From the Principal
Happy Feast Day!
Today we celebrated the Feast Day of Jeanne–Marie Chavoin, Foundress of the Marist Sisters with Mass and some tasty Tutor picnics followed by fun House activities. The enthusiastic community spirit evident channelled the desire of Jeanne-Marie for a Marist school to be a ‘united’ community. Jeanne-Marie Chavoin was a woman of formidable courage, humility and strength who proclaimed the Gospel message in very practical ways. As Marist women, we are inspired each day by her qualities. A woman of great trust in God, she prayed,
“Unite all your actions to those of Our Lord. Ask Him often to come to your aid and to bless you.”
A special moment in our liturgy acknowledged the Marist sisters by presenting each sister with flowers to thank them for their continued support of our College community: Sr Gail Reneker – Unit Leader, Sr Cath Lacey, Sr Noelene Simmons, Sr Mary Farrelly, Sr Vivienne Goldstein and Sr Julie Brand.
Thanks to Fr Greg Walsh – St Anthony’s Parish at Marsfield, Fr Pawel Kopczynski – St Kevin’s Parish Eastwood, Fr Greg Morgan – Ryde/Gladesville Parish and Fr Brian Wilson – Holy Name of Mary Parish Hunters Hill who celebrated the Eucharist for us.
We also thank, Mr Tony Farley, Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, Ms Cheryl Fernandez, from Mission and Identity at Sydney Catholic Schools and Mrs Jennifer Aduckiewicz, facilitator of Tuesday Christian Meditation for being with us today.
The Archbishop’s Charter
During the mass the College was also presented with the Archbishop’s Charter. This significant document outlines our mission as a Catholic community to live the Gospel values and be the face of Jesus to all we encounter.Pope Francis says:
“At the heart of Catholic education there is always Jesus Christ: everything that happens in Catholic schools should lead to an encounter with the living Christ.”
At MSCW, we are committed to ensuring our community is one where all feel safe, valued and accepted. Our Marist Compass, helps lead us to meet this mission through its dimensions of sisters, gift, empower and courage.
Congratulations to our new Student Leaders
Congratulations!
I present our new Student Leadership Team. I look forward to working with and supporting their initiatives.
As part of the Mass, we blessed and presented badges to our new student Leadership Team in our Investiture Ceremony. We were very fortunate to have Mr Tony Farley, assist in presenting the badges to the girls.
Semester 1 Awards
Congratulations to all students who received Merit Awards and Academic Progress Awards on Tuesday. These awards recognise both achievement and success throughout Semester 1. This was a very happy occasion punctuated by a selection of outstanding musical performances. For many, it represents the achievement of some of their 2023 goals.
Cambodia Immersion, 6 – 15 July
During the school holidays, Mrs Carolyn Criss and Dr Ryan Leonard, will take a group of students to Cambodia. We wish them a very safe and satisfying journey. These types of immersions are very broadening for our students and allow them to reflect on and live out our College values in the service of others. Many thanks to these staff who have given up their holiday time to support our students in this way.
Thoughts and Prayers for the Marist Sisters
This week the Marist sisters informed us of the passing of Sister Joan McBride, former student at Woolwich. Sr Joan was the College Captain in her leaving year, teacher from 1952 to 1966 and Principal, for a short time, in her final year at MSCW before being appointed Principal at Cerdon College in 1967. Sr Joan was a significant member of the Marist Sisters, especially with her service to education at North Mackay as well as at Woolwich and Cerdon. She also contributed to the Congregation both here in Australia and overseas, in many notable ways. Her funeral is on Thursday July 6th at Villa Maria Church, Hunters Hill.
Happy Holidays
I wish all families a very restful holiday. As I mentioned in the last Newsletter, I will be at Harvard University in Boston completing a course at the beginning of Term 3 as well as taking a short holiday break and will return in Week 3. Mrs Alvarez will be Acting Principal. I am really looking forward to this experience and look forward to sharing my learnings with the community on my return.
Dr Anne Ireland, Principal
