I am honoured to join the Marist Sisters’ Woolwich community and thank the staff, students, parents and carers for the very warm welcome I have received. It has been a wonderful start to the 2025 school year. We have already celebrated our College Opening Mass, the Swimming Carnival and our High Achievers Assembly. These three events, along with our two Year 7 Parent Evenings and My Marist Compass Goals Interviews (MMCG) are a clear indication of the strong school spirit, partnership and sense of community that exists at MSCW. Staff, students and parents have a shared commitment to making 2025 a transformative year of growth and learning.
Last week’s Opening Mass was a particularly special occasion and I had the privilege of speaking to the students about this year’s College theme;
Ignite your light, together we shine :
Upon hearing our 2025 theme for the first time I immediately thought of the poet Amanda Gorman. She captivated hundreds of millions of people across the globe with her words just over four years ago at the previous American President’s inauguration ceremony. At the time, Amanda was 22, and she wrote and recited a now very famous poem called “The Hill We Climb” It is a poem that passionately reinforces hope…unity, collaboration and togetherness. Even if you are not normally a fan of poetry, I highly recommend you read this poem… there are a few very powerful lines that strongly resonate with our College theme:
“There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.”
In those words, she challenges us to think not only about the light we seek, but also the light we are capable of being.
These words are not just beautiful; they are a call to action, just as our College theme is a call to action. And each of you, as part of this community are called to be Marist women of action.
These words remind us that light is not something that simply happens to us. It can be a spark of something that is ready and waiting to be ignited. And when we are courageous, when we are empowered to take risks and discover our gifts, It’s something we choose to be…
I spoke to Year 7, the newest members of our community on their first day and challenged them to try at least 3 new things before the end of term. This is being courageous, possibly taking risks and then taking action – this is discovering gifts and igniting their light.
I challenged every student, at our first assembly for the year, to stand up for what they believe in and to do the right thing even when it is not the easy option – this is being the light.
But how do we nurture this light? How do we keep it burning brightly?
The answer is simple—through action. Light doesn’t exist in isolation; it grows and shines because it connects with other light. Every time we share what we know, every time we empower others, every time we are courageous, we spread that light. When we are kind to others, we pass along that spark.
Our school community is a place where you can nurture that light. It’s a place where you can explore your strengths, take risks, and grow. But it’s also a place where you can be the light for others.
When I think about other women who have been and continue spreading their light, the list goes on and on… But one of the most powerful examples of this bravery and light is a young woman you all probably know, Malala Yousafzai. Malala’s story is one of profound courage, determination, action and light. Despite the violence and oppression she faced in her home country of Pakistan, Malala’s light shone brighter than the darkness around her when she stood up for the right of girls everywhere to go to school.
Even after facing extreme violence and opposition, she chose to shine, to speak up for what is right, for the education and empowerment of girls everywhere. Her light has not only illuminated her own path but has ignited the spark of millions across the globe. Her Malala Foundation continues to provide educational opportunities for girls around the world and she is the youngest ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Her story teaches us that even in the face of adversity, we have the power to choose light and make it shine in the world.
Malala’s story is a perfect example that light is not just something we carry individually. Light is something we can share. Light is not meant to stay in one place it is meant to spread, to multiply, and to grow.
When we come together as a community, our light becomes brighter and stronger. Think about how the stars in the sky each shining in its own way in their constellations. On their own, each star is beautiful. But together, they create something even more awe-inspiring. Similarly, each of you, has your own gifts, your kindness, your compassion, your curiosity, your courage to take action and ability to empower others adds to the collective light of MSCW. And together, we can shine brighter than any single one of us could alone.
So as we begin this new year together, I encourage each of you to be guided by our Marist vision and compass for life to find the light within you. To continue to be inspired by Mary to discover your gifts and ignite your light, so that together, we as the Marist Sisters College community shine brilliantly.
I am excited for the year ahead and can not wait to see how each of you will shine.
God bless.
Opening School Mass
Opening School Mass
Opening School Mass
High Achiever's Assembly
High Achiever's Assembly
Swimming Carnival
Whole School Assembly
Whole School Assembly
Year 7 Welcome Evening
Ms Rachel Sampson, Principal
This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #1, #2, #8
