Newsletter

The Archbishop of Sydney Awards for Student Excellence, an annual award ceremony involving 50 Catholic secondary schools, was held last Friday 4 September, for the first time via Zoom. This prestigious annual award, sponsored by the Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher OP, recognises the outstanding young women and men in Catholic schools across Sydney. It is an important way of profiling the very positive contribution that young people make to their school and local communities to change and improve the world. It is also an affirmation of the support that families offer their children, and public acclaim for the commitment and dedication of their teachers. It is always such a lovely occasion and students were praised highly and thanked warmly by Archbishop Anthony, sending the message that our church of the future is in good hands. This hope-filled message was reiterated by Executive Director, Tony Farley, in his address to the students. It was very uplifting to hear of the wonderful ways in which our young people across Sydney are active in their communities.

Our very worthy College recipient for 2020 is Year 12 student, Rebecca Dearing. As an MSCW college community we are very proud of Rebecca. I share with you Rebecca’s citation outlining the wonderful ways she has been active at MSCW and in her parish.

Rebecca is a highly visible positive role model for other students at Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich, due to her dedication and commitment to live and express her Catholic faith. This commitment is manifest through her energetic contribution to the faith life of the College as a House Liturgy Captain, regularly leading the College in daily prayer as well as leading our College and House liturgies. Rebecca is an active participant in the College Social Justice and Faith in Action groups, our Marist Youth Ministry events and attended the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Perth in 2019. As an active parishioner of St Therese’s Denistone, Rebecca is an altar server at 9.00am Mass as  well as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. In addition, she regularly attends the Parish Youth Group, supports the Parish Sacramental program and various Parish events. Rebecca is well respected as a young woman of faith, integrity, dependability and energy regarding all her endeavours.

Dr Anne Ireland, Principal

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

“The pandemic is a crisis, and we do not emerge from a crisis the same as before: either we come out of it better or we come out of it worse,” ... “We must come out of it better” (Pope Francis)

Whilst it may seem that we are constantly having to deal with an ever changing landscape, Pope Francis asks us to look for opportunities that are presented to us during such difficult times so that we can contribute to our world and find opportunities to serve others. Miss Kleist writes more in her section about Pope Francis' prayer intention for September. 

Recently, the Year 7 RE classes were asked to explore Pope Francis’ Laudato Si and to consider why Catholics should protect God’s creation. During class discussions many girls highlighted that during the pandemic there has been a reduction in pollution around the world and people have been reflecting on their relationship with our common home. Here at our College, I personally have noticed that in the last week our students have been consciously exercising their responsibility to respect and care for our environment by protecting our beautiful environment that we have here at Woolwich. Students have been actively placing all rubbish in the bins and hence demonstrating that we are capable of contributing to our world by living in harmony with creation. This has been wonderful to observe. 

As parents and teachers, we cannot afford to under estimate the impact of technology on our children. Whilst we embrace technology and use technology as an important tool for learning, we also believe that our students need to be responsible and safe digital citizens. 

A digital footprint is the collection of all traces that you leave in elecrtronic environments as you move through them. Some content you actively volunteer and other material is passive. 

However, all of this data can be used to build a profile of you. For this reason, it is very important that students do not post anything online that they may find embarrassing later. Likewise, it is also important to be careful with the pictures that you post on public profiles. It may be a timely reminder to check privacy settings on social networking sites so that only friends can see your information. 

Please remember that when you engage in online activities that a trail of information is left behind. Your digital footprint can be either positive or negative in the future, therefore it is so important that you always think about what you are posting online. 

Please be aware that Hunters Hill Council have installed new parking signage outside the College on Woolwich Road. A drop and pick up zone now operates from 8am to 9am and 3pm and 4pm on school days. The Council has also requested that all parents, carers and students that drive to school review their Parking Safely brochure that is shown below.

Ms Julie Bjazevich, Acting Assistant Principal

This article on College life meets The Archbishop's Charter for Catholic Schools - Charter #1, #2, #5 & #8

As we celebrate the beginning of spring in September, Pope Francis announced his prayer intention for the month to be respect for the planet’s resources and that we “take care of Creation responsibly”.

Each year, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation is observed on September 1. The international celebration marks the beginning of the Season of Creation, which extends to 4 October, the feast of St Francis of Assisi.

Care of creation and stewardship of the land are central themes in the Religious Education curriculum at Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich. Students in Year 7 have recently completed the unit, Stewards of Creation and studied the Papal encyclical, Laudato Si. HSC Studies of Religion students have studied the impact of the life of St Francis of Assisi for Christians today. Year 11 Studies in Catholic Thought students have explored the work of Pope Francis and the challenge for all Catholics to care for the earth.

Pope Francis says in his prayer intention that the care of our earth should happen “today; not tomorrow.” May we celebrate the Season of Creation sharing in and respecting our land’s resources.

Miss Mary Kleist, Religious Education Coordinator

This article on College life meets The Archbishop's Charter for Catholic Schools - Charter #1, #2, #3, #5 & #8

At our Marist in Action (MIA) meeting on Monday, we focused on topics surrounding mental health to coincide with R U OK? Week. Claire and Orlaith, two of our Liturgy Captains, guided our session and focused on this year’s message, which is: There’s more to say after ‘R U OK?’'

They talked about four steps to take to help navigate a conversation when someone says “No, I’m not OK.”

These are:

• Ask
• Listen
• Encourage action
• Check in.

This was an opportunity for us to connect in meaningful ways with those around us by bringing awareness to mental health at the College. In doing so, we are able to reduce the stigma of mental health and work towards social inclusion. 

Charlotte Broeking and Mia Lo Giudice, Social Justice Co-captains

This article on College life meets The Archbishop's Charter for Catholic Schools - Charter #2, #8 &#11

Year 11 are currently involved in their final Preliminary Assessment Block that will run until the end of next week, Thursday 17 September. During this time students are only required to attend the College to complete their assessments as per the published timetable. If students have two exams on the same day, they are to remain on site between exams and have access to Jarnosse for quiet study.

This is the first formal examination block that our Year 11 students have been involved in and I commend students on their adherence to examination requirements and conditions.

A reminder that students should be on-site at least half an hour before their scheduled examination.

Mental health awareness is always a significant time of reminding our staff and students about the need to look out for one another, not only during this particular week, but throughout the year. Whilst RU OK? Day was specifically on Thursday 10 September, the College had embraced a number of initiatives for each day of Week 7, led by the Student Leadership Team and Ms Kathy Reid. The whole school community interacted, shared and engaged in ways to open conversation and connect with one another within Tutor Group as well as during lunchtime activities. Our vision is to continue to build upon our strong Wellbeing and Pastoral Care program through a range of opportunities by way of connection. This is pivotal especially in our current climate. Embedding a school culture that challenges our young people to ‘think, judge, feel and act’, enables them to navigate and question their journey in how they can give back to their community whilst developing their Compass for Life.

Whilst we may not always be willing to talk immediately during times of stress or struggle, sometimes that gentle chat by someone asking the question, "R U OK?" ,"Is there anything that I can help you with?", "would you like to go for a walk to chat”, is all it takes to feel a genuine sense of connection and care with no judgement.

We all experience times of difficulty in our lives. Knowing that we have peers, friends, teachers and family that care and would willingly help us to get through some of those challenging moments, can alleviate the build up of pressure or sometimes even come across as a lack of motivation. Whilst friends/family cannot always 'fix' the situation, they can be encouraged to listen, let them know they care and tell a teacher, school counsellor or trusted adult if they are worried. 

I encourage you to follow the advice noted above by our Social Justice Co-captains Charlotte Broeking and Mia Lo Giudice and to further the conversation with you if you sense things are not OK:

When to bring it up?

Be aware of certain behaviours and signs that can indicate a child might be struggling. The first thing to look out for is changes in behaviour. When people feel low, they often:

• Withdraw from their friends or their family
• Lash out at people and get angry or upset really easily, including towards the people they care about
• Cry or become emotional

• Lose interest in activities and things they usually love
• Have changed sleeping patterns. They might be sleeping all the time, not sleeping much at all, or sleeping at strange hours (such as in the middle of the day)
• Have a changed appetite. They could be eating more than usual, or less.

Useful contacts when a child is not OK:

• Contacting the College Counsellors 
• Local GP as a starting point or psychologist

• Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800
• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• ‘000’ if life is in imminent danger.

Ms Sia Mastro, Leader of Wellbeing

This article on College life meets The Archbishop's Charter for Catholic Schools - Charter  #6 & #8

And a few inspiring quotes from others to discuss with your young people...

“Your self-esteem won’t come from body parts. You need to step away from the mirror every once in a while, and look for another reflection, like the one in the eyes of the people who love you and admire you.” –Stacy London

“Don’t let your mind bully your body” June Tamo Wood

“Don’t say anything about yourself that you wouldn't say to your best friend” - Unknown

If you feel your daughter is becoming too preoccupied with their body image, weight loss or eating habits, please feel free to contact one of the College 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

Students in Year 7MA1 Mathematics class have come first in their division for the Investigating Mathematics Challenge held by the Mathematical Association of New South Wales.

“Investigating with Mathematics, aims to promote interest in mathematics and foster positive attitudes amongst students, teachers and parents. The purpose of the investigation is to explore 'real-life' situations and problems that engage students and teachers in mathematics. It involves students formulating their own questions from a given situation." (Source: Mathematical Association of New South Wales (MANSW) website).

‘Save before the Next Wave’  is the title of the task the students created. It focused on how people could survive on the Federal Government’s Job Keeper and Job Seeker payments. Students collected data by surveying families, analysed the data, averaged results, modeled potential outcomes and even researched ways to save money where necessary.

The students received judges accolades through a Zoom presentation. Year 7 student, Adelaide Kennedy, gave the acceptance speech:

"Due to the current circumstances , we decided to investigate if the average family could live off Job Keeper/Job Seeker payments. 

We thoroughly enjoyed working as a class and collaborated seamlessly. The class thanks the judges for choosing ‘Save Before the Next Wave’ as the competition winner for NSW.”

The students’ work will now be entered into the national competition, which will be judged in Perth later in September.

Mr Brian Walker, Mathematics Coordinator

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

A gentle reminder that it is important that all Visual Arts students are prepared for practical lessons with their OWN apron and their OWN paint brushes. This request is imperative particularly during this time of COVID-19.

If you have any concerns please contact me.

Mrs Helen Landas, Creative Arts Coordinator

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

Congratulations to Miriam Hunt and Mia Lo Giudice of Year 11 who have been accepted into the HSC Intensive Studio Practice at the National Art School. This course entails two weeks of rigorous artmaking in specialised studio practice during the January and April school holidays. Students must be nominated by their Visual Arts teacher and present a portfolio of sample work that is judged by a panel of experts. Applications for this course are highly competitive and it is testimony to the skill of both Miriam and Mia that they have been accepted. The Creative Arts Department wishes Miriam and Mia well during their studio artmaking experience.

 Ms Jodie Swan - Visual Arts Teacher

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