From the Principal

Feast of Mary Help of Christians – 24 May

Almighty God,

Deepen in our hearts our love of Mary Help of Christians. 
Through her prayers and under her protection,

May the light of Christ shine over our land.
May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.

Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.
Bless especially the men and women of the Australian Defence Force and their families.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Mary Help of Christians, Pray for us.

Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for us.

Dear Parents, Carers, Staff, Students and Friends of Domremy,

Domremy Day is one of the most significant events in our calendar. It is a cherished annual community celebration for our College, commemorating the Feast Day of St. Joan of Arc, the patroness of Domremy College, on 30 May. In recognition of this special day, the entire College community will come together on Friday, 31 May, to celebrate this meaningful occasion.

This event is always a highlight of the College year, and I have no doubt that 2024 will be no exception. The festivities will begin with a celebration of the Eucharist in our College hall, starting at 9am. This Mass is a vital part of our tradition, bringing us together in a shared expression of faith and unity.

Following the Mass, the day will be filled with a myriad of engaging and enjoyable activities designed to foster community spirit and provide fun for all. There will be exciting rides and games, delicious food stalls offering a variety of treats, live music performances, and a talent show showcasing the incredible abilities of our students. These events not only offer entertainment but also strengthen the bonds within our community, highlighting the diverse talents and enthusiasm of our students.

Parents, guardians, and family members are also warmly invited to join us in these festivities, making it a true community event. Your presence and support add to the joyous atmosphere and help make the day even more memorable.

We look forward to seeing everyone there and making Domremy Day 2024 a remarkable and joyous occasion for all. Let us come together to celebrate our heritage, our community, and the spirit of St. Joan of Arc.

Year 12 Parent/Teacher/Student Meetings

We extend our sincere gratitude to all the parents who attended the Parent/Teacher/Student Meetings for Year 12 on 20 May. Your active involvement in these meetings is crucial for fostering a collaborative partnership between families and the school, ultimately benefiting your daughter’s educational journey.

If you were unable to attend but wish to discuss your daughter’s progress with her teachers, please feel free to contact the College. We are here to assist and support you in any way we can.

For parents of students in Years 7 – 10, please be advised that Parent/Teacher/Student Meetings will be held at the end of this term. We encourage you to make note of these dates and plan to attend, as they offer valuable opportunities to gain insights into your child’s academic growth and well-being.

Once again, we appreciate your ongoing support and commitment to your daughter’s education. Together, we can ensure her continued success and development both academically and personally.

Domremy’s Inaugural Festival of Light

Mark your calendars! Our highly anticipated Domremy Light Festival is just around the corner, taking place on Wednesday, 19 June, from 6pm to 8pm. I urge you to save this date and join us for what promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with wonder and delight.

Preparations are already in full swing behind the scenes, ensuring that this event will be nothing short of spectacular. From captivating light displays to interactive attractions, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

All members of our community are invited to attend, and entry is free of charge, so be sure to bring along your family and friends to share in the excitement. While you’re here, indulge in a culinary adventure with a selection of food trucks on-site, offering delicious dinner options to tantalize your taste buds.

Think of the Domremy Light Festival as our very own bespoke mini ‘Vivid’, where you can immerse yourself in a magical world of light and creativity. We can’t wait to see you there!

Finally …

As our students gear up to tackle their assessments in the coming weeks, let us take a moment to reflect on the invaluable learning opportunities and friendships that our school community provides.

May each student approach their assessments with diligence, determination, and a growth mindset, knowing that every challenge presents an opportunity for growth and development.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all for your ongoing cooperation and unwavering support. Your dedication contributes immensely to the success and well-being of our students.

Wishing blessings upon you and your families as we navigate through this busy period together.

Mrs Antoinette McGahan

Prayer ♰

Lord,

in quiet times,

we see your face and we feel your holy presence.

In busy and hectic times,

we tend to run aimlessly away from your help.

In our most fatigued and stressful times,

we need you most.

Send us your calming Spirit.

Lighten our hearts, Lord.

Amen

Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for us

Save the Date – Domremy Light Festival: 19 June, 6-8pm

Domremy Light Festival

Save the Date

Wednesday 19 June 2024

6.00pm – 8.00pm

All are welcome! Free entry.

A selection of food trucks will be available for the purchase of meals. 

Wrap-up of Year 4 – Try Domremy for a Day

On Friday 17 May, Domremy College warmly welcomed Year 4 students from twenty-two participating schools for our Try Domremy for a Day event, themed “Discover, Dream, Dare at Domremy.”

You can read about the day’s activities and see some great pics in the following Try Domremy for a Day Report Year 4 2024.

Mrs Kelly Smit, Leader of Learning and Teaching

CONGRATULATIONS to our SCS Eisteddfod performers

Congratulations to our Lyrical Contemporary Dancers who placed 3rd! Well done ladies on a great performance!

Congratulations also to our Drama Small ensemble performers who placed 1st with a mark of 99! Awesome effort ladies!

Domremy is also delighted that our College was asked to host the SCS Eisteddfod next week from Monday 27 to Wednesday 29 May. Hundreds of primary and secondary students from across the SCS network of schools will be converging on our campus to perform, including our own students who will be performing in the Large Vocal Ensemble section. We wish them all well!

Lyrical Contemporary Dancers

Drama Small ensemble performers

Our students’ reflections on their Italian language tour

If you hadn’t already kept up to date with Domremy’s day to day posts (Grazie Signora Heddle), during the recent holidays, a group of 16 Italian students embarked on an amazing trip around Italy. 

Throughout our trip we were able to immerse ourselves in Italian culture and language, explore the beautiful landscapes and cities of Italy, learn and engage with Italian natives and build experiences and memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. It was an incredible experience that we will remember through high school and beyond and it was an opportunity that we would recommend for future Domremy girls to experience a glimpse of the Italian lifestyle, which is crucial when engaging in Italian study at school.

Travelling on a 22 hour flight away from our home, friends, family and school life, was a stepping stone for us to grow as young individuals, and explore the unforgettable experiences the world has to offer. Being able to have this experience during our teenage years made us more appreciative and cherish every moment of our trip, which we will be able to look back on when reminiscing about the highlights of our time in high school. At first, we were nervous but mostly excited about the journey that was awaiting us. Through the iconic cities of Milan, Florence, Rome and Naples, to the seaside views of Sirmione, Venice, Burano, Sorrento and Capri, and the historic towns of Verona, Bologna, Pompeii and Herculaneum, we spent days filled with our enthusiastic and informative tour guide Helen, along with other local tour guides, while also practising our Italian skills, eating Italian food, shopping and exploring the breath-taking atmosphere, views and architecture that Italy has to offer.

It was a chance for us to create a strong bond with other girls from grades 10-12. We made irreplaceable friendships and will forever remember the moments we all spent together. The fun nights hanging out in our hotel rooms, the mornings and evenings getting ready together, chatting about the days to come and all the exciting moments we had already experienced on this wonderful trip, continuously grew our connection with one another. We not only grew closer with the students, but also with our incredible teachers, Mrs Clarke, Mrs Vari and Mrs Silva, who all showed immense love and care towards us on this trip and ensured we all had the safest and most enjoyable experience possible. 

This trip not only improved our knowledge of Italian culture and language but also taught us the values of respect, friendship, adaptability, cultural awareness and gave us all a sense of responsibility and independence as young women. We were able to see the world through a new lens, and come back home refreshed and uplifted. And if you think you’re rid of us after graduation … we will see you at the airport in 2026. Arrivederci, Alla Prossima! 

You can catch our travellers in Italy in the compilation video on our YouTube Channel here.

Sophia P and Sophia D, Italian Language students

Year 11 Geography Blue Mountains Field Trip

On 13  and 14 May, the Year 11 Geography class went on an overnight excursion to the Blue Mountains to study the natural environment of the area and how it copes with frequent bushfires. Mr Sciortino reminded us many times of the importance of fieldwork when studying Geography and how this links to our assessment task coming up.

We started our two-day journey early in the morning by travelling to the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre in Blackheath, where we began a lecture about aspects and effects of fire on our Australian landscape from Ranger Neil. We then walked down the Blue Mountains Heritage Trail and took in the beauty and effects of recent fire damage as well as the immense regrowth after the fires, finishing with an amazing view of Govetts Leap. We then stopped off at Katoomba for some food and snacks and spent the rest of our evening debriefing the day and making slime. 

On the second day, we walked the 6.3 kilometre Grand Canyon track led by Ranger Jamie. The track took us 5 hours to complete, hiking through the different biomes including rainforests and open woodland, down into the canyon, crossing creeks with the help of Mrs Smit, and walking under waterfalls. The hike was tough but definitely worth it, seeing how the different flora and fauna have adapted to the different conditions. 

We would like to thank Mr Sciortino and Mrs Smit for organising the trip, driving the bus to the Blue Mountains and supervising us for the night. It was a great experience and we definitely learnt a lot. 

Eva and Azzi – Year 11 Geography Students

Domremy Newman Maths and Science Initiative – Year 5 and Year 9 students

Year 9 Design and Technology – Jewellery making

Year 9 Design and Technology students have been learning new jewellery-making skills and experimenting with polymer clay this term. They have used various techniques and tools to create their own earrings as part of their assessment task. Their theme was Tropical Flora and Fauna, and their inspiration was the jewellery brand, ‘Erstwilder’. Have a look at their amazing work!

Ms Stephanie Ricciuti, TAS Coordinator

Year 10 Catechist Program

Every Friday our Year 10 students take part in the Catechist program. This involves four students a week attending Five Dock Public school to assist in teaching primary school students about Jesus and the Christian Faith. They read bible passages, watch videos and complete various activities to help to educate and develop the faith of young people within our community. The girls have done an excellent job thus far and we have heard nothing but positive reviews about how helpful, kind and respectful they are. 

“At Catechist, we applied the roles and responsibilities that we were taught in Catechist training. These included, reading Scripture to the primary kids, helping them do their workbook activities and answering any questions they have. We were able to be a part of such an amazing journey educating and growing faith in younger children. The Catechist leaders were extremely encouraging, involving us greatly in the teaching and guiding us to help the children understand the scripture that they were being taught. We related closely to the students and assisted them in developing a rich faith and belief in the Catholic Church. Overall, our experience at Catechist was absolutely wonderful as we were able to be a part of such a significant, transformative experience for younger children” (Antonia Y10)

Ms Claudia Carbone, Youth Ministry Coordinator

A big Staff “Thank you” to our Hospitality students

Staff were treated today with a scrumptious Morning Tea prepared and cooked by our wonderful Hospitality students. Savoury and sweet treats included: pumpkin and fetta quiche, sausage rolls, spinach and fetta pinwheels, tomato bruschetta, syrupy orange cake, mini scones, lemon slice, ricotta and honey and berries on sourdough, fresh fruit.

You might like to give the spinach and fetta pinwheels a go with the recipe linked here! A fabulous weekend treat?

Thank you to our Hospitality students and Ms Sarah Birmingham – you outdid yourselves today and we are so proud of you!

Sydney FC’s Girls High Schools Cup for Female Football Week

Congratulations to all our players and an awesome achievement by our Intermediate Team who took on Matraville Sports High School – NSW DEC and placed 2nd !

 

Congratulations to our placegetters at the SCS Secondary Cross Country Championships

Isabella’s Dragon Boating recent medal tally

We again congratulate Isabella Taranto who continues to amass medals in Dragon Boating around the nation and internationally. A talented and dedicated athlete, Isabella competes at club level, and also continues to represent NSW and Australia.

At the Perth Nationals in the April school holidays, Isabella came home with 2 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals at club level and with 3 gold medals for NSW. What an array to add to her already impressive collection!

Huge congratulations also on Isabella’s selection to the Australian side to compete at the World Club Championships in Ravenna, Italy in September. She will be competing in the Junior and the U24 teams.

A massive achievement Isabella!

The Catholic Weekly – 2024 School Leaders: Excellence, tradition, faith and service

Please find attached The Catholic Weekly’s Catholic School Leaders 2024 Magazine and the article on pages 20-21 relating to our Student Leadership Team 2024, which appeared in The Catholic Weekly School Leaders edition on Sunday 19 May 2024.

Enrolments for Year 7 – 2026 and 2027 

Year 7 2026 (current Year 5) students:

The College is currently enrolling students for Year 7 2026. The interview process for 2026 has already commenced. 

Places are finite and we encourage families to lodge an Application for Enrolment as soon as possible. If you have a daughter currently in Year 5 who you wish to enrol at Domremy College, please submit an Application for Enrolment as soon as possible.

If you have family or friends considering enrolling their daughter at the College, please let them know.

There is no automatic entry into the College from feeder Primary Schools – all families at feeder Primary Schools must complete an Application to Enrol their daughter at the College, even if they have an older daughter already enrolled at the College.

To lodge an Application for Enrolment just head to our website’s Enrolment page.

Year 7 2027 (current Year 4) students: 

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

Sydney Catholic Schools has not yet opened up enrolments for 2027 and will do so later this year.

We encourage you, your family and friends, to check back with our website regularly. As soon as SCS opens up the enrolment portal for 2027, it will be updated on our website’s Enrolment page.

We will also advertise this in our Newsletter, the Parent Weekly and on our social media channels.

Any Enrolment Enquiries:

If there are any enquiries about Enrolment please email our College Enrolments Officer at enrolments@domremy.catholic.edu.au or telephone on 9712 2133.

Try Domremy for a Day: Year 6 students – Friday 14 June

Try Domremy for a Day – for students in Year 6 in 2024 – Friday 14 June

Registration for students in Year 6 in 2024 is open. Register your daughter’s place online on our website or telephone our Enrolment Officer on 9712 2133.

Successfully transitioning students from primary to secondary school can make a significant difference to a student’s achievement, engagement and wellbeing outcomes. Try Domremy for a Day is an opportunity for Years 4, 5 and 6 primary students to attend the College and experience aspects of high school for a day. Both our Year 4 and Year 5 days were very successful and well received and photos and a reports of those days can also be found on our website. 

College Tours

Throughout the year the College hosts small personalised group tours. These have been very popular and well attended in past years.

Our next College Tour this Term is on Friday 21 June at 1.30pm and you can register online on our website.

We encourage all interested families to register to take part in a College tour.

The tours take approximately 60 minutes.

Remaining 2024 College Tour Dates 

Term 2 – Friday 21 June, 1.30pm

Term 3 – Monday 29 July, 1.30pm

Term 3 – Friday 6 September, 9.30am

Term 4 – Wednesday 16 October, 5.00pm

Term 4 – Tuesday 12 November, 9.30am

If you have family or friends who are interested in taking a College Tour please encourage them to register online here.

Connect with us: Follow and like us on social media 

Follow and like us on our social media for 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.

Our 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

Be in it to win it! Catholic Schools Guide Competition – 1st prize: $2000 worth of school fees 

Domremy College is featured in the annual Catholic Schools Guide 2024.

As part of its 2024 launch, the Catholic Schools Guide is giving entrants the opportunity to win a number of prizes, including the 1st prize – $2000 worth of School Fees paid directly to the school.

Domremy College families can find out more about the competition and how to enter at catholicschoolsguide.com.au/competition

Competition closes 5pm Friday 6 September 2024. Good luck!

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 23 May 2024.

Community and external organisations’ notices 

Domremy College will, from time to time and at its discretion, include notices from external organisations or providers to our Domremy College community.

The College does not endorse the organisations or providers included below.

Parents and carers should undertake their own checks in connection with anything advertised by the organisations or providers included below.

City of Canada Bay: Youth Week Photography Competition 2024

Photography submissions are welcomed by entrants between 12–18 years of age at the time of entry. All entries younger than 18 years, must be made with consent of a guardian or adult over 18 years old. All entrants must be residents of the City of Canada Bay.

For more information and how to enter please click on the link to the Youth Week Photography Competition 2024.

Submissions close Friday 31 May 2024 at 5pm.

Good luck to all entrants!