Principal’s Message

Dear Friends of St Ursula’s

Welcome to our second issue of Piazza for 2025. 

I am delighted to share with you a celebration of the many community events that have taken place this term.

Serviam in Action

We held two highly successful fundraisers this term that you can read more about in this newsletter: 

• Girls Night In

The term began with Girls Night In, our annual fundraiser for breast cancer. It was an extraordinary success and set the tone for an inspiring Term 2. Our senior students went above and beyond to ensure that this event on the College calendar was more than just a night of fun and connection, but also about raising both awareness and funds to support women’s cancer research and initiatives. 

• Vinnies Sleepout

Approximately 100 staff and students braved the cold and slept overnight in our Merici hall to raise money for Vinnies Winter Homeless Appeal. 

Both events generated a significant amount of money for the charities. St Ursula’s College is a giving community and our motto, Serviam, is part of our fabric and was certainly witnessed at these events. I am very proud of all members of the community involved in both of these events.

Student Spotlight

I am thrilled to share that Year 12 student Jacinta Drumond has been selected as the winner of Sydney Catholic Schools’ Jubilee 2025 Songwriting Competition! Jacinta’s beautifully composed song captures the essence of hope, renewal, and unity—the very spirit of this Jubilee year. As part of her prize, Jacinta will collaborate with renowned international producer Philippe-Marc Anquetil to professionally record and produce her song. It will be featured at key Jubilee 2025 events and shared widely across the school network, celebrating her incredible talent and artistic vision.

College Musical – Matilda JR

Our highly anticipated 2025 College Musical “Matilda JR” was a resounding success with audiences wowed by the talent and professionalism of our actors, singers, dancers and musicians. The sell-out production not only showcased the talents of our performers but of all the students working behind the scenes, whether it be in set design, hair and make-up, backstage, lighting and sound, front of house or hospitality. We are extremely proud of all students involved. The production would not have been possible without the wonderful staff who dedicated their time and efforts into putting it all together.

Please click here to view a highlights reel of this wonderful production.

Upgrade to facilities

We are pleased to announce that our Student Amenities Block near the Canteen is being refurbished. The builders will begin the task from next week and it will take approximately ten weeks to complete. The students are very excited about this project and I cannot wait to see their happy faces once the Amenities Block is complete. It will be beautiful.

Visiting Ursuline Sisters from Rome

Earlier this term we had the pleasure of welcoming Sr Leone Pallisier, former Principal of St Ursula’s, along with two Ursuline Sisters—Sister Claudine and Sister Neusimar—who are currently serving at the General Council in Rome with Mother General Sue Flood. It was a joy to show them around the College with the assistance of Sr Fran Milledge. Given that Sr Sue Flood is an alumna of St Ursula’s Kingsgrove, they will no doubt be eager to share their experience of visiting her former school upon their return to Rome.

College Inquiry and Review

This term, the College underwent a process of Inquiry and Review.  This process is conducted by Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) and is an important part in the life of every school in the Archdiocese of Sydney. A panel of SCS staff and colleague Principals visit the school for two days and hear parents, students and staff reflect on our College achievements over the last five years as well as identify areas for growth. It was very affirming and the panel presented the staff with many commendations. They will produce a report for the College and we will share the highlights with you in our next edition. The College will now begin the process of creating the next Strategic Improvement Plan for 2026 to 2029.

As Term 2 draws to a close, we are enormously proud of all that has been accomplished this term and we look forward to sharing our Term 3 events with you next time. We love to hear about the achievements of our ex students, so please make contact with us if you have a story you would like to share.

Regards

Vivienne Awad
Principal

The inspiring story of Frances and her long journey to HSC success

Frances Wilmore left St Ursula’s in 1974 and returned over a decade later to complete her HSC studies. Her extraordinary story shows the power of education, encouragement and determination. We thank Frances most sincerely for sharing her inspirational story and photos with us.

What were the circumstances surrounding you leaving high school in Year 11 and why did you decide to return to complete your HSC more than a decade later?

I became pregnant with my eldest son Chris towards the end of 1974. I left school intending to continue my HSC studies by correspondence (which in those days was by snail mail) but that proved too difficult. I married my husband Patrick in December 1974 (we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary last December) and Christopher was born in May 1975. I had 2 more children Adam and Meghann (Meghann also attended St Ursula’s class of ‘99). I always wanted to complete the HSC so when Meghann started kindergarten at OLF I decided to complete the HSC. I was still in contact with the Ursuline nuns who taught me the first time (particularly Sr Marj Carroll) and when I mentioned I wanted to do the HSC the nuns invited me to complete my studies at St Ursula’s. It was so much easier to walk to school with my 3 kids (2 kids at OLF and 1 at De la Salle) than to attend TAFE and I felt much more comfortable in my old school. Occasionally my 2 youngest kids joined me in class.

How did you find the experience? Were you treated differently as a mature age student? 

It was a wonderful though very stressful experience. I was only 30 when I returned but felt like an old lady compared to the students. It was the first year of assessments which was a steep learning curve for students and teachers alike. A big change was the use of “scientific calculators” which at first was quite daunting. Most of the students accepted me and many became my friends. I participated in all the activities/events as a normal student but Principal Sr Mary O’Neill said I should wear normal clothes – to be honest it would have been easier to wear the uniform than to have my outfits critiqued by the girls! I don’t think St Ursula’s had changed very much and there were teachers still there from my first time. I had certainly changed though, much more serious and focused!

What are your fondest memories of your time (both times!) at St Ursula’s?

Both times my fondest memories of St Ursula’s are the wonderful teachers – they made an indelible mark on my life and set me up for 5 1/2 years of full time Uni and College of Law – I started Uni with so many skills gained at St Ursula’s and thoroughly enjoyed my time there because of them. The nuns gave me my own room in the convent where I could study and I was often spoiled with morning tea by the lovely retired nuns who were some of my biggest supporters.

A particularly funny moment was my husband Patrick attending parent-teacher nights to meet the teachers!

Did your unusual HSC pathway lead to the results you expected and how did this make you feel?

My unusual pathway exceeded my expectations. I commenced Year 11 the second time just aiming to complete the HSC but in Year 11 the teachers advised me that I was going to do well so from then on my goal became Law. I did a BA/LLB at UNSW & a Diploma of Legal Practice at the College of Law and was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW in 1994. There followed various qualifications in Management and Environmental Planning. I worked part time at a solicitors office while at Uni and had legal roles in a variety of government departments before being appointed General Manager Legal of a NSW government state owned corporation. My success was due to St Ursula’s and the unfailing support of my wonderful family.

After an extremely busy and stressful but enjoyable career in law I became very ill in 2014 so Patrick and I retired to the beautiful NSW Far South Coast.

In 2016 I became a dementia and delirium volunteer at my local regional hospital. I love caring for cognitively impaired people and working with the nurses who care for them. I have done many online health courses and am a member of various community health committees.

These days I love the quiet life; reading, gardening, cooking, looking after my lovely husband and spoiling my 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and the older kids!

If you have an interesting story regarding your time at St Ursula’s or your achievements since leaving, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at info@stursulakingsgrove.catholic.edu.au

A Magical Triumph: St Ursula’s College Presents Matilda Jr

St Ursula’s College was alive with music, magic and mischief as students brought Roald Dahl’s beloved story Matilda Jr to life in a spectacular musical production that dazzled audiences and warmed hearts—despite the winter chill! We were thrilled to welcome over 350 primary school students to our special matinee performance, introducing a new generation to the magic of musical theatre. Across three sold out evening performances, over 960 audience members from the College community and beyond, braved the cold to support our students and were rewarded with a heartwarming, professional and high-energy show that left everyone smiling.

From the moment the curtain rose, it was clear that this was no ordinary school production. The cast, led by a talented group of student performers, delivered powerful vocals, heartfelt acting and infectious energy. Our lead actors captured the spirit of their characters with charm and confidence, while the ensemble and dancers filled the stage with vibrant movement and joyful expression, creating a dynamic and immersive experience for all.

The pit band, composed of skilled students from Years 7-12, Amadeus tutors and professional musicians, brought Tim Minchin’s score to life with flair and precision, adding depth and emotion to every moment. Behind the scenes, the stage crew worked tirelessly to ensure every scene change was seamless and every technical cue was spot-on. Working alongside the professional lighting and audio team, their professionalism were the backbone of the production’s success. 

The students have been working on this production since Term 3 2024 and the show really ramped up production this year. The students have given up countless hours to rehearse and prepare for the show, and their commitment and passion was clearly visible over the performances. We also had a talented team of set designers join the team in 2025. They helped to decorate and make set pieces to bring Crunchem Hall and the Wormwoods house to life. 

This production would not have been possible without the unwavering support and guidance of our dedicated teachers, who mentored, directed, choreographed and inspired every step of the way. To our Co-Directors, Ms Anne Sukkar and Ms Stephanie Josifovski, thank you for working magic with the leads and ensemble to bring the story and lyrics to life; to our Music Director and Assistant Music Director and Piano Conductor, Ms Sarah Olsen and Ms Danielle Buiaroski, thank you for leading the phenomenal pit band, which consisted of so many junior students; to our costume designer Ms Kate Hoegh-Rasmussen, thank you for capturing the spirit and joy of the show; and Emma Harrison our fantastic choreographer, who worked with the dancers and student choreographers; and to Mr Jamie Valente and Mr Chris Ninni – our fantastic production assistants who worked behind the scenes to ensure the shows ran smoothly. Their passion for the arts and commitment to student growth shone through in every detail of the show.

A special thank you goes to our incredible TAS team and hospitality students, who transformed the foyer in Salo into a festive and welcoming space. Their delicious catering and creative presentation added an extra layer of excitement and community spirit to the event. Thank you to the group of student volunteers who helped usher our audiences and the the College Leadership Team, support staff and College teaching staff who volunteered their time to support the students and team during the weeks leading up to the show. 

To our entire College community—students, staff, families, and friends—thank you for your encouragement, your applause, and your belief in the power of the creative and performing arts. Matilda Jr was more than a show; it was a celebration of talent, teamwork, and the joy of storytelling.

We can’t wait to see what magic the next production brings in 2027! 

Gemma Baldwin
CAPA Coordinator

Girls Night In – it’s a wrap!

Our 2025 Girls Night was our biggest yet, with $21,675 being raised for women’s cancer. A huge thank you to all involved in making the evening a huge success!

Elyana Fadel and Zara Sly
College Co-Captains

Vinnies Winter Sleepout

Antoinette Nader
Services and Outreach Coordinator

Our Call For Hope – Winner of the Jubilee 2025 Songwriting Competition

Year 12 student, Jacinta Drummond has had her composition “Our Call for Hope” selected as the winner of the Jubilee 2025 Songwriting Competition. Not only will her song feature at key Jubilee 2025 events but Jacinta will also have the opportunity to work with international producer Philippe-Marc Anquetil to professionally record her song.

The 2025 Jubilee Songwriting Competition invited songwriters to capture Pope Francis’ vision for the Holy Year, expressing in both lyrics and melody the call for Catholics to embrace unity and look towards a future filled with compassion and peace. The winner was announced on Friday 30 May and I was honoured to hear that my composition, ‘Our Call for Hope’ had been selected. John Burland, renowned liturgical composer and musician, commented that my song “stood out for its musical excellence, lyrical depth, and powerful expression of the Jubilee theme,” and that “the judging panel was deeply moved.” I’m so grateful for this outcome and the opportunity to share my work with a wider audience.

Writing this song was a rewarding experience that allowed me to reflect on the values of the Jubilee Year and share my passion for music and songwriting. To compose this piece and in order to fulfill the competition’s criteria, I took a different approach from my usual style of songwriting. Usually I compose the music first, then improvise lyrics and melodies to workshop its overall structure and product. For this competition, however, I started with the lyrics, laying out the sections and focusing on the messages I hoped to convey. I wanted each lyric to tell a unique story so that when sung with the piano, they created a complete and emotionally powerful piece. It was a more thoughtful and structured process than usual but incredibly rewarding

Songwriting is an integral part of my life and being able to use it to communicate messages that resonate with so many people is something truly special to me. With each song I write and every opportunity to explore new lyrical and musical styles, I continue to grow as both an artist and a storyteller—skills I hope to carry into a future career as a professional singer-songwriter.

I look forward to the opportunity to work with John Burland and international producer, Philippe-Marc Anquetil to bring this track to life, as well as to the upcoming live performances. As an international theme, my song will be shared across multiple networks and hopefully inspire a wider community with its message. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to extend my craft and look forward to sharing the final product with everyone.

Jacinta Drummond
Year 12

Stephanie Dalzell – a champion for Endo Awareness!

Stephanie Dalzell (Class of 2005) is a political reporter in the ABC’s Parliament House bureau in Canberra. We were delighted to have Stephanie conduct a Zoom chat with our Year 9 students on a topic that she has a very personal connection with and has become quite a champion of!

Help Anne rebuild her life after a devastating house fire

Anne Grantham is a former St Ursula’s student (Class of 1963) who completely embodies the Serviam spirit. Many former students with a similar community spirit may have crossed paths with Anne and her husband Ted over the years at various churches of all denominations across Sydney either in the music community or community outreach such as the early bird cafe in the city.  Many more alumnae who continued their education at Sydney University would have heard Ted play the organ for graduations at the University’s Great Hall or play the Carillon from the bell tower. Ted was the longest serving Carillon player at the University. They were also regularly singing at St Mary’s Cathedral as part of the St Mary’s Singers.

Tragically Anne lost both Ted and her family home in a fire on 28 May 2025. Some may already be aware of this via the news or the OLF masses and parish bulletin.  A Go Fund Me campaign has been set up by Sandra Harris, on behalf of Ann, and aims to provide some financial security for Anne during this difficult time.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-anne-rebuild-her-life-after-a-devastating-house-fire

Class of ’79 Reunion!

Kath Cunneen
College Captain, Class of ‘79

Upcoming Reunions

Calling the Class of 1975! 50 Year Reunion!!

A gathering for the St Ursula’s College students of HSC 1975 and SC 1973 will be held at Oatley Pub in an upstairs room

• Date: Sunday 19th October 2025
• Time: From 2pm
• Food and drinks available to purchase
• RSVP 19th September
• Please email Judith Melville at 40rowley@gmail.com with your name and phone number.

No formalities . . . just a chance to chat and reminisce over a beverage or two.

We have all matured just like fine wine!

Planning a reunion? 

We imagine that in 2025, there might be a 10 year reunion for the Class of 2015, a 20 year reunion for the Class of 2005 and a 30 year reunion for the Class of 1995 and a 40 year reunion for the Class of 1985! Perhaps there are other years planning get-togethers?

If you are involved in planning any of these reunions, please do let us know the details so we can include them in upcoming issues of Piazza.

We are always delighted to notify Alumnae of upcoming reunions. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to include something in the next issue.

We need your help! – Share your career pathway with our students

You are invited to our inaugural Gala Dinner

It is with great pleasure and anticipation that I personally invite you to join us for a very special occasion – St Ursula’s First-Ever Gala Dinner – a night of celebration, community, and purpose.

This inaugural event is more than a dinner – it is a celebration of everything we value as a College community: connection, collaboration, and a shared commitment to the success and wellbeing of our students. We hope the evening will provide a rare opportunity for parents, staff, alumnae, and friends to come together in a spirit of joy and unity.

The Gala will feature entertainment, three-course dinner and drinks and plenty of opportunities to connect with one another. Above all, this evening serves to support a significant enhancement to our facilities — the installation of air conditioning in Merici Hall, ensuring the space remains inviting and functional for all members of our College community. Together, we can create lasting improvements that will benefit current and future students alike.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday 30 August 2025
• Time: 6:30 pm – 11:30 pm
• Venue: DOCKSIDE, Balcony level, Cockle Bay, Darling Park
• Attire: Formal
• Ticket Cost: $150 per ticket (Includes, 3 course meal, drinks and entertainment)

Tickets for the Gala Dinner are now available for purchase.

We encourage you to secure your place early, as seating is limited and interest is expected to be high. Tickets can be purchased via https://www.trybooking.com/1410970. Tables may be booked individually or in groups, so feel free to invite extended family or friends to share in this memorable occasion. Please see flyer below for more information and QR code for ease of booking your tickets.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our school’s journey. We look forward to celebrating with you as we strengthen the bonds that make our community so special.

Warm regards

Vivienne Awad
Principal

Vale

Sr Joanna taught at St Ursula’s College, Kingsgrove in the early 80’s (1981-1982). She came to St Ursula’s after several years teaching at the Catholic Girls High School Canberra, now known as Merici College. Sr Joanna brought with her good knowledge of the current curriculum and the teaching methods being implemented in the 80’s. Above all what characterised Sr Joanna’s teaching was her zest, energy and concern for each student.

We thank Sr Joanna for the contribution she made to the education of our students in the early 80’s. We remember with gratitude the part she played in building the strong educational fabric of St Ursula’s as we remind ourselves that we walk in the steps of the good educators who have gone before us.

Sr Patty Andrew OSU

Serviam – Buy a College Key Ring

Carrying the Spirit of Serviam: Serviam keyrings are now available to purchase.

If you would like the St Ursula’s crest on your keys as a reminder of our culture of service, connection and lifelong learning, we encourage you to visit the College Reception, where keyrings are available to alumnae for $5.00 each.

If you can’t drop in to the College, you can email us to arrange your purchase and a keyring will be posted to you.

Please email us at: info@stursulakingsgrove.catholic.edu.au

We LOVE hearing from you

Announcements and stories of interest

Please keep in touch and let us know about any weddings, births, deaths or other news. We are always looking for interesting stories to share with our Alumnae, including career milestones, life events, personal reflections and memories.

School Socials

Members of the school community are invited to follow St Ursula’s on Facebook and on Instagram. Our social media platforms feature photos and videos of our students’ many achievements and learning experiences, latest events and other exciting news from around the school. Our handle on both Facebook and Instagram is @stursulascollegekingsgrove

Alumnae Socials

The St Ursula’s Alumnae Facebook page is a private group run by a former student who volunteers her time to manage the page. Whilst the College is not directly responsible for this page we appreciate the effort involved in maintaining such a group. You can find this group by searching for St Ursula’s College Alumnae on Facebook and you will need to answer questions about your schooling to be accepted into the group.

Reunions

If you are organising a reunion and would like to promote it in our newsletter, please do get in touch and provide us with the following details:

• Venue
• Date
• RSVP date and contact details
• And anything else you would like to add!

After the event, don’t forget to send us photographs! We would love to include these in the next edition of the Piazza.

Mailing list

The College maintains an opt-in email database of our Alumnae for the purposes of sending out this newsletter and for other important announcements. Please do let us know if your email address changes. Bounced emails will be deleted and unfortunately we are not able to contact individuals to get their updated email address. As we try and refine this database we may from time to time ask you to confirm your graduating year. This information is especially helpful when we are are asked to email reunion details to a specific cohort. Our database is completely confidential and not shared with anyone.

Contact details

Email: info@stursulakingsgrove.catholic.edu.au
Ph: (02) 9502 3300