From the Principal
Prayer for Advent
Dear Jesus,
Help us focus on you
during this busy season.
May we stay aware of the joy
you bring into our lives.
We want to find you
in the everyday moments
and come with hearts of gratitude
to your manger on Christmas.
Amen.
Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for us.
Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students
As we enter the Advent season, we begin a sacred journey of anticipation and preparation, leading up to the celebration of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. For Catholics everywhere, Advent is a time of spiritual reflection, prayer, and hope. It marks the beginning of the liturgical year, a season in which we await with joyful expectation the coming of Christ into our world, both as a child in the manger and as our Saviour who will one day return in glory. It is a season that calls us to deepen our faith, to prepare our hearts, and to open ourselves to the transformative grace of God. Advent is not just about counting the days until Christmas; it is about preparing ourselves to encounter Christ in a profound way, and to live more fully in the light of His love.
As we approach the end of another academic year, I am deeply inspired by the flexibility and dedication displayed by both students and teachers. I have witnessed the unwavering commitment of our teachers and staff, who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to guide, support, and challenge our students. Through their hard work, compassion, and tireless dedication, they have helped foster an environment of growth and learning that extends far beyond the classroom. Their passion for teaching and genuine care for the well-being of each of the young women in our care is truly commendable, and I want to express my deepest appreciation for all that they do.
At the same time, our students have embraced the opportunities that have come their way, demonstrating remarkable commitment, resilience and determination. Whether navigating academic challenges, participating in extracurricular activities, or stepping up to support one another, they have shown an inspiring willingness to grow and contribute to our community. It is heartening to see how both students and staff continue to work together, creating an atmosphere where personal development and holistic growth are at the forefront. This collective effort not only enhances the educational experience but also builds a stronger, more connected community. As we close out the year, I am filled with gratitude for the positive impact each individual has had on our shared journey.
Music Showcase
Our Music Showcase last week was a spectacular night, filled with incredible talent and heartwarming performances. I would like to extend a huge thank you to our Music Department, led by the dedicated and passionate Mrs. Romina Zappulla. Her commitment to preparing and rehearsing our students truly shone through in every performance. Thank you also to Glenn Magson, Leanna Price, Sarah Thompson, our dedicated music tutors and everyone who contributed to making this event such a wonderful celebration of musical creativity. Our students not only demonstrated remarkable skill but also the joy and enthusiasm that make these events so special.
It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of both our students and their wonderful teachers that the evening was such a success. We are so proud of all our performers for showing us what they do best – delivering an unforgettable musical experience. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the night a resounding success!
Camps, Retreats and Activities week
This week, our year groups took part in a series of Camps, Retreats and Activities, a wonderful time for bonding, celebration, and reflection. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our young women who participated so enthusiastically and made the most of these experiences, which built upon the wellbeing activities and learnings from 2024.
A special thank you to our wonderful Pastoral Team and all staff who accompanied, chaperoned, and guided our students throughout these activities, helping to create meaningful and memorable moments.
I would also like to express my gratitude to Monica Ribeiro, our Religious Education Coordinator and to Claudia Carbone, our Youth Ministry Coordinator, for their support and for attending the 10:10 Retreat last week with a group of Year 10 students, contributing to the spiritual growth and connection of our students.
Thank you all for making this past week such a success! Full reports on camps and activities week will follow in our final Newsletter next fortnight.
Staff Farewells
Whilst this time of year is filled with much joy and anticipation of the festive season, with some sadness I am faced with the task of farewelling valued members of our College staff: 
Matthew Ryan joined Domremy in 2018 and has been a formidable force as Deputy Principal, leaving an indelible mark on our College community. He is held in high regard within our community. His unwavering dedication, strong leadership, and genuine care for staff and students alike have been instrumental in shaping the culture of our College. Matt’s commitment to excellence, along with his ability to inspire those around him, has enriched Domremy in countless ways. From leading with integrity to fostering a spirit of collaboration, his impact will be long-lasting. As Matt moves on to the next chapter of his journey as Principal of James Sheahan Catholic High School, Orange, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for all he has done for Domremy and wish him every success. He will always remain a valued part of our Domremy family.
Natasha Maoudis has been a valued member of our College since 2007, holding various leadership roles, including Year Coordinator and TAS Coordinator. As a dedicated member of the TAS Department, Natasha has made significant contributions to our community. In 2024, she focused on her young family while continuing to share her passion for education. Natasha is highly respected by both colleagues and students, and she will be deeply missed. We thank her for her invaluable contributions and wish her every success in her new role at Loreto Normanhurst. Natasha will always remain a cherished member of the Domremy family.
Marilyn Fiamengo has been a cherished member of Domremy College’s Religious Education faculty since 2007. More than just a teacher, Marilyn has been a mentor, guide, and source of inspiration for students and colleagues alike. Her unwavering dedication and passion for education have assisted in shaping the minds of many young women, leaving a legacy that will be treasured for years to come. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Marilyn on her well-deserved retirement and wish her all the best in this exciting new chapter of her life.
Joe Wong has been a highly valued member of Domremy College’s Science faculty since 2011. Joe has been a dedicated teacher. He has endeavoured to inspire students and colleagues alike. His love of science education sparked a love for the subject in many students, leaving a lasting impact that will be remembered for years to come. We warmly congratulate Joe on his well-deserved retirement and wish him all the best as he embarks on this exciting new chapter of his life.
Anita Rombola has been at Domremy since 2018. Anita is a valued member of the Pastoral Care Team and the English Faculty. Anita has been most generous with her time and giving of herself whether as the learn-to-learn coordinator or in her involvement in Debating & Public Speaking and The Ethics Olympiad, to ensure our girls experienced a variety of opportunities. Her passion, commitment and dedication as an educator and leader has had a significant impact across the College. Her contributions to our College have been immense, and for this we are grateful. Anita will be greatly missed by all. We wish her every success as she takes up her new role at St Ursula’s College, Kingsgrove.
Dianna Hall began at Domremy in 2018 as a valued member of our Learning Support Team. Dianna has provided unwavering support to our students and contributed significantly to our learning environment. We wish Dianna all the very best in her future endeavours.
Liz Forbes has been at Domremy since 2022 as part of the TAS Faculty. In her time here, she has very successfully connected with students and staff. Liz has been an absolute treasure especially in her willingness to be so adaptable. Her classes were filled with delectable delights ensuring a passion for the world of Hospitality was always present. Liz will be sorely missed by all and we wish her every happiness as her family moves to the Central Coast.
Ines Paxton has been at Domremy since Term 2 2024 as a valued member of the Languages Department. Ines has had a very positive impact on our students in a short time, building positive relationships with both students and staff. Ines is highly respected and will be missed by all. We wish her all the best for the future.
Maria Elaro has been at Domremy since Term 1 2024 as a valued member of the English Department who built very positive relationships with her students and with staff and is well respected by all. Maria will be missed by all. We wish her all the best for the future.
Genevieve Malloy has been at Domremy since Term 1 2024 as a valued member of the Diverse Learning Team. She has built positive relationships with students and staff, and will be missed. We wish her all the best for the future.
Le Tran will be on maternity leave throughout 2025. We wish her all the very best as she embarks on the exciting journey of motherhood and look forward to welcoming her back in 2026.
Danielle Coffey will be on leave throughout 2025. This will be an important time for Daniele and her young family and we look forward to welcoming her back in 2026.
Jane Sullivan has been seconded as a Religious Education Adviser for the next 6 to 12 months, a role within the Sydney Catholic Schools’ Religious Education and Evangelisation Directorate. This is an exciting new opportunity for Jane, and we wish her all the best during this time. Jane is held in high esteem by our College community, and she will certainly be missed.
On behalf of our College community, I bid them farewell. Their passion, hard work and dedication have been an important part of fulfilling our educational vision. As they all commence a new and exciting chapter in their lives, we join together in wishing them every success and blessing in all their future endeavours. I leave them with these words …
Domremy Parent Representative Group (DPRG)
I take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the parents of the DPRG, for their great dedication to our College and for their attendance at our DPRG meetings this year. We are fortunate that our DPRG representatives will remain with us next year. An invitation is always open for anyone who may wish to join. Our incoming Year 7 and new parents in 2025 will be most welcome to join the DPRG.
I look forward to working with our representative parent group again in 2025.
My sincere and heartfelt thanks to all our 2024 Year Parent Representatives:
Year 7 Lon Guglielmino, Heather Hilton
Year 8 Siu (Mary) Chu, Katherine Taravel, Meagan Leslie, Lucy Hartmann, Alex Limneos
Year 9 Christine Bouchahine, Meaghan Roche
Year 10 Doomara Aprim, Mirela Zimonjic
Year 11 Janelle Powter, Stav Contellis, Helen Balafas, Nicola Barrett
Year 12 Kate Campbell, Andrew Pelizzari
Finally …
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Michael Kelleher, Acting Principal, for overseeing the College and holding the fort on Thursday and Friday of last week and ensuring its smooth operation, while the entire College Leadership Team was offsite for our 2025 Planning Days. These two necessary and important days were most productive as they enabled us to delve into strategic discussions and lay the groundwork for the direction of the College in the upcoming year.
Our annual Celebration of Excellence evening will take place next Wednesday, 11 December, at 6:00 pm in the Brenda Quinn Hall. This significant event highlights and celebrates the achievements, successes, and talents of the young women of Domremy and we are looking forward to sharing this special occasion with you, your family, and friends.
Attendance at the Celebration of Excellence evening is compulsory for all students in Years 7 to 11. We look forward to coming together as a community to honour and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our students.
It has been a very busy couple of weeks, indeed a very busy final term, with so much to celebrate. This newsletter is again filled with tributes for the many achievements of our young women which are to be celebrated. I love their enthusiasm, their drive and commend the many hours of hard work and dedication, and their commitment to the pursuit of excellence in what they love doing.
As we are at the pointy end of the year and many of you may be away during the holidays, could I please add my reminder to parents and carers about the Mobile Phone Policy and the Canteen Payment options in 2025. We have, for a couple of weeks now, been advising via The Parent Weekly that there will be significant changes with respect to both of these items next year.
I encourage parents and carers to make sure that they and their daughters understand what these changes are and have measures in place as alternatives. To especially note are the following and I thank parents and carers in advance for their full support:
- Between the hours of 8.45am and 3.05pm (school hours) all mobile phones are to be switched off, out of sight, securely stored in lockers or school bags. Students will not be able to access their phones at all during the school day. Any urgent communications between parents and carers and students will continue to be solely via telephone to the student or front office or by email. The Mobile Phone Policy will be strictly enforced by staff.
- Digital pay from mobile phones at the Canteen will no longer be available. As a result of students not being able to access their mobile phone at all during school hours, students who are making purchases from the Canteen will require physical debit/credit cards or cash and will no longer be able to access digital pay from their mobile phones. We ask parents and carers to please ensure that alternative arrangements, which fit each family’s own circumstances, are made for the start of the year for your daughter if she wishes to purchase from the Canteen.
Whilst the upcoming holidays and festive season are upon us, it is important to note that attendance at school is compulsory for all students until the last day, which is Thursday 12 December, unless leave has been approved in advance.
Year 7-10 reports were published this afternoon and are available to parents now to review ahead of the Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews.
Years 7 to 11 Semester 2 Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews via Zoom will take place on Monday 16 December from 8:30am to 6pm. The Parent/Student/Teacher Interview Portal is open for parents to book their appointments. All interviews will be conducted via Zoom and the links for each interview can be found on the document below. This is a valuable opportunity to gain insight into how your daughters can enhance their learning growth in preparation for 2025. Bookings for Zoom interviews close next Friday 13 December.
Thank you for your continued support.
Blessings on you and your families,