From the Assistant Principal – Welcome Back to Term 3 Assembly: Faith, Compassion, and Curiosity

From the Assistant Principal – Welcome Back to Term 3 Assembly: Faith, Compassion, and Curiosity

On Monday July 20, our school community gathered for the opening Term 3 assembly, a morning filled with reflection, celebration, and anticipation for the vibrant weeks ahead.

Principal’s Welcome

Mrs McGahan warmly welcomed  all new and returning members as part of our growing family. She asked students to ask themselves Three Bold Questions….

  • What do I want to become?
  • What am I capable of?
  • What will I do differently?

The address was motivating and reminded students of our core values, mission and purpose. 

  • Reflective Growth: Every student is encouraged to pause and ponder three bold questions to help guide their personal and academic journeys this term.
  • Pursuing Excellence: We are committed to fostering an environment where every student strives for excellence in their endeavours.
  • Cultivating Strategic Habits: To achieve success, students are encouraged to build and maintain strategic study and personal habits right from the start of the term.
A special message goes out to our Senior Class:”Light Your Lantern”

To our Year 12 students, as you enter this vital stage of your schooling journey, continue to let your light shine, lead with confidence, and guide those around you.

Your Call to Action: Lean In!

Our main call to action for every student this term is to lean in—embrace new challenges, engage deeply in school life, and make the absolute most of every opportunity presented. Together, let’s make Term 3 exceptionally extraordinary!

Religious Life and Mission 

Mrs Morizzi and the Faith and Mission team outlined our social justice focus for the term. Students were encouraged to get involved in the Winter Appeal, Sandwich Making, and supporting the Charitable Works Fund (CWF), which aids vital agencies across the Archdiocese of Sydney.

Celebrating Literature and Creativity

Isabella (Year 12) introduced our upcoming Book Week celebrations (22–28 August), centred around the theme “A Symphony of Stories.” Highlights to look forward to include:

  • Author Visits: Stage 4 and 5 students will hear from acclaimed authors Sue Whiting and Allison Tait.
  • Dress-Up Day & Fundraiser: On Wednesday, August 26, students can come dressed as a favourite book character for a gold coin donation to support CWF.
  • Competitions: Students are invited to submit creative writing, artwork, or enter the Origami Club Cancer Council fundraiser in the Maker Space.
Inquiry and Enterprise Update –  Real-World Impact

Tahlia and Georgia (Year 12) presented updates on our bustling Inquiry and Enterprise programs, celebrating our students’ analytical and problem-solving talents:

  • Enterprise & Problem Solving: Year 10 Commerce students are preparing business pitches for a “Shark Tank” style event in partnership with Macquarie University, while Global Connections classes recently engaged in a Model UN simulation tackling microplastics.
  • Academic Excellence: Special congratulations were extended to our Da Vinci Decathlon participants and our Senior Ethics Olympiad team, who earned an Honourable Mention competing against top regional schools.
  • STEM Initiatives: From the Scripting Society’s ocean video game challenge and the “Seeds of Science” week activities to a real-world design partnership with Gamuda for the Five Dock Metro arcade, our students continue to push boundaries.

The assembly concluded with an inspiring video showcasing our Year 12 cohort’s sporting achievements, followed by the school song.

A gentle reminder to all students—especially Year 11 and 12 students preparing for upcoming exams—that the Study Hub is open daily after school, offering tutor support and extended hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Let’s make Term 3 a term of growth, community, and excellence!

Going Above and Beyond: Year 12 Holiday Workshops in Action

While the school grounds are usually quiet during the break, our classrooms have been buzzing with energy, purpose, and collaboration. Over the holidays, many of our dedicated Year 12 students stepped back onto campus for intensive holiday revision workshops, targeted exam masterclasses, and hands-on major project sessions.

Behind every session was a team of passionate teachers giving up their own break to ensure our senior cohort feels confident, supported, and fully prepared for the road ahead.

What Took Place Behind the Scenes: The holiday sessions offered students structured, high-impact learning opportunities away from the pressure of the standard daily schedule:

  • Focused Exam Preparation: Breaking down past assessment papers, deconstructing tricky questions, and sharpening exam techniques in subjects like English, Mathematics, and the Sciences.
  • Targeted Feedback: Small-group environments allowed teachers to provide personalized guidance, helping students identify knowledge gaps and refine their written responses.
  • Major Project Progress: Specialized workshop hours gave practical and creative arts students uninterrupted studio time to refine Visual Arts bodies of work, Design & Technology prototypes, and major research projects.
The Power of Community and Dedication

“Seeing students show up with so much focus during their time off is incredibly motivating. It shows real maturity and commitment to their goals.”

For students, these workshops do more than just build subject knowledge—they relieve stress, maintain study momentum, and reinforce that they aren’t going through Year 12 alone.

Looking Ahead

To our Year 12 cohort; your grit and initiative over the break have set a high standard for the final stretch. Take a moment to celebrate the effort you’ve put in so far, keep taking care of your well-being, and carry this momentum forward into the term ahead. We wish you all the best with your upcoming Trial Exams.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible teachers for their extra time, mentorship, and unwavering support.

Mrs Melissa Vassallo, Assistant Principal