From the Principal
Our start to Term 3 has certainly been disrupted and very different to what we had planned. As COVID-19 continues to challenge us in the Greater Sydney Region, I have been heartened by the energy and agility of our staff to accommodate optimal learning for our students in these changing circumstances. Having been in remote learning before, this time I feel we have been very agile to move quickly again. In these uncertain times, I have enjoyed the communication Zooms with parents and Year Groups. I hope you feel we have responded to your questions and concerns on all matters. We are here to support all girls and families, whether we are working from home or in our workplace.
The dedicated staff are working hard to ensure your daughters are supported in both their wellbeing and learning through Zoom Tutor Group meetings and Zoom lessons. I very much appreciate what they do, as they too are balancing their role of teacher with their own family life. Our support staff are also working on-site to support College operations and families.
I would also say that we are grateful to parents for their positive feedback via emails. It certainly keeps spirits high!
Welcome
This term we welcome back from leave:
- Ms Jenna Cremin, Perroton House Coordinator
- Ms Ellie Phillips, Visual Arts Teacher
We also welcome to the College:
- Angelique Ockert, English teacher
- Steve Saliba, Maths and Science Teacher
- Alana Free, Support Staff – Communications
Click here to see the New Staff Introductions
Holiday Building works
During the holiday break, improvements to our College facilities continued. Some of the major enhancements include:
- Shade structure footings. The shade structure coverings will be installed during the next holidays.
- Solar panels installed on the Bon Repos and Belley rooves.
- Gardens at the entrance to the sports courts and general maintenance.
- Lockers have been removed from the corridors around Jarnosse and Hospitality walkways to ease congestion.
23 July Fourvière Celebrations… 205 years since the Marist story began!
Today we celebrate the anniversary of the Fourvière pledge. This anniversary recognises the commitment made by twelve young men, who climbed the 800 steps to the Fourvière Chapel on 23 July in 1816, to begin a new community in the Church to be called Marists. It is to this Marist family that we belong as a College community. In our current lockdown, celebrations have been on a small scale and celebrated online.
I include below part of the Fourvière pledge. This pledge dedicates the life work of Marists and our MSCW community to building the Kingdom of God with Mary, our role model.
We are doing this with the sole motive of working for God’s greater glory and the honour of Mary, the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We pledge ourselves to this undertaking even to hardships, toil, difficulties and if need be, extreme suffering, since, with the help of Jesus Christ who gives us strength, there is nothing we cannot master. We solemnly promise to give ourselves and all that we have, in every way possible, for the salvation of souls, in the most honoured name of the Virgin Mary and under her patronage…
Our current COVID-19 times certainly challenge our patience and resilience as we live out this pledge daily.
I include below photos of the Fourvière Bascilica and Chapel beside it, and the image of Mary as seen on top of the Bascilica, as well as behind the altar in the Fourvière Chapel.
I look forward to when we can visit there again!
Stay safe and well. Reach out if you need assistance. Looking forward to chatting again in the Zoom meeting next week.
Dr Anne Ireland, Principal
