Thanks to a very generous bequest from an ex-student of the college, we were able to commission the bronze sculpture. The ex-student was Paula Margaret Williams (nee Johnson) who graduated from the College in 1948. Sadly, Paula passed away on 23 January 2022, 92 years old. Paula\u2019s sister Wendy, also an MSCW graduate, was not able to attend the event due to illness but in my conversations with her she recalls the wonderful time that she and Paula spent here at the College. Wendy said: \u201cPaula went on to become a school teacher who developed a real love of English and writing\u201d. Wendy also mentioned that she still has many Tower magazines from the 1940\u2019s and that she and her sister Paula were part of the group of students who had to relocate to Mittagong during the Second World War. Paula\u2019s very generous bequest acknowledges the profound positive experience that her Marist Sisters\u2019 education provided.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Having a sculpture of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin \u201cJMC\u201d in the playground for students to see and interact with daily is something that I have always dreamt of for our Marist girls. It\u2019s a <\/span>tangible reminder and acknowledgement of the strong foundations<\/b> on which we as a community are founded. I want the sculpture to be something that the students interact with\u2026to touch, talk to, acknowledge, and even dress up at significant times. She is not an object we just look at. Instead, JMC is a personality we want fully involved in our College life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Our sculpture artists, Gillie and Marc were chosen to bring to life our JMC vision due to their interest in our college community and search to know more, their passion as artists, their experience and their many examples of wonderful art all around the world.<\/span><\/p>\n Congratulations to our talented and creative Sculpture Working Party who responded to my call to help design the sculpture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Students:<\/b><\/p>\n Staff:<\/b><\/p>\n Sculpture Models:<\/b><\/p>\n Students: Maddison Turri (Class of 2023) & Viviane Leon (Yr8)<\/span><\/p>\n Staff: Mrs Leanne Mezzina (Class of 1984)<\/span><\/p>\n I also share the inscription on the plaque that describes the artistic rationale and meaning behind the design:<\/span><\/p>\n This stunning life-sized bronze of <\/span><\/i>Jeanne-Marie Chavoin <\/i><\/b>represents our Marist Tradition – the profound privilege of passing knowledge, values, traditions and stories from one generation to the next.\u00a0 Our French Foundress, Jeanne-Marie Chavoin, was the embodiment of Marist Sisters\u2019 commitment to the education of young women, depicted here by an open book in her hands, fully engaged in reading to her students. This generous act of dedication signifies the daily opportunities that learning brings to Marist students, opening the gateway to a world of future possibilities, each thriving on meaningful relationships. The gift of reading portrays the transformative power of education, but equally its spiritual connection to those values and traditions which form the foundation of the Marist Sisters\u2019 philosophy, <\/span><\/i>\u2018Marist Women of Action\u201d<\/i><\/b>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The <\/span><\/i>senior student<\/i><\/b> explores the text with curiosity, seeking guidance and wise discernment from Jeanne-Marie. The dynamic connection between them is evident – a common purpose characterised by the shared pursuit of knowledge and joined by the confident arm of Jeanne-Marie. Similarly, the senior, her arm resting reassuringly on her sister’s shoulder, captures a sense of genuine affection and belonging, the <\/span><\/i>younger sister<\/i><\/b> responding with a look of admiration and trust. The three women are gathered around our <\/span><\/i>Marist Compass<\/i><\/b> which symbolises courage, compassion and gifts while effectively expressing the \u2018sisterhood\u2019 of our Marist family.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The <\/span><\/i>JMC<\/i><\/b> sculpture is strategically positioned on Futuna Terrace, allowing students the daily opportunity to make a passing \u201ctouch\u201d or acknowledge <\/span><\/i>Jeanne-Marie<\/i><\/b> with a \u2018nod\u2019 of respect and gratitude. It also becomes a welcome place for inspiration and prayer.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Within the college, Jeanne-Marie stands clearly as a visual reminder of the Marist Sisters\u2019 vision for the education and empowerment of young women. Her welcoming presence invites students and staff to unite and gather regularly, inspiring them to make individual and collective contributions to the college and wider community, thereby developing their unique <\/span><\/i>Marist \u2018compass for life\u2019.\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n Last week we announced our newly elected 2024\/2025 Student Leaders. This week they have been on a 2-day Leadership Camp to build and form as a team, develop their motivating theme and start preparations for the positive impact they will make.<\/span><\/p>\n During our Foundress Day Mass, 3 July, we will invest and present badges to these new student leaders. Student leadership at MSCW is an opportunity for students to action their commitment toward \u2018service\u2019. It also represents an opportunity to make significant changes through their daily and weekly contributions, first in our MSCW community, then beyond in local and global communities. It is through their daily and weekly example, they become a voice for all students. This opportunity also equips students with important life skills to utilise and further enhance beyond school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Next week we welcome to our staff Mr Phillip O\u2019Sullivan, Mathematics teacher. We wish Phillip well as he joins our Marist community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I have been working as a casual teacher for the past 6 years mostly at St Pius X Chatswood. I have previous taught at St Clare’s College Waverley, before returning to University and completing a Masters in Commerce, majoring in Economics. Other teaching experience includes a period at the University of NSW and Sydney University teaching economics in their foundation courses. For most of my working life I was employed as an economist in Banking and Insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n An historical moment for our College! Last Friday was a significant moment in the history of our Marist Sisters\u2019 College community. We unveiled and blessed a stunning life-sized bronze sculpture of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin \u2013 Our Foundress, affectionately known as the \u2018JMC\u2019 sculpture. Jeanne-Marie was the foundress of the Marist sisters, the sisters who originated in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":3070,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","article_category":[],"article_tag":[],"class_list":["post-10276","article","type-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mscw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/10276","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mscw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mscw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mscw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10276"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mscw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mscw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10276"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"article_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mscw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_category?post=10276"},{"taxonomy":"article_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mscw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_tag?post=10276"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Sculpture Working Planning Committee:<\/b><\/h5>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2024\/06\/Screenshot-2024-06-17-at-2.20.06\u202fPM-e1719970106702.png\")
\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/div>\nOur newly elected 2024\/2025 Student Leaders<\/b><\/h4>\n
<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\nWelcome to MSCW!<\/b><\/h4>\n
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\n <\/a><\/td>\n\n Philip O’Sullivan<\/h5>\n