From the Principal

Happy Feast Day!

Today we celebrated the Feast Day of Jeanne–Marie Chavoin, Foundress of the Marist Sisters with Mass and some tasty Tutor picnics followed by fun House activities. The enthusiastic community spirit evident channelled the desire of Jeanne-Marie for a Marist school to be a ‘united’ community. Jeanne-Marie Chavoin was a woman of formidable courage, humility and strength who proclaimed the Gospel message in very practical ways. As Marist women, we are inspired each day by her qualities. A woman of great trust in God, she prayed, 

“Unite all your actions to those of Our Lord. Ask Him often to come to your aid and to bless you.”

A special moment in our liturgy acknowledged the Marist sisters by presenting each sister with flowers to thank them for their continued support of our College community: Sr Gail Reneker – Unit Leader, Sr Cath Lacey, Sr Noelene Simmons, Sr Mary Farrelly, Sr Vivienne Goldstein and Sr Julie Brand. 

 

Thanks to Fr Greg Walsh – St Anthony’s Parish at Marsfield, Fr Pawel Kopczynski – St Kevin’s Parish Eastwood, Fr Greg Morgan – Ryde/Gladesville Parish and Fr Brian Wilson – Holy Name of Mary Parish Hunters Hill who celebrated the Eucharist for us.

We also thank, Mr Tony Farley, Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, Ms Cheryl Fernandez, from Mission and Identity at Sydney Catholic Schools and Mrs Jennifer Aduckiewicz, facilitator of Tuesday Christian Meditation for being with us today. 

 

From the Assistant Principal

Stage 4 and Stage 5 Awards Assemblies

On Tuesday, we celebrated the academic achievements of our students in Years 7 to 10 at our Academic Progress Awards Assemblies. It was with great pride that I was able to witness students on stage receiving their certificates. Not only was this a great opportunity to acknowledge the commitment these girls made to their learning in Semester One, but it gave the other students inspiration in continuing to work hard for the remainder of the year.

I also thank Isabella Nah, Megan Lam, Isabella Van Der Weide, Maria Chakkour and Kaila Cenidoza for sharing their musical gifts at this event.

Foundress Day 2023

What an amazing day we had today!

Our celebration of Foundress Day this year was one that warmed the heart and warmed the community! As in keeping with tradition, we had the change-over of Student Leadership – acknowledging and thanking our Student Leadership Team 2022/2023 and welcoming and commissioning our Student Leadership Team 2023/2024. Following our Mass celebration, students then enjoyed a picnic lunch and  House activities where our students demonstrated all facets of our Compass for Life. 

As per previous communication please see below for Week 1 Term 3

Monday 17 July 2023

• 7-9 Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
• 7-12 Learning will be remote

College Musical 20 -22 July

I would like to thank the staff, both teaching and support staff, for their commitment to our students and their learning this semester.

I wish all students and staff a very restful break. May it be a time of rest and rejuvenation.

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

St. Peter suffered martyrdom under Nero, in A.D. 66 or 67. He was buried on the hill of the Vatican where recent excavations have revealed his tomb on the very site of the Basilica of St. Peter’s. St. Paul was beheaded in the Via Ostia on the spot where now stands the basilica bearing his name. Down the centuries Christian people in their thousands have gone on pilgrimage to the tombs of these Apostles.

Taken from: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2019-06-29

In our Community……

CAMBODIA IMMERSION – BON VOYAGE

Catholic Mission is the international mission agency of the Catholic Church in Australia. Compelled by the message, life and love of Jesus Christ, Catholic Mission forms Australians for mission and raises funds for mission—in Australia and around the world.

Catholic Mission operates in over 160 countries to support initiatives in 1,100 dioceses, including remote Australia. Grassroots needs are identified by local Catholics, to give people the opportunity for a full, enriched life—physically and spiritually—regardless of race, stigma, religion or gender.

Mission in action happens right now and for generations, to help people immediately, longer term and eternally. We engage in mission when we proclaim our faith through our words, actions and lives.

Marist Sisters’ College are very fortunate to be sending seven students and two teachers to Cambodia to experience an immersion in the 6th to the 15th of July. We wish Ms Carolyn Criss, Mr Ryan Leonard, Brianna Kelly, Sarah Bell, Sophie Marsh, Melodie Brown, Freya Bosnich, Bronte Fisher and Abby Irving a safe trip to Cambodia. A big thank you to Catholic Mission for organising and leading this wonderful immersion. 

https://www.catholicmission.org.au/about-catholic-mission/about-us

  VINNIES WINTER SLEEPOUT

On Friday, 16th June, a large group of MSCW students participated in our annual Vinnies Winter Sleepout to gain a unique insight into the complex issues that people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage face by “sleeping rough” for one night. It allowed all students to honour the

 resilience of those experiencing homelessness and acknowledge their daily challenges. Our Vinnies Winter Sleepout revolved around the theme,

‘Serve with Empathy’,

and we reflected on the story of Jesus’s birth ( Luke 2:1-10) as a powerful reminder of the humble circumstances in which he entered the world and his identification with those who are marginalised and forgotten by society. 

To begin our evening, Ms Carson, an Instructional Specialist at the College, spoke to us about the importance of the Vinnies Winter Sleepout through her own experience. Her testimony served as a reminder of the difficult circumstances in which many people worldwide live, particularly those living in poverty. After this presentation, the students completed multiple activities including ‘A Sensory Experience of homelessness’, ‘Cardboard Favelas’ and ‘Cardboard Reflection’ in small groups. 

During the ‘A Sensory Experience’ activity, the group leaders initiated Think-pair-share discussion questions, such as What does homelessness look/sound/feel like?, answered on a Y-Chart. Inspired by our discussions regarding homelessness, the students embarked on their next activity, ‘Cardboard Favelas’, where we were encouraged to visualise and experience the living conditions of the people living in favelas, specifically in Brazil, by constructing miniature favelas out of recycled cardboard. This activity reflected the overcrowded conditions in favelas, where high crime levels, poor infrastructure, and limited economic opportunities occur in abundance.

Students were then provided with large cardboard panels, where they aimed to reflect on Scripture to empathise with those experiencing homelessness by copying down and annotating multiple biblical passages. These scriptures included quotes such as, “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). Through this ‘Cardboard Reflection’ activity, students embraced empathy to connect with the challenges of those in need by understanding their longing for safety, warmth, and a place to call home. It calls us to treat homeless individuals with dignity, respect, and compassion.

To conclude the night, students were provided with an extremely simple dinner, enabling them to understand the physical extremities people experiencing homelessness face. Dinner was followed by a joint movie session, where students watched ‘Blind Side’ to understand how homelessness comes in many different forms, including temporarily staying with other households and finding a sense of belonging. Ultimately, the birth of Jesus and “The Blind Side” hold profound parallels with the themes of homelessness, emphasising the vulnerable circumstances surrounding individuals who find themselves in desperate situations, lacking a stable home and support. The Winter Sleepout concluded at 7 am on Saturday, 17th of June.

We thank Ms Ison, Mrs Morizzi and Ms Vu for organising this wonderful event, and we welcome and wish the best of luck for our new Social Justice Captains, Amy Davis and Mia Bartram.  (Written by Isabelle Mourani & Katelyn Lopes, Social Justice Co-Captains 2022/2023)

St. THERESE COLLABORATIVE NETWORK – 

Stage 2 Faith Retreat

On Thursday, 8th June, Year 10 AMICA Leaders, Sophie Haddad and Charlize Petracca had the opportunity to accompany Stage 2 students from St. Therese Primary School, Denistone on their Faith Retreat to Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney. In collaboration with Marist College, Eastwood, our students helped to facilitate the day. 

“It was an enlightening journey, witnessing the power of faith, community, and personal growth. As mentors, we guided and supported the students, engaging in discussions and had the opportunity to watch their faith develop. The retreat created a sense of unity, fostering deep connections and teaching us the importance of giving back. We are grateful to the school staff for this opportunity and to the students for inspiring us.”  – Sophie Haddad and Charlize Petracca, Year 10

The staff at St. Therese, Denistone described our students  as “very respectful and fully engaged in the student faith formation experience. Sophie and Charlize co-led reverently with the Marist College, Eastwood secondary students in prayerful experiences.”  – Thank you Sophie and Charlize

Ms Samantha Ison

Assistant Religious Education Coordinator

In our Curriculum……

Year 7 Religious Education

Our Year 7 Students have been having a wonderful time exploring the unit ‘Stewards of Creation’ in Religion. With a focus on creation and humanity, students have been exploring a variety of creation stories and developing their own interpretation of these stories.

The Year 7 Students have enjoyed using our beautiful Marist Sisters’ College surroundings as an outdoor classroom to explore being stewards of creation.

  YOU ARE INVITED…….

 FOURVIERE CELEBRATIONS: AN INVITATION TO JOIN THE MARIST CAMINO – 

SUNDAY July 23rd

Marist Sisters’ students, families and staff are invited to attend the celebration for Fourviere, Sunday July 23. This particular celebration is called the Marist Camino – a mini pilgrimage starting at the Harbour Bridge and finishing at Hunters Hill

1. Meet in Bradfield Park on the north side of the harbour under the bridge (the park is an easy walk from Milsons Point station)

2. Walk across the pedestrian walkway of the bridge to the crypt in St Patrick’s Church Hill

3. A bus/coach will then take participants to Holy Name of Mary Parish in Hunters Hill, then return participants to Milsons Point station

           There will be different events/activities at each point along the way. These are outlined in  

           the document attached.

           FOURVIERE CELEBRATIONS 2023

  Please contact Caroline Morizzi with any questions.

Mrs Caroline Morizzi, Religious Education Coordinator

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

From the Leader of Wellbeing

Ms Angela Bowland, Leader of Wellbeing

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

From the Leader of Learning

Academic Progress Awards Assembly for Stage 4 & 5

 

I have included an extract from my address to the assembly:

At Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich, we believe in the power of education as a transformative force in one’s life. In the Marist tradition, our College’s vision goes beyond mere academic excellence. It encompasses the holistic development of each individual, nurturing their spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical growth. As we gather here to recognize outstanding academic pursuits, let us reflect on the Marist vision guiding us on this journey.

We are called to embrace a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom. It is the desire to explore, discover, and engage with the world around us.

We are encouraged to show respect and compassion for others, fostering a community that values kindness, empathy, and inclusivity. Helen Keller beautifully captured the essence of this sentiment when she said, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” Together we strive for excellence, not only in our academic pursuits but in everything we do. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Let us push beyond our comfort zones, challenging ourselves to reach new heights and exceed our own expectations.

We seek God’s presence in our lives, finding strength, solace, and inspiration in our faith. As we celebrate our achievements today, let us remember the words of Saint Catherine of Siena, who said, “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” May we recognize the divine spark within each of us and use it to ignite positive change in the world.

Today’s assembly is a testament to perseverance, dedication, and commitment to personal academic pursuits. Each student on stage is recognised by their class teacher as one who has shown resilience in the face of challenges, determination in moments of doubt, and the willingness to go the extra mile to achieve excellence.

However, let us not forget that pursuing academic success is not an isolated journey. It is the collective effort of teachers, parents, tutors and mentors who have supported and guided you along the way. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich community for their unwavering dedication and belief in our students.

Let us also remember that academic achievement is not the sole measure of success. The growth, knowledge, and character development that arise from pursuing excellence truly define our journey. So, as we gather here today to honour achievements, let us also celebrate the commitment to lifelong learning, the compassion we extend to others, the resilience we embody, and the faith that sustains us.

A full list of the award recipients can be found by clicking here.

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

Recently there has been a spotlight in the media on the diabetes drugs Ozempic and Saxenda. This has become a popular topic of discussion among adolescents on TikTok and other socials. Ozempic and Saxenda are traditionally used to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. These drugs are also known to reduce appetite to support weight loss. Some influencers and celebrities have been openly posting about using these drugs for weight loss. Doctors warn this medication has potential to cause great harm both in the short and long term.

Side effects of these drugs include:

• Nausea, vomiting, dizziness and headaches
• Hormone disruption
• Fatigue
• Gallbladder disease, including gallstones or cholecystitis
• Kidney problems
• Pancreatitis
• Increased risk of thyroid cancer
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Malnutrition due to undereating

Ozempic proposes a ‘quick fix’ to body image concerns and promotes the message that ‘thinner is better at any cost’. There is currently no screening for eating disorders when prescribing this medication.

Why are we concerned?

The Butterfly Foundation’s recent 2022 Youth Survey tells us that 90% of young people have some level of concern about their body image and almost 50% of all respondents said social media made them feel dissatisfied with their body. There was a relationship between reporting body dissatisfaction as a result of social media use and also the desire to be thinner/leaner. Body dissatisfaction is related to several adverse outcomes, including poor self esteem and depressive symptoms (Body Kind Youth Survey).

What can you do as parents/carers?

Be a positive role model. Be aware of the effects of negative body talk around your child, about your own body and the bodies of other people. Work on learning to respect your body and modelling a healthy acceptance of your own body shape and size.
Refrain from complaining about body parts you are dissatisfied or unhappy with, or at least, don’t share these thoughts or talk about them in front of your child.

Check in with your daughter

• How do they feel about their body?
• How do they feel when they see certain messages in the media?

Seek help from a healthcare provider or therapist if you or your daughter is worried about body image issues. For further information, you may want to check out Healthline, Body Image – Tips for Better Health. The Healthy Body Series can also be viewed on School TV.

Yoga Starting in Term 3

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

Gifted and Talented Report

Student Leaders High Tea

Student Leaders High Tea

On Monday the 26th of June, our newly elected 2023-2024 Student Leaders and their parents came together to celebrated their successful appointment into Student Leadership positions.

It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our new leaders and for parents to meet each other and their daughter’s teacher mentors. 

We look forward to officially welcoming these students into their new roles on Foundress Day. 

Ms Grace Spurr, Assistant Leader of Wellbeing

MSCW’s Vision for Mathematics

Current research into girls’ education indicates that the issues of mathematics avoidance and mathematics anxiety (referring to the fear, worry, or nervousness that students experience when confronted with mathematical problems or situations) disproportionately affect girls. This unease can have significant implications after school for girls’ participation and aspirations in courses and careers within mathematics. It also significantly impacts their time at school through the subject selection process, namely in enrolments and retention of students in courses in Years 11 and 12.

According to a recent report by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), girls tend to experience higher levels of maths anxiety compared to boys, which undoubtedly impacts their achievement in mathematics negatively. This trend is likely to be caused by societal stereotypes and biases that perpetuate a belief that boys have more natural ability in the field of mathematics than girls, which in turn may create self-doubt and undermine girls’ confidence in their mathematical abilities. Evidence suggests that this poses a threat to young women’s development of aspirations for further education or careers in mathematics, and it is particularly influenced by the presence and prevalence (or lack thereof) of female role models in these fields.

Girls must be empowered to take risks in and explore the field of mathematics. The ubiquity of mathematics anxiety in girls can be managed and reduced by: promoting a growth mindset about their abilities; increasing opportunities for real-world applications of numeracy and mathematical concepts; nurturing positive conversations and using positive language around mathematics; and providing opportunities for mentorship and new role models.

With a growth mindset, students can be aware that intelligence and skills can be consciously and meaningfully developed through effort and practice. This mindset fosters resilience, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace challenges, thus enabling students to overcome mathematics anxiety.

MSCW’s Aspirations for Girls in Mathematics:

• Students should build a growth mindset towards their mathematical ability
• Students should see the real-world significance of Mathematics and numeracy
• Students should enjoy experiences of mathematics
• Students should feel supported to take risks and not be discouraged by failure
• Students should have active learning opportunities
• Parents and community members should be involved in the conversations and learning process
• There will be role models and representation of different types of success in Mathematics.

What is MSCW doing to cultivate a growth mindset in mathematics?

We have a number of new and ongoing initiatives to nurture these aspirations, including the following:

• Maths Club (pictured): Our weekly sessions are a chance for collaboration, extension and consolidation. The social elements and connection to other students and teachers help to build a support network that promotes resilience in the face of a challenge. Students can be mentored by older peers, seeing exemplary models within our student population of talented mathematicians. The weekly challenges and riddles on the Google Classroom are also fun and exciting ways to earn merits and prizes.
• Arithmetic Olympics: A competition between and within classes beginning next term for students to test their mental arithmetic skills and compete to win prizes. 
• Acceleration opportunities: Students in Years 9 and 10 are given the opportunity to be accelerated in their Mathematics courses to boost their mathematical skills and opportunities. The classes met in Week 9 and shared ideas and strategies over breakfast.
• Fractions Games for Year 7: In the coming weeks and term ahead, Year 7 will each be supplied with games and toolkits to improve their numeracy skills, particularly in the areas of fractions, decimals and percentages. Parents and families are encouraged to participate in playing with the students’ card sets for games such as SNAP, memory and Go Fish! There will also be similar opportunities and resources for students in other grades.
• Years 10-12 Careers Expo: A chance to discuss opportunities with tertiary institutions and companies in a range of fields.

By opening conversations about girls’ feelings about mathematics and challenging the deeper reasons behind them, we can begin to change the shape of not only our college community but greater society.

Students are encouraged to join the MSCW Maths Club Google Classroom at any time using the following code: m7qqyoe

Academic Dance 

Students in Years 9 and 10 Dance have had a busy Semester One honing their performance skills and representing the College. 

As part of their Semester One course work, students performed their class routines at Sydney Catholic Schools eisteddfod. 

• Year 10 Dance – Vienna – Contemporary 
• Year 9 Dance – The Jungle – Jazz 

All students represented the College with pride and excellence. 

In Week 8, Stage 5 Dance students participated in a performance and composition workshop. Throughout the workshop students had the opportunity to develop kinaesthetic awareness and temporal and dynamic variation in their execution of movement. The second half of the workshop, students participated in a series of composition tasks which focused on the generation of movement across their whole body.

TDP News

This term the TDP Empower Troupes have been working tirelessly to represent the College at their first eisteddfods Sydney Catholic Schools and Sydney Eisteddfod. 

• Empower Jazz – Black and Gold
• Empower Contemporary – War of Hearts
• Empower Hip Hop – Jenny from the Block 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the TDP tutors Esther Monck, Ashleigh McCurtayne and Olivia Enright for sharing their knowledge, skills and talent with the dances of MCSW. 

Three students represented the College at Sydney Catholic Schools Solo Dance Eisteddfod. Isabella Allsopp, Nicola Alacqua and Ella Richards represented the College with poise and commitment. 

Next term TDP Ignite Troupes will have the opportunity to represent the College at their eisteddfods. 

Celebrating Chavoin Week

Chavoin Week

In Week 10, the College community has enjoyed celebrating Chavoin Week in recognition of our House Patron, Jeanne Marie Chavoin, leading up to Foundress Day on June 30. Jeanne Marie founded the first community of Marist Sisters with a vision for the sisters to live a simple life, with concern and compassion for others. Her values of humility and service areclosely reflected in the values promoted at MSCW. Jeanne Marie’s last words were

‘Always be a bond of union between your sisters’

and this concept of sisterhood and connection has been an important feature of Chavoin House this year.

Chavoin and the College community have come together this week to strengthen connections as ‘sisters’ and to live our House motto, “Excellence Above Glory”. Students began the week by writing pledges on jacarandah flowers which feature on our House crest.
These will be displayed in the Belley foyer. Staff and Year 12 students showed their ‘gifts’ in a friendly and entertaining netball game. A highlight of our week was the ‘Blue Bake Sale’. Thank you to all Chavoin families for your generous donations of baked goods. We were able to raise over $600 for the Marist Missions. Thank you to the students who volunteered at recess and lunch to work on the stall, it was a huge success!

We also had the opportunity to acknowledge and thank our wonderful 2022/2024 Student Leaders (Scarlett Tucker, Jessica Smith, Claudia Khoury) and to welcome our Chavoin Captains for 2023/2024 (Sienna Brown, Elsie Gray, Isabel Dooley).

A very big THANK YOU to all Chavoin students and staff for a wonderful week of celebrations.

Ms Jocelyn Kemp, Acting Chavoin Coordinator

Ancient History Excursion

On 5 June, our Year 11 Ancient History class visited the History Museum at Macquarie University. Miss Vu seemed just as enthusiastic as the rest of us, eagerly taking us to the building where we strolled through their small, yet impressive museum with our guide Sam ‘with a PhD.’ 

The museum had a wide variety of historical periods, scattered across the walls, displayed behind the glass, each item having a story of a story. What wowed a lot of students was their 3D scanned objects, a way of preserving the original items to return to their earliest place of origin. Two large screens on tables, provided an interactive way for us to look at different pieces of historical evidence including human remains.

Afterwards Sam ‘with a PhD’ brought us up for a seminar. We covered ancient women in Rome and Greece and people were taking notes, listening intently to the amount of archaeological sources she mentioned. We learnt about Agrippina the Younger, known as one of the most prominent women in the Julio-Claudian dynasty. 

We finished up with possibly the best activity anybody could do with an interest in archaeology – completing various workshops where we examined physical and written sources to identify a person from Ancient times, including sifting through sand, looking at fake human bones, piecing together ceramics and deciphering hieroglyphics. It was a great day for all students, despite the colder weather, we learned more about our unit of study, and it served as a fantastic way to interact with our education in a lively way.

All thanks to the wonderful Miss Vu. 

Claire Sleiman, Year 11 student

Year 12 Work and the Community Excursion

On Friday 23 June, the Year 12 students from Work and the Community planned and participated in an Amazing Race style excursion to the city. Leaving from school, they had five hours to travel on four different forms of public transport and find a series of secret venues throughout the city. At different times, each student was handed an envelope of their secret venue. With only 10 minutes to prepare, they had to research their destination, direct the group to walk to it, and present a number of facts about the secret venue upon arrival.

Great weather, travelling adventures and walks throughout the city all added to a successful day.

Year 7 History

Year 7 History has been studying Ancient Egypt, and have been looking at funerary processes. After learning about canopic jars, which were used in the mummification process, students made their own paper canopic jars. Each jar has the head of a particular Ancient Egyptian god on it, and holds a particular organ. Students loved the hands-on creativity of the activity!

2023 – 2024 Student Leadership Formation Retreat

On Thursday and Friday of week 9 our newly elected 2023-2024 Student Leadership Team came together for the Student Leadership Formation Retreat at the Collaroy Centre in Collaroy.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes the team participated in activities that enhanced their understanding of leadership and began planning for action over the year to come. The group drew upon the teachings from the book “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” by Charlie Mackesy, a gift from Dr Ireland, and our strong Marist foundations of Mary and the College’s compass for Life. 

The group then went into planning mode and created their year long vision; 

“To foster a safe and inclusive environment where students are empowered to engage in a range of opportunities, strengthening our sense of belonging”. 

This vision will underpin and provide purpose to every action and initiative over the coming year. The student leaders then broke into passion groups to start planning to bring this vision to life. 

We are very much looking forward to officially welcoming the leaders into their roles on Foundress Day and their leadership over the coming year. 

Ms Grace Spurr, Assistant Leader of Wellbeing

Sports News

NSW CCC Junior Knockout Football

The MSCW Junior Football team, comprising students from Years 7-9, recently participated in a highly anticipated NSW CCC Knockout Football Game against Brigidine College, Randwick. The team put up a commendable performance, showcasing their skills and teamwork throughout the match. Despite their best efforts, they narrowly lost the game with a score of 1-0. The team’s dedication and hard work were evident, and they can be proud of their strong effort on the field.

Netball Interschool Sport Gala Day

On the recent Netball Interschool Sport Gala Day, 29 students from MSCW showcased their skills and sportswomanship. Representing the College, these students took on the role of umpires at the Meadowbank Netball courts. They efficiently officiated the matches, ensuring fair play and maintaining the spirit of the game. Their dedication and professionalism made the College proud. Additionally, the MSCW students also took the opportunity to support and guide younger SCS primary school students, exhibiting their leadership qualities and fostering a sense of camaraderie among the participants. Overall, their participation in the event was commendable and reflected positively on the College’s values.

NSW All Schools Football Championships 

NSW CCC Football provides opportunities for students in the Secondary Catholic School system in NSW to play for their schools in a state wide round robin competition, to represent their educational areas against other Dioceses in the State, to gain selection in CCC team and play against students from the Private and Public school sector, and ultimately to gain selection in NSW and Australian teams selected from Secondary Schools in the Catholic, Public and Private sectors.

The CCC team this year consisted of 16 students from a number of Catholic Schools across NSW and in that team, we had one student from MSCW Matilda Gilbert.

Matilda’s exceptional performance as the team’s goalkeeper during the tournament deserves recognition. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and receptive attitude towards advice contributed significantly to her success throughout the championship.

SCS Gymnastics Championships

MSCW students showcased their exceptional skills at the Sydney Catholic Schools Gymnastics Championship held at the Aquatic Centre in Rotty Hill. The event witnessed an impressive display of talent, with participants from all over SCS demonstrating their mastery of various gymnastics apparatus such as the floor, bars, vault, and balance beam. The students’ skill level was truly remarkable, leaving spectators in awe of their grace, strength, and precision. Their outstanding performance not only represented their dedication and hard work but also reflected the College’s commitment to fostering excellence in the sport of gymnastics.

Jujitsu World Cup

Kayla Yildirim (Year 8 Student) is a dedicated member of Philotimo Jujitsu in Hunters Hill and has achieved remarkable success in synchronized forms competitions, securing second and third places in the 14-15 years division. She passed her senior jujitsu test, earning a prestigious blue belt, just one day before the competition. Kayla’s commitment and accomplishments make her a role model for others, and both teams are now preparing for the World Cup in Sydney.

Congratulations!

Mr Daniel Watts, Sports Coordinator

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

Football Reports

Junior A Football 

The Junior A football team displayed a phenomenal performance this season. The girls were undefeated all season. As a team, they consistently showed teamwork and worked hard and fair for their victories. They all manifested great sportsmanship and achieved so much this season, along with their greatest win being 12-0. The girls took home a well deserved win in the grand finals against Rosebank College, 4-1. Although we didn’t have the best start to the game, we continued to put in the effort and remain determined. The Junior A football team stood by each other, relied on one another and most importantly played as a team which got them far in the end. The girls brought passion, determination and teamwork to the table this season which resulted in them on top. They are extremely grateful that they had the opportunity to represent MSCW. 

Junior B Football  

The Junior B Team showed outstanding performance and determination securing victories in most of their matches. The girls drew in the first game, but remained undefeated for the rest of the competition. The sportsmanship and accomplishments were truly impressive, with our largest win being a 3-0 victory. Progressing to the semi-finals, we played against their MSCW friends, the Junior C team, resulting in a win. In the finals, the girls overcame Domremy and ended a tough game with a 2-0 win. The girls showed great teamwork, determination and are thankful for the chance to represent Marist Sisters College.

Junior C Football 

The Junior C Team has shown amazing strength and ability putting in an immense amount of energy and effort towards our school soccer team. We won many games and made it into the playoffs for 3rd. Through an extremely tough game, we did not come out victorious but we still gave everything, ending with a 1-0 loss. Every single person on the Junior C team showed their gift for life by participating in this team. Every girl developed their skills greatly through each game they played. We believe that the effort put in by the girls was very inspiring for everyone who came to watch. It was an overall outstanding season for all who played. 

Intermediate Football  

The Intermediate Team has had an amazing season with wins in all 8 games. Scoring an amazing 58 goals and conceding only 2. The team finished top of the ladder and continue to fight together as a team going forward for the next few games including next term which are going to be tough. So far the team have developed new skills as a team on the field and have encouraged each other to push to the best of our abilities. With a couple of injuries along the way the girls have had a great term of football and took out the Intermediate Conference 2 championship.

Senior Football

The Senior Team have had a successful season, whilst juggling academic senior commitments the team have thrived on the field with amazing Marist spirit. Winning 7 out of 8 matches played across the term, the Senior Football team took the pitch to strive to develop our skills whilst making sisterly connections bound through the College’s opportunities for sport. To finish the Conference 2 journey, the team fought ruthlessly to take home the trophy in the thrilling match ending in the winning goal scored by Ella Rochester in the ‘sudden death’ penalty shootout, having Georgia Vassallo between the posts. Being a competitive and feared force throughout the competition the squad advances to verse Conference 1, with elevated passion, desire and determination. 

Mr Daniel Watts, Sports Coordinator

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

Netball Reports

Junior A Netball

The Junior A Team had an amazing season being undefeated through rounds 1-6. In round 7 they came up against Domremy who they unfortunately lost to. In the semifinals they played against them again, coming out with a win which then advanced them to the grand finals. In the grand final the team came up against Rosebank, tied at the end of the game as it went into overtime. Sadly they ended up losing by one. But over the entire season they developed new skills and played to the best of their abilities. Although losing to Rosebank, MSCW are still advancing to the Sydney quarterfinals. 

Junior B Netball 

The Junior B Teams faced a challenge at the start of the competition when they had to split their team in half and play with Holy Cross who they had never played or trained with before. This didn’t stop both teams from playing awesomely throughout the competition. Both teams deserved to make it to the final but unfortunately they had to play each other in the semis with a result of a one point difference. One of the teams advanced to the finals to play Rosebank, while the other team played Domremy for third place. They both played so hard even with some players having injuries. The team playing Rosebank were down at half time but came back, but were unlucky to have lost by one point at the final whistle. The team Domremy won. This resulted in the two MSCW teams coming 2nd and 3rd in a close competition. 

Intermediate A 

The Intermediate A Team had an outstanding season, finishing second place in their division while maintaining an undefeated streak in rounds 1-6. The team faced a tough challenge in the 7th round against Domremy, where they experienced their first loss. The girls had to push themselves in this game, which encouraged their development as a team. Throughout the competition, they competed against a total of 7 teams in their division. One of which ended with a score of 47-1. Every team member demonstrated tremendous dedication to each and every game. The girls qualified for the final game against Domremy, which was very close. Despite putting in an outstanding effort, the girls, unfortunately, finished down by one. They showed resilience and strength consistently throughout the entire competition. This week, the girls are fortunate enough to be competing in the quarterfinals. The team is very thankful for this opportunity to represent Marist Sisters and enjoyed every second of this season!

Intermediate B 

The Intermediate Mixed B Teams competed in many awesome games this season and finished overall in first and second place! With our mixed Intermediate B group being spilt into two separate teams combined with Holy Cross College Ryde, our mixed teams competed head-to-head in the grand final. At the conclusion of our game, the score read 21-17 with our Year 9 Intermediate B team 2 taking home a massive win for Marist Sisters and Holy Cross. The team worked extremely well together, while adapting to new positions and game strategies. Each team displayed great determination and consistently maintained heathy sportsmanships with our opponents. As a result of the ongoing effort demonstrated by all players within our Intermediate Mixed B teams, we eagerly embraced the opportunistic experience provided throughout the entire season.

Senior A Netball 

The Senior A Team has had an outstanding season remaining undefeated coming into the finals. With our biggest win being 31-1 in round 7 against Casimir Catholic College. The team versed Domremy College, Trinity Catholic College, Rosebank College, Casimir Catholic College, Holy Spirit Catholic College and other schools. All the girls played to their highest ability and were able to come away with impressive wins. It has been another great experience in netball especially for the Year 12s with this being their last couple of games getting to represent MSCW. The team is hopeful to make it into the semi finals and continue to the grand final for a second year. It was a great pleasure for the senior team to play netball this term!

Senior B Netball 

The senior B Team had a fantastic season this year, finishing 3rd with 6 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses. They started off with a challenging game against Rosebank, drawing 18 all, but followed with 4 consecutive wins, including a 40-3 against Casmir. In round 6, the girls faced the Senior A team, where they experienced a very difficult game and the first loss, but everyone tried their hardest and played amazingly. They finished up the season with more than half the team away and 4 players filling in, but were still able to take home a strong win and third place medal. Unfortunately, as there were 10 teams in our division, they didn’t get the opportunity to participate in finals and missed out on the chance for a Woolwich vs Woolwich grand final. Overall, the girls had an amazing term of netball and enjoyed representing the school each Thursday. 

Mr Daniel Watts, Sports Coordinator

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

Sports Results

Please see the results and MVP (Most Valuable Player) for each team.

Round 9

MVP

Round 10

MVP

Mr Daniel Watts, Sports Coordinator

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

Canteen News

Flexischools

Calling on volunteers

Tickets for our College Production of Frozen Jr. are now on sale!

It’s almost time!  Tickets for our College Production of Frozen Jr. are now on sale!

Tickets available via the College website or:

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1070835?eid=1070835&