From the Principal

Our Marist Compass for Life empowers students to develop their gifts and with the support of their sisterly relationships courageously take on challenges to become confident, compassionate, capable and resilient young women and leaders.

This has been clearly evident in the beginning weeks of Term 3. On the second day of term, our Athletics Carnival was a powerful demonstration of what happens when students show up for one another. Attendance was excellent, house spirit was vibrant, and participation levels were high. Most importantly, the atmosphere was characterised by sisterly encouragement with students celebrating each other’s efforts, offering support, and lifting one another to achieve their personal best. This solidarity is the foundation of strong performance and collective success. 

The final event of the day was particularly suspenseful… Our six House student relay teams competed against the teacher team. In a photo finish Chavoin House narrowly beat the teachers by one hundredth of a second!

From the Assistant Principal

Parental Controls on Devices

The majority of issues that are dealt with by the College have a genesis on mobile phones outside of school hours. By activating simple device settings to filter harmful content, managing contacts, and keeping screens out of bedrooms overnight, you instantly eliminate major windows of risk before harm occurs.

Setting up these tools openly with your children frames digital boundaries as a supportive safety net rather than a punishment, taking the pressure off parents to be a tech expert while keeping them secure across gaming, messaging, and online spaces. The attached article may support families take charge of your family’s digital environment. It is never too late to: activate basic device controls, keep the conversation flowing, and build the open communication your child needs to navigate the online world safely.

Parental controls. Simple tools, safer kids

Students and Uber and Taxi

A gentle reminder to all families regarding early departures: if your daughter needs to leave school during the day, she must be collected directly by a parent or carer. To maintain our duty of care, students are not permitted to travel via Uber, ride-share, or taxi unless accompanied by an adult carer.

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

From The Religious Education Coordinator

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, August 6 (Year A)

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Matthew 17:1–3

Jesus’ Transfiguration, which we celebrated on Thursday in our Community Mass, is cloaked in glory and mystery. Only Peter, James, and John were invited to witness the event. 

When you read Scripture, do you approach it more as a problem solver or as a contemplative? While both approaches have their place, the contemplative always draws us more deeply into communion with God. Why? Because God is the greatest Mystery of all. He cannot be reduced to concepts or fully grasped by reason alone. We will never “figure out” God; we can only come to know and love Him as He chooses to reveal Himself.

Reflect today on how you approach divine mysteries. Receive them not merely with your intellect but with your heart. Savor what He gives, treasure the glimpses of His glory, and remain in humble awe before the mystery. For in reverent contemplation, we are not solving God, we are being drawn into His divine life.

My Transfigured Lord, I stand in awe before You—before Your majesty, Your glory, and the radiant splendor of Your divine presence. I rejoice in the great Mystery of who You are. Grant me the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, so that I may enter more deeply into all the mysteries of faith. But above all, fill my soul with wonder and awe, so that I may never cease to marvel at You, now and for all eternity. Jesus, I trust in You.

https://mycatholic.life/books/catholic-daily-reflections-series-three/weeks-18-34-of-ordinary-time-catholic-daily-reflections-series-three/feasts-and-solemnities/#Aug6-A 

Pope’s August prayer intention: ‘for evangelisation in the city’

Pope Leo XIV releases his prayer intention for the month of August, and invites Catholics to pray ‘for evangelisation in the city,’ so that the Lord may accompany the millions who seek meaning amid noise and haste.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

https://youtu.be/1VqbMAITZK4?si=mKMSC3k1erhC7Usf 

Pope Leo XIV has urged Catholics across the globe to join him this August in praying for evangelisation in the city.

In his prayer, Pope Leo asks the “Good Shepherd” who “walks through our streets and squares,” to “enter tall buildings and humble neighborhoods,” and to “silently accompany millions” of people who “seek meaning amid noise and haste.”

The Chicago-born Pope acknowledges that while cities are meant to be places of “freedom and opportunity,” they can also become “spaces of anonymity and isolation.”

Thus, he expressed his hope that urban environments may provide “fertile ground” for proclaiming the Gospel.

The Holy Father also prayed that the faithful make “simple and loving gestures,” and do so together as a community that “goes forth,” and combats indifference and isolation with presence and fraternity.

Today, almost 45% of the world’s population lives in urban areas. Demographic growth has led to a high concentration of people, generating social and community challenges, including loneliness that affects the mental health of many people, especially young people.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-07/pope-s-august-prayer-intention-for-evangelization-in-the-city.html

The MSCW community has started Term 3 united and strengthened in our faith during Student-Led Tutor Group Liturgies during homeroom. It’s been incredible seeing our students take the lead, deepening their faith and further enriching the Marist spirit in our school community.

Social Justice Events

In Term 3 there are many opportunities for faith and service within our Marist community. With a range of events designed to strengthen faith participation and connection that comply with our Marist motto Goodness above all.

Our Marist in Action (MIA) lunch meetings continue this term fortnightly on Wednesday Day 8. These meetings are a space where students collaborate on social justice initiatives such as our Social Justice Day and Winter Appeal. We plan projects to strengthen the culture and outreach in and out of our school community. All students are welcome! 

In Week 4 August 12 is Year 7, 8 & 9 Evangelisation Day where students will come together for a day to grow in faith and build connections with surrounding schools. Through engaging talks, music, activities and prayer it encourages students to get inspired. This will be followed by in Week 5 Year 7 and 8 Youth Afternoon at Marist Eastwood, where students will connect with peers from Marist Eastwood and Holy Cross through ministry activities, games and prayer. 

Week 6 marks Social Justice day on Tuesday where during this week it is a time for our whole school community to reflect on justice, compassion and service. Aligning with the Australian Bishops Conference which revealed that the 2026 theme of social justice day is: The cost of our living, economic and social justice for the common good. Also during Week 6 our annual Winter Appeal continues this term to support vulnerable individuals and families facing hardships during these colder months. Starting Week 6 we encourage students to donate. (More details to follow)

In Week 7 August 31st Year 12 students have the opportunity to attend the Volunteer Expo in the evening. Where they have where they can meet with a range of charitable organisations, explore volunteer opportunities and discover ways to continue serving their communities beyond school. Finally during Week 7 on the 2nd of September is the Marist Connect Evening at Eastwood where it is an opportunity to connect with other Marist schools and celebrate our shared connection to our faith service and values. 

During this term we encourage all students to get involved as these are wonderful opportunities to connect with the wider community in various ways. 

Thank you

If you have any questions feel free to reach out. 

Sophia Saoud and Luciana Arfi, Social Justice Captains

From the Leader of Wellbeing

Privacy and your Child (Link)

Help your child to stay in control of their online identity including their personal information, photos and videos

There has been a significant amount of discussion, research and publicity recently related specifically young people and their image. By image I am referring to their physical appearance that can make its way onto the internet through social media. Sites and apps such as, instagram, facebook, youtube, sharing images of themselves and/or others in chats on social media platforms such as Snapchat and Whatsapp, imessage, live streaming through these apps, the list goes on.

With advances in technology, specifically the creation and use of AI by companies and individuals children, young people and those with disabilities are more at risk and vulnerable than before. 

Young people are developing relationships online with AI Companions (more information on AI Companions) and seeking guidance/advice from AI Chatbots (AI chatbots and companions – risks to children and young people | eSafety Commissioner). 

It is essential that adults support young people to navigate the world thoughtfully, safely, and respectfully. This includes crossing the road, learning how to swim, and how to stay safe online. Connected to the internet is not going to go away so it is our job to instruct, model and openly discuss without judgement how they can stay safe online and what to do when something occurs that makes them feel unsafe, uncomfortable and/or exposed. 

Reduce the Risk (link)

1. Be engaged, open and supportive (Talking about online child sexual abuse with 13 to 18 year olds | eSafety Commissioner)

2. Set rules

3. Regularly review safety features and settings – every update comes with new settings OR it resets the safety features that have been activated, such as location, and account privacy settings.

The following information comes from: Be You
Be You is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, and delivered through a unique partnership between Beyond Blue, Early Childhood Australia and headspace.
This partnership makes Be You the only free national initiative supporting mental health and wellbeing in education from birth to 18.

What is Bullying?

Bullying – Be You (fact sheet)

Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships. It occurs through repeated verbal, physical, online and/or social behaviour that intends to cause harm.

Bullying can be carried out by an individual or group towards one or more people and is a complex social problem.

What Bullying Isn’t?

Behaviours that are NOT considered bullying include:

• mutual arguments and disagreements (where there’s no power imbalance)
• not liking someone or a single act of social rejection
• one-off acts of meanness or nastiness
• isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence

Recognising bullying behaviour

Recognising bullying behaviour – Be You (fact sheet)

Signs which may indicate that an individual is being bullied bullying could include:

• a change in an individual’s demeanour, engagement or attendance of school
• damage to belongings or belongings becoming ‘lost’ more frequently
• shifts in friendships which seem to leave one or more child or young person unhappy
• a young person who is being ignored or excluded
• young person arriving or leaving school late or very early
• young person with more injuries than usual such as bruises

What to do?

If you suspect, or know, that your daughter (or if she has disclosed concerns regarding another individual) encourage her to connect with her Tutor Teacher or House Coordinator and let them know. If she feels uncomfortable doing this contact the College and arrange a meeting with her House Coordinator where you can support your daughter inform the College of the actions of others or those that she has experienced, witnessed or engaged in herself.

Why is this important?  

It is the right thing to do, for everyone that is involved, especially your daughter as she continues to develop into a Marist Woman of Action. By encouraging and supporting your daughter to report what may be bullying you are revealing to her that you are a person of courage. Your actions embody your core belief in the importance of empowering self and others and how essential to growth it is for those involved to be accountable for their actions. You will instill in her the importance of justice and that goodness is above everything else – Virtus Super Omnia. 

This is a quote often attributed to Edmund Burke (1729-1797), an Anglo-Irish politician who fiercely opposed the French Revoultion as it demonstrated the dangers of ‘mob rule’ that he believed would cause the the downfall of society (justice and peace). However, it is most likely a paraphrase from the content of his political pamphlet “Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents” (1770).  

I end  with a reminder of the words Christ said to his disciples (us) immediately prior to his crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension:  

Who to contact?

1. Your daughter’s Tutor Teacher
2. Your daughter’s House Coordinator

Ways to strengthen family connections

•   Spend one-on-one time – even 10 minutes of child-led time a day strengthens trust.
•   Eat meals together – regular shared meals are linked to better behaviour and communication.
•   Listen without judging – ask open questions and let your child express themselves fully.
•   Be a role model – show kindness and respect in your own relationships, online and offline.
•   Be consistent – clear routines and boundaries help children feel secure and respected.

How to respond

Your child may be less likely to raise concerns when they are uncertain what will happen after they speak up, so it’s important to respond with consideration and understanding.

How to respond:

•   Listen – find a quiet space, give them your full attention, and let them share their experience without interruptions.
•   Calmly ask questions – wait until they have finished talking and gently try to get a full picture of the situation.
•   Acknowledge their experiences and the impacts – ‘I can see this is very upsetting and I can understand why you’re worried about going to school …’
•   Help them to feel safe – let them know you will work with them to try to make things better.
•   Involve them in the response plan – being bullied can feel like a huge loss of control and can impact self-esteem and confidence. Help them regain control by including them in decisions about how to address the issue.
•   Support them to recover – this includes offering emotional support, focusing on their wellbeing and supporting them to develop positive coping strategies.

Ask your child about:

•   The bullying – when, where, who, how.
•   How they feel about it, what they think about it and why they think it might be happening – this can help you get a better understanding of what’s going on from their perspective. Children and young people can sometimes blame themselves for the behaviour of others, and if this is the case, it’s important to know early so you can help them to understand that it is not their fault.
•   How they responded – how did they react? This can help you to understand what they might be doing to cope and what they might have tried already to fix the problem.

Conversation starters

Keeping the conversation open can help your child feel safe to talk about problems. 

Try:

•   ‘Who did you spend time with today?’
•   ‘What was something that made you smile?’
•   ‘Who did you sit with at lunch?’
•   ‘Was there anything that made you feel uncomfortable or upset?’
•   ‘Do you know what to do if someone sends you messages that are hurtful?’
•   ‘Was there anything today that was tricky or frustrating?’
•   ‘Who do you feel safe talking to at school?’
•   ‘What could you do if someone was being mean to you or someone else?’
•   ‘What could you do to help someone who is being treated unfairly?’

If your child may be bullying others

Hearing that your child may be bullying others can be challenging but remember that children are still learning and growing. Bullying is a behaviour that can be changed with guidance and support.

If your child is bullying others, it may indicate they need help building social and emotional skills, such as managing emotions, empathy and forming positive relationships. Bullying can stem from a desire to belong or be accepted, and without guidance, these behaviours may impact their wellbeing and future. Supporting them to treat others respectfully is key to their development.

How to respond:

•   Stay curious, not angry – “Can you help me understand what’s been going on?”
•   Talk about empathy – “What do you think the other person felt?”
•   Set clear expectations – “In our family, we treat others with fairness and respect”
•   Guide them to repair harm – talk about apologies, making amends, or writing a note
•   Work with the school – ask about positive behaviour support or mentoring programs

Final tips

Bullying can be incredibly distressing to experience and can have a lasting impact on children and young people’s wellbeing – affecting their confidence, academic performance and mental health.

Bullying is about power imbalances, and young people often feel powerless when faced with it. But they are not powerless. They can take action to deal with the bullying, such as telling a trusted adult, trying some techniques to stop the bullying themselves and using positive coping strategies to get back a sense of agency.

Remember to:

•   Act early – if something feels wrong, talk to your child and involve the school or community organisation.
•   Keep notes – writing down incidents helps everyone respond clearly and quickly.
•   Work as a team – consistency between home and school makes a big difference.
•   Take care of yourself – supporting a child through bullying can be emotional. It’s okay to ask for help too.

Additional Resources

• Bullying. No Way!
• Headspace resources for young people and for families
• The Office of the eSafety Commissioner – Cyberbullying

Our school is now subscribed to the Happy Families School Membership! Owned and run by Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s leading parenting experts, the membership offers a wealth of parenting education and resources.

We will regularly share resources available through our membership with you, including Insight Articles and Live Webinars. You can also access your resources at any time here.

Our Sign Up Link

Sign up for your own account using our school’s unique sign-up link.

https://happyfamilies.com.au/schools-enrol?ldgr_gr_code=MARISTSISTERSCOLLEGEWOOLWICH

How to log in to your Bloom Membership Library

MSCW-HFS-Bloom.pdf

Once you’ve signed up, you just need to be logged in to the website for full access through the “My Resources” section of the website.

We will share with you Insight articles written by Dr Justin Coulson and provide parenting education and support for a wide variety of traditional and contemporary parenting challenges. You can also access 100+ previous Insights articles by following the  “My Resources” link.

Video Library

A collection of over 70 of Dr Justin Coulson’s parenting webinars are available in the Video Library, covering a wide range of parenting topics for help at every stage. 

Year 9 Camp

Wednesday 19 August – Friday 21 August.

Bus Departure from Weil Park: Wednesday 19 August @ 8:10am.

Parents will be sent a Compass notification via text message through Compass of the expected return to the College on Friday (estimated return will be 2:45pm). Students must NOT be collected from the designated Bus Zones between 3:00pm and 4:00pm. Parents are asked to collect Year 9 students promptly so that normal bus services are not affected. In the event of bad weather, students may be collected from the Hall between 2:45pm and 3:15pm.

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

From the Leader of Learning and Curriculum

Marist Fourviere Celebrations

Marist Way Retreat – November 2026

Marist Way Australia is also hosting a retreat at Mittagong in early November. We need another 8 to 10 participants for the retreat to go ahead, and it will be a wonderful opportunity to bring like-minded Christians or Marists — both Religious and Lay — together to deepen their Marist charism. Please consider joining us and reserve your place as soon as possible.

https://www.maristway.org/Formation/1654.php (Click on the RSVP link)

2026 CCSP Parent and Carer Conference

The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW (CCSP) 2026 Parent & Carer Conference, Supporting Families: Working Together in a Modern World, will equip families with practical strategies to support children and young people in today’s digital world.

Supported by Sydney Catholic Schools, the conference features a range of expert speakers, including our own Executive Director, Danielle Cronin, covering topics such as respectful relationships, cybersafety, resilience, managing anxiety, Artificial Intelligence, screen use, brain development and supporting children’s learning at home and at school.

More than just a conference, this is an opportunity for parents and carers to connect, share experiences and gain valuable insights while building stronger connections with their school communities in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Conference details
Date: Saturday, 22 August 2026
Time: 9.00am – 3.30pm
Venue: Rydges World Square Hotel, Sydney
Cost: $30 per ticket

Schools are welcome to share the following information with parents, carers and their local community:

For more information about the conference, please visit: 2026 Conference page

Tickets can be purchased via the: Eventbrite ticket page

Post School Pathways

For Year 12 students applying to tertiary institutions – advice from UAC Educational Access Scheme

UAC encourages eligible students to apply for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS), which helps ensure these circumstances are taken into account during the university admissions process.

How to apply

To apply for EAS, students must first submit their UAC domestic undergraduate application. They’ll then see a link to Entry schemes in their application. From here, they can follow the link to Apply for EAS.

Helpful resources:  

• 2-minute video: How to apply for EAS
• EAS application guide
• EAS FAQs

Document guidance

Before starting an application, students should check the eligibility criteria for each EAS category and the general requirements for all documents.

When to apply

Eligible students should apply  as soon as possible, giving them time to gather and upload their supporting documents by the deadline of 11.59pm 19 November 2026. This will ensure their circumstances can be considered when offers are made in December Round 2.

Schools Recommendation Scheme: UAC’s early entry offer

Once you have applied and submitted a UAC application a student may apply for the Schools Recommendation Scheme.  Please refer to the Tips for navigating offers below to check if your course and institution participate in the scheme.

SRS application and offer dates

• Application deadline: 11 September
• Course preference deadline: 5 November
• Offers released: 12 November (November Round 1)
• Conditional offers converted to unconditional offers: from 23 December (December Round 2)

Tips for navigating offers and preferences

• SRS offers are only for eligible courses included in a student’s UAC preferences at the time offers are made. Not every institution participates in SRS and not all courses are eligible. Participating institutions and their criteria
• In November Round 1, domestic students can receive one unconditional offer and multiple conditional offers. International students can receive one or more unconditional offers. To convert a conditional offer to an unconditional one, students must keep the course in their UAC preference list and meet the institution’s specified criteria. 
• Students should always prioritise their dream course. In December Round 2, you won’t be penalised for ranking their dream course above a course for which they’ve received a conditional offer, even if an institution instructs them to list the conditional course as their ‘highest eligible preference’.
• If you miss out on their dream course, your  next choice will be considered, and so on. A conditional offer will be considered after the courses listed above it have been considered. If the conditional course is listed as your  top choice, and you’ve met the conditions, you will receive the offer and not be considered for courses listed below it.

In addition to submitting an SRS application, Year 12 students can also apply directly to institution early offer schemes.

Future events

As we enter the 2026 Open Day season, now is the ideal time for students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to visit an an institution of their choice to explore courses on offer and talk to campus staff.  Please take the time to read through the extensive list below.

Quick overview – University Open Day list  click here

Future Talk for Parents – Financial Considerations, Scholarships, Accommodation, Wellbeing & Support Services:  University of Wollongong – Online August 10 Find out more

Macquarie University Open Day 2026:  August 15 Find out more

ADFA Open Day, Canberra and Online:  August 15 Find out more

University of Newcastle Open Day Newcastle (Newcastle, Callaghan and City campuses) Find out more

ACAP Open Day, Sydney:  August 15 Find out more

SAE Open Day:  August 15 Find out more

AIM August Open Day, August 15 Find out more

ACU Open Day 2026, Strathfield:  August 16 Find out more

Discover Western Webinar – Scholarships:  August 18 Find out more

Why the Honey Bee is Smarter than ChatGPT – Discover Lecture Series with Macquarie:  August 18 Find out more

Quantum Future Talent: From Curiosity to Career, Concourse, Chatswood:  August 18 Find out more

Explore geosciences at Sydney – Webinar for Future Students.  University of Sydney:  August 19 Find out more

The Coolest Careers in Finance You’ve Never Heard Of Panel Event:  INCO Academy, Canva Space, Surrey Hills & Online:  August 19 Find out more

UNSW Co-op Program Scholarship Co-op Chat | What is Co-op?:  August 20 Find out more

Le Cordon Bleu Sydney Open Day 2026:  August 22 Find out more

Collarts Open Day (Australian College of the Arts):  August 22 Find out more

Galaxy Games Festival (Liquid Cat Studio)  Macquarie University: August 22 Find out more

CSU Open Day 2026, Bathurst:  August 23 Find out more

CQU Education Open Day Webinar:  August 24 Find out more

Study medicine at University of Sydney (Online) August 26 Find out more

Admission to medicine at University of Sydney (Online) August 26 Find out more

Study law at University of Sydney Webinar August 27 Find out more

Future Choices Expo for Young People with Disability, Central Coast August 27 (Mingara Club) Find out more

Say Yes to the Trades Expo, Bankstown:  August 27 Find out more

Sydney West Careers & Employment Expo, Sydney Showground:  August 28 to August 29 Find out more

University of Newcastle Open Day 2026, Central Coast (Newcastle, Ourimbah and Gosford):  August 29 Find out more

Torrens University Open Day, Surrey Hills:  August 29 Find out more

University of Sydney Open Day: August 29 Find out more

UTS Open Day:  August 29 Find out more

Notre Dame Open Day, Sydney Campus:  August 29 Find out more

CSU Open Day 2026, Orange: August 30 Find out more

Monash Information Evening – Webinar:  September 1 Find out more

Torrens University Virtual Open Day 2026:  September 1 and 2 Find out more

Study law at Sydney Webinar for Future Students:  September 1 Find out more

Study biomedical engineering at Sydney  – Webinar for Future Students:  September 2 Find out more

Study medicine at University of Sydney Online:  September 2 Find out more

Admission to medicine at University of Sydney Online:  September 2 Find out more

National Art School Open Day:  September 5 Find out more

ACU Open Day 2026, North Sydney:  September 5 Find out more

UNSW Open Day:  September 5 Find out more

ACU Year 12 HSC Revision Webinars Online:  September 7 – 10 Find out more

 Exploring oral health at University of Sydney – Webinar for Future Students:  September 9 Find out more

Macquarie Incubator & Young Wisdom Student Startup Bootcamp for Years 9-10:  September 11 Find out more

Macquarie [EX]plore Science Extension Conference:  September 14 Find out more

Sydney Design School Open Day:  September 19 Find out more

Astronomy Open Night by Macquarie University:  September 19 Find out more

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

Gifted and Talented Report

What’s happening in Gifted and Talented?

Da Vinci Decathlon

Yr 8 students represented MSCW at the da Vinci Decathlon last term. The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of school students. Students compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: engineering, mathematics, code breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography and legacy. All students worked hard and boy were they challenged! It was a tough field of competitors and our best result was in engineering where we placed 9th.

Well done to the following students:

• Maisie Hollings
• Alyssa Widjay
• Nysa Hedge
• Phoebe Hadisurja
• Ava Tanudji
• Grace Chow
• Caitlin Earls
• Ava Mansory

Maths Olympiad

Year 7 and 8 talented mathematicians are currently involved in the Maths Olympiad. They recently sat the third paper for the year, with one more to come.

The Maths Olympiad Senior Division is a prestigious inter-school problem-solving competition designed for high-achieving students in Years 7 and 8 that challenges students to develop creative mathematical reasoning rather than just routine class work.

Whilst there are prizes on offer by the organisers, I am also awarding prizes to our top performers after each paper.

Paper 1 winners: Chloe Hopkins, Leah Rhim, Maisie Hollings, Anita Abdollahi, 

Paper 2 winners: Summer Kim, Chloe Kannan, Caitlin Earls

Paper 3 winners: Chloe Kanaan, Maisie Hollings, Nysa Hedge, 

I hope all students are enjoying their learning and are striving for excellence.

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

From the 2026/27 College Co-Captains

Dear MSCW community

We are incredibly excited and honoured to be doing our first newsletter report as the new College Co-Captains. We hope that you all had a restful break over the holidays, and have settled back nicely into the school term.

At the Principal’s Assembly on Wednesday the 22nd of July, the Student Leadership Team (SLT) introduced their theme to the College community. We had been planning for this while on retreat alongside our fellow leaders, and managed to create a theme which captures both the essence of us as a team, as well as the values of sisterhood, belonging, involvement and support that have stood out to us during our time at Woolwich. With these values, we hope to continue building up our community and fostering a positive, inclusive and welcoming environment.

The theme for the 2026/27 Student Leadership Team is:

With this theme, we are encompassing our shared love for the school and our shared journey together. This theme guides our hopes for the upcoming year, underpinned by our foundation of the Marist Compass for Life and the sisterhood we are able to create. We are focusing on everyone truly showing up, and feeling like they belong in our school community. 

As a student leadership team, we wish to provide a sense of direction, in order for us all to engage and belong as one school community bound in sisterhood. 

At the same time, we created our SLT logo to go along with this theme. It features the compass at the centre, representing the direction we use to guide our choices everyday. The stars surrounding the compass give a nod to our school crest, representing the crown of Mary and how we remember her everyday. The six circles surrounding the compass symbolise the six different year groups and houses of our school, connected through our shared vision. The main message we aim to communicate through this logo, is that the Marist Compass is the foundation of our shared sense of unity, that allows us to engage with others and hence the wider school community.

We’d like to express our gratitude to the school community for believing in us and the rest of the SLT, and providing us the opportunity to lead with purpose. Once again, we thank Harriet and Sarah, the 2025/26 College Co-Captains and the rest of their team, who have guided us as positive role models and served the school community tirelessly with their whole hearts. 

We look forward to working with everyone to engage and belong as one student body. 

Thank you and always remember,

Lola Christopoulos and Annika Hollings, College Co-Captains 2026/27

Visual Arts News

Congratulations to Alyka in Year 9, our inaugural Artist of the Month. Alyka’s expressive landscape paintings are now proudly showcased in the library foyer, marking a wonderful beginning to our new rotating Artist of the Month display. Alongside this celebration, our Year 9 students have been applying their knowledge of intaglio drypoint etching using the unexpected material of tetrapak, transforming it into striking architectural representations. Their works capture both our school’s built environment and cathedrals connected to our foundress’ birthplace, including the beautiful city of Lyon, France.

SWAP Art Prize

Congratulations to Year 10 Visual Arts students Allegra, Kaysie, Eva, Annabelle and Gabriella, whose upcycled wearable artworks have been selected for exhibition in the 2026 Sustainable Waste 2 Art Prize (SWAP).

SWAP is an environmental art competition that promotes sustainability through artworks and design objects made from upcycled waste materials. This year, more than $5,000 in prizes are on offer across multiple categories, with around 80 shortlisted works selected for exhibition.

The exhibition will be held at See Street Gallery from Friday 4 September to Saturday 19 September 2026, and will be open 11.00am to 4.00pm, Tuesday to Saturday (closed Sundays and Mondays).

Our students’ wearable art pieces demonstrate outstanding creativity, innovation and a thoughtful approach to sustainability, transforming discarded materials into striking works of art. Their selection for exhibition is a wonderful recognition of their talent and dedication.

We are extremely proud of Allegra, Kaysie, Eva, Annabelle and Gabriella and wish them every success in the exhibition.

MSCW Athletics Carnival 2026

Ideal weather created the perfect backdrop for an outstanding day of track and field at the MSCW Athletics Carnival 2026. Students from all houses brought incredible energy, spirit and exceptional participation.

Results will be shared at the Principal’s Assembly on Wednesday 26 August.

A sincere thank you to all staff whose support ensured the carnival was such a memorable event.

Congratulations to every student for their enthusiasm, teamwork and strong MSCW pride.

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

2026 MSCW Cross Country

The annual MSCW Cross Country Carnival was held on Tuesday 28 April. A very big congratulations to the 173 students for their outstanding participation at the recent Cross Country Carnival. 

The House with the most participation points was Chavoin 1st with Perroton 2nd and Colin 3rd

Congratulations to the 2026 Age Champions.

Congratulations to the 2026 AGE CHAMPIONS AND RUNNERS UP:

12 Years – Mackenzie Lees        Runner up – Nina Polorotoff 

13 Years – Amber Melhem         Runner up – Sarah Trianitis 

14 Years – Anna Munzarova       Runner up – Grace Chow 

15 Years – Sorcha Reid               Runner up – Melissa Bridge 

16 Years – Erica Jago                  Runner up – Erin Krenmayr

17 Years – Ellie Mathews            Runner Up – Jemma Peake 

18+ Years – Billie Letsios            Runner Up – Madeleine Cheng

MSCW Cross Country Carnival Overall Results

OVERALL HOUSE CHAMPIONS

Congratulations to Chavoin House who are the 2026 Cross Country Champions!

1st Place   Chavoin

2rd Place   Perroton and Colin

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

Sports News

The 2026 Australian Swimming Trials

Huge congratulations to Anna Munzarova, Emma Ward and Maya Ostapenko on finishing the 2026 Australian Swimming Trials. They went head to head with the best open swimmers in Australia, racing for spots on the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacs teams, an incredible achievement on its own.

Competing at this level means meeting national qualifying standards and performing under real pressure and both athletes proved they belong in that arena.

Awesome achievement!

Football Results

• Junior Football A – Runners Up
• Junior Football B – Runners Up
• Intermediate Football – Champions
• Senior Football – Runners Up

Netball & Mixed Netball Results

• Junior Netball – Runners Up
• Junior Mixed Netball (C) – Runners Up
• Intermediate Netball – Champions
• Intermediate Mixed Netball (C) Champions

• Nina Polorotoff (12 Years) – 16th
• Kiera Ferraro (14 Years) – 48th
• Erica Jago (16 Years) – 27th
• Madeleine Cheng (18 Years) – 32nd

A fantastic effort by all MSCW students, demonstrating their dedication and talent in such a highly competitive arena.

Outstanding achievement!

Results

• Junior Football: 2–0
• Intermediate Football: 10–0
• Senior Football: Runners up 0–0 (5–4 in the penalty shootout)
• Junior Netball: 20–31
• Intermediate Netball: 36–39

All three Football teams will now advance to the Sydney Semi Finals in Term 3, Week 1.

A fantastic achievement!

NSW All Schools Rugby Union 7’s

Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League Championships

MSCW Junior and Senior Football

Congratulations to our MSCW Junior and Senior Football teams on an incredible season. Both squads qualified for the Sydney Championships and battled their way into the final, an outstanding achievement against the strongest Catholic schools in SCS. Although the final did not go our way, finishing as the last two teams standing is something to be extremely proud of. Amazing effort from all players and coaches!

Well done!

Mr Daniel Watts, Sports Coordinator

 

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

Sports Results

Term 2

Week 10 – Conference 2 Grand Final

Term 3

Week 1 – Sydney Semi Finals Championships

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

Canteen News

Dear Parents and Students

Thank you for your continued support of the College Canteen. Please note the following information regarding online lunch order: 

Order Cut-off Time

Lunch orders must be placed by 7:45am each morning. 

Cancellations

It is the responsibility of the account holder to cancel any orders. 

Cancellations must be made before 7:45am on the day of the order. 

Orders in Advance

To avoid the morning rush, we strongly recommend placing orders in advance, ideally for the entire upcoming week.    

Collection of Orders

Please ensure your daughter is aware when a lunch order has been placed, as: 

• Orders that are not collected will not be sent to the Student Office 

• No refunds can be provided for uncollected food, as items such as salads, sandwiches and wraps are freshly prepared  

Early Collection Options 

If your daughter needs to leave early, lunch can be collected early at the the following times via flexischools:   

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 12:30pm  

• Thursday 11:15am 

If lunch is required before these times, we recommend purchasing food directly at the Canteen register during recess instead of placing an online lunch order. 

Thank you for your cooperation.  

Canteen Staff 

Parents and Carers

Change to Flexischools

Due to the increase of online orders, the cut off time will now be 7:45 am!

Please order as soon as you are able to.

Calling on volunteers

How to set up Flexischools