Principal’s Message
I recently read an article by Fr Brendan Byrne SJ in Australian Catholics, 20 November 2023, about the feast day of Christ the King. Fr Byrne said:
“What Matthew’s Gospel on this feast day wishes to communicate with great seriousness is that the final outcome of one’s existence is irreversibly determined by the attitude one takes towards fellow human beings here and now. The final judgement will ask whether we have acted with active care and compassion to those in need”.
These words reminded me of a Christmas card I received many years ago from Sr Mary O’Neill osu, former Principal of St Ursula’s College. Mary had made the card herself and had included this verse inside the card:
Around us, we can all find examples of why this work of Christmas is needed more than ever and we don’t have to always look to places far away. The work of Christmas must begin in each of our hearts, in each of our homes.
That is what Advent reminds us to do. To prepare our hearts again for the birth of Jesus.
The work of Christmas is hard work. It doesn’t begin at the start of Advent or end on 25 December and it has very little to do with lights or brightly wrapped gifts as lovely as these all are. It is about how each of us is a light for another person, each of us is a gift to another, and each of us meets the other with compassion and mercy every day.
Let us pray that we do all we can to promote peace in our hearts, our families, our communities and our world and that we practise justice, mercy and faith.
As we approach the end of this academic year, I am continually inspired by the resilience, compassion, and dedication that our students, staff and parents display. Our last newsletter of the year is always jam-packed with so many wonderful accomplishments of those in our vibrant community however I do want to make a special mention here of one event brought to life this term.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
I know that the College had a rich history of producing musicals but somehow they had dropped off the College calendar. We have been blessed for the last 7 years with the wonderful “College Spectacular” with singing, dancing and acting, a mini version of a musical showcasing the talented students in a teacher-composed flow of a story, but this year we returned to the staging of a musical which took over 8 months to prepare, plan, rehearse and perform.
What impressed me about this event was the number of students who were involved both in front and behind the scenes. Singers, dancers, actresses, musicians, VET Entertainment lighting and sound producers, our hospitality team and candy sales girls, ushers, costumers, make-up artists as well as choreographers. All of these girls, along with so many staff and no doubt parents, doing their bit to make such an amazing event happen in our Merici Hall. We were mesmerised by the standard of the musical from every perspective. I hope that this now becomes part of the College calendar.
Staff Farewells
In this final newsletter of the year, I wish to extend my thanks to our incredible teachers and support staff. Their commitment to nurturing the academic, spiritual and personal growth of our young women is a great gift to our community. I especially want to thank and recognise the staff who will be leaving St Ursula’s. Their many and varied generous contributions both in and outside the classroom are what make the College such a harmonious community.
Mary Hayman
Mary has been at St Ursula’s since 1990 and is synonymous with the Visual Arts Department. As the Visual Arts Coordinator for over 20 years, she has ensured that the creativity of each student could find its way into an artistic piece of work which was always proudly displayed each year. Many students would say that Art was and is their favourite subject where their individualism can find an expression and outlet. This is a magnificent accomplishment and I know Mary is highly respected by her colleagues and students. We are incredibly grateful for her valuable contribution to our College. We wish her all the best as she commences this wonderful chapter of retirement knowing full well that Mary will find her ways of expressing her creativity beyond the College.
Lorraine Khoury
Lorraine joined the staff in 2016 working in the Science area. A young gifted female scientist, she instilled a passion for science in her students until she began her family. She has been on extended parental leave for the last few years and has decided to resign to be with her three children as they grow.
Matthew Sells
Matthew joined our community in 2019 working in the English, History and Business Services areas. Matthew has also been busy co-leading our Voices of Tomorrow forum enabling students to develop an informed voice in the issues around the world that matter to them. We wish Matthew all the very best as he takes on a new venture beyond the classroom.
Jessica Touma
Jessica joined our community in 2020. When she came to our College I knew it was only a matter of time before she would gain the confidence to take up a formal leadership role in the area of Religious Education. While we were saddened that she has accepted the role of Assistant REC, we know that she is more than ready for this role. I thank her especially this year for accompanying our girls on World Youth Day and sharing her faith so generously with all of her classes.
Claire Mulcahy
Claire joined our English department in 2023 bringing with her a wealth of expertise and skill. We wish her all the very best as she pursues interests beyond the classroom.
Audrey Noonan
Audrey joined our Visual Arts team at the beginning of 2023 in a temporary role and has successfully secured a position at another school in 2024. We thank her for her creativity and passion for all things textiles and wish her all the very best in the future.
Thank you to our St Ursula’s Representative Council (STURC)
I take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the parent representatives of the STURC and the many families who supported the STURC initiatives to build our community through the events they generously coordinated. We are all the better for your work and efforts.
In particular, our staff this morning were delighted by the staff thank you morning tea organised by Year 7 parent representatives. Special thanks to Marisa Corniola; Peter Shori; and Diana Nasr for their wonderful organisation of this special event.
Finally, I would like to sincerely thank every one of you for the opportunities and challenges that you have provided me in my tenure as Principal over the last 8 years. I have been so very blessed to have led this remarkable community and sincerely wish it continues to grow in faith, knowledge, mercy and compassion.
May the coming weeks be filled with joy, love, and a renewed and re-energised sense of purpose as we prepare our hearts for the arrival of Christmas and the work to come.
Thank you for your continued support to make St Ursula’s a place where all are welcome.
Wishing you all a blessed and holy Christmas so when the song of the angels is stilled you will be ready.
Goodbye and God bless,
