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

Prayer

Opening Prayer (Collect)

The opening prayer recited at Mass this Sunday centers on God’s mercy and serving Him wholeheartedly.

Look upon us, O God, Creator and ruler of all things,

and, that we may feel the working of your mercy,

grant that we may serve you with all our heart.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ,

your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen

Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for Us

Listen on YouTube here

Mercy Without Measure – Lyrics

Refrain: Mercy without measure, Lord, Flows from Your forgiving Word. Teach our hearts to pardon still, Living by Your will.

Verse 1: You forgave our every sin, Made our broken spirits clean. Help us freely now forgive, As through You we live. Refrain

Verse 2: Not just seven times alone, Endless mercy You have shown. Grace received becomes our song, Keeping love made strong. Refrain

Verse 3: May our hearts no anger keep, Nor resentment buried deep. Let forgiveness light our way, Every passing day. Refrain

From the Assistant Principal: Reflecting on our College Assembly

Our recent College Assembly was a vibrant celebration of our community’s faith, academic passion, artistic talent, and commitment to faith and justice. It was wonderful to gather together as a school to celebrate student achievement, hear inspiring guest speakers, and reflect on how we can live out our values every day.

Celebrating STEM Week

Mrs Ganderton presented a wonderful recap of National Science Week and our school-wide STEM initiatives. From the Future You Film Festival and ANU STEM challenges to the Seeds of Science incursion and homeroom flight-path experiments, students engaged eagerly with big questions. The highlight was hearing from our guest speaker, Dr Renee Goreham from the University of Newcastle, whose groundbreaking research into early cancer detection inspired us all to see how STEM can truly transform lives.

Faith in Action

We were privileged to hear from Amelia (Y10) and Sofia (Y8), who reflected on their experiences with the Samoan Christian Youth Mission. Their stories reminded us of the impact of service and the importance of living out our Christian teachings in all that we do.

In addition, our Year 10 students and Mrs Morizzi shared key highlights and insights from their recent participation in the NEAA Student Conference in Perth.

Music

We were also treated to an exquisite musical performance by Year 12 student Michelle, who played Debussy’s Clair De Lune on the piano as part of her preparation for the upcoming HSC Practical examination.

Bullying No Way Week: Small Acts, Big Impact

Our 2027 Captain and Vice Captains addressed the assembly to highlight Bullying No Way Week. Through interactive skits and scenarios, they challenged the student body to reflect on real-life choices online and in person. Emphasising this year’s theme, “Small Acts, Big Impact,” they reminded us that defeating bullying requires all of us to move from being bystanders to upstanders. Throughout the week, students participated in positive initiatives, including Homeroom compliment boxes and collaborative chalk art in the plaza.

Thank you to all student leaders, staff, and performers who contributed to making this assembly such a meaningful and uplifting event for our College community!

Mrs Melissa Vassallo, Assistant Principal

From the Religious Education Coordinator – In our Church …

The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 8 September

The Church has celebrated Mary’s birth since at least the sixth century. A September birth was chosen because the Eastern Church begins its Church year with September. The September 8 date helped determine the date for the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.  Scripture does not give an account of Mary’s birth. However, the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James fills in the gap. This work has no historical value, but it does reflect the development of Christian piety. According to this account, Anna and Joachim are infertile but pray for a child. They receive the promise of a child who will advance God’s plan of salvation for the world. Such a story, like many biblical counterparts, stresses the special presence of God in Mary’s life from the beginning.

 Saint Augustine connects Mary’s birth with Jesus’ saving work. He tells the earth to rejoice and shine forth in the light of her birth. “She is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of the valley. Through her birth the nature inherited from our first parents is changed.”

Reflection: We can see every human birth as a call for new hope in the world. The love of two human beings has joined with God in his creative work. The loving parents have shown hope in a world filled with travail. The new child has the potential to be a channel of God’s love and peace to the world.  This is all true in a magnificent way in Mary. If Jesus is the perfect expression of God’s love, Mary is the foreshadowing of that love. If Jesus has brought the fullness of salvation, Mary is its dawning. (Courtesy of: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/nativity-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/)

The Feast of St Teresa of Calcutta – 5 September

On August 26, 1910, Mother Teresa was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Macedonia. As a young girl she was very involved in parish activities, and her mother told her many stories of missionaries, who inspired her greatly. In 1928, at age 18, Agnes joined the missionary order of the Sisters of Loreto in Dublin, Ireland. There she was given the name Sister Mary Teresa.  As a young Sister in 1929 she travelled to Calcutta (today known as Kolkata), India, to teach at a school for girls. She continued to teach at various schools in India for 20 years. During that time, she was deeply moved by the number of sick and dying people on the streets.

On September 10, 1946, while travelling by train to Darjeeling, Sister Mary Teresa experienced a “call within a call.” She felt called to be God’s love in action: to serve the sick and dying, the hungry and homeless. She received permission to leave the Loreto convent. Then she sought medical training and became determined to serve the poorest of the poor.  Eventually, she was joined by other women. Some of these women were her former students, and they helped her serve the poor. In 1950 she established an order of religious women called the Missionaries of Charity.  Over time the Missionaries of Charity have built centres throughout the world. In 1979 Mother Teresa, as she was known by then, received the Nobel Peace Prize. She captivated the world as few other people have. Her simple message was: “We are put on earth to do something beautiful for God.”

Pope John Paul II chose October 19, 2003, as the date for the beatification of Mother Teresa. The ceremony was a celebration for the entire world. Mother Teresa’s life of holiness is respected on a global scale. Her example of humble and loving service is admired by millions of people.  The process that led to Mother’s Teresa’s beatification was the shortest in modern history. Ordinarily, the cause for beatification cannot begin until five years after the candidate’s death. However, Pope John Paul II advanced the cause of Mother Teresa soon after her death on September 5, 1997. The pope explained that he was making an exception because of widespread admiration for the tiny nun.

Mother Teresa’s spiritual vitality can be described with these words. “Don’t search for God in faraway lands. He is not there. He is close to you. He is with you. Just keep that lamp burning, and you will always see him.” (Courtesy of: http://saintsresource.com/teresa-of-calcutta)

Mrs Caroline Morizzi, Religious Education Coordinator

From the Religious Education Coordinator – In our Community … Father’s Day Mass

Last Wednesday we celebrated our Father’s Day Mass and Breakfast at Domremy Catholic College. It was a morning of celebration and community spirit. Students and their Fathers, Father Figures and Grandfathers celebrated the Eucharist together at Mass and then enjoyed a delicious breakfast prepared by our wonderful hospitality staff and students.

On Fathers day when we remember what it means to have a father or be a father, we recognise the importance of fathers in our community. Fathers come in many different forms;  Fathers who are working day and night to raise children, fathers who took in others’ children through adoption and foster care, fathers who are expecting, but aren’t quite fathers yet, and those fathers who have lost children and must carry on.  Fathers who right now have joined God in Heaven and whom we miss dearly here on earth. We pledge as a community to love and nurture the fathers and father figures among us so that they will manifest the love of God in all that they do.

A huge thank you to everyone that was involved in the Father’s Day Mass and Breakfast.  Thank you to Isabella Bechara, Cristina Peros, Melissa Vassallo, Francis Loran and Tina Gulisano for all their help throughout the mass. Donna Malpass, Bruno Lorizio and Tim Heys for all their help leading up the mass. A huge thank you to Glenn Magson and Romina Zappulla for the beautiful music on the day. Thank you to Sarah Bermingham and the hospitality students for the beautiful breakfast. We extend our sincere thanks to Mr Lipiec, father of Addison in Year 11, for joining us at our Father’s Day Mass and sharing his personal reflections on the meaning of fatherhood. We sincerely thank him for his time, generosity and contribution to our Father’s Day celebration. A huge thank you to Father Thomas Kurunthanam from St Joan of Arc Parish, for celebrating the Father’s Day Mass with our Domremy Community.

Mrs Caroline Morizzi, Religious Education Coordinator

Celebrating excellence: Congratulations to our Archbishop’s Award recipient, Antonia Farhat

The Archbishop of Sydney Awards for Student Excellence is an annual recognition by the Archbishop of Sydney, of the outstanding young women and men in our Catholic schools. Each year, the awards acknowledge the students’ commitment to their faith, academic life, community and social justice. It is an important way of highlighting the very positive contribution that young people make to their school and local community.

Specifically, these awards recognise those young people who give witness to their Christian values and who actively contribute to the faith life of their school. Recipients of the award are practising Catholics who show responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community. It is also an affirmation of the support that families offer their children, and public acclaim for the commitment and dedication of their teachers.

On Tuesday 8 September Antonia Farhat was presented with the Archbishop of Sydney Award for Excellence. Antonia was chosen for this distinguished award as a young woman of great faith, generosity and humility. She is a model of living a life of genuine service to others. Antonia is an exemplary role model for her peers. Her integrity as a student leader has enabled her to give witness to service, empowering other students to take responsibility and use their talents to serve the community. Antonia lives an authentic Catholic life and is truly a woman who will make a difference in the world. She is known for her consistency and reliability in being witness to the faith at the College and truly lives the College motto: ‘La Verite – The Truth.’

Congratulations to Antonia on this wonderful achievement and many thanks to Olivia Azzi for reading the citation during the ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral.

Citation: Antonia is a practising Catholic who worships regularly at St Joseph’s Parish, Croydon, and shows responsible participation in the life, mission and work of her parish. She serves faithfully as an altar server, participates in Youth Group, assists as a catechist, supports St Vincent de Paul, and attends Catholic youth camps that deepen her spiritual formation and commitment to service.

Within Domremy College, Antonia gives strong witness to Christian values and contributes actively to the Catholic faith life of the school. She participates in Bible Study, Rosary, chapel opportunities and homeroom prayer, and leads or assists in school‑based faith initiatives with maturity and reverence. Her leadership extends to social justice activities, including Project Compassion fundraising.

Her recent pilgrimage to France, Lourdes and Rome profoundly strengthened her faith, inspiring deeper reflection, gratitude and commitment to living the Gospel. Retreats such as 10:10 and St Charbel’s have further shaped her understanding of servant leadership.

Antonia’s dedication to prayer, service and community makes her a worthy nominee who embodies the mission of both Parish and College.

Mrs Caroline Morizzi, Religious Education Coordinator

National Child Protection Week – 6 to 12 September 2026: Shifting Conversations into Action

National Child Protection Week is an opportunity to recognise the important role parents and carers play in helping children feel safe, supported and valued.

This year’s theme, Shifting Conversations into Action, encourages us to take practical steps that strengthen children’s safety and wellbeing.

Parents and carers can turn conversations into action by:

• listening to children and encouraging them to share their feelings
• talking about what feeling safe and unsafe might look and feel like at home, at school, in the community and online
• helping children make a plan for what to do and who to speak to if they feel unsafe
• involving children in family decisions and planning enjoyable time together
• playing, reading, walking or sharing in activities that build connection
• celebrating children’s achievements, values and interests
• modelling respectful and supportive relationships
• reaching out to family, friends, health professionals or support services when help is needed
• looking after their own wellbeing and taking time to recharge

A helpful family conversation at the dinner table could include:

• What was something positive that happened today?
• What did not go well today?
• What was the funniest thing that happened today?

Regular conversations help children know they can approach a trusted adult when something is worrying them. Parenting requires energy, patience, time and support. Asking for help is a sign of strength. Families can access reliable information through the Raising Children Network, contact Parentline for support and referrals.

Mrs Melissa Vassallo, Assistant Principal

R U OK Day?

On Thursday, 10 September, our school community recognised R U OK? Day by adding a pop of yellow to their uniform for the day. It was a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about mental health, fostering meaningful connections, and checking in on those around us. A simple conversation can make a world of difference. Thank you to everyone who continues to support our school community in encouraging these vital conversations and keeping us connected.

Mrs Melissa Vassallo, Assistant Principal

Legacy Week – 30 August to 4 September 2026

Legacy was founded in 1923 on a simple promise from one digger to another – to “look after the family.”

Legacy Week began in the 1940s to show support and raise funds for the widow/ers and children whose loved ones have served our country.

The Legacy badge is a special emblem symbolising our nation’s greatest values of mateship, compassion and fairness. Today, Legacy supports 28,000 partners and children of veterans who gave their lives or health serving our country. 

$2 Legacy badges, which can be proudly worn on the left lapel of the College blazer were available in Homerooms for a $2 gold coin donation last week.

Thank you to all who contributed and helped to raise some $300 for this worthy cause to help support families of our service personnel.

2026 VET Excellence Awards – Parliament House

 

Tournament of the Minds: Double Honours Victory!

Tournament of the Minds (TOM) is a international problem-solving competition for secondary students. Designed to foster creative thinking, teamwork, and enterprise, TOM challenges teams to solve complex, open-ended problems across key discipline areas under strict time constraints.

We are thrilled to announce that two teams brought home second-place honours across two categories at this year’s finals! 

Here is a look at the challenges our teams tackled:

• Language Literature: Teams were tasked with designing an original radio play series to compete with short-form social media feeds for youth attention. To win over station managers at 3TOM FM, they had to pitch and perform three 2-minute teaser episodes live – complete with sound effects, three main characters, and a seamless narrative arc.
• Social Sciences: Teams had to resolve a heated student council debate over a charity t-shirt fundraiser. They were required to map out a complete strategy to source, design, produce, and sell limited-edition shirts – balancing the drive to maximize charitable revenue against the complex economic, environmental, and ethical concern of fast fashion.

We are incredibly proud of our students for representing our school with such ingenuity, passion, and teamwork against some tough competition!

Congratulations to all who participated.

Lisa Ganderton, Leader of Inquiry and Enterprise

8V Geography Explores Tourism Through a Community of Inquiry

Students in 8V Geography recently took part in a Community of Inquiry activity examining tourism and the ways places are represented to the world.

Sitting together as a discussion community, students watched a selection of tourism and major-event promotional clips. They considered the messages presented in each clip and identified aspects they found interesting, puzzling or open to debate. Students then developed their own inquiry questions, moving beyond literal observations to explore broader geographical concepts and issues.

The discussion encouraged students to think critically about how promotional media creates an image of a destination. They considered whether these representations provide an authentic picture of a place, how stereotypes may be created or reinforced, and whose perspectives might be included or overlooked. Students also explored the influence that major events and tourism campaigns can have on people’s perceptions of countries, cities and communities.

Throughout the activity, students listened respectfully, responded thoughtfully to the ideas of their classmates and recognised that complex geographical questions do not always have one correct answer. The Community of Inquiry format gave every student an opportunity to contribute while developing important skills in questioning, reasoning, discussion and reflection.

The activity was an engaging way for 8V to examine tourism from multiple perspectives and deepen their understanding of how places are promoted, perceived and experienced.

Greg Sciortino, HSIE Teacher

Migration Through Food: Exploring Sydney’s Inner West

Our Year 9 Global Connections students recently explored Sydney’s Inner West to investigate how migration has shaped local food, businesses, streetscapes and community identity.

Travelling through Ashfield, Burwood, Strathfield, Marrickville, Petersham, Leichhardt and Haberfield, students observed the influence of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Greek, Portuguese and Italian communities. Bilingual signs, restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets and family-owned businesses provided visible evidence of the ways migrant communities have created distinctive cultural landscapes.

A highlight was our visit to La Patisserie in Petersham, where students enjoyed traditional Portuguese custard tarts and spoke with the café owner, Ferniando,  about his migration experience and the role of food in creating a culture of place. He explained that he was the first person to make Portuguese tarts in Australia and gave students a fascinating look at the specialised ovens used to bake them.

This memorable experience brought the students’ fieldwork to life, demonstrating how recipes, skills and traditions can travel across the world and become part of Australia’s multicultural identity.

Throughout the excursion, students acted as cultural detectives—recording observations, interviewing a local business owner and considering how successive waves of migration have transformed Sydney. The day provided an engaging opportunity to connect classroom learning about migration, identity, cultural diffusion and globalisation with the landscapes and communities of our local area.

Greg Sciortino, Global Connections Teacher 

Year 10 Commerce – Start Up Lab Shark Tank

HSC Showcase 2026 – Design and Technology, Visual Arts, and English Extension 2

On the evening of 1 September, our school community gathered to witness the exceptional talents of our Year 12 students during the annual HSC Showcase. The event celebrated outstanding works from Design and Technology, Visual Arts, and English Extension 2, offering a glimpse into the dedication, creativity, and hard work that our students have put into their final projects.

The event was a resounding success, leaving everyone in attendance inspired by the exceptional talent and hard work of our Year 12 students. The showcase provided not only a celebration of artistic and academic achievement but also a platform for students to share their creative journeys with the broader community.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to the teachers, staff, and families who supported our students throughout the year, and we wish our Year 12 students all the best in their upcoming HSC exams and future endeavours.

Photos of our wonderful students’ BOWs will be published once NESA HSC marking has finished.

Extension English 2 Project Descriptions

Eve Quinlan – In Defence of Borrowed Words

My major work is a long-form creative nonfiction article that traces the history of British fan fiction from the 1930s to the digital age, challenging the assumption that fan fiction is an inferior or derivative form of writing. Beginning with the observation that English itself is fundamentally a language of borrowing, my piece uses the relationship between language and fan fiction to question what we actually mean when we call something “original.” Through historical examples of fanzines, conventions, fan communities and digital archives, I explore how fans have continually borrowed, transformed and repurposed existing stories, while also using fan fiction to construct their own communities and cultural histories.

The creative nonfiction form allowed me to combine historical research with personal reflection, humour and literary criticism. I deliberately adopt a discursive and self-aware voice, moving between factual history, anecdote, quotation and commentary to mirror the fragmented and participatory nature of fandom itself. Recurring linguistic analogies and references to literary theory reinforce my central argument that borrowing is not the opposite of creativity, but one of its oldest foundations.

My composition ultimately seeks to challenge readers’ assumptions about fan fiction and reconsider the boundaries between originality, adaptation and authorship. 

Alannah Aprim – Miracle of the ‘Khigga Yaqoora’

My Major Work, titled, Miracle of the ‘Khigga Yaqoora’ is in the Creative Nonfiction form, exploring how Assyrian identity continues to be inherited despite the loss of a recognised ancestral homeland. 

My central intention was not to reconstruct a complete history of Assyria, nor to present myself as an authority capable of speaking for the entirety of the Assyrian diaspora. Rather, I sought to examine what it means to inherit a culture indirectly, through a partially understood language, recurring family stories, cultural rituals, the movement of bodies during a traditional dance (i.e. Khigga Yaqoora) across the wedding hall floor and endurance despite theoretical erasure. 

I conducted interviews that were crucial in extending my MW beyond my own generational experience, gathering qualitative data and patterns to ensure ideas surrounding cultural continuity versus lived testimony were accurate.

Therefore, my piece investigates the tension between cultural belonging and uncertainty, particularly for younger members of diasporic communities who may feel emotionally connected to a heritage yet not completely understand it.

Isabella Colubriale – Bare

My Major Work composition, titled, ‘Bare’ represents depictions of feminine hair loss within literature, expressing a call to action to challenge the entrenched isolation of feminine perception in writing, insisting that the ‘abnormal’ be embraced and represented with respect and understanding. Through a hybridised Creative Non-Fiction form, my thought provoking discussion surrounding this deficit in positive representations of feminine hair loss in Western literature invites audience reflection whilst demonstrating how positive representations can and should exist as a mode to broaden acceptance and perceptions of “normal”. 

The feminine existence is unified by the expectation of perfection, where visibility is determined by submission to normative structures. The progression of my piece intends to re-imagine feminine hair loss as self-creation as opposed to restriction. The existence of hair as a powerful descriptor of identity, social status and power, is uncovered through my comparison of cultural binaries and their influence on literary representation. 

My Major Work is grounded in truth and lived experience, calling intended audiences to garner greater understanding on the flaws of current literature whilst embracing the possibility for revision in the way authors express feminine hair loss. 

Lola – Politics of Music: Music of Politics

My Major Work titled “Politics of Music: Music of Politics”, explores how lyrics possess literary authority through their capacity to communicate overwhelming emotions experienced by both listener and singer, yet are often understudied as a literary form in framing an understanding of human experience across time. 

I aim to advocate that the assessment of lyrics within music should be treated the same as other literary forms, as the interdependentness between audiosonic and linguistic elements develops a site of introspection, and how listeners must consider modes of consumption. 

Therefore, through my critical essay I have been able to expose lyrics’ capacity for initiating change within the individual and collective through the analysis of Protest songs throughout the decades of the 1960s, 1980s, 2010s.

Myra Banerjee – Jacques Lacan and the Phantom Limb 

My piece, “Jacques Lacan and the Phantom Limb” is fundamentally a work about absence, and how loss can mould identity so profoundly it acquires a presence of its own. The ‘Phantom Limb’ becomes my central metaphor – an amputation that retains a sensation of presence. Through historiographic metafiction within the creative non-fiction form, I reconstruct Jacques Lacan’s final address to the international psychoanalytic community in Caracas, 1980, before his death in 1981. Yet, this reconstruction is inherently incomplete. Through the emergence of a metafictive voice, the work investigates the limits of representing history from fact, implicating the reader in the construction of a man who cannot speak for himself, and whose legacy is left to my own interpretation. At the same time, he is surrounded by Caracas; a site of continued historical erasure, yet one that remakes itself despite loss.

My work navigates the oppressive presence of absences within individual and collective memory, while encouraging readers to remember all that has been ruptured, erased, or simply left behind: the gaps through which memory, cultural resilience and individual legacy are reconstructed and sustained. After all, the human condition is inevitably characterised by loss. It is as personal as it is universal. To encounter the phantom limb, therefore, is to resist looking away from the wound, and instead meet what remains with empathetic persistence.

Juliet Mazzaferro – The Act

My fiction anthology tripartite – ‘The Act’ – seeks to portray the endurance and plurality of performative behaviour as a coping mechanism for repressed trauma. In this way I sought to portray the intrinsic human tendency to reconstruct reality through perceptual distortion and self delusion. The concept and style of my piece was prompted by an interest in absurdist and post-modernist literature that interlaces the existentialist pursuit to reconfigure meaning through the rejection of inherent truth and narrative traditionality in order to confront the inevitable disillusionment of human existence.

My piece was enriched and inspired by the pursuit to capture the fragility and depth of human consciousness through three narratives of distinct voice, context and resonance that culminate in a larger portrayal of the intimate truths that reside within the human psyche in order to elicit critical reflections on conventional subjectivity and social behaviours.

Mrs Sally Moore,  Design and Technology Teacher /Ms Jemma O’Regan, Visual Arts Teacher/Ms Felicity Freckmann, English Teacher/ Lavinia Scarfone, English Coordinator

2027 HSC Information Evening – For Year 11/Year 12 2027 students

As we continue to work in partnership to support your daughter pursue her personal excellence we are holding a HSC Information Evening.

• When: Tuesday 13 October 2026
• At: 6.00pm
• Where: The Theatrette.

This session will inform you of the following:

• NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) requirements for the satisfactory completion of courses.
• The responsibilities of a student in completing assessments.
• The role of families in developing an effective learning culture at home which will optimise the academic achievements of the students.
• The inextricable connection between wellbeing and learning.

We ask that all parents attend with their daughters and that all students wear their full summer college uniform.

During the HSC year, we will continue to build upon the foundations established by nourishing our students’ resilience in a community that is filled with hope which radiates Nano Nagle’s legacy of action, compassion, hospitality and love.

We greatly value and rely on our partnership with parents and carers in maintaining high expectations for our students. We thank you in advance for your ongoing support.

Mrs Antoinette McGahan, College Principal

Year 12 University Applications & Early Entry – Important Information

As we move closer to the end of Year 12, students and families are reminded to keep on top of university applications, early entry offers and important UAC deadlines.

Congratulations to students who are beginning to receive early entry offers from universities such as Macquarie University, the University of Notre Dame and other institutions.

Students who receive an early offer are strongly encouraged to:

• • Read the offer carefully and check whether it is conditional or unconditional.
  • Accept the offer by the university’s stated deadline, even if the course is not currently your first preference. An accepted early offer can provide an excellent back-up option while you wait for other offers.
  • Check any conditions attached to the offer, such as successfully completing Year 12 or meeting other course requirements.
  • Keep your UAC application active. Accepting an early offer does not mean you should cancel your UAC application.
  • Continue to review your UAC preferences. Students can still be considered for other courses and universities in subsequent offer rounds.

• IMPORTANT: If you later receive an offer for a course you prefer, you can accept the new offer and then withdraw from the earlier course.

• Continue working towards your best possible HSC and ATAR. An early offer is wonderful security, but a strong ATAR may provide students with additional university and course choices later in the year.

REMEMBER:  Accept your early offer, secure your place and keep your options open.

 A REMINDER ABOUT IMPORTANT UAC DATES 

Friday 11 September – SRS Applications Close
Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) applications close at 11.59pm. Students must first have completed a UAC undergraduate application to apply for SRS. Ms Lynch, Mrs Carbone and I have been working to rate the applications. There are still a number of students who have not yet finalised their applications. With the SRS application deadline fast approaching, students are strongly encouraged to complete and submit their application as soon as possible to ensure they do not miss this important opportunity.

Wednesday 30 September – UAC Early Bird Deadline
Students should complete and pay for their UAC undergraduate application by 11.59pm to avoid the higher application processing charge.

Thursday 5 November – SRS Preference Deadline
Students applying through SRS must ensure their SRS-eligible courses are correctly included in their UAC preferences by 11.59pm.

Thursday 12 November – SRS Offers Released
Conditional and unconditional SRS offers are released to eligible domestic Year 12 students.

Thursday 19 November – EAS Deadline for the Main December Offer Round
Students seeking consideration through the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) should ensure their application and supporting documentation are completed by this date for consideration in the main December offer round.

Ms Diana Arida and Ms Jade Lynch, Careers Pathways and Partnerships Advisors

Opens Girls Football Team Silver Medal at Knock-out Finals

We are so proud of our Opens Girls Football Team, finishing as the Open Girls Runners Up (2nd place) at the NSWCCC Football (Soccer) Knockout state-wide finals hosted by Catholic Schools NSW Sport, and bringing home the prestigious Silver Medal.

Congratulations to our athletes

Meg to represent NSW in the NSW All Schools Australia Championship Team

Congratulations to Lola: Concord/Burwood Wolves – Halfback

Lola, Year 8, one of our up and coming rugby league players, is set to star for her team in the NSWRL conference grand finals.

All the best Lola!

Read more here: “A deep dive into the 72 girls and women set to star for their teams in NSWRL conference grand finals”, The Daily Telegraph 28.8.26

2026 Council of Catholic School Parents – Family Partnership Excellence Awards: Apply Now!

The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW Family Partnership Excellence Awards are now open!

Apply now and tell us about how your school’s project or initiative which has bridged the gap between home and school, and enhanced student outcomes in faith development, learning and wellbeing of students.

Your school could be awarded first place and receive $5000 to continue your partnership-focused initiative!

• Has your school community implemented an initiative that focuses on family, school and community collaboration?
• Does your initiative focus on faith formation, the school curriculum, student wellbeing, or any combination of the three?
• Has your initiative made a real difference for the students, staff and families in your community?
• These annual grants offered to an elegible NSW Catholic school that can show exemplary practice in family, school and community partnerships.

Up to $10,000 in total on offer!

Applications close at 5pm on 16 October 2026.

How to Apply
1. Go to the CCSP website to download the 2026 Submission Form: https://www.ccsp.catholic.edu.au/awards

2. Complete the Submission Form by responding to six criteria about your school’s initiative.

3. Complete the online entry form and declarations and upload your Submission Form and supporting files.

We can’t wait to receive your submissions!

Regards,

Cath Garrett-Jones
Executive Director

Council of Catholic School Parents – eSafety Webinar: Influencers, Ideology and Impact

You’re invited to our Term 3 FREE WEBINAR FOR PARENTS with the expert eSafety Commissioner team: ‘Influencers, Ideology and Impacts – How algorithms influence and reinforce harmful beliefs’.

Lunch and learn! Grab your lunch and a cup of tea and join us during the day for this 45-minute session.

Wednesday 16 September
12.30pm – 1.15pm

REGISTER HERE: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8907281592113064534

This webinar explores 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:

• the role of algorithms and recommender systems in driving engagement and shaping online experiences
• how platforms and online communities keep young people engaged, expose them to harmful content and reinforce gendered stereotypes
• strategies to shape algorithmic feeds and build more positive and safe online experiences
• how eSafety can support people experiencing serious online harm.

Not suitable for those under 18.

Recording available for registered participants for 72 hours following the webinar

Formation Event Invitation: Trinity Catholic College – 16 September 2026