From the Principal

Prayer

Dear Parents, Carers, Staff, Students and Friends, 

In Remembrance of September 11

The echoes of September 11, 2001, still resonate in our hearts, a day etched into history by profound loss and an overwhelming sense of shared vulnerability. In moments like these, when the world feels uncertain and our own strength seems insufficient, turning to prayer offers a sacred space for reflection, healing and renewed hope. As we approach another anniversary, it is a spiritual imperative to pause and remember not only the lives lost but also the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of divine love. Prayer is a profound act of remembrance, a way to honour the past while embracing the future with courage. It allows us to process grief, find solace and reaffirm our trust in a God who is always present, even in our darkest hours. 

The events of 9/11 deeply impacted our world, creating a shared experience of loss and fear. We seek God’s intervention for universal healing, asking Him to mend divisions and foster a spirit of unity and understanding among all people. We pray for a renewed sense of togetherness, guided by His principles of love and compassion for one another.

The tragedy was a stark reminder of the global threat of terrorism. This prayer extends our hearts to all victims of terrorism around the world, asking for God’s healing, protection and justice. We pray for an end to such violence and for His peace to prevail over all nations and peoples.

In times of crisis and remembrance, wise leadership is essential. We ask for God to grant wisdom, discernment and integrity to our national and global leaders. We pray that they will make decisions guided by divine principles, seeking justice, peace and the well-being of all people, especially in remembering the lessons of the past.

Heavenly Father, 

We thank You for the spirit of unity 

and courage that arose from the ashes of 9/11. 

We are grateful for the selfless acts of love and sacrifice. 

Help us to carry that spirit forward, 

showing kindness and compassion in our own lives, 

reflecting Your goodness.

Holding onto anger and bitterness can be a heavy burden. 

We seek God’s help in forgiving those responsible for acts of terror 

and His guidance in fostering reconciliation. 

We pray for the grace to let go of resentment 

and to embrace a path of healing and understanding, 

as Christ taught us. 

We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

Amen

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, 

and let perpetual light shine upon them. 

May they rest in peace.

Amen. 

Venerable Nano Nagle. Pray for Us.

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Archdiocesan Principal Meeting

Connected as an Archdiocesan Community: Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Archdiocesan Principal Meetings which take place each term are a way of working alongside school leaders from across the system.

These Meetings serve as a powerful reminder that while our school is a unique and close-knit family, we are also part of a much broader, vibrant Catholic educational community across Sydney.

During our sessions, principals gather to collaborate on several key priorities for the current term and beyond:

• Student Growth & Academic Progress: Sharing best practices to ensure every student is supported, challenged and engaged in their learning journey.
• Faith & Mission: Reflecting on how we continue to nurture our students’ spiritual formation, strengthening the link between our school, home life and our local parish.
• Student Wellbeing: Ensuring our systems and support structures promote a safe, inclusive and thriving environment for all young people.

Bringing these insights back to Domremy fills me with energy for the journey ahead. It confirms that the work we do every day, guided by our dedicated staff and supported by your partnership at home, aligns directly with a shared vision for excellence across our Archdiocese.

Leading with Purpose and Hope: Such gatherings also offer a valuable space for school leaders to pray, reflect and realign our shared mission as Catholic educators and leaders.

A central focus of our discussions is how we can deepen the partnership between our school, our families and our parish. In a world that moves so quickly, Catholic schools have a distinct calling to be places of hope, community and genuine care.

We explore practical ways to:

• Strengthen our family-faith partnerships, making our school celebrations and parish connections welcoming for every family.
• Encourage our students to express their faith through everyday actions – whether through social justice initiatives, kindness in the playground or personal excellence in the classroom.

As we progress through Term 3, I am reminded that the true strength of Domremy College lies in our shared values and our commitment to walking alongside your daughters.

Celebrating excellence: Congratulations to our Archbishop’s Award recipient

On behalf of our entire school community, I am immensely proud to congratulate our 2026 College Vice Captain, Antonia Farhat, on receiving the prestigious Archbishop of Sydney Award for Student Excellence.

This honour was awarded directly by the Archbishop of Sydney, Most Reverend Anthony Fisher OP, during a solemn formal ceremony held at St Mary’s Cathedral this week.

The Archbishop’s Award recognises graduating Catholic school students who demonstrate outstanding witness to Christian values, exemplary leadership, and a deep commitment to faith, social justice and community service. It is not simply an award for academic achievement, but a recognition of character, lived faith and a spirit of service to others.

Antonia embodies everything this award stands for through her leadership, dedication and genuine compassion. We join her family, peers and teachers in celebrating this outstanding achievement and in thanking her for being such an inspiring role model in our school.

Celebrating our Year 11 students

As we move through this busy term, much of our collective attention naturally turns toward Year 12. With their HSC Trial Examinations complete, graduation preparations underway and the final stretch toward the HSC in sight, it is a momentous season for our most senior students. However, I want to take a dedicated moment to shine a bright light on our Year 11 cohort, who complete their Preliminary Examinations on Monday next week.

While Year 12 often takes centre stage at this time of year, Year 11’s journey is just as vital and remains equally in our focus. The transition into senior study is a significant step, demanding higher levels of independence, critical thinking and personal resilience.

I want to commend the girls for their outstanding application, discipline and focus throughout these examinations. Sitting Preliminary exams is a major milestone – it tests not only academic understanding, but also endurance and time management under pressure. Seeing the dedication and maturity with which the girls approached this assessment block has been truly impressive.

This achievement is also a testament to our dedicated teaching staff, who have worked tirelessly to prepare, guide and support the students through this foundational year, ensuring they are well-equipped with the skills and confidence needed for the road ahead.

As our Year 12s prepare to hand over the baton, Year 11 is now stepping into an exciting new phase. Collectively, this cohort is preparing to step up as the 2027 future student leaders of our College. Our new leaders will be formally commissioned at our upcoming Leadership Investiture Ceremony next Wednesday. Ably led by our newly appointed Captains, Vice Captains and Prefects, I have every confidence that Year 11 will bring wisdom, enthusiasm and strong unity to their leadership roles.

At the same time, this occasion will allow us to express our sincere gratitude to our outgoing Year 12 2026 student leaders. We thank and acknowledge them for their immense contributions, integrity, and dedicated service to our school community over the past year.

To our Year 11/Year 12 2027 students: congratulations on completing your Preliminary exams. Take time to reflect on your progress, celebrate your hard work and take pride in how far you have come. You have laid a strong foundation and we look forward to watching you lead our school community with distinction. 

A reminder that we will be holding a 2027 HSC Information Evening for Year 11/Year 12 2027 students, parents and carers on Tuesday 13 October 2026 at 6pm in the Theatrette. A letter has been emailed home with details.

Beyond the screen: Partnering for healthy minds, restoring balance and belonging in a changing digital world

In an era where mobile screens compete constantly for our children’s attention, secondary education is about far more than academic achievement. It is about safeguarding the minds, hearts and overall wellbeing of our young people.

As Australia navigates significant legislative changes, including national momentum around social media minimum age restrictions and calls for stronger tech platform accountability, our national conversation has firmly shifted towards child safety, digital resilience and mental health.

While the legal responsibility to enforce these boundaries rests on technology companies, the day-to-day task of guiding teenagers through a saturated digital world rests with us as educators and parents working in partnership. Policy changes and incoming laws offer a welcome structural framework, but true digital maturity requires ongoing conversation and support both at home and at school.

Secondary school is a vital stage for developing identity, focus and emotional resilience. At Domremy, our goal is not simply to monitor technology, but to offer a compelling alternative: authentic face-to-face community, vibrant co and extra curricular life and a learning environment grounded in Gospel values, dignity and respect.

When we help our students step back from algorithm-driven distraction, we create space for deeper learning, genuine friendships and self-worth grounded in who they are – not how many likes they receive online.

Over the next few months, we will be reviewing our Mobile Phone Policy as well as our use of technology across all areas of the College. To support our families in navigating these complex dynamics, later in this issue, you will find a link to the Council of Catholic School Parents’ eSafety Webinar on ‘Influencers, Ideology and Impacts – How algorithms influence and reinforce harmful beliefs’. The 45 minute webinar is stated to explore “both the benefits and risks of recommender algorithms and offers practical strategies to help parents and carers to support young people build more positive and safer online feeds.” A number of our College Leadership Team will be tuning in to this webinar. I encourage all parents to take advantage of this free resource as we work together to build healthy digital habits across our school community.          

Together, we remain committed to empowering our students, your daughters to navigate the online world with wisdom, safety, and balance.

On a final note …

Now that we are in Spring and as the weather is starting to warm up, from Monday 14 September, students may commence to wear their full Summer uniform with blazer or they can continue to wear their full Winter uniform, but not a mixture of both. Please refer to the Student Diary for the College uniform rules. A Compass notification was sent home this week about specific uniform items to be worn by specific Year groups for upcoming major College events, on Wednesday 16 September for our Investiture Leadership Assembly and on Wednesday 24 September for our Year 12 Graduation Events. Please refer to that communication for details. 

As Term 3 swiftly draws to a close, I want to remind all our students, especially our Year 12 cohort at this pivotal moment, that it is never too late to aim higher, make a meaningful difference, and finish strong. Whether focusing on academic studies, sporting endeavors, the arts, personal passions, or nurturing relationships with family and friends, every day presents a fresh opportunity to grow. I encourage each of our girls to embrace a growth mindset, continually stretching and challenging themselves across all aspects of College life. With consistent hard work, determination, and an optimistic outlook, our students will unlock potential and achieve outcomes far beyond what they ever imagined possible.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to help our students grow in faith, knowledge, and character.

Blessing on you and your families.

Mrs Antoinette McGahan

Principal