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.
Brendan Mitchell | 1st in Mathematics Standard 2 |
Natalia Grodek (Year 11) | 1st in Polish Continuers (Accelerated) |
Andrew Bidny | 2nd in Music 1 |
Luke Sheridan | 8th in Studies of Religion II |
Luke Sheridan | 9th in Modern History |
Ashley Doueihi | 10th in Business Studies |
Peter Litsas | 19th in Business Studies |
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