Newsletter

Our Year 12 students complete their Higher School Certificate examinations next Wednesday. They will then eagerly await their results on 18 December when we will celebrate with a special Morning Tea. Some students, having now completed their HSC, have a real sense of relief and I hope deep satisfaction with their efforts. Other students are on the count down and finalizing preparations for their last exams. Thank you to the families and community members who have supported them in prayer and encouragement during this time. These students will also be looking forward to their graduation dinner on 20 November at Dolton House, Darling Wharf. With the difficulties COVID-19 has presented this year, I look forward to celebrating with the girls and their parents.

Dr Anne Ireland, Principal

This article on College life meets The Archbishop's Charter for Catholic Schools - Charter #1, #2, #8 

This week our Church also celebrated the two Feasts of All Saints and All Souls. During the month of November we remember the faithfully departed, our own loved ones, gone before us but now participating in the heavenly Liturgy. 

But as we reflect upon the Saints of the past and remember their acts of holiness, we also remember that Pope Francis calls us all to holiness and we think about the ways that we demonstrate, sometimes in very ordinary ways, the extraordinary power of God working within us. On these two Feasts we look not only to the past, but also to those in our midst, who are the living saints around us. 

So, ask yourself...

•  Who in my life have I known to be humble?
  
  
• Who in my life have I known has grieved or mourned and those who have comforted them?
  
  
• Who do I know is kind and gentle?
  
  
• Who do I know wants to put right the wrongs of others?
  
  
• Who do I know believes in the unconditional love of God and because of that shows mercy to all?
  
  
• Who do I know are pure in heart and radiate God’s goodness?
  
  
• Who do I know are makers of peace wherever they are?
  
  
• Who do I know turns the other cheek when they are insulted or ridiculed?
  
  
• Who do I know, no matter what confronts them in life, knows that a God who protects them is always with them?
  
  

As I walk the grounds of our College, I am very aware that there are Marist women amongst us who tick many of the above questions and I recognise that these young women are our living Saints!

Finally, our College motto “Virtus Super Omnia” reminds us of the truth, diligence and honour which we find in Mary. This motto, in conjunction with our College compass, reminds us that we are developing our own compass each day as we honour and respect the people around us and the spaces around us. 

Ms Julie Bjazevich, Acting Assistant Principal

This article on College life meets The Archbishop's Charter for Catholic Schools - Charter #2 & #8

Each year Marist Sisters’ College supports two important communities at Christmas time; St Vincent de Paul and the Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation.  St Vincent de Paul supports those experiencing hardship within our community and Baabayn provides many young indigenous Australians with support and links to services that help inspire them to find a sense of achievement and pride in their future. This year more than most, individuals and families have been negatively impacted.  As a community we are asking that you donate to these worthy causes through the collection of hygiene products and Christmas gifts.

The support of Marist families to these causes is life changing for many Australians in need and is greatly appreciated.  Each House Colour has been allocated a particular fundraising area for the 2020 MSCW Christmas Appeal. 

Students are asked to bring in collections beginning Week 6, Monday 16 November through to Friday Week 7, 27 November. 

The Gift of Goodness is an initiative by Catholicare that supports those in need. This year, many Sydney families are struggling and are in need of help, more than ever. A Gift of Goodness will show them they are not alone.  Families can choose to donate to help provide fresh food hampers for families in need, as well as vital support services to help them through these hard times.

The link below will take you to their donation page:

https://fundraise.ccareline.org/event/your-gift-of-goodness/donate

Ms Katie White, Assistant Religious Education Coordinator

This article on College life meets The Archbishop's Charter for Catholic Schools - Charter #1, #2, & #8

Due to the continued restrictions due to COVID, the HSC Parent Information Evening will be presented as a recording. Students and parents/carers will be sent a COMPASS notification at the beginning of Week 5 with the link to this presentation. It is an expectation that all students together with their parents/carers will view this presentation, so that there is clarity around the year ahead. Following this presentation, if there are any further questions or concerns please contact the College.

Patterns of studies for students in Years 9 and 11 in 2020 will be made available to students and parents/carers in the next couple of weeks. The College timetable is student-driven to ensure the vast majority of students are placed in all of the classes that they have expressed a preference to study.  Every effort is made to accommodate the greatest number of student choices, and whilst the vast majority have been able to be accommodated, I understand that is not always comfortable to the very small number of students who may not receive their first preferences. 

As we approach the middle of our final term in 2020 students in all years need to be fully engaged with their learning to maximise the time remaining.

Mrs Melinda Alvarez, Leader of Learning and Curriculum

This article on College life meets The Archbishop's Charter for Catholic Schools - Charter #2 & #8

How as parents do we know when to reach out for help with our teenagers? We may be concerned about their grades, application to school, behaviour, arguments at home etc, general lethargy...and unsure if this is 'normal' teenage behaviour or something to be more concerned about...

To feel sad, mad and bad, to feel anxious, worried, to explore their sexuality and religious beliefs, to spend time on social media and devices, to play sport/exercise and interact with family and friends, to bake, do art, doodle, draw, sew or make things, and to listen to music, eat pizza sometimes, sleep in, spend too long in the shower, not tidy their room, or forget to pick up the wet towels, want to socialise, or not want to socialise, spend time in their room, argue with their siblings, or complain about chores, they forget to be grateful for all that you do for them and how privileged you know they are, but somehow they can’t see it.

It is also 'normal' for young people to act out on occasions, to experiment with risk taking behaviours, to feel upset when they get into trouble or are struggling with their schoolwork or social circles, or to be confrontational when they are trying to get their point across or feel misunderstood.

'Normal' does not imply it is acceptable to you as a parent, but it does mean from a counselling perspective that it fits into a spectrum of a 'normal range' of behaviours in young people, whether we like them or not, and therefore not necessarily 'red flags'.

The 'red flags' below are concerning from a counselling perspective, and when these occur over an extended period of time, negatively impact a young person's wellbeing. Young people who experience these red flags might report to a trusted adult:

• not sleeping properly - either taking a long time to get to bed or waking up and staying up for hours;
  
  
• not regularly attending school, or grades are consistently below average;
  
  
• significant weight gain/loss, frequent headaches, tummy upsets;
  
  
• ongoing feelings of sadness, teariness during the day on a regular basis;
  
  
• relying on risk taking behaviours to lift their mood by using drugs or alcohol;
  
  
• rating their mood consistently below a 5/10, when a 10/10 would be having a great time with friends and a zero would be not wanting to get out of bed, not interested in anything, with feelings of hopelessness and not wanting to be here;
  
  
• lacking in motivation or focus - across both school and social situations over many weeks/months;
  
  
• not being able to articulate what they enjoy even when prompted ie listening to music, art, sport, friends;
  
  
• being unable to identify their own strengths, but knowing what they like in others;
  
  
• Constant thoughts obsessive and intrusive in nature; for example about food, exercise or negative thoughts, friends, their own capacity or inability to succeed;
  
  
• low self worth and low self-efficacy; “I cannot do anything right”;
  
  
• high reactivity to mildly stressful situations and experience low emotional regulation which gets them into trouble on a regular basis, at home, with friends, or at school;
  
  
• they are withdrawing from friends, family or activities that they once normally enjoyed;
  
  
• they are constantly tense, nervous or on edge;
  
  
• they have fearful behaviours ie checking if things are locked, not sleeping alone or avoiding behaviours - ie not going out in public;
  
  
• they state they regularly experience anxiety/panic attacks, racing heart rate, sweating;
  
  
• they report ongoing self-harm behaviours; and
  
  
• they report feeling isolated and alone, most of the time, but can mask it well.

Young people are very good at knowing if there is a problem, but they are not always so great at reaching out for help. Talk with your young people about the above and see what they agree or disagree with (and without referencing them), ask them if they themselves or their friend had these 'red flags' who they might reach out to?...another trusted adult, family friend, immediate family member, tutor, teacher or school counsellor. 

De-stigmatizing and demystifying mental health issues will help keep young people safe, conversations are important with your young people.

If you feel your daughter is experiencing several 'red flags' and this is persistent and impacting their wellbeing, please feel free to contact one of the counsellors to discuss your concerns. You can contact the counsellors; Becky Salter on Ph: 0435 659 694 rebecca.salter@syd.catholic.edu.au or email Kellie Dargan kellie.dargan@syd.catholic.edu.au

Ms Becky Salter, College Counsellor

This article on College life meets The Archbishop's Charter for Catholic Schools - Charter  #8

Some wonderful news.

'Young in Art' has been running for over 26 years and exhibits works from students in Kindergarten through to Year 12 from the 7 schools within the Hunters Hill Municipality. It is always so wonderful to see the talent within our school and the wider community.

The following students have received an award and monetary card for their fabulous artworks that were placed in the exhibition.

Congratulations to these three super creative students:

    Year 12         Elizabeth Albuquerque         Highly Commended

    Year 11         Stella Papandony                     Commended

    Year 10        Chloe Krstevski                         Commended

Well done to the Creative Arts Team and to the students!

Mrs Helen Landas, Creative Arts Coordinator

This article on College life meets The Archbishop's Charter for Catholic Schools - Charter  #2 & #8

During this cycle Year 10 will be introduced to the compulsory NESA program, HSC: all my own work, which must be completed by every Year 10 student in NSW before they can be enrolled with NESA for their Preliminary Year. It is online and is to be completed, both the content and the assessment, in the girls’ own time over the coming 6 weeks.

The Program covers a range of topics related to good scholarship and academic honesty, including ethical research and study behaviour, copyright, acknowledging sources and plagiarism.

There is a link to MSCW's information regarding AMOW on the Jarnosse site in MSCW Student Cloudshare.  Your daughter will need to read and understand the Program and complete only as many of the assessments as is required for her to achieve 80% or more on a single attempt.

Starting on October 29 there will be 5 weekly opportunities to complete an assessment. Each assessment will open for 1 week and the results will be emailed at the beginning of the following week. Your daughter can sit as many of the assessments as she needs to in order to pass and there is no penalty for failure. It is in her best interests to attempt the early assessments rather than leave it to the last minute and the last assessments, as girls who have not successfully passed the Program by the close of the last assessment (#5) will need to attend a seminar and assessment at school on Monday 14 December.

Mrs Prue Nelson, Teacher-Librarian

This article on College life meets The Archbishop's Charter for Catholic Schools - Charter  #8

The Clothing Pool is now available ONLINE through Flexischools. Simply log into your account and select the Marist Sisters' College Shop - Clothing Pool Order tab on the home page. 

You will be directed to a page with all items available for sale, prices, payment method and delivery dates. Orders close each Wednesday at 4pm and items will be delivered to your daughter's classroom each Thursday. Should you miss the order cut off for the week your order will go into the next week's order cycle. 

If you do not already have an account with Flexischools simply go to www.flexischools.com.au and follow the steps to open an account.