It's a busy time

Tony Duncan
Principal

A concerning trend of students vaping or using e-cigarettes has emerged at the College from boys across Years 7 - 12. This is a most worrying trend given the lack of research around the harmful effects of vaping. This is what we do know: Vaping is the inhaling of a vapour created by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or other vaping device.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered smoking devices. They have cartridges filled with a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and chemicals. The liquid is heated into a vapor, which the person inhales. 

Health experts are reporting serious lung damage in people who vape, including some deaths as was seen in the USA.

Vaping puts nicotine into the body and we are all aware that Nicotine is highly addictive and can:

• slow brain development in children and teens and affect memory, concentration, learning, self-control, attention, and mood
• increase the risk of other types of addiction as adults

• irritate the lungs
• may cause serious lung damage and even death
• can lead to smoking cigarettes and other forms of tobacco use

Some people use e-cigarettes to vape marijuana, THC oil, and other dangerous chemicals. Besides irritating the lungs, these drugs also affect how someone thinks, acts, and feels.

The long-term effects of vaping are still unknown but we do know is that no good comes from inhaling oil or any other substance. The vapour that comes from the e-cigarette is not water, it contains harmful chemicals. None of our boys should be vaping and neither parents or students should think it is a safer option to smoking cigarettes.

On Friday 13 September we went to Hunters Hill for the Year 7 Reflection Day. The theme of the day was that everyone is unique and that beauty comes from within. This was shown to us through fun examples such as how Shrek said that Ogres are like onions and Shreks companion said that parfait is something everybody likes. We discovered that what Shrek was suggesting is that onions are disliked compared to parfaits. But what Chris Hopkins showed us is when the onion was cut in half there was chocolate inside indicating that beauty comes from the inside. We also learnt that we can’t assume who people might be like by what they look like. We learnt this through a fun game.

On Tuesday 3 September the Year 12 Drama class were examined for the practical component of their HSC. This meant that 60% of their HSC was completed that day.

Drama Teacher

The Cultural Assembly was an opportunity to celebrate and affirm the students who participated in the Shakespeare Festival where the Year 9 students (Noah Klusberger, Liam Cunneen, Talis Kalinis and Charles Dethridge) performed their interpretation of Romeo and Juliet, and Jonathan Amirizaian Year 12 Drama performed his powerful and engaging Individual Project Monologue. Year 12 Music students Thomas Borkowski, Billy Rowe and William Byrne performed displaying their musical prowess (click here to view). Thank you to Jonathan Amirzaian for hosting the Cultural Assembly and for his leadership in his role as Arts and Culture Captain. 

The Spring Music Festival was a wonderful family gathering where the students performed in solo, group and band ensembles. The Jazz Band, the Concert Band, along with the Year 12 HSC Music students performed. The Year 11, Year 10 and Year 7 Music students demonstrated high quality performances. The quality of the musicianship and the performance preparation was clearly evident. Special thank you to Mr Rod Herbert, Mr Tony McDonnell and the many parents who helped to make the evening such a success. Thank you to the parents who supported the event through supplying refreshments and items for the auction.



The Drama performance evening included students who performed their Shakespeare performances and the Year 12 HSC Group and Individual Performances. Ms Samantha Slattery initiated the College’s involvement in this highly prestigious competition and on the day of the Drama performances the HSC Drama students had their HSC Drama performance exam. The evening was a celebration of their (and Ms Slattery’s) hard work over the year.

The Year 12 Visual Arts Body of Work Exhibition provided an opportunity for the students to showcase their talent and insights into the world in their artworks. Ms Kathleen McGrath has nurtured the student’s idea development and technical skills to enable students to achieve a Body of Work. The Year 12 Technology students also displayed their projects to their family, friends and the College community.

Culture is flourishing at the College where the energy and enthusiasm of the teachers and students is clearly evident. We have a community where students can perform and exhibit their talents and be appreciated and celebrated by their peers, teachers and families. Thank you to the teachers who share their talents and passion with the College community to provide opportunities for the students. I am very much looking forward to designing a dynamic 2020 cultural program with my fellow Creative and Performing Arts Teachers.

Carolyn O’Brien
CAPA Leader of Learning

Last Tuesday and Wednesday Year 8 went on an excursion to the Orchard Hills Filtration and Penrith Water Recycling plants. 

I think on behalf of the grade I can say that everyone enjoyed these visits and learnt something new. Science experiments, collaborative activities and demonstrations were just some of ways we learnt new things about water and its importance in our world. 

The tours allowed us to understand each step of the filtration and recycling process and to realise the role consumers need to play in protecting our supply of clean water. It was shocking to see (and smell) the amount and variety of pollutants that Sydney Water are constantly working to protect us from. 

Year 9 students who do Elective French were treated to a French lunch as an extension to their Unit on School Life. In this unit, they learnt about school items and schooling life, as well as the cultural differences with France. They discovered about the French school restaurants, where students are take part in a 4 course menu each day (equal to $5-$7). Some schools even offer locally produced and/or organic meals.

So, last Friday the Year 9 class organised a lunch to they could have this experience at MCNS. A special mention goes to Jacob Oechslin who amazed us with his salade niçoise, including a magnificent homemade French dressing. Merci Jacob!

Galiane Marterer
French Teacher