Dear Avila Community
Happy New Year! The 2021 school year has arrived and if the laughter and talking around the College is anything to go by, being back at school is a hit! It has been a wonderful first week of seeing students and staff engaging in the joys and excitement of starting a new year level, engaging with learning and embracing co-curricular adventures. Our High Achievers Assembly was a beautiful COVID friendly and safe celebration of achievements for the Class of 2020. Their commitment to being high achieving young adults in all walks of life and in relationships is something to be proud of.
Thanks and congratulations to all students, staff and families for their optimism and positivity as we venture forward. We will continue to adapt as the year unfolds, mindful always of being COVID safe.
Happy Learning!
Dr Michelle Cotter | Principal
Exec. MBA, M.Ed. Leadership, M.Ed. RE, Post Grad. Dip. IT, Post Grad. Dip. Adult Ed., Grad. Dip. RE, B.Ed
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Faith & Mission
Weekly Prayer
Be the Light
God Our Father
We ask that during this school year your
Holy Spirit will guide us in all we do.
We pray that we may always be inspired by the teachings of your Son; that we will remember to make space for silence and reflection in our lives and that we will always use the gifts you have given us to become the best people we can be.
May our school community be a place
of faith, of hope and of love.
May we open our hearts and hands to the joys of being part of the Avila College community
Amen
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Faith & Mission
Liturgical Calender
Gospel Reading
Sunday 7 February
Mark 1: 29–39
Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law.
8 Feb St Jerome Emiliani
8 Feb St Josephine Bakhita
10 Feb Memorial of St Scholastica
11 Feb Our Lady of Lourdes
11 Feb World Day of Prayer for the Sick
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Avila 2021 Theme
Be the Light
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Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
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Avila Student Leadership
Welcome to 2021
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Avila Student Leadership
Highlight of the Week
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Each week our student leaders will be showcasing a highlight of the week, demonstrating how members of our Avila community 'be the light' in 2021.
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This week a new and enthusiastic cohort were welcomed into the Avila community. The transition into secondary school can be a daunting milestone, however the Year 7 class of 2021 have entered this next chapter in their lives with a positive attitude and an open mind. The Avila passport activity, 'getting to know you' games and tours of the school grounds have been conducted throughout this week, to help familiarise the Year 7 students with the college campus.
During their first few days as Avila girls, the Year 7’s have navigated a number of challenges including learning locker combinations, catching public transport, waking up earlier and meeting countless new peers following months of online learning in Grade 6. In true Avila manner, these obstacles were approached with high spirits.
Year 7 students have already began to immerse themselves into college life and are taking advantage of all the opportunities available. Many students have already tried out for sports teams, joined clubs and visited the numerous departments throughout the school.
We send each Year 7 a warm welcome, and look forward to seeing you around the school grounds!
Ebony Johnston | Drama Vice Captain | Yr12
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High Achiever's Assembly
Celebrating the Class of 2020
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Inspiring today for tomorrow
Avila College was delighted to welcome back members of our Class of 2020 for the High Achievers Assembly. The ceremony was live-streamed into homerooms, as our High Achievers were recognised for their academic and community achievements. Thank you to our 2020 DUX Kimberly Chan for a moving speech (read here) and the family members who joined us to celebrate.
Thank you also to Mr Matt Fregon, Member for Mt Waverley who presented the Norm Gibbs Community Leadership Award via video.
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Parent Information Evenings
Important Update
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Due to the latest alerts issued by DHHS and the Department of Education, and in the interests of health and safety, Avila College has made a change to the delivery of the Parent Information Evenings scheduled for Tuesday 9 February and Thursday 18 February. Please see below for the updated information about these sessions.
Tuesday 9 February | Year 7, 11 & 12 Parent Information Evening
- The Year 7 Information Evening will be delivered onsite in face-to-face sessions with your daughter’s Homeroom teacher at Avila College. Parents will need to wear a face mask when indoors on the College campus and ‘check in’ via the QR code. To ensure physical distancing, sessions will be conducted across the Year 7, 8 and 9 classrooms, but you will have the opportunity to visit your daughter’s specific homeroom.
- The Year 11&12 Information Evening will be delivered online, rather than parents visiting the Avila College campus. A video will be sent to parents via email on Wednesday 10 February, so you can watch at a time that suits your schedule. This video will contain the information due to be presented at the original session and a range of relevant links.
Thursday 18 February | Year 8, 9 & 10 Parent Information Evening
- The Year 8 session will be delivered onsite in a face-to-face session with your daughter’s Homeroom teacher at Avila College. Parents will need to wear a face mask when indoors on the College campus and ‘check in’ via the QR code. To ensure physical distancing, sessions will be conducted across the Year 7, 8 and 9 classrooms, but you will have the opportunity to visit your daughter’s specific homeroom.
- The Year 9&10 session will be delivered online rather than parents visiting the Avila College campus. A video will be sent to parents via email on Friday 19 February so you can watch at a time that suits your schedule. This video will contain the information due to be presented at the original session and a range of relevant links.
We trust that families will recognise the need for this updated approach in light of the latest alerts and restrictions in Victoria. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we adapt to changing conditions. Our year level teams are working hard to ensure that all the information you need to start the school year will be available in an accessible manner.
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Music | Year 7
I Found My Sound
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The innovative Year 7 music program is designed to encourage and empower students to express themselves through sound. Students have the opportunity to select an instrument of their choice for classroom tuition. This week, Year 7's explored the instruments on offer through an interactive musical showcase, with students from Year 8-12 performing and explaining the different instrumental options available.
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Musical Auditions | Open to All Students
We Will Rock You!
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Avila, are you ready to rock?
We are excited to announce that Avila and Mazenod will be co-producing the smash hit musical, WE WILL ROCK YOU, featuring the songs of Queen!
Whether you are GA GA about singing and dancing, love acting and would make a great KILLER QUEEN, or perhaps you just WANT TO BREAK FREE...we encourage you to audition for the show!
Open to all students from Years 7-12, look out for a full information and audition pack on SIMON. An information session will be held on Monday 8 Feb at lunchtime in the Hall.
Questions? Please email Mr Borbely dborbely@avilacollege.vic.edu.au
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Avila Cafe
A Fresh New Menu
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Meet Nona McDonell | Avila's NEW Cafe Chef
2021 has kicked off with some brand new additions to the Avila Cafe including a new face. Nona McDonell is a chef with 25 years of experience both here and overseas working in numerous restaurants. Nona brings with her a plethora of delicious ideas and a mouthwatering menu with new selections of hot and cold food plus gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian options.
With a focus on daily special and fresh offerings from each season, Nona encourages Avila students to visit the cafe regularly to view her daily menu changes.
New! Avila Cafe Menu
Avila Cafe Gluten-Free Menu
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Newsflash
Top Class Dance 2021
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Alicia Yiannios | VCE Composition Solo
We are proud to announce that 2020 VCE student Alicia Yiannios has been nominated to perform in this year's prestigious Top Class Dance. Top Class is part of the VCE Season of Excellence that showcases work produced by outstanding VCE students.
Well done Alicia!
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Newsflash
Message from the Local Community
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Avila College received an email this week from a member of the local community...
Dear Avila Team,
Having recently started working in Clayton and traveling on public transportation past Avila each day, I wanted to drop a line to let you know how absolutely delightful your students are on public transport.
This week alone I have witnessed many occasions of Avila students offering seats to other passengers by habit, smiling and saying "after you" allowing other passengers to get on or off before them, always following the COVID rules on public transport and generally conducting themselves with maturity and respect far beyond their years and certainly far beyond that of other school students in the area.
Please congratulate your students using Public Transport for being a credit to the local community and to your school.
Kind Regards
Jess
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Wellbeing
Safer Internet Day
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Start the Chat | Tues 9 Feb
Safer Internet Day is fast approaching and the E-Safety Commissioner has lots of ideas and resources to help 'start the chat' with your family and friends.
Read more here
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Mental Health Short Film Competition for Students
Returning for its fourth consecutive year, Mentalicious aims to showcase the talent and creativity of students whilst helping raise awareness and remove the stigma surrounding Mental Health in Schools.
Competition Closes 12 Sept 2021. Categories: Years 7-9 | Years 10-12
Make your film today
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Holy Family Netball Club are looking for Year 7 players! All skills and all divisions welcome. Pre-season starts now, with training just behind Avila. More details here
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Glen Waverley Soccer Trials
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Like to try out for soccer this year? Trials start next week at Wheelers Hill Secondary College. More details here
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Young Women's Leadership Program
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Book now for this online program that builds leadership skills and teaches young women how to leap over barriers to achieve their goals. More details here
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Face masks are now mandatory in all indoor situations. Please maintain physical distancing of 1.5m.
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Experiencing flu-like symptoms? Please get tested and isolate at home until you receive your results.
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Jump on the Avila website to download your 2021 diary directly to your digital devices.
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