La Verite – Issue 11/2025 – T3W2 - Aug 01, 2025

From the Principal

Prayer

Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, grandparents of Jesus,

We ask for your intercession for all the elderly,

especially those in our families and communities.

May they find comfort, respect, and love in their later years,

and may their wisdom be valued by all.

Inspire us to care for our elders with the same devotion,

and love you showed Mary,

so that their lives may reflect God’s love,

and be a source of hope for all.

Amen

St Joachim & St Anne, Pray for us.

Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for us.

Dear Parents, Carers, Staff, Students and Friends,

Welcome Back

It is my absolute pleasure to welcome everyone back to Term 3. I hope staff and students, and all our Domremy families are feeling refreshed and ready for what promises to be a busy, exciting and rewarding term. I would like to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to any new students and staff joining us this term.

In particular, I am delighted to introduce Mrs Caroline Morizzi, who joins us as our new Religious Education Coordinator, and Miss Isabella Guerin, who is also beginning her journey with us in the HSIE Faculty, while Mrs Lauren Bird is on maternity leave. We are so pleased to have them join us. Welcome to our Domremy family.

Domremy remains a community grounded in care, connection, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Sydney Synod 2026 – Have your say

This month we received an invitation to take part in the upcoming regional consultations for the Sydney Synod 2026.

The Synod will “be looking for practical, positive and faithful ideas that might meet the three longings which, after years of enquiry, have been expressed by the people of Sydney; that liturgies be more prayerful; that our communities be more Christ-centred; and that we be more mission focussed.

I encourage families to read the article in this issue relating to the Synod and have their say.

Celebrating our Grandparents and the Elderly

On 26 July, the Church honours the lives of Saints Anne and Joachim, Jesus’ grandparents and the parents of Mary. Their legacy reminds us of the vital role grandparents play in passing down faith, values, and love through generations. Saints Anne and Joachim were part of a long chain of believers whose devotion to God was expressed through the warmth and strength of family life. Their example continues to inspire us to cherish and celebrate the elders in our own lives.

In recognition of this, Pope Francis instituted the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in 2021. This special day, celebrated this year last Sunday, 27 July, close to the Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim, is a beautiful opportunity to reflect on the importance of our own grandparents, not only as family members but as spiritual guides, storytellers, and pillars of wisdom. Their presence enriches our lives in countless ways, offering love that is unconditional and support that is steadfast.

Grandparents are often the quiet heroes of our families. They carry with them the memories of generations past, the lessons of experience, and the gentle strength that comes from a life well-lived. Their stories connect us to our heritage, and their love helps shape our identity. Whether through a warm hug, a shared meal, or a word of encouragement, grandparents remind us of what truly matters.

Celebrating our elderly is an act of gratitude and respect. It is a chance to acknowledge their contributions, honour their sacrifices, and ensure they feel valued and included. In a world that often moves too quickly, taking time to listen, appreciate and care for our elderly is a powerful way to show love and build stronger, more compassionate communities.

As we mark this special time, let us thank our grandparents and elderly loved ones for all they have given us. Let us continue to learn from them, spend time with them, and celebrate their presence in our lives – not just today, but every day. Their legacy is a gift, and their love is a blessing.

HSC Trial Examinations

HSC Trial Examinations commence next Monday, 4 August, and will run through to Monday, 18 August. This is a significant milestone for our Year 12 students, and we know they have been working incredibly hard in preparation. We wish each of them the very best as they enter this important phase of their academic journey. May their efforts be rewarded, and may they approach each exam with confidence and calm.

This week, our Year 12 Drama students presented their Drama Showcase on Wednesday, 30 July where they performed for family and friends and they were absolutely outstanding. Their creativity, courage, and commitment were on full display, and we couldn’t be prouder of what they achieved. They will now continue to refine their performances for the HSC Examiners in a few weeks.

We keep all of our Year 12 students in our thoughts and prayers as they embark on this next chapter. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated teachers who have guided our young women with care and expertise throughout the year. Their encouragement, preparation, and belief in our students makes all the difference.

Year 7 – Semester 2

As we begin Semester 2, I would like to also take a moment to acknowledge and congratulate our Year 7 students. The transition into the second half of the year can be challenging, but all reports indicate that our students are rising to the occasion with enthusiasm and dedication. Their commitment to learning and their consistent effort in preparing for assessments are truly commendable.

Ms Mary David, our 7 Year Coordinator, has rightly reminded them that Term 3 is a busy one, marked by assessments and one filled with opportunities to grow both academically and personally. In this context, students have been encouraged to reflect on the powerful quote: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” This message serves as a timely reminder that consistent effort, discipline, and a strong work ethic are just as important, if not more so, than relying on natural ability. It is inspiring to see our Year 7s embracing this mindset early in their high school journey, showing that they are not only capable but also willing to put in the effort required to succeed. We look forward to seeing their continued progress and celebrating their achievements throughout the term.

Naturally, it remains a powerful reminder to all students.

Finally …

Next fortnight we will be visited by a group of Japanese students who will be attending Domremy for a study tour and staying with some of our families. I have no doubt that they will be warmly welcomed by our Domremy community. I would like to express my thanks to our Domremy families who have volunteered to host the students and to Ms Rebecca Godfrey for organising it all.

In closing, I would like to highlight the outstanding achievements of some of our students. This issue features a number of them, many of whom were very busy over the school holidays and reaped rewards. Their dedication and passion for their chosen crafts truly exemplify the rewards of hard work and perseverance. They are taking up the challenge set by this year’s Student Leadership Team, “The Storyline is Yours … What Role Will You Play?” We are incredibly proud of each and every one of them.

We have enjoyed a smooth start to this new term and I pass on my sincere thanks to our dedicated staff for their exceptional work in nurturing the young women in our care and to our students for their efforts. Keep up the good work!

With blessings to you and your families.

Mrs Antoinette McGahan

College Principal

Prayer

Pope Leo XIV highlights how migrants and refugees in a special way can become witnesses of hope and tenacity amidst adversity and calls for a future of peace and respect for human dignity, in his Message for the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, released on Friday, July 25. This annual event encourages the faithful to show support and closeness to the millions of people who are forced to leave their homes and places of origin.

A Prayer for Migrants and Refugees

God of compassion, we pray for migrants and refugees forced to flee conflict, persecution, or poverty. Open our hearts to welcome them as your children and honour their dignity.

Bring an end to the violence and injustice that displace so many. Comfort those who have died on the journey.

Help us see your face in each person, offer hospitality, and recognise the gifts they bring. May we work for a world of peace and security for all.

Through Jesus Christ, who was once a refugee.

Amen.

Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for us.

From the Religious Education Coordinator: St Joachim and St Anne – World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

In our Church … …

Feast Day of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne

On 26 July, The Church celebrated the lives of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, Jesus’ grandparents – Mary’s parents. In the Scriptures, Matthew and Luke furnish a legal family history of Jesus, tracing ancestry to show that Jesus is the culmination of great promises. Not only is his mother’s family neglected, we also know nothing factual about them except that they existed. Even the names “Joachim” and “Anne” come from a legendary source written more than a century after Jesus died.

The strong character of Mary in making decisions, her continuous practice of prayer, her devotion to the laws of her faith, her steadiness at moments of crisis, and her devotion to her relatives, all indicate a close-knit, loving family that looked forward to the next generation even while retaining the best of the past.

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

In 2021 Pope Francis instituted a Church-wide celebration of a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. He was moved to establish it not just because of the importance of grandparents and the elderly, a theme on which he has often spoken, but particularly because of the neglect and isolation so many grandparents and seniors experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel restrictions, nursing-home policies and fear for their safety, prevented their being visited and embraced by their loved ones.

Pope Francis hopes that, on this day, grandchildren will visit their grandparents, perhaps even sharing with them a copy of his letter, and that parish families will have special Masses thanking God for the gift of grandparents, praying for them, and entrusting to him those who have died, particularly during the pandemic.

In 2025, World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly was celebrated on Sunday, July 27, close to the Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim. The theme is “Blessed are those who have not lost hope.” (Sirach 14:2).

A Prayer to Saint Anne and Saint Joachim

Saint Anne and Saint Joachim,

grandparents of Jesus,

we turn to you with hearts full of love and respect.

You who nurtured Mary in her childhood and guided her towards holiness,

we ask for your intercession on behalf of all the elderly, especially those in our families and communities. We pray for their well-being, that they may find comfort in their later years,

and that their wisdom and experience may be valued by all.

May they be surrounded by love, respect, and the support of their families, friends and community.

We also pray that we may be inspired by your example of faithfulness,

and that we may learn to cherish and care for our elders,

with the same love and devotion that you showed to Mary.

May their lives be a testament to the love of God and a beacon of hope for all.

Amen

Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for us.

Mrs Caroline Morizzi, Religious Education Coordinator

From the Religious Education Coordinator: Year 8 Reflection Day

In our Community … …

On Tuesday 29 July our Year 8 students had the wonderful opportunity to be involved in their Year 8 Reflection Day. Led by the Youth Mission Team, the day was filled with a variety of fun and interactive activities that incorporated the theme of relationships. I would like to thank the Youth Mission Team for running the reflection day. I would also like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful Domremy staff for being a part of the day; Mr Greg Sciortino, Ms Marissa Watson, Ms Jacinta Milhem, Ms Isabella Bechara and Ms Kavita Kshatriya.

Here is a wonderful reflection from Olivia (Y8):

“The Year 8 Reflection Day was a significant day that relates to our wellbeing, mental and emotional health as well as our faith. As we explored the main theme of relationships, we participated in activities involving communication, listening, thinking, and looking at different perspectives. We had amazing volunteers from the Youth Mission Team, and they shared their knowledge, talents and experiences with us throughout the day. We took part in many activities focusing on the themes of self-esteem, uniqueness and friendships, and they provided us with advice and techniques as we manage and explore relationships.

Some of these activities were done in groups, where we used communication and listening skills to solve puzzles. These puzzles made us put ourselves into a situation and solve problems, allowing us to think critically and listen to everyone’s ideas which were all different, helping us work together and achieve our goals. A couple of the volunteers also shared personal stories about situations they were once in during relationships, especially in high school. They explained how they dealt with it, with the help of God to guide them. The volunteers also performed many different drama presentations. Some of the concepts were shown clearly while others were more abstract, allowing us to unpack the performance and uncover the secret messages behind it.

Our last activity was a peaceful and meaningful one, where we were able to pray together with God. We were able to sit quietly and reflect, and write our name on a Cross as a way of praying. This is an important way that we connect with God and remind ourselves that He plays a significant role as we explore and deal with relationships, and that He is always listening and helps us through our journey. It was a significant and reminiscent conclusion to the day.

This event really helped me and gave useful advice. It encouraged me to find the right kind of people for me, and also find the good things about myself. This experience taught me that treating others with kindness and compassion can result in a more enjoyable and diverse world. I am very grateful to have participated in this reflection day and to have people share their experiences, ideas, beliefs and perspectives with me.” (Olivia, Y8)

Mrs Caroline Morizzi, Religious Education Coordinator

From the Religious Education Coordinator: Year 12 Trial Examinations

In our Curriculum … …

As our Year 12 students embark on their Trial HSC Examinations, we hold them close in our thoughts and prayers. In a gesture of support and encouragement, our College Principal, Mrs Antoinette McGahan, gifted each student a sacred Pocket Cross and a heartfelt prayer, sourced from the Benedictine Nuns of Jamberoo Abbey. May these tokens remind them of God’s steadfast presence, the prayers of their College community, and the strength found in faith during this important time.

Dear Lord,

We ask for your blessing on our students undertaking their Trial HSC Examinations over the coming weeks.

Grant them the confidence they deserve from their years of diligent study.

Grant them the ability to comprehend questions and effectively plan and articulate their responses.

May they be enriched by the gifts of the Holy Spirit – Wisdom, Understanding, Fortitude and Knowledge.

May their faith and piety give them the strength to face these examinations

and the satisfaction of achieving their personal best.

Amen

Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for us.

We wish our Year 12 students all the best!

Mrs Caroline Morizzi, Religious Education Coordinator

From the Religious Education Coordinator: Invitation to have your say at the Sydney Synod 2026

Archbishop Anthony Fisher,OP, has called for a Sydney Synod in 2026 in response to Holy Spirit-inspired longings from Sydney Catholics for more prayerful liturgies, more Christ-centred communities, and a more mission-oriented Church.

Within our Archdiocese, there is much to give thanks for: vibrant parish communities, increasing vocations, dedicated lay faithful, and a rich variety of initiatives in evangelisation, pastoral care and social outreach.

In preparation for the Synod, the Archbishop invites staff, students and families in our community to share your positive, faithful and practical ideas on how we can become a more prayerful, Christ-centred and missionary people. You can do this by attending any of the three regional consultations organised for later in the year.

You are encouraged to get involved by discussing these hopes within your communities, and bringing forward your collective ideas on how these can be met to our regional consultations.

More information and instructions on how to register can be found here.

You can also directly register to attend any of the three consultations below:

Holy Family, Menai

Saturday, 30 August 2025 | 9 AM – 12 PM

Register at: trybooking.com/DAVZB

St Mary’s Cathedral

Tuesday, 14 October 2025 | 6 – 9 PM

Register at: trybooking.com/DAVZE

All Saints, Liverpool

Thursday, 16 October 2025 | 6 – 9 PM

Register at: trybooking.com/DAVZF

Please:

click here to view the Sydney Synod Launch short form video
click here to view the Sydney Synod Launch long form video

Further information can be found in this Catholic Weekly article and on the Archdiocesan Synod Webpage.

Finally, we have been supplied with a limited supply of brochures and Prayer cards. An image of the Prayer card is below. If you wish to collect a Prayer card, you can do this by sending your daughter to the Student Office to collect one.

Mrs Caroline Morizzi, Religious Education Coordinator

Year 9 iSTEM – Bottle Rocket Launch

Year 9 have been working on their “Mission to Mars” project during Term 2 and Term 3. This project involves creating a bottle rocket powered by water and compressed air. Students use CAD software to design nosecones and fins which are 3D printed and attached to the bottle. The aim of the task is to achieve the maximum height.

Click here to view 3, 2, 1, BLAST OFF!

The Year 9 iSTEM students, Tessia, Ruby, Crystal, Angelique, Emily, Anastasia, Sienna, Henrietta and Jana, have brought the spirit of competitiveness to the project with each group making adjustments to nosecone and fin design, as well as varying amounts of water and pressure in order to create the optimal parameters for achieving the maximum height.

The students have recorded their designs and results in an engineering design folio. The folio and actual designs will contribute to the final mark for the project.

Mr Sam Fleri, STEM Coordinator

Congratulations Chloe – A Champion at the 2025 Table Tennis Australia National Championships

Grab a cup of tea/coffee

, settle in and take a moment to read through the amazing results our Table Tennis extraordinaire, Chloe in Year 11, achieved at the 2025 Table Tennis Australia National Championships, during the holidays. We are very proud!

Here goes …

Gold

U19 girls team

U17 mixed double

U17 girls double

Silver

U17 girls single

U19 girls single

U21 girls single

U21 girls double

U19 girls double

Best Player Award

U21 best player award

U17 best player award

Congratulations Chloe – an impressive result and so deserved for all your hard work!

Congratulations Amelia – 3rd place Jazz Solo – SCS Eisteddfod

Congratulations to Amelia, Year 7, who placed third in the Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod in the Jazz Solo category.

Awesome Amelia!

Congratulations Lara – Highly Commended Violin Solo – SCS Eisteddfod

Congratulations to Lara, Year 7, who achieved a Highly Commended award in the Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod’s String Solo Grade 4 category, for her solo violin performance of “Swing and Swang” by Kerin Bailey.

Well done Lara!

Congratulations Aashana – 1st place Solo Drama Self Devised Monologue – SCS Eisteddfod

Congratulations to Aashana, Year 7, who placed 1st in the Solo Drama – Self Devised Monologue at the Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod.

Aashana, who was the youngest in her category, began nervous going in, but pushed through and surprised herself with the win.

Working for months on her piece, Aashana tackled the topic of bullying in her monologue, something the adjudicator expressed was a powerful and much-needed choice.

Awesome job Aashana!

Congratulations Sienna – 2nd place Contemporary Vocal Solo – SCS Eisteddfod

Congratulations to Sienna, Year 8, who placed 2nd in Contemporary Vocal Solo at the Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod.

A fantastic achievement Sienna, well done!

Meet Mia, Year 7, Artistic Gymnast

Meet Mia, in Year 7, who last week competed at the 2025 Border Challenge in QLD, a fiercely contested challenge where teams from a number of states, including NSW, take on QLD’s Level 7-9 WAG & MAG gymnasts in the competition for best state!

Mia has been training in gymnastics since she was 5 years old and is perfecting her craft in artistic gymnastics. Mia was one of top 10 gymnasts selected to take part, up against top 50 gymnasts nationally, placing:

19th overall

7th nationally for Bars

10th nationally for Floor.

Mia also placed 1st at the NSW State Trials in her category and zone, with 120 competitors vying for a place and, has made it to the State Championships where she will perform at the end of August.

Congratulations Mia on your hard work and impressive results!

Mia’s Performances

Introducing Tiffany, Year 7 – Badminton champ

Meet Tiffany Gao, Year 7. Tiffany regularly competes in Badminton tournaments for her club, having only started playing badminton a couple of years ago. Her love of badminton began as a school holiday hobby, then progressed to training in the club’s junior development squad, attending various individual and group training sessions, to a current training regimen of approximatly 5 days per week.

Tiffany completed in her first U13 National comp at Ballarat in 2024.

Tiffany competes at knockout comps, which are open age. Having won Grade E last year, she progressed to Grades C and D in this year’s 2025 KBS Knockout Badminton Series, and last weekend won both C & D grade titles. The competitions can be intense.

Love it! Well done Tiffany and Congratulations on your progress. You can catch a couple of moments of Tiffany in action here.

Golf anyone …? Makayla selected for the SCS Golf Championship

We are delighted to report that Makayla, Year 10, represented Domremy College in the Sydney Catholic Schools Golf Championship for U18 Girls and Boys, at St Michaels Golf Club in Little Bay, on 21 July.

Below is a report by Makayla of her experience.

Ms Rina Angilletta, Sports Coordinator

I am grateful to have been selected to represent Domremy College at the Sydney Catholic Schools Golf Championship for U18 Girls and Boys, and was excited to play at St Michaels Golf Club in Little Bay (near La Peruse), a prestigious private golf course, where access is restricted to members only, and one which is ranked in the top ten courses in New South Wales.

There were only seven girls in this competition, and in my playing group there were 4 of us; the girls were extremely talented, kind and encouraging.

From the 1st hole, playing golf with my playing group honestly felt like a PAR-TEE! When we weren’t focusing on our shot, we were chatting about Year 11/12 subject selections, our personal lives and, of course, golf. When we talked about our home golf courses I realised that I wasn’t alone, at my home course I am one of two girls (under 18). My playing partner in the comp said she was the only girl golfer in her entire club! It is extremely hard to find girls our age in this sport, which made me appreciate this event so much more, as I got to make new friends my age to play with, and we exchanged numbers so we can play together at each other’s clubs.

Playing there was a monumental shift from the public golf courses I’m used to playing at.

The putting greens were lightning fast, with breaks and slopes causing my ball to go racing in the opposite direction. Due to the depth of the bunkers, I couldn’t see the flag so I had to jump a few times to see where I was aiming.

The SCS organisers were very supportive, following the groups around the course, to be there if we had any questions or needed help. The parents who were walking around with our groups were very kind, and I’m so thankful they were there, as they became our ‘ball watchers’ as it’s easy to loose your ball on this very hilly course.

As Jack Nicklaus once said “The game of golf is 90% mental and 10% physical.” So when I got a little bit frustrated with a bad shot (which happened more than once), I just looked up at the ocean waves crashing against the rocks that wrapped around the course, and the spectacular view simply washed my stress away.

I came to this competition with the intention of playing a game of golf, but I ended up leaving with new friendships, playing on a new course with breathtaking views, and learning a lot about how to improve my golf game. Such a phenomenal experience which I will never forget and I’m counting down the days until next year’s event! Makayla (Y10)

Welcome to students from Kaimei High School, Osaka, Japan

Next week we welcome seven students from Kaimei High School, Osaka, Japan, who will be attending Domremy for a two week study tour. They will attend some classes with their buddies and take English lessons from their program coordinator. The girls will be staying with Domremy host families to experience Australian culture.

Please extend our warmest of Domremy welcomes to:

Rika, Yuna, Wakana, Moka, Misumi, Yui, Kazune.

We hope you all enjoy your stay.

Thank you also to our generous host families.

Ms Rebecca Godfrey, Japanese and EAL/D Teacher

From the Careers Adviser – Careers Newsletter

Careers Newsletter – Term 3 Week 2.

Ms Julie Mathers, Careers Adviser

Wellbeing Corner: “When Your Child is Bullied: A Calm, Practical Guide for Parents”

Please find linked an article “When Your Child is Bullied: A Calm, Practical Guide for Parents”.

From time to time we link articles which we believe may be able to assist parents with the multitude of parenting questions which arise.

This article is a good starting point in understanding the complex nature of bullying, what it is and what it isn’t, and provides some guidance for parents.

Parent Talk – Council of Catholic School Parents – Newsletter Feature

Each fortnight we will include a link to ‘Parent Talk’, the Newsletter from the Council of School Parents NSW/ACT. You can access past editions and the website from this link. Parents may wish to bookmark this link or subscribe to receive the Newsletter.

Parent Talk 2025 Issue 3

College Tours

Do your family and friends know that throughout the year the College hosts small group College Tours of our campus? Tours offer families an intimate perspective of the College and one in which you are embraced by our College community.

Tours take approximately 60 minutes.

There are two tours each Term.

Remaining College Tours for 2025, which can be booked online, are as follows:

Term 3 – Friday 5 September at 9.30am

Term 4 – Tuesday 21 October at 5.00pm

Term 4 – Friday 14 November at 9.30am

Any of our College Tours for 2025 can be booked by visiting our website at https://www.domremy.catholic.edu.au/collegetours

Let your family and freinds know and they can also call the Enrolments Officer direct, on 9712 2133 or email enrolments@domremy.catholic.edu.au

Connect with us: Follow and like us on social media

Follow and like us on our social media platforms, for the most up to date and regular news stories on what is happening at the College and what our wonderful students are doing.

Our primary means of communication with, and information to, parents and carers, is via Compass and The Parent Weekly. Our social media platforms are not a source of communication to parents and carers about the day to day running, organisation or administrative matters of the College.

Both the La Verite fortnightly Newsletter, however, along with news on our social media platforms, principally highlight what we do at the College, our Domremy community and, importantly, acknowledge and promote our students and their achievements.

Let your family and friends know about our social media so they can be a part of what we love about Domremy College, our students and teachers.

Facebook: @domremycollege

Instagram: @domremycollege

X: @DomremyCollege

YouTube: Domremy College, Five Dock

Invitation from St Joan of Arc Parish to Feast of Mary, Marion Celebration

St Joan of Arc Parish, Haberfield, will be celebrating the Feast of Mary, our Mother and Queen at the 9am Mass on Sunday, 24th August. This Mass will be a multilingual mix with a reading and Prayers of the Faithful in various languages. Following Mass there will be a procession, where the statue of Mary will be carried around the church and then across to the school grounds for a light lunch. During the procession we will recite the Rosary in honour of Our Lady.

St Joan of Arc Parish would like to invite staff, students and families at Domremy College to join us in the Marion celebration. We are also welcoming volunteers to assist with lunch by providing a dish from their culture – hot or cold, sweet or savoury. We want this to be a multicultural expression of our faith where we can celebrate our various beginnings. Our Welcome & Events Committee will organise the social side to the event and supplement the food donations we receive for lunch.

For more informtion please see the linked flyer .

Connect Newsletter – Archbishop Anthony Fisher’s Newsletter

Please see the link to the latest edition of the Connect Newsletter by Archbishop Anthony Fisher, OP, dated 31 July 2025.