Musical Soirée on the evening of Wednesday 16 June. Attendees are invited to arrive from 5.30 pm for a 6.00 pm performance.

The parents and families of our performers will receive individual invitations and the event will be held in the CaPA Theatre/ Drama Room.

Ms Louise Broue

Creative  Emergence & Design Leader

A great opportunity through

Western Sydney Academy of Sport. 

"Parramatta City Football club are reaching out to parents of children, particularly in Year 7 & 8, who are interested in playing soccer this year but have not yet joined a club!

Eric Primrose reserve, is the home ground (Just over Silverwater road in Rydalmere) where weekly training sessions are held. Training takes place once a week and games are held on Saturdays. All enquiries are welcome!"

CatholicCare Parramatta is now located at Lvl2 / 10 Victoria Road, Parramatta.   

Stepping Beyond Support group for men and women who are separated or divorced and a Bereavement Support Group for men and women whose spouses have died.  

Monthly Bereavement Support Gathering 

CatholicCare Solo Parent Services run a Monthly Bereavement Support Gathering for anyone whose spouse or partner has died.  If you feel alone in your grief and would like to be part of a group where you can share your experience of loss in a safe and supportive environment, you are welcome.  Gatherings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 10am -12pm.  Next Gathering:

Thursday 18 March.  Venue: CatholicCare Parramatta Cost: $5

Please call Rita Chater on 8843 2500 or email soloparentservices@ccss.org.au for more information or to register. 

STEPPING BEYOND: SUPPORT FOR THOSE SEPARATED OR DIVORCED 

“Stepping Beyond” Support Group, assists those navigating their way through separation or divorce.  Guided by trained facilitators, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the challenges faced during this time in a safe and supportive environment.  These groups are held on the last Tuesday of each month via Zoom or at CatholicCare Parramatta.

Next Gathering: Tuesday 30 March Venue: Zoom or Parramatta Location Time: 7pm – 9pm. Cost: $5.00. 

Registration Essential:  Call Rita Ph. 8843 2500 or email: soloparentservices@ccss.org.au  

If something happens to your child,

we need to be able to contact you.

Please make sure all your details are updated, if you're

not sure please do not hesitate to contact our Administration

Office on 8633 8100.

The Uniform Shop is open every Tuesday from 8am to 2pm.

For your convenience, uniforms can be ordered online via

www.noone.com.au/school/delany-college/shop

Thank you 

Uniform Shop