La Verite – Issue 13/2024 – T3W6 - Aug 30, 2024

From the Principal

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
you entrusted your Son Jesus,
the child of Mary,
to the care of Joseph, an earthly father.

Bless all fathers and father figures
as they care for their families.
Give them strength and wisdom,
tenderness and patience.

Support them in the work they have to do,
protecting those who look to them,
as we look to you for love and salvation,
through Jesus Christ our rock and defender.

Amen.

(author unknown)

Venerable Nano Nagle, pray for us.

Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Staff,

This Sunday, we celebrate Father’s Day, a time to honor, cherish, and express our deep love for our fathers and all the father figures in our lives, both those who are with us and those who have departed. These remarkable men have played pivotal roles in guiding and shaping us into who we are today. As Pope Francis beautifully articulated, “Every family needs a father—a father who shares in his family’s joy and pain, hands down wisdom to his children, and offers them firm guidance and love.”

Best Father's Day Greetings Earlier this week, we had the privilege of celebrating our fathers with a beautiful and heartfelt Mass led by Fr. Rafael Silva Galicia from Holy Family Church, Maroubra. The service was made even more special with an inspirational reflection on fatherhood by Mr. Andrew Pelizzari, whose words touched everyone deeply, leaving not a dry eye in the room. We are incredibly grateful to all who joined us for this meaningful occasion.

Later in this issue, you’ll find some wonderful photos capturing the moments of joy and connection shared between our fathers and their daughters during the Mass and Breakfast. These images reflect the love, respect, and appreciation that were at the heart of our celebration, reminding us all of the invaluable role these men play in our lives.

Archbishop of Sydney Awards for Student Excellence

The Archbishop of Sydney Awards for Student Excellence is an annual recognition by the Archbishop of Sydney that honours outstanding young men and women in our Catholic schools. This prestigious award serves as an important reminder of the positive impact that young people have on their school and local communities. It specifically recognises those who exemplify Christian values and actively contribute to the faith life of their school. The recipients of this award are practising Catholics who participate responsibly in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community. The award not only acknowledges the exceptional students but also affirms the vital role of their families in nurturing their faith and applauds the commitment and dedication of their teachers.

Last Friday, 23 August, Charlotte Hextell, our 2024 Faith and Mission Prefect, was proudly presented with the Archbishop of Sydney Award for Student Excellence. Charlotte was chosen for this distinguished award because she consistently demonstrates her passion and commitment to her Catholic faith through her compassion, care, and generosity towards her fellow students. Her active involvement in the Catholic life of the College and her Parish makes her a truly deserving recipient.

We extend our warm congratulations to Charlotte on this remarkable achievement. We also express our gratitude to Sophia Pollicina for her eloquent reading of the citation during the ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral, to Estelle Nunes for her beautiful solo performance, and to Sophia Ghantous, who assisted the Archbishop with the presentation of the awards. Their contributions made the ceremony even more special and are a testament to the talent and dedication within our school community.

NEAA Student Conference

Last week, I had the distinct privilege of attending the Nagle Education Alliance of Australia (NEAA) 2024 Student Conference at St Rita’s College in Clayfield, Brisbane, alongside Mrs. Claudia Carbone, Ms. Monica Ribeiro, and four of our Year 10 students—Neve, Andrea, Marina, and Sophie. This conference was an invaluable experience, focusing on critical discussions around equity and justice.

I am incredibly proud of our students for their enthusiastic participation and their willingness to engage honestly and meaningfully with these important issues. Throughout the conference, they demonstrated exceptional leadership and represented our College with grace and integrity. Their involvement not only highlighted their commitment to the principles of justice but also served as a powerful reminder of the impact young people can have when they take an active role in shaping a better future.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to these students for being outstanding ambassadors of our College. Their contributions were truly inspiring, and I look forward to seeing how they will continue to lead and advocate for positive change in our school community and beyond.

A detailed report from our students on their experiences and insights from the conference is included in this issue, offering a glimpse into the significant work and learning that took place.

Year 11 Preliminary Examinations

Let’s keep our Year 11 students in our thoughts and prayers as they prepare to begin their Preliminary exams on 11 September. This is a significant milestone in their academic journey, and your support and encouragement during this time are greatly appreciated.

And finally…

Congratulations to our Year 12 students who have completed their major works across various HSC courses. The final projects and major works have been truly impressive, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of our students. We extend our best wishes to those who will be completing their performance components in the coming weeks. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all their teachers for the tremendous support and guidance they have provided.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the Showcase of Year 12 Major Works and Performances next Tuesday, 3 September:

5:00pm – 6:30pm: TAS and VA Showcase in the NNLC Maker Space
6:15pm – 7:15pm: HSC Music Showcase in Classroom PW03

These events will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students.

As our Year 12 students continue their preparations for the HSC, let’s keep them in our thoughts and prayers, offering them our unwavering support as they strive to reach their goals and their personal excellence.

St. Catherine of Siena and The Thirst for Holiness – Swimming the Depths With Term 3 swiftly moving along, I want to remind all students, especially our Year 12s, that it is never too late to make a difference. Whether it’s in their studies, sports, music, hobbies, or relationships with family and friends, I encourage every student to adopt a growth mindset, continually stretching and challenging themselves. Remember, “If you are all that you should be, you will set the world on fire.” With hard work, determination, and positive thinking, students can achieve results beyond what they ever imagined.

As always, thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

May blessings be upon you and your families as we continue through this term, and I wish each and every one of you a blessed and beautiful Father’s Day.

Mrs Antoinette McGahan

Prayer

For the Fathers in Our Lives

Strength of a Mountain

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it … Dad

(Author Unknown)

Amen

Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for us.

Father's Day Greetings & Message Ideas - Happy Bunch Malaysia

Archbishop of Sydney Awards for Student Excellence 2024

Congratulations to Charlotte Hextell, our 2024 Faith and Mission Prefect, who was presented with the Archbishop of Sydney Award for Student Excellence 2024, by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP at the Award ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral on Friday 23 August.

The citation was read by Sophia Pollicina, our 2025 College Vice-Captain:

“The College Faith and Mission Prefect, Charlotte Hextell, is a well-deserving recipient of this award for 2024. Charlotte’s contributions to the Catholic faith life of the College and her community continue to grow. This has been demonstrated through altar-serving for College Masses, and participating with the offertory and collection whilst attending weekend Mass at her Parish, All Hallows’ Five Dock.

Charlotte leads the Rosary on Thursdays, as part of her role as Faith and Mission Prefect and assists with Vinnies Sandwich Making and other Social Justice initiatives at College. Charlotte has valued the opportunity to take part in the 10:10 Project and overnight retreat, reconnecting with and deepening her faith through Bible study.

Your Grace, I present to you Charlotte Hextell.”

Estelle Nunes, our 2024 Creative and Performing Arts Prefect, was invited by Sydney Catholic Schools Arts HQ to present a feature performance at the Award ceremony at the Cathedral and beautifully performed the Music Interlude with “In My Dreams”.

The College was invited to nominate a student to assist the Archbishop with the presentation of the awards. Sophia Ghantous, 2024 College Vice-Captain, was selected to represent Domremy in this task.

Program – Awards Ceremony – Archbishop of Sydney Awards for Student Excellence 2024

Images by Giovanni Portelli Photography © 2024

Father’s Day Mass and Breakfast

Thank you for attending our Father’s Day Mass on Thursday 29 August! It was a wonderful celebration, and we are grateful to everyone who could join us.

A special thank you to our guest speaker, Mr Andrew Pelizzari, who shared insightful perspectives and heartfelt stories that resonated with all the dads and daughters in attendance. He reminded us of the invaluable role fathers play in our lives and of the importance of love, guidance, and support. We hope everyone left feeling inspired and appreciated.

Special thanks to Fr Rafael Silva Galicia from Holy Family Church, Maroubra, who was able to be our celebrant for our annual Father’s Day Mass.

To all those who were able to join us, and particularly those who assisted with ministry: Mrs Romina Zappulla, Mr Glenn Magson, and Miss Monica Ribeiro; and the students who assisted with the light breakfast, I am very grateful for your support and engagement in this wonderful event that acknowledges our dads and all they do for us. I would also like to thank Mrs Donna Malpass for all she contributes to all the faith formation activities, making sure all the details are just right.

Wishing all the fathers a blessed and happy Father’s Day!

Mrs Jane Sullivan, Religious Education Coordinator

NEAA Student Conference 2024

Last week, four Year 10 students, accompanied by Mrs McGahan, Ms Ribeiro and Mrs Carbone, attended the 2024 Nagle Education Alliance of Australia (NEAA) Student Leadership Conference hosted by St Rita’s College, Brisbane for four days, from 20-23 August. We participated in numerous workshops that allowed us to gain insight into the indigenous culture and Nano Nagle’s journey.

We were privileged to spend four days with eleven Nano Nagle schools around Australia, interacting in many activities and workshops that educated us about Nano Nagle’s Charism and how her legacy inspired many individuals, as well as Indigenous culture. The conference began with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony from the Turrbal and Yuggera people, which was a very memorable experience. We were briefly taught about local indigenous history and its significance to Brisbane. This was followed by a Q&A session with a panel consisting of a Presentation Sister (Sister Patsy, pbvm), the Principal of St Rita’s and former-College Captain. This allowed us to hear stories and experiences of how the Presentation Charism can be lived out in the modern day world. Soon after, we had the opportunity to connect with the numerous ‘Nagle’ schools around Australia and learn more about them and their school through an ice breaker session.

The following day, we gathered at the Queensland State Library, beginning with a smoking ceremony before embarking on a guided tour around the Brisbane River that helped us understand the significance of the indigenous culture and its key symbolic elements. Following that, we received an engaging talk that expanded our knowledge of Indigenous perspectives. They showcased many indigenous instruments and tools on how they live. We further explored the Queensland State Library participating in interactive activities connecting to their cultural traditions. To finish the day, we had the opportunity to view ancient items that reflect upon the history of Brisbane.

We began the next day with a series of social justice workshops that rotated throughout St Rita’s College. We created bracelets for less fortunate children overseas, which allowed us to make a small but meaningful contribution and impact on their lives and learned the value of Caritas and how it helps those who are less fortunate, enhancing our understanding of how we can serve others in the wider community. We ended the workshops with a peaceful reflection on nature and its importance to us as Christian individuals. During the night we all gathered for a conference dinner alongside Mrs McGahan, Ms Ribeiro and Mrs Carbone. We were able to listen to a keynote speaker and apply her advice into our everyday lives.

We concluded the conference by gathering at St Rita’s College the next day, by participating in the closing Mass followed by their school anthem, which brought everyone together in a spirit of unity and reflection. This insightful opportunity allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the values and principles that shape our Presentation community. It was an honour to attend and participate in engaging workshops and discussions. We are incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to learn about the charism and legacy of Nano Nagle and the Presentation Sisters.

Neve, Andrea, Marina, Sophie

Ms Monica Ribeiro, Year 10 Coordinator/Mrs Claudia Carbone, Youth Ministry Coordinator

Vinnies Winter Appeal

“On Thursday 20 June, SCS Director Anthony Cleary participated in the annual CEO Winter Sleepout organised by Vinnies. This event specifically raises money for those who are homeless. Anthony represented the 147 schools in our system. Every dollar raised can make a huge difference in the lives of those in need. Like many staff who work in SCS, Anthony first became involved in social outreach to the homeless when he was studying to become a teacher. That was in 1984, and he has been involved ever since. Should you wish to know more, or to further support Anthony in his fundraising efforts, please go to the direct link .Your consideration of this worthy cause is greatly appreciated.” (Anthony Cleary, SCS Director, Mission & Identity Directorate)

*****

Thank you for supporting this appeal, in which Domremy Staff and Students raised $1,250. This was from the sale of doughnuts in Week 3 and the Mufti Day in Week 4. We are grateful for the continued support of the Village Sourdough Bakery Five Dock, who were generous in providing the 100 doughnuts at cost price, so the students from the Social Justice Group could sell them at lunchtime. Thank you to Mrs Claudia Carbone and Miss Cristina Peros for the organisation of this venture. Special thanks to the Year 12 Leadership Team for their contribution to running around and collecting the gold coins on Friday 23 August – thank God for their youth and vitality! Amazing how quickly they performed the task. To all who contributed, your donation goes towards sponsorship of the CEO Winter Sleepout.

Mrs Jane Sullivan, Religious Education Coordinator

Nursing Home Visit

What a glorious way to spend a Wednesday afternoon with the residents of St Joan of Arc Village in Haberfield. Thank you to the 20 students from Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 who volunteered to spend their afternoon on 21 August chatting with the men and women who were so grateful for our visit. In particular, they enjoyed the impromptu entertainment from Carla in Year 10, who sang “Fly Me to the Moon”, an oldie and a goodie, that got their attention in all the right ways. Carla sang it twice and left the audience wanting more. So, we made the promise to return to spend time with them all. We felt very welcome by Asim, and the staff, who are keen for us to return when we can. Special thanks to Miss Olivia Daidone and Mrs Kelly Smit who made the event possible with her bus driving skills to ensure we arrived on time and got us safely back to College after our visit.

Mrs Jane Sullivan, Religious Education Coordinator

‘Colour’ and Year 11 Design and Technology

Year 11 Design and Technology students were prompted to design, produce and evaluate a Product, System or Environment that responded to the word, ‘Colour’.

Students could use any focus area of design, such as textiles, timber, graphics, jewellery, 3D printing and laser cutting to make their Product, System or Environment.

Please scroll below to view their amazing work and design briefs!

Ms Stephanie Ricciuti, Acting TAS Coordinator

Bianca Kolokotsas – Sustainable Lamp made from recycled t-shirts

The objective of this design project is to design, manufacture and develop a durable piece of furniture that is sustainably sourced, in order to reduce the reliance on wooden furniture, and to overcome the environmental impacts that result from furniture waste (“Fast Furniture”). Additionally, l am to address the issues of fast fashion by incorporating recycled materials that would otherwise contribute to landfill.

Sophia Denina – Hot Glue Dress

I aim to design and produce a sustainable garment to start conversation as well as inform and educate both women and men about the importance of about the issues of child marriage and violence against women.

Sophia Pollicina – Educational Children’s book about ADHD

I am going to design, evaluate and produce a form of visual communication that incorporates the theme ‘colour’, which will be targeted towards young children ages 7-8, diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the parents of these children. My product aims to assist children in understanding and regulating their emotions, to manage their ADHD for a long duration.

Cecilia Andrejev- Sustainable chair made from cardboard and cement

I am required to design and produce a piece of furniture for young adults aged 16-20 that has a clear and strong link to the word and concept of ‘colour’. The product must meet all functional and aesthetic criteria in order to meet the needs of the target market as well as be ergonomic, sustainable and safe to use.

Madeleine Kreeck – Coffee Bioleather bag

I am going to design and produce a bag made of coffee bioleather, targeted towards young people aged 15-25 who do not consumer animal products such as traditional leather goods. My bag must relate to the theme of colour. The leather industry is extremely unethical, thus my bag will be made out of coffee bioleather using waste coffee grinds from a coffee machine. My bag must be a shoulder bag and must be a tan colour in order to suit the preferences of my target market.

Chloe Walliker – Timber educational toy

This design project requires me to design and create a toy for young children learning about the different emotions associated with colour. I am solving the problem that kids are unable to express how they are feeling at a young age. The toy should give the children the ability to express themselves through the toy.

Gia Mihas – Educational Book about colour

Considering that some children may have a delay in comprehending cognitive tasks, such as understanding colours, feelings and materials, there will need to be products on the marketplace that are able to support this. To aid in delayed cognitive development within young children from ages 2+, I will create a children’s sensory book that showcases colour, feelings and materials all together. This sensory book will teach children about the emotions associated with each colour and include sensory illustrations of coloured things, which will be made of different materials. This idea attempts to help guide the target market in understanding concepts of emotions, support reading and comprehension, and identification of surroundings and speech.

Erica Scully – Scoby Mother Kombucha dress with Orange Bioleather

The aim of this project is to design, produce, and evaluate a biocouture garment that responds to the high demand for sustainable fashion. Through the use of environmentally friendly materials and ethical practices this garment aims to educate a young adult audience on the reality of environmental consequences and human rights issues in the global luxury fashion market.

Isabella Haramis – App for Colour Blind People matching coloured clothing

I am going to design, produce and evaluate a colour identifying application for items called ‘Find My Colour’ that is specifically designed for those who suffer from colour blindness in order to effectively manage and solve colour based problems through an image to word application.

Year 7 Engineers

Year 7 Technology students are at the final stages of their bridge-making assessment task. Last week, students conducted a fair test to see if their bridges could carry 1 kg of weight. The girls immensely enjoyed this process as their engineering skills were put to the real test. They all succeeded – 1kg was the challenge and they all passed with flying colours! Seeing our students’ faces light up when their bridges remained strong and didn’t break = priceless!

Ms Andriana Hagios, TAS/Hospitality Teacher

Itadakimasu! Buon appetito!

Year 8 students had the exciting opportunity to explore Japanese and Italian cooking, as part of their Languages classes. Each class created either delicious yakiudon noodles or maltagliati pasta with the help of Chef Luca from Piatto Perfetto.

Students learned to pronounce the ingredients and master the art of stir-frying or pasta-making. Students studying Japanese prepared yakiudon, a flavourful stir-fried noodle dish packed with vegetables and a savoury sauce, whilst students studying Italian explored Italian cooking by making fresh pasta from scratch, served with a tomato sauce. Students were excited with their culinary creations and were able to gain an appreciation for both countries’ culture and cuisine.

The experience was a fantastic way for Year 8 students to apply their language skills creatively and enjoyably. We look forward to more delicious adventures with our Languages students!

Languages Faculty a

nese

10:10 Project – Session 4

On Thursday 15 August, Year 10 students took part in session 4 of the 10:10 Program. This session was called ‘I do’ with the aim of teaching students about the importance of marriage and the importance of choosing the ‘right’ person for you. Alex and Cheryl spoke about the following points in relation to marriage:

Marriage is an opportunity for spouses to image agape love (God’s unconditional love) for each other, through mutual respect and total self donation.
The true goal of marriage is for each spouse to help get the other to Heaven.
The Eucharist is the only other sacrament that gives us a foretaste of heaven as we are in complete union with God.

We were lucky enough to have had the opportunity to listen to the past experiences, challenges and triumphs of one of the leaders. He discussed the importance of showing love towards others and how your partner should be someone who sticks by you through the challenging times and is with you during times of joy.

This program is a safe place and allows us to feel comfortable and is on a level that we can relate to. The circumstances discussed in each session are really helpful to each girl, in terms of teaching us about self worth, chastity and respect in ways that relate to our society today. It gives us an insight of light and how to move forward unhealthy relationships/friendships. (Zara, Year 10)

Mrs Claudia Carbone, Youth Ministry Coordinator

Crime Story – Incursion Y11 Legal Studies and Y9 Critical Thinking and Philosophy

We were very excited to welcome back Luke and Brenda from Crime Story this term, for another fun-filled day of experiential learning for our Year 11 Legal Studies and Year 9 Critical Thinking and Philosophy classes.

Luke and Brenda brought their personal experiences as former detectives turned educators, setting up two crime scenes based upon real cases. Their attention to detail is second to none and students spent a few hours examining evidence including a vast array of garbage, bullets, a cash register, lock boxes, walkie talkies, a wallet, a crowbar, a notepad, a shoe, a glove and even a rat!

It was up to the students to examine the scene and each piece of evidence. They collaborated to undertake further research, interview witnesses and start to make connections before drawing conclusions. Students also learned about forensic evidence, DNA and how to collect fingerprints.They considered the importance of ethics and the need to seek truth through appropriate and fair processes.

During the day students explored the following:

The role of observation using sense perception
The impact of memory and bias when gaining knowledge
How we make assumptions and inferences
Being aware of our own biases and those of others
Being aware of misinformation and disinformation
The difference between information and evidence (inculpatory and exculpatory)
The importance of open-mindedness and open-ended questioning

The knowledge gained will naturally support students in their current studies, but they also developed lifelong skills which will support them well into the future. We are pleased to have provided our students with stronger critical and creative thinking skills and we thank Crime Story for providing such an authentic and engaging way to learn these.

Please see below for reflections on the day by some of our Year 9 students.

Sarah Thompson, Leader of Innovative and Global Connections

Student Reflections

Eve and Ria

“The incursion proved to be an extremely educational experience that gave us many opportunities to utilise our critical thinking skills. We had the opportunity to observe and infer our own conclusions from a plethora of evidence that was based upon a real murder case. This was a very enjoyable experience, as there were recordings, small safes and papers that we had to unlock and analyse to assist us in uncovering the truth. However, we were put under pressure during the witness interviews, as the witnesses both had different stories and largely contrasting personalities, which proved to be difficult to deal with when trying to answer questions piecing together the case.

The hosts of the incursion had also shown us forensic work, including how they find fingerprints using graphite and a soft brush. They also informed us about how the law estimates the time criminals serve in prison. As a class we were able to see how detective work plays out in the real world, which can help us if we choose to take law related occupations in the future. Overall the incursion was an amazing experience that informed us and gave us first hand experience on the pressure and struggles of working police and detectives.”

Veronica

“The Crime Story incursion was a great experience for us, I know we all enjoyed it and had a lot of fun on the day. We all learned through Brenda and Luke’s experiences as detectives, about how fingerprinting works and about the process of investigating crime scenes. We also improved our critical thinking skills when finding various items and collecting the information, trying to piece different things together and solve the crime.”

Alyssa

“This incursion was a very eye-opening experience which put our critical thinking skills to the test. Going through two crime scenes, we had to piece together the evidence and not let our previous biases affect us. In order to find a solution, we had to work with our groups while maintaining an open mind, questioning our assumptions and considering multiple perspectives. We took photos, inspected items and even learned how to test for fingerprints. There were many connecting pieces of evidence as well as red herrings. Overall, it was a very interesting and fun hands-on experience which taught us how to think in new ways.”

National History Challenge Year 10

Our Year 10N students recently took part in the National History Challenge, a competition designed to engage Australian students in researching various historical topics. This year’s challenge encouraged students to explore world history, Australia’s past, local community history, or personal heritage.

The competition focuses on quality research, effective use of community resources, strong presentation skills and their ability to link to this year’s theme of ‘Crisis and Response’.

Our students applied these principles to their projects, contributing to a wide range of historical investigations including: Women’s history, rights and role in politics, the Vietnam War, Terrorism and 9/11, Batavia Shipwreck, the evacuation at Dunkirk, Covid-19 and other pandemics, Wartime propaganda and the Cold War.

We commend our Year 10N participants for their efforts in challenging themselves and congratulations to the following students who were selected to be judged at state level – we look forward to sharing if any students are successful at state or national level:

Daniela, Charmaine, Miranda, Myra, Alana N, Alana A, Charley-Rose, Lana, Isabella, Alicia, Lily, Sophia, Niamh, Isabel, Neve, Stella, Kristen.

Mrs Lauren Bird & Mrs Rosalyn O’Halloran, Year 10N History Teachers

SHOWCASE – Design and Technology+English Extension+Music+Visual Arts – Tuesday 3 September

Families and friends warmly invited

Sydney Catholic Schools Conference 2 Athletics Carnival

Thirty students from Domremy attended the Sydney Catholic Schools Conference 2 Athletics Carnival on 20 August at SOPAC and competed against other schools in Conference 2.

We achieved some outstanding results on the day, with many of our students placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in their events, qualifying for the Sydney Championships.

Major congratulations to the following students for:

gaining the most points overall in their age group:

Annalee Lemura (2nd place – 12yrs)

Eisla Scully (1st place – 13 yrs)

Sophis Ghantous (1st place – 17+)

and achieving the age champion award:

Tanisha Young – 1st (14s)

Charlotte Kurtz Marshall – 8th (17+)

Veronika Parisi – 5th (16s)

Domremy College also broke records on the day.

We congratulate the following girls who are named in the SCS Conference 2 Broken Records 2024:

Girls 13 400 Meter Run

1:02.62

2024

Eisla Scully – Domremy

Girls 13 200 Meter Run

27.00

2024

Eisla Scully – Domremy

Girls 13 4×100 Meter Relay

57.32

2024

Domremy College Five Dock

207

Girls 13 Long Jump

4.28m

2024

Eisla Scully – Domremy

209

Girls 12 Shot Put

7.05m

2024

Zarife Elaro – Domremy

Domremy College finished 3rd overall amongst the Conference 2 Girls’ schools, which is a phenomenal achievement.

Ms Nicole Kanis, Assistant Sport Coordinator

Congratulations Brooke 🏊👏

Book Week News from The Study Hub

Book Week Authors

Felicity Castagna (Year 9 Wednesday 21st August)

Felicity Castagna spoke to Year 9 and what an inspiration she was! Felicity is an Australian author, lecturer and speaker. She won the young adult fiction prize at the 2014 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards for her book, ‘The Incredible Here And Now,’ as well as the 2022 Writing for Young Adults Victorian Premier’s Awards for her book, ‘Girls in Boys’ Cars.’ Felicity is a senior creative writing lecturer at the University of Western Sydney and has a wealth of experience related to writing and literacy.

Felicity described to students her fascination with a sense of place and moments of observation in our daily lives that spark fascination and interest. She talked about how good stories fool you into thinking they are more simple than they really are. In this way Felicity discussed layers of deeper meaning in everyday life and unique things in ordinary spaces that can create a story.

“This was interesting as she further explained that the best stories are told and created from the places that you know best – places that are familiar to you. She highlighted the importance of creative stories and how they could be derived from the simplest of things. Her main message was that no matter how boring a place may seem, there is always a story to tell and share with others”. (Francesca Year 9)

“This was a highly interesting and valued experience that has allowed for student reflection on the relevance of authenticity and layered depth throughout all forms of storytelling”. (Sofia Year 9)

“Felicity Castagna’s author talk was an amazing experience for the year 9 cohort. In her talk, she explained that stories aren’t about the actions, it’s about the meaning behind such actions. It was also interesting to be reminded of place and how that holds incredible importance in our creative writing, providing ideas and insights that others may not have discovered. This author talk was an incredible experience that myself and my fellow year 9’s thoroughly enjoyed”. (Alysse Year 9)

Jack Heath (Year 7 and 8 Friday 23rd August)

Jack is the the #1 bestselling author of over 40 novels. His books have been published in 10 languages, shortlisted for dozens of awards and adapted for the screen. His mission is to tell stories that inspire a love of reading in children and adults. His novels include the ‘Liars’ series and ‘Spy Academy,’ as well as countless others.

Jack spoke about numerous linguistic/ writing techniques including situational irony, suspense and surprise. He elaborated on the craft of writing noting that TV is better than novels at showing what something looks like but not as good as showing how something feels. He elaborated using numerous examples and highlighted how figuring things out when reading is more fun than being told explicitly and that, when reading, you have to pay attention, unlike Television. Jack reiterated that writers only need pen, paper and ideas and that the key to success in writing is to be clear, short and specific.

Students felt inspired by his presentation and he had much to impart about the writing craft.

“Jack Heath Inspires Young Writers at Our School: This week, our school had the pleasure of hosting Australian author Jack Heath, who offered valuable insights into effective storytelling. Heath emphasised the importance of specificity in making characters and scenes vivid, encouraging writers to focus on unique details. He introduced the concept of low context, starting stories with engaging action or dialogue to capture readers’ attention immediately. Heath also discussed creating suspense by introducing stakes that make readers invested in the outcome, and the role of surprise elements to keep stories fresh with unexpected twists. His visit left students inspired and eager to apply these techniques to their own writing.” (Sanjana Year 7)

“Jack Heath’s books are known for their thrilling, dark and mysterious themes with clever plot twists and complex characters. He can be seen as an inspiring author because of his amazing ability to keep readers on the edge of their seat with stories that explore interesting moral questions. Additionally, he can be further seen as inspiring because of his lifelong dedication to becoming a writer and learning from his failures.” (Crystal Year 8).

Book Week Competitions

Book Week ran from 17 August until 23 August. We had a vast number of students who accepted the challenge to submit an entry in the annual Book Week Competition. Students were able to enter the competition in a variety of categories including short story, poem, essay, visual story or multimedia/digital creation.

We had a very high quality array of submissions and the following girls received a Dymocks voucher and certificate for their contributions.

Sanjana (Year 7) and Alysse (Year 9) for their individual short stories
Izzy (Year 7) for her essay.
Olivia (Year 10) for her poem, ‘An Ode to The Fault In Our Stars’
Kaya (Year 7) and Siera (Year 7) for their graphic book covers

The following students contributed with a highly commendable entry and received a certificate of achievement:

Zoe
Anita
Erin
Emily
Evie
Zoe
Allegra

All girls are to be commended for their entries which made it incredibly difficult to judge and select overall.

CanadaBay Council Librarians Visit and State Library HSC Webinar

On 13 and 15 August, Year 10 and Year 11 enjoyed the opportunity to be shown how to access eResources available within the community.

Year 10 were visited by the Youth Librarians at Canada Bay Council Library and learnt how to access the wide range of eResources available to them from home 24/7. They learnt how to go about getting a Library card and searching for study related resources.

Year 11 were treated to a webinar from the State Library of NSW. Students learnt how vital Library membership and access is for their senior studies and students were taught how to search online the multitude of eResources available for free at their fingertips.

Both these events supported the research and study needs of our senior students. It is hoped, having been introduced to how they can access such resources, they will readily make use of the invaluable articles, journals and support available to them.

Mrs Nicole Harada, Teacher/Librarian

Study Hub Extended Hours – Year 11 and 12

The Study Hub will continue its extended hours, open 3.15pm until 7pm, Monday to Thursday, during Weeks 6 & 7 this Term.

Year 11 and Year 12 students are encouraged to continue using this wonderful space and the support of our former students’ expertise, as they continue to prepare for their Preliminary and HSC exams respectively.

Please check in as soon as you arrive (which must be no later than 3.15pm). You cannot leave the school and return.

Warm drinks and a small snack will be available at 5.15pm each day. You may also wish to bring your own food (to be eaten outside). Please see Ms Thompson if you have any questions or requests.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful alumnae for generously giving their time to our students.

Ms Sarah Thompson, Leader of Innovative and Global Connections

Class of 2017 alumna, Alexia Paglia

Some wonderful news: Class of 2017 alumna, Alexia Paglia, City of Canada Bay Council 2023 Young Citizen of the Year, has just been nominated for the Sydney’s People’s Choice Award for her advocacy of children’s health education and her work as a clinical trials researcher in oncology.

Alexia is currently studying a Doctor of Medicine at the University of Wollongong and has recently released a picture book, “My Strong Heart,” that aims to educate children about heart health.

You can read more about her achievements on the Sydney Award people Choice award website and, if you would like to cast your vote, you can do so on the following link. https://sydney.org.au/c/sydney-awards/vote-for-the-peoples-choice-award/

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

YouTube: Domremy College, Five Dock

Enrolments for Year 7 generally and Enrolments for Year 7 2027

Year 7 2027 (currently Year 4) students – The Enrolment Application period will be opened by Sydney Catholic Schools later in 2024.

Year 7 2026 (currently Year 5) students – Applications for Year 7 2026 have now closed pending receipt of Acceptance of Offers.

Enrolments generally – Please note:

Domremy College enrols students for Year 7, two years before their start date, in accordance with Sydney Catholic Schools’ policy.

- There is no automatic entry to the College for either families at feeder Primary Schools or existing families with older siblings already at the College.
- All families must complete and submit an Application to Enrol their daughter at the College.
- More information can be found on our website’s Enrolment page.
- An Application to Enrol can be made either via an existing sibling’s Compass portal, or via the “Existing Parents (in Sydney Catholic Schools)” link found on our website’s Enrolment page.

Work with us – Positions Vacant at Domremy College

Leader of School Administration (Coordinator 3)

Coordinator

Contract Type: Permanent/Ongoing Position Full Time

Applications Close: 4 September 2024

Commencement Date: Friday, 31 January 2025
Closing Date: Wednesday, 4 September 2024
Capacity: Full-Time, Permanent

Please visit Teachers On Net for position and application information

HSIE (Society & Culture) Teacher

Secondary Teacher

Teaching Subject: HSIE, Society and Culture

Contract Type: Contract Position Full Time

Applications Close: 5 September 2024

Commencement Date: Monday, 14 October 2024
Closing Date: Thursday, 5 September 2024
Capacity: Full-Time, Temporary

Please visit Teachers On Net for position and application information

Are you leaving at the end of 2024?

If any student/family is leaving the school at the end of this year, please advise the school office as soon as possible.

We have families who are interested in a spot for their daughters across various year groups, if any open up for 2025.

College Enrolment Officer

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 29 August 2024.