From the Principal

Congratulations to Fr Kevin Bates sm on his Golden Jubilee – 50 years since his ordination into the priesthood. We thank Fr Kevin for his extraordinary service and nurturing care of our MSCW community during this time.

Year 7 Camp

A sunny Stanwell Tops was the beautiful setting for the recent Year 7 Camp. The staff and I enjoyed our time continuing to get to know the students, learn more names and see first-hand their Marist Compass in action.

The Year 7 Camp Cup was a competitive focus, as the students earnt ‘paper clip’ points for actively living the four dimensions of the Marist Compass by showing ‘courage’, encouraging ’empowerment’, being ‘sisters’ and sharing their ‘gifts’ with each other.

A big THANK YOU to Ms Grace Spurr and Mrs Kath Della Vedova for their coordination of the getaway, as well as the staff who attended as group leaders: Ms Angela Bowland, Ms Monique Shippen, Ms Lili Negrine, Mr Steve Saliba, Ms Rachael Colreavy, Ms Kate Sinclair, Mr Ryan Leonard, Ms Janine Stitt and Ms Stephanie MacMillan.

I’ve included an image of one of our Year 7 groups supporting their mates. See the full report, a personal recap from student Analisa Hernandez and more photos later in this Newsletter.

Welcome to MSCW!

Next week we welcome to our staff Ms Kylie Hinkley, English teacher. Kylie is replacing Ms Shannon Graham. 

We also welcome Ms Louise Volpato as TAS Assistant.

We wish Kylie and Louise well as they both join our Marist community. 

MSCW shines in recent competitions – Congratulations!

SCS Eisteddfod

Congratulations to our students who have performed well at the recent SCS Eisteddfod. 

SCS Cross Country

Congratulations to our Junior, Intermediate and Open Cross Country runners who were all champions on the day.

Debating

Well done to all teams for their regular commitment to Debating. Their confidence, determination and improvement in skills is very evident. Thanks to Mrs Rachael Colreavy and Mr Galen Neubronner for their continued coordination.

Chess

Our Chess Competition continues to provide the opportunity for our students to improve in skills and confidence. Special thanks to Mr Angus Bray and Mr Jean-Marc Kleber who facilitate the competition.

All results are provided in following sections of this Newsletter.

Balmoral Burn

Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich has conquered the Balmoral Burn Hill. Our two x ‘Head of the Hill’ Senior Teams were fantastic. They showed great determination and enthusiasm to meet their goal to run Sydney’s steepest hill and support the Humpty Dumpty Foundation for sick kids in hospitals. 

Other individual students also entered across a number of other races. A big congrats to Andy D’Archy for competing in the Men’s Open event. The photos below capture some of the Woolwich highlights from a great community day.

From the Assistant Principal

Over the last couple of weeks, students have been involved in various College initiatives that have demonstrated all dimensions of the Marist Compass. I am extremely proud of all involved and continue to encourage every student to take part in these offerings at the College. Please take the time to view some of the photos from these teacher driven opportunities.

Year 12 Hospitality 

3-course lunch for 20 people

Chess Club

Friday games

Debating

Friday debates

Feeling unwell at school

With the winter season approaching, it is important that students are following the College process if they are feeling unwell. If a student is feeling unwell at school, they are to:

• seek permission from their classroom teacher to attend the Student Administration Office.
• The staff in the office will then make contact with parents to come and collect their daughter.

Students should not be texting, calling or making arrangements for collection from the College with their parents prior to presenting to sick bay.

Unfortunately there have been a number of students who have not followed the above process, and parents are arriving at the College to collect their daughter/s before they are presenting to sick bay and prior to contact being made by office staff. I ask for parents support on enforcing this process with you daughter/s.

College Winter Uniform

COMPASS Student Card

It is a College expectation that all students have their COMPASS Student ID Card with them every day. The card is used in particular for students to tap in and out of the College for late arrival or early departure. I ask for the support of parents in ensuring that your daughter/s have this with them everyday. If students have misplaced or lost their Student ID Card it is a requirement that the card is replaced. Please see below for how to order a new card online.

School buses

It is imperative that students at the College are using their OPAL Cards when using buses to travel to and from the College Current statistics of bus usage by the students are not representative of the numbers of students relying on buses for transport to and from schools and there is a significant shortfall in the statistics.

The statistics that are gathered do have a significant impact on the number of bus services that are provided to the College and we need to be sure that students are using the OPAL Cards if we are to maintain the number of bus services allocated to the College at this stage; and to increase the number.

I ask all parents and carers to talk with their daughters about this important issue. Should you have any concerns related to the travel of your daughters on the buses, I welcome the feedback. Added to this, I ask that you, too, contact the Bus Depot as well to raise your concerns with them.

COVID update

Can household contacts return to school?

Students who are close contacts and have no symptoms may continue to attend school if they follow guidelines agreed with NSW Health. 

Close/household contacts attending school will need to adhere to the following in addition to the NSW Health guidelines:

• Notify the school if they are intending to return under this provision via mscw-attendance@syd.catholic.edu.au 
• Conduct a daily RAT and return a negative result each morning before attending school for five (5) school days
• Must wear a mask indoors except when eating or exercising
• No student identified as a close contact will be permitted to participate in overnight excursions, including school camps

If your daughter is COVID-positive they are not to  return to school until they have completed their full seven days isolation. The medical clearance letter received from NSW Health when a case is reported via the Service NSW app or if the PCR test is positive, indicates the isolation period dates. Students can return the day after the end date for the isolation period and no sooner, as long as they are nor presenting with symptoms.  

Please send through the medical clearance letter received from NSW Health to mscw-attendance@syd.catholic.edu.au 

Travelling to and from school – Masks

I ask for your support as a parent/carer in ensuring that your daughter/s are wearing masks on public transport, which includes the bus and ferry. Please see the below communication for the School Liaison Police Officer for the Ryde Area, which was sent to all schools in the area:

The current Public Health Orders regarding face coverings for students aged 12 years and older are required to adhere to this legislation

COVID-19 MANDATORY FACE COVERINGS

Public Health Act 2010

The Public Health (COVID-19 Mandatory Face Coverings) Order 2021 was amended commencing 29 January 2021.

A fitted face covering is a mask or other covering that fits securely around the face and is designed or made to be worn over the nose and mouth to provide the wearer with protection against infection. A scarf is not a fitted face covering.

Requirement to wear a fitted face covering

Public transport

A person in Greater Sydney must wear a fitted face covering at all times when:

(a) at a public transport waiting area, or

(b) when the person is in a vehicle, train or vessel that is being used to provide a public transport service and the vehicle, train or vessel is carrying passengers or is in service and available to carry passengers.

Public transport service includes a taxi service, rideshare service and community transport service. A public transport waiting area is a station, including the platform of a passenger railway station or light rail station/stop, a ferry wharf, a bus stop or taxi rank.

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

From the Religious Education Coordinator

Pentecost

The Church celebrates the feast of Pentecost on Sunday 5 June. Jesus had said during his ministry that he would leave, but that he would send the comforter, the Holy Spirit.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to the early believers and they were ‘filled with the Spirit’. Peter said ‘And let me tell you about the Messiah, who is the eternal protection for all of humanity’. Those who heard Peter and the disciples wanted to join the community of believers. And so Pentecost became, in history, the ‘birth of the Church.’ Those who joined became a ‘force’ and those who witnessed this force also wanted to join.

The Sanctity of Human Life

The early Christian communities were visible expressions of Jesus’ new commandment ‘Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ (John 13:24-25). This love is expressed today through the Catholic Church proclaiming that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. The recent passing of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 by the NSW Parliament on 19 May, 2022 further challenges Catholics to be visible expressions of love, respecting all human life. At his General Audience on 9 February, 2022, Pope Francis spoke of ‘Life is a right, not death, which must be welcomed, not administered. And this ethical principle concerns everyone, not just Christians or believers.’ He further said ‘the beginning of life and the end are always a mystery, a mystery that should be respected, accompanied, cared for, loved.’

Please find attached the media statement from Archbishop Anthony Fisher on the passing of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill.

Holy Name of Mary Elevate Youth Group – Years 7, 8 and 9 

Please find attached information regarding the Talks and Tacos event on Friday, 10 June 2022.

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

From the Leader of Wellbeing

During Community time on Wednesday 15 June the following will be taking place:

Year 9 students will engage in a Drug Education Seminar led by Thomas Reynolds of Independent Drug Education Australia. Thomas Reynolds will present information that was not addressed in the Wellbeing Program during 2021 that is developmentally appropriate. The session will focus primarily on alcohol related harm reduction strategies, as well as a limited amount of illicit drug prevention and harm reduction. The content will provide students with protective strategies that they can implement to keep themselves and their friends safe.

Year 11 students will connect and engage with local GP’s in peer groups, allowing them to develop their understanding of the role of a GP and the importance of looking after their health

The focus of this session will include the following:

• Foundations for students to independently take responsibility for their future health and wellbeing;

• The GPs share stories from everyday general practice, helping improve Senior students’ understanding of life’s many and varied health facts;

• Knowledge and confidence, enabling students to better navigate the often-tricky healthcare system.

Catholic Weekly

LINK

LINK

LINK

(source: https://www.esafety.gov.au/)

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying occurs. It can be very damaging to all involved.

This is why it is important that we have open, honest and informed communication with young people about this particular type of bullying. 

A lot of young people suffer the effects of being bullied in the digital world. In fact, 44% of Australian young people report having a negative online experience in the last six months, this includes 15% who received threats or abuse online. {Source: The digital lives of Aussie teens, eSafety Commissioner (2021)}. 

For every victim there is a perpetrator (or perpetrators) and, potentially, bystanders. It is challenging to accept that a child, especially our own, would contribute to causing such harm or allowing it to take place but some of them do or will.

Education is the key. The young women in our community know it is not right to bully another individual and to allow someone to dominate, control and hurt others, but somewhere along the line our young people lose connection with the core values that make up their character: young women who respect others, treat all with dignity, and take responsibility for their actions.

Please invest some time exploring the information provided below so that you can have an open, honest and educated conversation with your daughter about bullying, in particular cyberbullying.

Let’s remind young people that every time they allow someone to disrespect us and/or others, be it directly or indirectly, they are giving that individual power. Let’s focus the conversation with our future on respect, dignity and responsibility.

Cyberbullying is when someone uses the internet to be mean to a child or young person so they feel bad or upset. It can happen on a social media site, game, app, or any other online or electronic service or platform. It can include posts, comments, texts, messages, chats, live streams, memes, images, videos and emails.

These are some examples of ways the internet can be used to make someone feel bad or upset:

• Sending hurtful messages about them
• Sharing embarrassing photos or videos of them
• Spreading nasty online gossip about them
• Leaving them out online
• Creating fake accounts in their name
• Tricking them into believing you are someone else

LINK: eSafety Commissioner

LINK: eSafety Commissioner

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

National Reconciliation Week

In recognition of National Reconciliation Week, all Tutor Groups had the opportunity to discuss the significance of this week for all Indigenous peoples and learn more about our shared histories, cultures and achievements.

With the theme for 2022 being ‘Be Brave. Make Change’, the Tutor Groups also learnt about inspirational past and present Indigenous women. Each group was given a poster of one of fifteen women, which detailed their story and success in their chosen field. This lead to a discussion of how these women are role models for our community.

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

Year 9 Geography: Sustainable Biomes

Year 9 Geography have been learning about coral reefs as part of their study of the ‘Sustainable Biomes’ unit. They created dioramas of coral reefs including seaweeds, corals and fish. Students enjoyed the opportunity to creatively represent their learning about the different features of reefs as a biome. which humans depend upon.

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

Year 7 Camp

Last Thursday and Friday, we had Year 7 Camp, which was both exciting and fun. One of the many highlights of the camp was the activities. The diverse amount of different things to do made the stay very enjoyable. A few of the many tasks we completed were rock climbing,  archery, abseiling, ‘survivor’ and ‘leap of faith’.

A favourite activity of mine was rock climbing. It was very empowering because there were three levels of difficulty on both the 5-metre and 10-metre walls, making it a challenge by choice activity. Another great aspect of rock climbing was that it involved teamwork. You were put in groups of four or five and one person would climb, while the others would belay you.

Overall, the camp activities were both exceedingly enjoyable and highly educational.  

A large aspect of Year 7 Camp is the cabins. The cabins are made up of one person from your Homeroom and other people in your House. The method of placing you with a variety of people helped many students make new friends.

Along with cabins, there were also day groups, which consisted of many different people in many different Houses. The day groups were a great way to get out of your comfort zone and make new friends. The cabins and day groups were a great feature of the camp, making the visit a memorable one. 

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

Year 7 Camp Cup Winners

It was exciting to see Year 7 students participate in a range of activities last week as part of their Year 7 Camp experience. Students travelled to Stanwell Tops and took part in both challenging and fun activities like the leap of faith, survivor challenges, high ropes courses, abseiling, archery, team building activities and night time activities to name a few. Each activity encouraged students to step outside of their comfort zone. Our Year 7 group did this with enthusiasm and bravery. 

The Camp was also a wonderful opportunity for students to strengthen connections with their MSCW ‘sisters’, foster positive relationships and further develop their courage and resilience. 

2022 saw the introduction of an new initiative – the Year 7 Camp Cup. House points were awarded to students when they demonstrated dimensions of their ‘Marist Compass for Life’. Throughout the camp students worked through challenges and demonstrated their ‘Sisterly’ relationships as they supported each other. ‘Courage’ was seen as students took risks and showed their independence. ‘Empowerment’ was key as students became more confident in their abilities. Finally, students shared their many ‘Gifts’ with their friends and Camp groups.

The challenge to take home the Year 7 Camp Cup was welcomed by all of Year 7 with joy and eagerness.

A big congratulations to Marcellin House who are our 2022 Year 7 Camp Cup winners!

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

Sports News

MSCW Cross Country

The annual MSCW Cross Country Carnival was held on Monday 9 May.

The House with the most participation points was Marcellin in 1st with Chanel 2nd and Colin 3rd

MSCW Cross Country Carnival Overall Results

Congratulations to the 2022 Age Champions and Runners Up.

And a very big congratulations to the two hundred students for their outstanding participation at the recent Cross Country Carnival. 

2022 AGE CHAMPIONS AND RUNNERS UP

Overall House Champions

Congratulations to Marcellin House who are the 2022 Cross Country Champions!!

1st      Marcellin   

2rd     Colin

3nd    Chanel

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

Sports Results

MVP

MVP

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

SCS Water Polo Season Report

Junior Report 

In Term 1, Years 7 and 8 students were selected to represent MSCW in the SCS Junior Water Polo competition. The Junior Team made the semi-finals, but unfortunately did not advance to the final. The team discovered that friendship and collaboration are the best experiences during the season.

MSCW did not win the competition, however, they learned that the most important thing is to have fun, and that is what they did throughout the term. 

Intermediate Report 

A range of obstacles such as weather, COVID-19 and injuries lead to a hard start by our Intermediate Team. Despite these challenges, the students came together, developing new communication skills and bonding, which led the team all the way into the finals

Coming into the finals with a positive attitude and mindset to do our best, we finished the season in an outstanding 3rd Place. 

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

SCS Basketball Season Report 

Junior Report 

The Term 1 Junior Basketball season was a great opportunity to make new friends, to learn a new sport and to push yourself to the best of your ability. In Junior Basketball we competed in many competitive games against other school basketball teams. The Junior Basketball team was filled with amazing talents and capability. We worked hard as a team and advanced into the semi-finals, but we just missed out. 

Intermediate Report 

Term 1 Intermediate Basketball was a season that challenged each team member to work together to develop and succeed. Through the course of the COVID-19 lockdown, the idea of playing basketball in general, let alone at school was non-existent. However, as we began our first game we proved that communication and effort would allow us to move forward and proceed with little to no previous experience.

Senior Report 

Basketball in Term 1 was a great sport to play as a Senior Team. It gave us all a big push to challenge ourselves and play to represent our College all together. Although we only were able to win our last game against Casimir Catholic College, throughout the season we played our very best and finished the games with a positive attitude, no matter what the outcome was. As a team, we communicated well with each other and had a thrilling time on court every game!

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

SCS Touch Football Season Report 

Junior Report 

In Term 1, students from Year 8 and Year 7 were selected to play touch football for the school. We had an amazing experience and all got to know each other through the time we spent playing together.

We scored many tries and beat multiple schools, however, we ended up losing in the semi-final to Domremy College. This was a minor step back in our goal, however, we hope to get further next year. 

Intermediate Report 

 Term 1 touch football season was a fun and exciting experience. The Intermediate MSCW Team were an unstoppable team the whole season, being undefeated and scoring lots of tries. MSCW worked hard together as a team, which paid off as we won the SCS Touch Football Conference.

MSCW then continued on to the Sydney Touch Football Championships, held at Christie Park. MSCW were undefeated in all the games they played, making it to the grand final against Marist Penshurst, which was a tough team to beat. MSCW ended up losing 4-2 and took home the silver medal.   

Senior Report 

Throughout Term 1, students from Years 11 and 12 made up the Senior Touch Football Team and participated in the SCS competition. The team was incredibly skilful and full of talent, which was evident through their results.

They made it through the round games of their conference comfortably, remaining undefeated. They were then successful in their semi and grand finals, beating St Charbel’s Punchbowl and Bethlehem College Ashfield. The Senior Team then moved on to the SCS Championship, in which they competed against the winners of the other conferences. The students were victorious in their semi final against Brigedine College Randwick, winning 9-1. They then advanced to the grand final against Mount Saint Joseph Panania. Despite torrential weather conditions, the girls won 7-2 and took out the Sydney Catholic Schools Championship.

Congratulations to all who were involved.

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

SCS Cross Country 

The Marist Sisters’ Cross Country team competed at the Sydney Cross Country Championship on 24 May. The students performed extremely well and we had some fantastic results against some tough competition.

• Junior Conference 2 Champions
• Intermediate Conference 2 Champions
• Senior Conference 2 Champions
• Overall Conference 2 Champions

The following ten students placed in the Top 12 and will now progress to represent Sydney Catholic Schools at the NSWCCC Cross Country Championship:

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

NSWCCC Football Championships

Congratulations to the following MSCW students who represented Sydney Catholic Schools at the annual NSWCCC Football Championships:  

• Ruby Betro
• Claudia Lacalandra
• Mikaela Gavranic
• Georgia Andrianakos
• Natalie Russo
• Maddison Tannous
• Georgia Vassallo  
• Angelina Manos 

Sydney Catholic Schools successfully gained five selections into the NSWCCC Open Girls Team, with one of the players coming from MSCW.

Well done to Georgia Vassallo who will now represent NSWCCC at the All Schools Championships later this month!

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

NSWCCC Netball Championships

Congratulations to Bronte Hookey (Year 10) on her recent success at the NSWCCC Netball Championships. She was selected into the Sydney Catholic Schools team after she trialled against elite netball players throughout the whole Sydney Catholic Schools network. 

Bronte had a fantastic tournament and was unlucky not be selected in the NSWCCC team

Congratulations again, Bronte, on your amazing achievement.

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

Youth Afternoon at MSCW

Canteen News

Calling on volunteers

Clothing Pool News

The Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich Clothing Pool is seeking your unwanted school uniforms.

Now is a great time to clean out the wardrobe and unburden yourself of school uniforms that you no longer need.

It is also a great way to support your College community. All proceeds from the sale of Clothing Pool donations go back into projects across the College, which benefit the whole College community.

Donations can be handed into the General Administration Office any time during school hours.

Should you wish to place an order with the Clothing Pool, please visit: www.flexischools.com.au

Thank you for your support.

STEM School Holiday Workshops

Workshops for Years 5 – 8

Parent Information Evening