Newsletter

I thank our Year 12 Parent Coordinator, Sasha Fennell, and her team of helpers for the way they gathered the parent group and worked with Mr Justin Hodges, Leader of Governance and Communication, Ms Kayleen Admiraal, Business Manager and Mrs Donna Watts, Maintenance Supervisor, to set up and organise the hospitality for the evening. Over 250 Year 7 parents and their daughters attended the social gathering to spend time getting to know each other. Thanks also to Mrs Felicity Gray, Wellbeing Coordinator, Mr Marcus Powell, Year 7 Coordinator, and the Year 10 students who hosted a fun night of games and activities for our Year 7 students. This certainly shows our Marist Compass dimension of “Sisters for Life” in action and also gave the parents time to socialise in a relaxed atmosphere.

This event was followed on Tuesday afternoon by our Year 8 parents hosting the BBQ at our “Campus Experience Evening” (please refer to Mr Hodges' section later in the newsletter). The next event will be our Year 9 Parents hosting the Mother’s Day Mass and Dinner, Wednesday 15 May. Stay tuned for the details of this event. 

Shared below are photos of the Year 7 Welcome evening.

Dr Anne Ireland, Principal

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We continue to face challenges with the bus services provided to the College by Sydney Buses. We are on the phone frequently to State Transit, and in particular to the Western Regional Manager, about the lateness of the buses arriving to school in the morning and in the afternoon to take the girls home.

I thank the many parents, and also staff, who have continued to lodge complaints with State Transit about the services that are provided to the College. Please be assured that we are continuing to request solutions to the issues we are currently facing. I would also like to emphasise that the girls will not be left waiting at our two bus stops without the supervision of a member of staff, regardless of the time.

https://transportnsw.info/contact-us/feedback/bus-feedback . Your assistance and support with this is very much appreciated.

Further to this, last week, we received a letter from the Customer Operations Manager from State Transit. In the letter, it was written:

“It is a condition of use that students tap on at the start and tap off at the end of each trip with their Student Opal Card. This is important to ensure accurate patronage data is recorded. This data is used to plan school special and regular route bus services and assists State Transit in ensuring adequate capacity is provided, so students can travel to and from school safely.

Current statistics indicate that many students have failed to tap on or off the Opal readers when travelling. If students do not tap on and off the school bus services, then it may appear underutilised and may be considered for cancellation based on low passenger numbers.”

https://www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/opal-for-school-students

Finally, as we begin this very special season of Lent, may it be one of deep renewal and cleansing of the heart for each of us, and the heart of the Church as a whole, as we prepare for our most significant Christian celebration – the life, death and resurrection of our Lord.

This article on College life meets The Archbishop's Charter for Catholic Schools - Charter #1, #6, #8

We also launched Project Compassion for 2019, Caritas Australia’s annual fundraising and awareness-raising appeal, bringing thousands of Australians together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. All students will be supporting Project Compassion in their Lenten penance through their Tutor groups. The theme for Project Compassion 2019 is ‘100% HOPE’.

The theme for Project Compassion 2019 is based around Hope and giving Lent 100% in the name of hope. Hope enables us to rise above our fears and helps those in great need to shape a better future for their communities. Through your generous support of Caritas Australia you are demonstrating the power of hope. 

Throughout Project Compassion 2019, inspiring stories from Caritas projects will show how education, training and sharing knowledge can empower individual communities to transform their futures and create lasting change. In the first week of Lent, Project Compassion focus is on the life of 12 year old Thandolwayo from a small village in Zimbabwe. Every morning she’d walk seven kilometres and risk being attacked by crocodiles as she collected water for her grandparents and family. This was until Cartias Australia was able to help out, here is a video about her inspiring story. 

Mr Daniel Ronchetti, Acting Religious Education Coordinator

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In personally reflecting on this busy term and the various events that have been hosted so far, it certainly has highlighted the sense of pride and connection generated amongst our students here at the College. The parallels of the IWD 2019 themes of collaboration, acknowledging the collective role they all play (Gifts), motivating others (Empower) and taking action (Gifts) along with our dimensions of the Compass have certainly been reflected from a range of opportunities in leading the way to be true C21st ‘Marist women of action’.

Mrs Sia Mastro, Leader of Wellbeing

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The Amica program provides another avenue for Marist Sisters’ students to look out for each other. Amica is a French word meaning little friend. The program is designed to assist our new Year 7s make a smooth transition from primary school to life at the College.

During Term 1, students will be involved in the Amica Peer Support Program. Each fortnight during Wednesday lunch, groups of 8-10 students will meet with their Year 10 Amica Peer Support leader and work through a range of activities that focus on building connections and addressing a range of behaviours including the prevention of bullying.

Meeting in small groups allows meaningful connections to form, assisting student with the transition to secondary school. Throughout the program, students will acknowledge their strengths and learns skills to build resilience, identify how to develop, maintain and repair friendships, develop understanding of a range of behaviours and learn strategies in order to respond appropriately in  a variety of situations.

Peer Support utilises a strengths based approach to build social and emotional skills for adolescent development. In next week's session students have the opportunity to explore the positive things in their lives. They identify their strengths and achievements and also the people who support them. This is intended to provide a strong sense of purpose and affirmation.

Consideration of their character strengths helps to build a strong sense of self. Character strength helps provide accurate descriptions of their best attributes and in turn can shape how they behave towards others.

Discuss with them what they learned during their Amica Peer Support sessions and encourage and reinforce their character strengths. Some of these may include happiness, kindness, patience, perseverance, honesty and good judgement.  

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Year 10 Amica Peer Support leaders for giving of their time and energy that they have so far put into this program. It is a great opportunity for them to develop their own leadership skills. I look forward to working with them throughout the year.

Mrs Felicity Gray, Wellbeing Coordinator

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How can we find peace in a world where there are events, behaviours, conditions, situations, etc... that occur in our lives, and our children’s lives, that sit very much outside of our control and can feel completely unacceptable, devastating and unfathomable?

I would encourage you to speak with your young people from their perspective as to what feels unacceptable to them in their lives at the moment, and perhaps help them apply some of the ideas below regarding acceptance which I have adopted from a recent article I was reading.

Irrespective of what underpins a particular therapy/counselling style, you will usually find acceptance or some form of acceptance at the center. Acceptance is a major part of life and learning to accept the unacceptable can sometimes bring great relief for those that are suffering. This suffering  could be as a result of a death or loss, chronic ill-health, financial difficulty, relationship breakdowns, world news/devastating incidents or other trauma that has been experienced by ourselves or others.

Obviously, acceptance is not always an easy pill to swallow. In fact, some may observe that it acts counter to our instinctual behaviors. As humans, we generally strive for control and autonomy. Autonomy entails having a satisfactory degree of control in regards to one’s environment, life, and choices. It’s having perceived control over the decisions that ultimately lead you to reaching, maintaining, and upholding your values and sense of self. Unfortunately, in a cruel twist, we occupy an existence rife with moments of grief, helplessness, loss, and discomfort. It may feel as though we are unable to obtain the very thing we are programmed to seek. How is it possible to live comfortably in a world that seems to go against our natural instincts?

Much like everything else in life, acceptance requires practice and an understanding that acceptance is for your benefit and most likely others close to you! Accepting the situation or behaviour that sits outside of your control does not condone it nor make it less confronting.

Acceptance simply provides a mechanism for you to move past that situation and on with your life. Acceptance is growth. We need growth to create new pathways, new ways of being in the world, given whatever circumstances you are faced with. Being on a new path leads to the attainment of goals, values, and that sense of self and purpose that we all desire.

No one ever said or promised that life had to be fair or even remotely comfortable. Despite this, people manage to carry out happy and fulfilling lives. This is where the concept of acceptance comes in, to bring hope to an otherwise irrational/unacceptable existence. Despite the human brain being hardwired to demand control over our environment, acceptance is what allows us to maintain forward progress in life.

1. Observe that you are questioning or fighting reality.

2. Remind yourself that the unpleasant reality is just what it is and cannot be changed.

3. Remind yourself that there are causes for the reality.

4. Practice accepting with the whole self (mind, body, and spirit).

5. Realise that you can be in control of how you react, think and feel, this is your choice!

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

And wisdom to know the difference.”

**Sudler, Eric, M.S “The Importance of Unconditional Acceptance of Self, Others and Life”

Albis Ellis Institute...Accessed 28.02.2019 1:30pm.

If you wish to discuss the above or have any concerns about your young person please feel free to contact the College Counsellor, Becky Salter via rebecca.salter@syd.catholic.edu.au or ph: 0435 659 694.

Mrs Becky Salter, College Counsellor

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

From time to time, the Australian Government collects information from schools in relation to student enrolments. Please refer to the attached documents from detailed information.

Parents are not required to do anything except ensure their details recorded with the College are up to date and correct.  If there are any concerns or queries regarding the collection, please contact the Australian Government through the contact details provided in the documents.

Please ensure that ALL of your daughters’ uniform items are labelled with her name. If an item of clothing is misplaced, it is very difficult to match the student with the item if a name has not been included on the clothing. We keep all unlabelled lost property in a cupboard in Pieta Square (just outside the General Administration Office), but if an item is labelled we email the student to advise that an item of theirs has been found and they are asked to come and collect it at recess, lunch time or after school.

0438 315 938 and advise the reason a student’s lateness or alternatively, a note of explanation can be sent on the day. A student’s absence will remain “Unjustified Leave” until a note is received. Students must present to the General Administration Office to be signed in. As punctuality is expected, continued late arrivals without a valid reason will result in a detention being issued to a student.

If a student is required to leave school early, parents and carers are required to write a note explaining the reason for the leave (e.g. medical appointment, family, etc.). Students will need to contact their House Coordinator who will sign the note (generally the best time to find a House Coordinator is at Tutor Group time, otherwise before school or recess/lunch time). At the collection time, parents and carers are to meet their daughter at the General Administration Office, students will hand in their signed note to be signed out.

9816 2041 (option 1) or email info@mscw.catholic.edu.au as soon as possible. Please note where parents and carers present at the College to collect students without prior notification identification will be requested.

If a student is unwell she will need to report to the General Administration Office. If she is sick enough to go home, parents/carers will be contacted to arrange collection. Under no circumstances are students to contact parents/carers themselves to be picked up. Due to duty of care obligations this must be done by College staff.

Please contact the General Administration Office at accounts@mscw.catholic.edu.au to arrange payment of your College fees account via direct debit from your credit card either weekly, fortnightly or monthly. You can also pay via BPay, cash and direct transfer into the college bank account from your bank account. 

Ms Kayleen Admiraal, Business Manager

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We have a variety of items donated including, TDP tops and jackets, TAS kits, art aprons and hospitality uniforms. All sales are cash.

Please contact me by e-mail to make an appointment, and if I am not available, the General Administration Office can also assist.

I am contactable by email - elizabeth1112@bigpond.com  for all enquiries and availability.

Mrs Liz Campbell, Second Hand Clothing Pool Coordinator

On Thursday 22nd February, College Captain Danielle Dwyer competed in the Lion’s Club ‘Youth of the Year’ competition. This competition is run annually for leaders in our local high schools including; St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill, Holy Cross College, Hunters Hill High School and Ryde Secondary College. This is a prestigious event for young people, which boasts many high profile Australians among the ranks of former entrants. These include: Kevin Rudd; Peter Beattie, a past premier of Queensland; the ABC’s Sabra Lane and Senator Simon Birmingham.

Danielle had to submit a detailed application, participate is a panel interview as well as, complete two impromptu speeches on; ‘the two significant issues that affect teenagers’ and ‘your opinion on pill testing at festivals’. Danielle also had to complete one prepared speech. Her  prepared speech was thought provoking with the essence of her argument being the difficulties faced by women in the workforce. Danielle employed a construction/building/ motif to illuminate the ‘sticky floors’, ‘maternal walls’ and ‘glass ceilings’ impeding women in the corporate world. She spoke with clarity, confidence and conviction.

We are pleased to announce that Danielle was declared the 2019 overall winner, with the Lions delegates praising her maturity and leadership qualities. Ms Cremin, Ms Smith and Ms Mathews who attended the event in support of Danielle, were very proud of the way she represented the college with grace and poise.

Ms Jennifer Mathews, Assistant English Coordinator

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On Monday 25 February, Year 7 went on an excursion around the Woolwich area. We went to six different stops including; Woolwich Baths, the Woolwich lookout, Woolwich dock, Clarke's Point Reserve, The Horse Paddocks, and Kelly’s Bush reserve.

During our excursion, we learned about the history of Woolwich and about the different landscapes and landforms in the area.

Historically, Woolwich was a working-class area with many industries including shipping. We visited the historic dry dock which is an area where they used to build and fix ships. This showed us how the landscape has changed over time, now the Woolwich dock is used more for recreational purposes.

We collected primary data of photographs and field sketches throughout the morning. We finished the excursion in Kelly’s bush, Kelly’s bush is an area near Weil Park that remains due to the success of the  Green Bans in the 1970s. In Kelly’s Bush, we looked at Indigenous sites such as the waterhole and the midden.

Overall this excursion was very informative and a fun way of teaching us about Woolwich.

Anna Silvia and Maddison Westerbrink, Year 7 Students

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

Cyclone Winston of 2016 caused massive damage to a large area of Fiji which wiped out the Marist Sisters’ convent in Nadelei and most of the villages in northern Fiji.  The Nadelei sisters and villagers sought refuge in a set of classrooms for several days with little food and no power or means of communication. The damage was devastating. Luckily there were no deaths in this village but the Marist sisters residing there, Sr Mareta and Sr Titilia lost everything. 

The Fijian Marist Sisters appealed to all Marist communities around the world for help, to which MSCW responded with money from the mission fundraising performed by our students during the year. 

I visited Nadelei in 2016, with the help of Sr Lavinia (superior of the Fiji sector of Marist Sisters) to see the devastation and how the community strived for a quick recovery with limited funds. This is what remained of the convent.

During 2017 I visited Nadelei again, for four days, accompanied by Ms Leonie Clarke and  Mrs Jane Latella. We took some much needed items such as school supplies and clothes.

We were delighted to see that the building of the new convent had started with heavy duty Besser brick foundations.  This convent is being built to last!

Earlier this year Ms Robyn Purcell travelled with me to Nadelei to see the completion of the new convent.  It is spectacular!  A sturdy building on the hill, overlooking the back of the school. 

Sr Lavinia and the residing sisters wanted me to take photos to show the MSCW community what their contributions helped achieve.  They all send a heartfelt ‘thank you’ and ‘Bula blessings’ to all.

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

Moving this year to the Sydney Aquatic Centre meant the College could give students the opportunity to swim in a first class facility with air-conditioned comfort. It was wonderful to see the level of participation increasing each year especially with our Year 12 students.

The atmosphere was fantastic with the MSCW spirit a highlight of the day. I think the amount of energy the students created probably hasn’t been felt at the pool since the 2000 Sydney Olympics!

Best “House Spirit” as judged by Dr Anne Ireland and Ms Taliana throughout the day was awarded to:

1.     Jaricot

2.     Colin

3.     Perroton

The House with the most participation points was Marcellin 1st with Chanel in 2nd place and Perroton 3rd.

Chavoin House who put in an outstanding performance to finish first in 3.45.00 in the House Relay

Chavion was represented by:

Year 7 – Sienna Brown

Year 8 - Nikki Le Gras

Year 9 – Anastasia Lakic

Year 10 – Kalani Howard

Year 11- Asha Kerr

Year 12 – Grace Hopkins

On Monday 11 February, thirteen MSCW girls from Years 9-12 who had never played softball together, went to the CGSSSA softball tournament, and walked away with the first place trophy.

How did that happen, you may ask?

Well - through determination, excellent sportswomanship, and a little bit of luck.

Woolwich won two out of the first three games, which brought us to the semi finals. We play against Mount St. Joseph, who we had lost to in the grand final the past three years.

Afraid, yet up for the challenge, Woolwich prevailed, winning a close game of 6 - 4.

This meant we reached the grand final. Our final competitor: Bethany College, the only team we had already played and lost to that day. The odds were against us. However, the incredible spirit and talent of our players did not let us down.

We won the game 14 - 0. 

Thank you so much to Mr Richardson for being our fantastic coach and accompanying us on the day. Thank you to Mr Watts for organising this event and supporting softball each year.

It was an amazing feeling, after three years in a row of being the runners up, to win in my final year representing the College in CGSSSA softball. Thank you to all the players - it was so much fun to be with you on and off the field.

Good luck for next year!

Polly Hancock, Year 12 Student

On Tuesday 19 February, MSCW competed at the annual CGSSSA Cricket Championship. Students from Years 10-12 competed together on the day and following a narrow loss last year, managed to reclaim the championship trophy in dynamic style.

The team comfortably made their way to the finals after finishing the top of their pool undefeated. The first semi final was a bit of a wakeup call, with MSJ proving to be tough competition. Luckily, some tidy work in the field and an exceptional batting performance the team were able to chase the total of 93 runs to take the game. 

The grand final was predictably against our long term rivals, Monte. A good start had MSCW up after a wicket on the first ball taking out their star batsman for a golden duck. Despite the good start in the field, MSCW needed one run to win off the final ball of the game. With much suspense, a four was hit and MSCW won the game by 3 runs.

It was overall a very successful day for the College and all schools who competed.

Eden Fraser, Year 11 Student

Please note that it is College Policy that all students involved in sport off campus on Thursdays must return to College at the conclusion of the day.

We ask that you do not request to pick up your daughter from the venue for an appointment or for any other reason. As part of our duty of care it is important that all students are accounted for and on the buses, which need to leave on time to return to the College.

The only exception to this policy will be for students who are representing the College at MCCS Representative Sport and parents are attending.

Mr Daniel Watts, Sports Coordinator

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Week 7 Wednesday & Thursday 13 and 14 March 2019

Crunchy noodle salad, Chinese noodles (Changs Original)                                                       $6.00
Chinese cabbage, green onions, pine nuts, soy sauce, sesame oil, white vinegar, sugar

Week 8 Wednesday & Thursday 20 and 21 March 2019

Falafel Wrap                                                                                                                                        $6.00
Lettuce, tomato, mint and tahini sauce 

Please note that due to cost pressures, there have been some price increases on the Canteen menu.