From the Principal

Welcome back to Term 4! I hope all students and families enjoyed a very restful holiday break with maybe a movie, family picnic, bike ride and a good book.

HSC

Our Year 12 students calmly commenced their HSC last Wednesday, starting with their first English paper. Initial reports from our girls have been very positive. Please continue to keep them in your prayers. A big “Thank you” to our dedicated staff who ran holiday workshops to help prepare our girls. I know the girls have greatly appreciated the teachers who have been and are still marking extra essays and practice work, in addition to their constant support of the girls.

College Inquiry and Review

Last Tuesday and Wednesday, the College was involved in the Sydney Catholic School Inquiry and Review Process. This process involved the College Community “Looking Back” over the last 5 years and then “Looking Forward” for the next 5 years. Prior to the days, the College Leadership Team had gathered the “Looking Back” data and “Looking Forward” projections, thus providing a written report to the SCS Inquiry and Review Team. Over the 2 days, the SCS Team participated in Learning Walks around the campus and had Focus Group discussions with students, staff and parents. The College Leadership Team also gave presentations of The College “Looking Back” reflections and our “Looking Forward” strategic directions for the next 5 years.

I thank the College Leadership Team for their energy, collaborative spirit and generosity in preparing for the Review. I also thank the staff for their great work, enthusiasm and commitment to consistently engaging our students in their learning. This positive energy gained special praise by the visiting SCS Team.

The SCS Team were most impressed by the faith commitment and learning/wellbeing culture evident across the College. They affirmed all that is happening and particularly commented on the very positive growth evident since our last Review. They also confirmed their support of our current Strategic Plan which we launched at our Opening College Mass this year. And finally, we discussed recommendations to further assist our strategic directions.

The SCS Team will now submit their recommendations to the System Director, Kevin Carragher, and Executive Director, Tony Farley. The Executive Director will ultimately sign off on the final Report. Once we have received the final Report, we will share this with the community.

Many thanks to all involved. I particularly thank the College Leadership Team and Staff for their commitment to continual improvement at MSCW.

Grandparents’ Visit

Last Friday, the College grounds were buzzing as our Year 7 students welcomed their Grandparents. COVID has restricted this event for the past couple of years, so we were excited to see these family connections return to the College. It was delightful to see the obvious love and affection between Grandparents and Granddaughters. Grandparents play a vital role in the development of grandchildren. Their unconditional love, their listening ear and their life experience are all important ways that Grandparents can add to the rich development of a young girl. Not to mention the way they spoil their Granddaughters in the nicest ways!

Dr Anne Ireland, Principal

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #1, #2, #8

From the Assistant Principal

Covid-19 Update

On 30 September, National Cabinet announced that from Friday 14 October 2022 people who test positive for COVID-19 do not need to self-isolate. In line with this announcement, the NSW Department of Education has worked with NSW Health to support all schools to adapt to this change while continuing to prioritise student and staff wellbeing by minimising the risk of COVID-19 transmissions.

In line with this, students should continue to stay home if they are sick.

Anyone who believes they have been exposed to COVID-19 should monitor for symptoms, test, and wear a mask if they are concerned. If you test positive on a rapid antigen test (RAT) please register this with Service NSW (note that such registration is now voluntary). Voluntarily registering your result can help you access medical support from NSW Health. It also assists NSW Health to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Uniform

Term 4 Summer Uniform

As we have begun Term 4 in Summer Uniform I ask for your assistance in ensuring that your daughter’s summer uniform complies with the College Uniform Policy. In particular:

The junior dress or senior skirt is to be worn at the correct length (hem finishes below the knee when the student is standing upright.)
The jumper is not to be worn to or from school unless under the blazer.
To avoid any uniform infringements, please also ensure that your daughter adheres to the College standards for hair, make-up, jewellery and nails.

MSCW Uniform Policy

2023 Term Dates

Parking Safely in School Zones

Please find below the updated Parking Safely in School Zones information.

Ms Melinda Alvarez, Assistant Principal

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #2, #6 & #8

From the Religious Education Coordinator

Religious Education

October, the Month of the Rosary

The memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary is the 7 October and the month of October has traditionally been dedicated as the month of the Rosary. The Rosary is a beautiful prayer and could be referred to as a ‘living’ prayer form. Why? Because it continues to develop over time. The use of knotted rope to count prayers is an ancient practice and is even found in non-Christian religions. The Christian recitation of 150 prayers mirrored the monastic prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours in which monks prayed all 150 psalms each day. The structure of the Rosary as we know it today developed significantly from the 12th to the 14th centuries. The Fatima Prayer was added in the early 20th century and in 2002 Pope John Paull II added the Luminous Mysteries, a set of five reflections on the life of Jesus.For the remainder of October pray the Rosary and be open to the graces of God in our world.

Years 8 and 10 RE Tests

Students in Years 8 and 10 sat the Sydney Catholic Schools Religious Education Tests in Week 2. The results of the tests will be sent to the College at the end of the Term.

Proposed Excursions/ Immersions 2023

In 2023, students currently in Years 9, 10 and 11 will have the opportunity to participate in the following excursions and immersions:

World Youth Day Lisbon August 2023 – Years 9 & 10 2023
Cambodia Immersion – Years 10, 11 & 12 2023 – June/July 2023
Cape York Indigenous Immersion – Years 10 & 11 2023 September/October. There will be an information Zoom for interested parents/parents on Monday 31 October at 7.00pm.

Please refer to the letter that was sent to parents/carers in Term 3. Information will be provided to the relevant Year groups.

Prayer for HSC Students

You are invited to continue to pray for Year 12 as they undertake their HSC examinations.

God we ask that the Year 12 Students especially feel your closeness during the HSC exam period.Give them calm hearts and quiet confidence in the knowledge that you hold them in the palm of your hand.Bless them with keen understanding and retentive memory.Give them the ability to grasp things correctly, be exact in their explanations and an ability to express themselves clearly.Holy Spirit send them your gifts of wisdom and knowledge
We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Miss Mary Kleist, Religious Education Coordinator

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

From the Leader of Wellbeing

CONNECT CONNECT CONNECT

Your daughter spends the majority of each day during the term with us.To best assist her growth and development at MSCW we need to be informed about any challenges that she may be experiencing at school that we are not aware of, and/or external to the school. For example, is she unwell, has her medical treatment plan been updated (e.g. asthma, epilepsy), and is she working with external supports such as Headspace, counselling, psychologist? Please connect with her Tutor Teacher and/or House Coordinator and have this discussion.

OPPORTUNITY for Year 9 2022

This week the Assistant Leader of Wellbeing addressed Year 9 about being AMICA leaders in 2023. This program will connect Year 10 students with Year 7 students at the beginning of next year. The training of AMICA Leaders will provide an opportunity for students to develop their leadership skills. If you believe that your daughter has what it takes, encourage her to apply using the form emailed to her and posted on her COMPASS News Feed.

In this edition of SchoolTV – BODY IMAGE

Young people today are more obsessed with their body image than those in past generations. This is partially influenced by the media and their social connectivity. Encouraging kids to have a healthy body image in younger life can lay the foundations for good physical and mental health later in life.
A recent study highlighted that body image is one of the top three concerns for Australian youth. Over half of girls in high schools have tried to lose weight. One-third of teenage boys wanted to be thinner and another third wanted to be larger. Children need to understand that their body shape and size is not a reflection of their health or success. Parents and schools need to work together to help kids understand that everyone is born with their own ‘body-suit’.
In this edition of SchoolTV, you will learn how to encourage your daughter how to have a positive body image and why it is so important to their mental health.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your daughter, please contact her Tutor, House Coordinator or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:

BODY IMAGE| Marist Sisters’ College – Woolwich

Access these sites for more information about body image and eating disorders:

YEAR 7 in 2023 – Orientation Afternoon

Our current Year 7 students assisted with welcoming our future Year 7s during Community Time this week, where they each wrote a handwritten letter to a future MSCW sister.

On Wednesday evening at the Orientation Afternoon, the Student Leaders led by example as they welcomed our future Marist girls. Together with the House coordinators, they led the Year 6s in a workshop and created ‘Jars of Feelings’ together. The process allowed the Year 6s to think about their feelings about attending MSCW in 2023; feel-good feelings as well as the uncomfortable and challenging ones.

Below are copies of the stationery that Year 7 students wrote their letters of welcome on:

Ms Angela Bowland, Leader of Wellbeing

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

From the Leader of Learning

While our Year 12 students are undertaking their HSC examinations, our Stage 5 students have commenced their assessment blocks. Success in examinations is about skill development. If your daughter is displaying signs of anxiety towards examinations, there are two areas to consider: organisation and managing stress.

Parent Webinar ~ How to Help Your Child Manage Their Time

Elevate Education will host a free webinar for parents on Wednesday, 26 October. Elevate Education has worked with our Year 12 students this year. Their webinar series will allow parents to learn how they can help better support their children at home by reinforcing the skills they learn at school. The first in the series is:  

How to Help Your Child Manage Their Time ~ 26 October @ 6:30pm (AEDT)

In this webinar, Elevate Education will be showing parents how to:

✅ Align family expectations on homework

✅ Work with your child on managing other activities such as your daughter’s hobbies or sports

✅ Create the best weekly planner tool for your child

Click here to register for free

7 Ways Mindfulness and Meditation Can be Helpful to Students

What is Mindfulness?

Headspace (www.headspace.com) defines mindfulness as “the intention to be present in the here and now, fully engaged in whatever is happening, free from distraction or judgement, with a soft and open mind”.

How does practising mindfulness help schoolwork?

Reduces anxiety and risk of depression – By becoming mindful, a person stops judging themselves and those around them and recognises that every situation “is what it is”. When you stop judging and comparing, you are able to reduce anxiety.
Increases resilience – resilience is the ability to experience something bad but not internalise it and to be able to move on, still gaining benefit even from a negative experience. Practising mindfulness and meditation quietens the mind and enables acceptance without judgement, which is key to achieving resilience.
Improves ability to learn and recall information – research by the University of Miami has shown that practising mindfulness for 12 minutes a day improved attention and memory.
Improves concentration – regular practice of meditation may help improve concentration by enabling the brain to focus more accurately and filter out unwanted or unhelpful messages.
Improves creativity – practising mindfulness and meditation has the potential to allow the brain to unlock and unleash creativity. Creativity is of benefit to all students, not just in terms of artistic talents but also in relation to problem-solving.
Helps manage exam stress – meditation can help you calm and focus your mind which helps to manage stress related to exams. This tool can be used in the lead-up to the exam and also during the exam if stress levels begin to rise.
Leads to better sleep – getting enough sleep is crucial to ensure students have the mental and physical energy to learn. However, as academic and social pressures increase, this can lead to students having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. By reducing anxiety and stress, you can ultimately sleep better and longer.

Where parents and carers feel that organisation and managing anxiety and stress is an ongoing issue for their daughter, our College staff are here to assist. Reaching out to your daughter’s Tutor teacher is the first step.

Mr Justin Hodges, Leader of Learning

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

News From The College Counsellors

H ey Sigmund is an internationally popular online resource that provides contemporary, research-driven information on the art of being human and being with humans. The website has a particular emphasis on strengthening the mental wellness of children and adolescents. Stronger Than Anxiety – A Course for Kids and Teens and ‘Anxious to Brave’: Strengthening Children and Teens Against Anxiety – An in-depth online course for parents – are two on-demand webinars and courses currently on offer.

For more information, click the links or email: karen@heysigmund.com

Miss Carly Boaler and Ms Louise Scuderi, College Counsellors

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #2, #6 & #8

2022 HSC Nominations

Congratulations to the students nominated for possible inclusion in SHAPE 2022, the annual exhibition of a selection of exemplary Major Projects developed by HSC Design and Technology, Industrial Technology and Textiles and Design students.

The following students have been nominated by NESA and now move forward to the next selection phase.

Claudia Agostino – Vivid Cycle: Signalling Helmet
Aleyah Bryden – Made for Life: Recycled Life Jacket First Aid Kit
Amelie Churchin – Snug Bug: Sleeping Aid
Cindy Hancock – Terra: Sustainable Jewellery
Jane Linetsky – Memphis Milano Suit

We are also thrilled with the news that Jade’s project has also been nominated for possible inclusion in Texstyle, the annual exhibition of outstanding Major Textiles Projects developed by HSC Textiles and Design students.

The Texstyle Exhibition is coordinated by the Technology Educators Association NSW (TEANSW) and will be held in March 2022.

The HSC Technology projects selected for SHAPE 2022 will be shown at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Powerhouse Museum early in the new year.

Ms Jennifer Newman, TAS Coordinator

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #1, #2, #8

Evangelisation Day

On 26 August, a group of Year 7 and 8 students attended the Evangelisation Day at Holy Cross College. This day brought together students from Sydney Catholic Schools and inspired us to connect with our faith through the presentations and interactions.

Steve Agrisano, a guest musician, performed songs which helped us reflect on our role as Catholics. The engaging speakers shared their experiences on connecting with their faith along with ways to not hold back in “spreading joy”, a phrase reflected in the event’s theme. The Scriptures and prayers helped us to think about ways we can improve ourselves and live out Jesus’ teachings.

A big thank you to Mr Neubronner who supervised us at the event.

Jacinta Da Silva and Lily Latham, Year 8 Students

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #1, #2, #8

School of Rock

Congratulations to Alexia Testa and Emily McDowell for their contribution to the Sydney Catholic Schools production of The School of Rock. As part of their studies in the Entertainment Industry course, they joined the production crew, attending many rehearsals and then several performances at Qudos Bank Arena.

The Entertainment Industry course is a Vocational Education course offered in Stage 6 that teaches students to work in a production team, learning how to operate Audio, Lighting, Staging and Vision systems. If you are interested in studying the course in the future, please contact Mr Richardson for more details.

Mr Joel Richardson, Music and Entertainment Teacher

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #2, #6 & #8

Year 7 Geography

Year 7 Geography has been learning about the processes that shape landscapes and landforms, including erosion, weathering and deposition. They conducted field work at the College boat shed and were thrilled at the opportunity to see Geography in action around the College. Students commented that it was the perfect way to start their day, and that it really helped them understand how these natural processes work in our local environment.

Ms Stephanie Dito, Assistant HSIE Coordinator (Acting)

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #1, #2, #8

Sports Results

Week 1

Sport

Result

MVP

Oztag

Junior MSCW 15 vs Casimir Catholic College 0

Intermediate MSCW 14 vs Casimir Catholic College 0

Senior MSCW 5 vs Casimir Catholic College 2

Niamh Krenmayr

Miah O’Shea

Matilda Gilbert

Volleyball

Junior MSCW 2 vs Bethlehem College 1

Intermediate MSCW 2 v Bethlehem College 0

Senior MSCW 0 vs Bethlehem College 2

Emelia Dunn

Madalena Trunzo

Abbie Johnson

Cricket

MSCW Junior v BYE

MVP

Week 2