In Our Community…

In our Community ……

Cambodia Week

Throughout Week 7 and Week 8, our Cambodia Immersion 2024 participants hosted ‘Cambodia Week’ to educate the college community about Cambodia’s rich history while highlighting the importance of inclusion and diversity, which is significant due to the high disability rate due to the genocide.

All money raised throughout the week was donated to the Tep Im Student Centre in Battambang, where they support a community outreach program. The community they support is Ek Phnom, where they bring food, school supplies and raise funds for one child per family to access education. 

The participants have organised activities for the College community including handing out blue and red Ribbons, a Kahoot in Tutor group, a Cambodia Immersion Q&A session, a Peace Wall inspired by the Peace Gallery in Battambang, Socktober, Students vs. Staff Soccer Game and a Bake Sale. 

Thank you to Mr. Andy D’Archy and our participants: Sophie Scoullar, Edie Riley, Samara Naidu, Georgia Sherry, Ellie Pondekas, Elka Byczkov, Cate Davis, Kayla Stanifoth, Amelie Gomez Keiwolik, Bianca Magner, Audrey Williams and Lucy Mutimer.

MARIST SONY CAMP 

From Friday, 6th December to Monday, 9th December, ten Year 11 students from Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich volunteered to participate in the Marist Sony Camp. Alongside St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill and Loreto Normanhurst, students participated and contributed their time to look after children with disabilities. This unique collaboration went beyond the bounds of a typical camp, as our students spent the weekend dedicated to offering respite to families of children with disabilities, and offering their companion a fun holiday. Throughout the weekend, our students exemplified the Marist values of humility, service, and solidarity. The joy shared with their companions highlighted the transformative power of empathy and genuine connection. By actively engaging in activities designed to cater to the unique needs of each child, our students forged bonds that transcended differences and embraced the beauty of diversity.

As we reflect on this impactful cause, we are reminded of the transformative potential within our community. The experiences gained at the Marist Sony Camp will undoubtedly remain with our students, fostering a lifelong commitment to empathy, service, and building a more inclusive society.

“The student companions looked after the children around the clock for four days, feeding, bathing, entertaining and attending to all of their needs. It was truly a heartwarming sight to watch everyone stop at nothing to provide their children with the best holiday each and every day. Many students gave up hours of sleep, some only managing an hour each night, and giving support at meals to be at their child’s side. The work was extremely challenging for every single student both mentally and physically but the reward was amazing. The camp allowed us all to see the person behind the disability, dancing for hours on end to see your child laugh, or painting the Joey’s boys’ nails to make someone smile was the best Christmas gift we all could have wished for. There were so many takeaways and eye-openers from this camp and every student has grown tremendous amounts. We felt the key takeaway was to approach everything with kindness. Change starts with us and there was no doubt that the key to success in this camp was kindness. Greeting everyone with a tired but kind smile in the mornings or lending someone a helping hand to pick up toys makes the biggest difference. Over the course of four short, action-packed days we all learnt what it meant to support one another and we will all leave this changed people.”  Year 11 Students

We would like to thank our staff who supervised our students to make this possible;

• Ms. Leonie Clarke
• Mrs. Jennifer Mathews
• Mr. Angus Bray
• Mr. Matthew Iskander
• Ms. Jenny Vu
• Ms. Lili Negrine
• Mrs. Karin Anthony
• Ms Shelley-Anne Sansone
• Ms Janene Stitt
• Ms Samantha Ison

MSCW CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2024 – 

As we enter the season of Lent, we are reminded of the importance of reflection, sacrifice, and renewal. Traditionally a time for fasting and prayer, Lent also offers us an opportunity to put our faith into action by giving generously to the Christmas Appeal. An example of this was the collection of items for the St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal Hampers and the Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation. A huge thank you to all students, families and staff for your generous donations and being part of a community that is committed to making the world a better place.

Let us take time to follow the example of Christ who showed us the way of selfless giving. As we journey through Lent, let us be reminded that the joy of Christmas is a spirit that we can carry with us every day of the year.

As our school year draws to a close,  I thank all of our students and families, our staff, our Parish Priests, Marist Sisters and community for the wonderful support of continuing to build faith formation throughout the year.

I take this opportunity to wish each of you a joyous and peaceful Christmas, filled with the love offered to us in the coming of Christ. May we, individually and collectively, be people who put Jesus at the centre of our actions, who ensure that others are included in our communities, who work for justice and solidarity for all peoples and the earth, and who reflect our blessings and knowledge in the way we work to liberate others from hardship and oppression. May 2025 unite us on all that is good, and may God bless each of you.

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #1, #2