St Dominic's Day
A champion soccer player who has marked Maradona and a dog that plays dead at the sight of a gun were two of many highlights as St Lucy's celebrated St Dominic's Day on Friday August 5. It was Dominican nuns who established St Lucy's in 1938, making St Dominic's Day the most important on the school calendar. For around 6 hours the playground was transformed into a fun fair with a jumping castle, animal farm, fire truck, treasure hunt, face painting and biscuit decorating all waiting to be explored. The children cheered at a dog agility performance starring a poodle, an Australian terrier and a border collie but the real treat was a visit from Andrea Icardi and Frank Gigliotti from AC Milan Soccer School. In his career with AC Milan, Andrea marked all the greats from Maradona to Zico and Platini. He shared tips during an hour long session with around 40 senior students from St Lucy's and neighbouring Knox. His colleague, Frank Gigliotti has played in the Italian junior clubs and with Brookvale. He also happens to be the uncle of Luca Gigliotti from Brontesaurus class. Earlier in the day the Creative Arts Centre was pumping to the sounds of the incredible St Edmund's band. Many of its members are ex-St Lucy's pupils and it was amazing to see how far they have come.
Lachlan's Shed
Gee St Lucy's parents are a talented and generous bunch. Lorelle Wheeler's father, Lachlan, has won a competition to design "Australia's best shed". The competition attracted entries from around Australia and organisers say Lachlan's shed won because it is designed to fit in a small space and creatively mounted against a wall. What's more, he has donated his $1,000 prize money to the school.
Kopanang Art
If you've ever admired the beautiful embroidery that decorates St Lucy's foyer you will love the "Kopanang Universe Canticle", an exhibition featuring at the Australian Catholic University in August. It measures over 35 metres and tells of the unfolding of the universe in painstaking, hand-embroidered stitches. The exhibition was commissioned in San Francisco for World Aids Day 2002 and has already toured the US and Europe. It was curated by Sister Sheila Flynn who co-founded the Kopanang Women's Group in Tsakane South Africa to give women whose families have been ravaged by HIV AIDS income generating skills and a sense of community. It took 17 of the women 3 months to complete the tapestries which are considered a seminal work of art. Other Kopanang works grace public buildings around the world including Rotary International and Oprah Winfrey's Academy for Girls in Johannesburg. Sister Sheila Flynn will visit St Lucy's in August to inspire staff, students and board members in the Dominican Charism. The exhibition runs from August 12 to August 26. Brochure attached.
St Vincent de Paul Visits
St Vincent de Paul has been generously supporting St Lucy's for the last 6 years, providing scholarships to students who don't meet the criteria for Government funding. The charity's representatives, Winston Watts AM, Vice President of the Broken Bay Diocesan Central Council and his wife Jan, visited Morning Song on Thursday July 28. They heard the children sing and learnt about the school's educational approach and flourishing Sacramental Program before morning tea with Principal, Jo Karaolis and Development Officer, Gailene Keen. Winston was very supportive of St Lucy's work and keen to know the major areas of need, making a commitment for more assistance in emergency situations. St Lucy's is extremely grateful for the help it receives from St Vincent de Paul.
Volunteer Thank You
St Lucy's thanked its volunteers with a scrumptious high tea on Friday July 22. The school now has around 120 volunteers mostly helping in classrooms or training to assist with Multilit and occupational and speech therapy programs but they don't always get the chance to socialise. Friday's event was an opportunity for them to meet, watch a student performance and hear about how their contribution is improving the children's lives. St Lucy's was founded by the Dominican Sisters and remains imbued by St Dominic's tradition of passion and compassion. Parent Michelle Gough told the crowd how grateful she is that volunteers not only care for the children but often grow to love them, "It reaffirms what is said about the Dominican value of inclusion; to know there is someone out there who loves your child is just wonderful." She was followed by Marg O'Shea who promotes charism in Dominican schools. Marg encouraged the volunteers to feel part of the Dominican family and told the history of the Sisters in Australia and their contribution in areas like refugee and prison counselling and eco development. The volunteers also had the opportunity to thank Patricia McCarthy who is moving on from the role of Volunteer Co-ordinator after four and a half very successful years.
Welcome Jennifer
St Lucy's has appointed a new Pastoral Care Worker to provide confidential support to families and other members of the school community. Jennifer Frede comes well qualified, with Graduate Diplomas in both Counselling and Psychology. Her work will be informed by a Masters Degree in Special Education and 20 years experience as a special education teacher. In addition to her role at St Lucy's, Jennifer works several days a week as a counsellor in a high school.
Celebrating Harry
St Lucy's joins with the Townsend family in celebrating the life and character of their 9 year old son, Harry, who passed away on Sunday 5th June. It was often said at St Lucy's, "There's an angel in that boy". His parents say that indeed he looked like an angel when they woke to find he had passed over, his teddies in his arms. Harry suffered mitochondrial disorder and his father never hid from him the fact that his life expectancy was limited. Somehow this knowledge made Harry wise beyond his years but it took nothing away from his humour or his sense of mischief. Harry was completely unsentimental. He spoke the truth as he saw it, unadorned. He had an eye for a pretty face and was generous in his compliments to his favourite teachers. Some weeks before his death, a bad case of pneumonia returned Harry to hospital where for a while it was doubtful he would pull through. He declined to eat or drink and his father in despair told him that if he wouldn't eat he would be joining the angels. Harry looked at him and said, "Lyell (he always used his father's first name, man to man), stop crying. God is not ready for me yet". The next morning he tucked into breakfast with a will to prove his point. Harry made an excellent recovery and we were all very positive about his expected return to school but it was not to be. Harry's heart had laboured for a long time working against the impairments in his body and it finally gave up the struggle as he lay tucked up next to his mother. As his father said, Harry is with the angels now and free of pain. His spirit remains at St Lucy's where everyone who knew him will be forever altered and shaped by their experience of his courage, total lack of self-pity and his humour tinged by sharp honesty. He and his family are now part of the fabric of St Lucy's where they will always be loved.
Holiday Cordon Bleu
St Lucy's is cultivating junior masterchefs these winter holidays with a program for 10-13 year olds to awaken a curiosity for food and instil useful cooking skills. Called "The Honeycomb Experiment" the program will be run by Vincent Girardin, Chef de Cuisine at Garden Court Restaurant, Sofitel. Vincent has worked in France, England, Italy, New Caledonia and Hong Kong and says he is looking forward to filling St Lucy's with "flour, laughter and tasty food." The young chefs will not only cook French cuisine but also prepare and sample dishes from Vietnam. India and Lebanon. The program will run from July 4 - 8. For more details call Alessandra Picone on 9487 1277 or email her at alip@stlucys.nsw.edu.au.
Holiday Arts
St Lucy's holiday fun doesn't end with cooking - we have a range of creative adventures to keep children aged 3 -12 entertained this winter break. Options include print making, African percussion, clowning and hip-hop dance. Download the brochure and enrollment form. For more details call Alessandra Picone on 9487 1277 or email her at alip@stlucys.nsw.edu.au.
