Star of Peace

To our final newsletter for 2019 and what a wonderful year it has been. Every day I feel blessed to walk alongside both the staff and students. I never cease to be  thankful to be part of this community, to be impressed  and excited by what I see and I look forward to 2020 with great anticipation.

In this our Third Week of Advent as we prepare for the great feast of Christmas. We light the third candle (pink) of the Advent Wreath – as a sign of joy — a testimony to the Light of God coming into our world that will shatter the darkness and bring healing to all who suffer and mourn. On Sunday we light the fourth - as a sign of love. The central white candle is lit on Christmas Day and represents Christ. We continue during Advent to act and to pray for a more just and fairer world – a world full of hope, peace, joy and love.

“The season of Advent, … restores this horizon of hope, a hope which does not disappoint for it is founded on God’s Word. A hope which does not disappoint, simply because the Lord never disappoints! He is faithful! He does not disappoint! Let us think about and feel this beauty.” Pope Francis

There have been many significant events over the last 12 months that characterise this great school and have certainly enriched our Marist Life. Masses, Liturgies, Formation Days, Retreats, Camps, St Pats Got Talent, Walkathon, Anzac and Remembrance Ceremonies, Swimming and Athletics carnivals, College and Marist Oratory, Debating, Visual Arts Exhibitions, Performance Evenings, Hospitality Lunches, Marist Forums, the Immersion to India, our teacher’s Marist Association Immersion to Broome to run a vacation care for the Aboriginal community in their holidays, and Breakfast Club every Thursday morning, the Australian Catholic Youth Festival currently on, Champagnat Day Mass and celebrations, and of course our brilliant musical, ‘Rock of Ages’.

There is a significant level of generosity of staff that extends far beyond the classroom. I thank the entire staff of the College for their contributions to both the academic, spiritual, social and emotional wellbeing of our young people.

To our new families I hope you have enjoyed your first year with us

We have just received our HSC results finishing with a ranking of 118. Our students have performed well across all of our subjects and I am very proud of the outstanding results we have achieved this year. It is not all about Band 6s. I have had many conversations with teachers about moving students from Band 2 to a Band 3 or from a Band 4 to a Band 5. I am very pleased to say that we had 49% of results in Bands 5 and 6. Many of our students have already secured early offers for tertiary study. I congratulate the students for their hard work that has been justly rewarded and our teachers for their dedication, strong belief in every one of their students and the many additional hours they have given in support.

This year we have a significant number of students in the Merit Lists and 2 students that have achieved first in subject, all of which are incredible achievements.

Eight students achieved the distinction of ‘All Rounder’ (all Band 6s or E4)

Renae Cunningham                                       

Ashley Doueihi

Peter Litsas

Nalin Mastou

Brendan Mitchell

Anton Sheridan

Luke Sheridan

Claudia Sobral                                               

Preliminary ATAR results:

We are currently in the process of collecting our ATAR results, with 25 students with ATARs over 90.

We will recognise these students at our High Achievers Assembly early next year, however I would like to congratulate the following students

Anton Sheridan (99.8)

Luke Sheridan (99.65)

Claudia Sobral (99.6)

Peter LItsas (99.25)                                       

Renae Cunningham

Ashley Doueihi (98.7)

Brendan Mitchell (98.35)                               

Connor Barr (97.65)

Patrick Nasr (97.6)

Nalin Mastou (97.15)

Sarah Collins (97)                                          

Melody Yalda (96.7)

Joshua Ahn (95.6)     

Lachlan Lewis (95.4)

Andy Lee (94)                                                

Chris Trevor (92.55)  

Alana Doueihi (92.25)

April Purdon (92.25)

Isabella Waterhouse (91.5)   

Lauren King (91.45)               

Rachael Dick (91.2)

Will Chesterton (91)

Kareena Monteiro (90.75)                              

Nell Whittaker (90.4)

Lara Cakmakci (90.3)                                                            

Last week we enjoyed our Semester Awards evening. It was pleasing to see so many students and families in attendance to recognise the achievements of our students. I thank Ms Hagarty for her leadership and organisation and the many staff and students involved in making the night such a success. I congratulate the many students that have excelled in their academic, sporting and cultural pursuits throughout 2019 and to our musicians who performed so beautifully. I also thank Toby Gott who did an outstanding and highly professional job in producing our annual 2019 video presentation.

As usual a letter will be sent to families in January outlining key dates and information to start the year.

·         22nd January:  College Opens

·         29th January:   Term 1 Commences for Years 7, 11, 12 and Peer Support Leaders

·         30th January:   Term 1 Commences for Years 8, 9 and 10.

·         31st January:   Swimming Carnival

·         12th February: High Achievers Assembly

Our 2020 School fees have been published on our website.

Pastoral Leaders of Learning for 2020

Year 7             Mrs Nichole Padden (npadden@parra.catholic.edu.au)

Year 8             Miss Kathryn Tripodi (ktripodi@parra.catholic.edu.au)

Year 9             Miss Chanel Basha (cbasha@parra.catholic.edu.au)

Year 10           Mr Jared Hornby (jhornby@parra.catholic.edu.au)

Year 11           Mrs Cecile Dunston (cdunston@parra.catholic.edu.au)

Year 12           Mr David Bonora (dbonora@parra.catholic.edu.au)

 This year we farewell the following permanent staff members:  Mrs Amery who is retiring; Mr Heffernan who is pursuing other interests; Mrs Franke and Mr Patterson who will continue to support the College as a casual teacher; and Mr Berner, Mr Zaouk, Ms Colman, Mrs Donnelly, Mr Calabrese who are moving to other schools.

Each of these teachers have made significant contributions to their students in their learning spaces, to a wide variety of extra-curricular activities and to the rich Marist Culture here at the College. We wish them every happiness and success as they begin their new journeys.

If your child will not be returning in 2020 and you have yet to let us know, or they will not be here for the first day can you please email the College as soon as possible.

If you need to contact the College during the holidays, please do so by emailing me at ahay@parra.catholic.edu.au .

I thank you for your partnership and support over the year and wish each of you and our families a very happy and holy Christmas.

Yours in Jesus, Mary and St Marcellin

Mrs Angela Hay

Principal

CHRISTMAS HAMPER APPEAL

Thank you to our wonderful Marist community who, through the hard working initiatives from our Social Justice Group, donated to the hampers for the local St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers.

Your combined efforts, have made close to 150 hampers and raised over $1800 which will be delivered to the families of Rydalmere, Dundas and Ermington.  

Thank you

Mr D. Moussa

Youth Ministry Co-ordinator

The 2020 College Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday, 31st January (first week back to school) at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Students and parents are reminded that this is a compulsory school event which aims to promote both House and College spirit. Students are expected to be at school by 8:30am and will return by 3:15pm.

Students are to wear their full sports uniform to and from the carnival, and are encouraged to bring suitable house theme and coloured attire to be worn throughout the day. See your House Captains for ideas on theme appropriate attire.

A reminder that students will need to bring their own lunch as canteen facilities will not be available on the day.

Participation is expected in at least one event, unless a Doctor’s Certificate is provided by Thursday, 30th January to Mr James.

Looking forward to a fun and enjoyable day with lots of College and House spirit displayed!

Mr R. James

Acting Sport Co-ordinator

A reminder to Year 12 that classes will recommence on Wednesday 29th January, 2020. Students should ensure they have done some holiday revision prior to school starting. Some students may have gained an occupation/ apprenticeship on the holidays. Could you let me know by email if this has occurred so I can inform the College office.

Finally, I wish all students and families a joyous and blessed Christmas. See you all in the New Year.

Mr D. Bonora

Pastoral Leader of Learning - Year 12

A huge congratulations to Brendan Michell who ranked first in the state for Standard 2 Mathematics in 2019 Higher School Certificate.

A special thanks to Brendan’s Mathematics teacher,  Mrs Aimy Papoulias, who  spent quality time with each and every student in order for them to achieve their personal best in the Higher School Certificate.

Also, I  would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the Maths staff for offering their guidance and support to all students across all year groups. To achieve excellent results in Year 12, it takes many years of nurturing student potential.

Congratulations to all Year 12 students who have taken all opportunities provided to them by their teachers.  The 2019 HSC Maths results were indicative of the commitment and hard work demonstrated throughout the year.

Mrs V. Jerald Alexis

Leader of Learning - Mathematics

Next year sees some changes in the HSIE Department for students in Years 7-10 History / Geography classes. We are moving away from studying History / Geography for a semester in each year group, and studying one subject for the entire year.

As a result, this is what Yr 7-10 HSIE will look like for the next 2 years:

2020

Year 7:  Geography

Year 8:  Semester 1 - History;  Semester 2 - Geography

Year 9: Geography

Year 10: Semester 1 - History;  Semester 2 - Geography

2021

Year 7:  Geography

Year 8:  History

Year 9:  Geography

Year 10: History

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the College.

Mrs D. O'Neill

Acting Leader of Learning - HSIE

We all know the importance of reading and how a great book can spark the imagination and creativity too.  

These summer holidays, I am again launching my Summer Reading Challenge and encouraging all students to read, read, read! 

Students can read anything they like to enter the challenge, whether it’s a comic, play, a piece of poetry, book, e-book or animated novel. 

Taking part in the Executive Directors Summer Reading Challenge is easy! Students just need to read something they enjoy and tell us in 50 words or less why they loved it. The more a student reads, the more times they can enter the reading challenge and the more chances they have of winning one of two Chromebooks or one of thirty runner-up gift vouchers to the value of $30. Students can enter online by visiting the CEDP website.

Entries open on 2 December 2019 and close at 5pm on 2 February 2020. Terms and Conditions can be found here.

Let’s all make this year’s Summer Reading Challenge one to remember!

Executive Director

Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta

Sydney Drug Education & Counselling Centre (SDECC) will be delivering “Parents Prepared”, a one day drug education workshop for parents of high school-aged children on Saturday 15th February 2020 from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

This workshop will provide parents with information about drugs, their effects and tips for talking to young people about drug use.

We would really appreciate you sharing the attached flyer with your parent network.

Parents can register at https://www.trybooking.com/BHFOG

If you have any questions at all about the workshop, please do not hesitate to contact us.