From the Principal
Welcome Back to Term 2!
I hope that students, staff and families enjoyed a happy and restful break over the Easter holiday period. I’m looking forward to the term ahead and the opportunities for students to engage and excel in the classroom, as well as in all co-curricular activities.
With the relaxed COVID regulations now operating, more co-curricular opportunities have opened up for your daughters to try something new, either solo or in a team. Please see further below.
ANZAC Day
On Monday 25 April, our nation stopped for ANZAC Day to both remember and commemorate all those Australians who have fallen in theatres of war or conflict. As a College community, we stopped on Wednesday morning for a special ANZAC Day Assembly to commemorate this significant event. Mrs Alvarez (Assistant Principal) shares details of this in the next section of this newsletter.
Debating and Chess Competitions – Sign Up!
Good luck to all the students who are involved in Debating and Chess, which begin this week. Many of you would have enjoyed watching The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix last year. It highlighted a teenage girl’s love of Chess. Along with Debating and Public Speaking, these are excellent opportunities for students of all abilities. I encourage students to join up and participate. We have some very dedicated and enthusiastic staff members coaching and coordinating.
Welcome to New Staff
- Mr Derek Li, Science Teacher
- Mrs Elvira Vukancic, HSIE Teacher (job-sharing with Mrs Karin Anthony)
- Mrs Kathy Labbozzetta, Learning Support Officer
- Mrs Paula Daghero, Curriculum & Wellbeing Support Officer
- Mrs Hayley Stuart, Enrolments Officer
- Mrs Maria Marino, Attendance Officer
Year 8 Social Night – Following the Successful Year 7 Evening Last Term
Last Friday night, Cerdon Plaza was again buzzing with our second parent and student Social Night, this time welcoming Year 8. This friendly and sparkling night has been a long time coming, with COVID changing our plans last year.
The pizza van was a big hit, offering delicious flavours and complementing the happy environment for great conversation. Our Year 11 AMICA Leaders prepared a fun set of activities for students, thereby giving our Year 8 parents the opportunity to socialise and get to know each other further.
Thanks to all who were part of the planning and hospitality on the night, especially the following:
- Our Year 7 Parent Engagement Group in our stylish MSCW aprons
- Our Year 12 and 11 Hospitality students, supported by
teachers Mrs Della Vedova, Mrs Erin Healey and Mrs Leonie Clarke - The Year 11 Amica Leaders, supported by our Leader of Wellbeing, Ms Angela Bowland and Assistant Leader of Wellbeing, Ms Gemma Muller
Mother’s Day
Each year on the second Sunday in May, we celebrate Mother’s Day. Although Mother’s Day should be every day of the year, on this special occasion we remember the significant women who have made a difference in our lives and in some way offer them our great gratitude for the positive impact they have made.
So this Sunday, you may celebrate your Mum by giving a card, flowers and gift or perhaps by bringing her breakfast in bed. Alternatively, as a family, you may enjoy lunch or dinner together. For those whose Mum is no longer with us, you might visit her gravesite and recall happy memories. For those that couldn’t be together, you may chat on the phone. No matter the circumstance, we make time every year to celebrate and give thanks with a special ceremony and celebration.
On Wednesday evening, as a College community, we gave our own ‘thanks’. We began with our Mother’s Day Mass followed by a special supper on Cerdon Plaza. Year 12 mum, Louise FitzGerald (mother of Jacinta in Year 12), shared a very uplifting address on the joys of motherhood.
Thanks to all those who were part of the planning and hospitality on the night, with special thanks to our Year 9 Parent Engagement Group of parents coordinated by Joanne Sykes, as well as our Hospitality staff, Leonie Clarke, Virginia El-Koura and Clare Scott, who managed the kitchen operations, with Rachel Harkin and Chrissy O’Neill overseeing decorations.
Each of our mums received a special bookmark and chocolate treat to remember the event.
The Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn
The Humpty Dumpty Foundation Balmoral Burn is celebrating its 20th year. It is an opportunity for our students and staff to be involved in the broader community. It is a physical challenge but one that will make a huge
difference for kids in Australian hospitals and those medical professionals on the frontline.
The Humpty Dumpty Foundation is a children’s charity that, for more than 30 years, has been purchasing essential and often life-saving medical equipment for sick and injured children in Paediatric Wards, Neonatal
Units, and Maternity and Emergency Departments in hospitals across Australia. It now donates vital equipment to over 400 metropolitan and rural hospitals.
This year I am taking the challenge to run 420 metres up Sydney’s steepest street and I invite the community to run with me!
Students can enter individually or as a team. You can run, walk, push a pram, walk your dog or try the obstacle course and more. It can be an individual or family affair! There are almost 20 different race categories.
Date: Sunday 29 May
Venue: Awaba Street, Balmoral
Registration: Students register on the Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn website below
In recognition of student donations through the registration process, as well as the time commitment students will give on Sunday morning, 29 May, each student who participates will earn 4 hours of Marist Service for their involvement in this event.
Happy Mother’s Day to all mums, grandmothers, aunts and female role models for this Sunday 8 May.
My best wishes to our College community for a successful, productive and enjoyable Term 2.
