From the Principal

Welcome back to the 2023 school year!

To commence our 2023 year, we extend a special welcome to our new Year 7 students and their families! The staff and I also extend a happy welcome to those students who are joining our Marist College community for the first time. By taking the many opportunities we provide here at MSCW, I am confident that you will thrive in many ways.

I would also like to offer a special welcome to two new members to the College Leadership Team:

Religious Education Coordinator: Mrs Caroline Morizzi

This role primarily focuses on leading the college faith life and religious curriculum as well as providing opportunities for reflection days, retreats, Marist service and Marist in Action programs. Mrs Morizzi also leads the Religious Education faculty.

Instructional Specialist: Ms Emma Pracey

This role primarily focuses on continually ‘raising the bar’ on highest quality instruction of teaching and learning, being a mentor and coach, as well as modelling effective classroom pedagogy to building the capacity of our staff. Ms Pracey also joins the Maths faculty.

We have been fortunate to recruit a quality group of new staff. As a community, we welcome the following new members of staff:

Teaching staff

Support Staff

Each of these staff members have introduced themselves later in this newsletter.

College Opening Mass

On Tuesday, we celebrated our College Opening Mass. As part of this celebration, we brought forth our Marist Heart. Our Marist Heart is a symbol of the great love of Christ.

As Marists, we follow Christ by “thinking, judging, feeling and acting” as Mary in all things. Her presence is kept alive by living her spirit of faithfulness and compassionate service, so that others feel God’s tender and merciful love. By adopting Mary’s approach, each of us can walk in the shoes of others with “delicacy and sensitivity”, holding them close to our hearts. This is why the symbolism of a heart is a significant symbol for us as Marist women.

Within our Marist Heart the names of every member of the College community (girls and staff) were printed on a scroll. This is a way of holding dear those in our community who need our love and support.

At this special celebration we also acknowledge three significant events:

Firstly, the induction and welcome of our Religious Education Coordinator, Mrs Caroline Morizzi. Mrs Morizzi was presented with a Marist candle, Marist cross and book written by Pope Francis to support her in her leadership here at Marist sisters; College.

The second significant event was the traditional badging of our Year 7 and Year 11 students. This formal badging ceremony welcomes Year 7 and acknowledges the beginning of their adventures at MSCW while for Year 11 the acceptance of the Senior badge formally confirms their responsibility, as a Marist girl, to search for further inspiration from Mary as their role model and, as seniors, to be a positive role model for all students. A special part of this ceremony is the pinning of the badges – Year 11 pinning badges on Year 7 and in reciprocation Year 7 pinning badges on Year 11.

Our third college event was the Welcome we afforded our new staff by presenting them with a College candle. In presenting them with a College candle, we pray that they experience the power of the Spirit and the presence of Mary as a member of Marist Sisters’ College.

Setting students up for success

Although we will evaluate the recent ‘O Week’ Program to ‘kick-start’ the year, it appeared to be very successful in preparing each year group for the year ahead. 

As part of ‘O Week’, students have also taken the opportunity to set their goals for the year and discuss these with their Tutor teacher and parents on My Marist Compass Goals’ Day. Mrs Bowland, Leader of Wellbeing, reflects on this significant event later in the Newsletter. If you were not able to connect with your daughter’s Tutor on Wednesday, would you please make contact to arrange another zoom. These meetings are very significant in supporting your daughter’s learning and wellbeing.

Upcoming College events

I warmly welcome parents to the following events. Please mark the dates in your calendar.

Year 7 Welcome Night: Friday 17 February

Each year the College welcomes our new Year 7 parents at our Year 7 Welcome night. This social event provides the opportunity to share a tasty finger-food meal while also allowing time for parents to meet College staff.  Year 7 students will have the opportunity to engage in fun games and activities led by our Senior students. This very happy event is a must on your calendar!

Date & Time: Friday 17 February, commencing at 6.30pm

Venue: Cerdon Plaza

House Mass and Supper: New and not to be missed!

This year, each College House welcomes parents and students of that House to celebrate the Eucharist followed by a Welcome Supper. This new initiative brings parents and daughters on-site to meet and chat with House Coordinators and Tutors in a much more personal and social way. Research tells us that this model of parent engagement builds stronger relationships and understandings between your daughter’s House, Tutor and family. Therefore, we expect to see every parent attend. 

Venue: College Hall and Cerdon Plaza.

Time 5.30pm – 8.00pm

High Achievers Assembly

Next Wednesday, we look forward to celebrating the wonderful HSC achievements of our Class of 2022 at the High Achievers Assembly.  

Thanks to the parents who joined me on the parent zoom on Thursday 2 February. I will continue to regularly zoom with parents throughout the term. Notification of these zooms will be made through COMPASS.

Welcome again to 2023 and I look forward to a productive and successful year ahead!