Principal’s Message

Welcome to the start of the 2025 school year. A special welcome to our new students and families who have joined St Ursula’s College this year. We are thrilled to have you as part of our vibrant school community and we can’t wait for you to experience all that the College has to offer. We are also welcoming new staff to our College. Later in this newsletter you will find an introduction to each of them. 

This year marks a significant milestone for the Catholic Church as we celebrate the Jubilee Year, with the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. It is an important theme for parents and schools to reflect on and it serves as a challenge to all who parent and live with, work alongside and care for teenagers, that we are hope filled people and we show our teenagers how to live a life filled with optimism and joy. 

It has been a busy start to our new school year with events such as the Year 7 Meet and Greet Evening, Student Leaders College Theme Launch, High Achievers Assembly and the commissioning of our Student Leaders in Years 8 to 11. Please enjoy reading about these events in this newsletter.

Year 7 Meet and Greet Evening

We thoroughly enjoyed meeting our new families at our  Year 7 Meet and Greet evening. Thank you to St Ursula’s Parent Association representatives – Marisa Corniola, Peter Shori, Deborah Cheung, and Sabean Chalhoub for setting up and cooking the BBQ for our families. This allowed our new families to meet and get to know each other before heading off to meet their daughter’s Pastoral Care teachers.

College Theme Launch

Congratulations to our student leaders on their successful theme launch. The theme for 2025 is “Together We Rise”. Here are some excerpts from the assembly that was led by our talented and inspiring student leaders:

‘Our digital symbol depicts a backpack, representative of the personal challenges, responsibilities, talents, and knowledge we each carry with us on a daily basis. …. the mountain reminds us that although the destination may seem far, the journey is rewarding. When we unite, we not only help each other through this journey up the mountain, but we help carry each other’s backpacks. We don’t have to know what everyone else is carrying, but by rising together the journey becomes easier.

Our theme emphasises that the journey isn’t about the final destination or reaching the peak alone, but about climbing together, facing setbacks with resilience. As we rise, we carry forward the legacies of those who came before us, and we carve the path for those who will follow. Every flag we raise, every milestone we achieve, is a reminder that no journey is made alone. Let this year be a testament to how when we rise together, we create a future that is brighter and full of hope. Together, we build a foundation for those who will continue to climb, and in doing so, we shape a Urshies sisterhood where everyone can rise to their fullest potential.’

High Achievers Assembly

On 12 February we celebrated our annual High Achievers Assembly and the outstanding success of the Class of 2024 in both the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Higher School Certificate (HSC). It was a delight to have so many family members and friends join us to celebrate the wonderful achievements of our high achievers. 

Our College’s 2024 HSC and very first IB results were of a very high standard and the students displayed excellent learning growth. Our students achieved results of which they and their families, and their school, can be very proud. You will find a separate article later in this newsletter however I wanted to share excerpts from the speeches given by IB College Dux, Annabelle Johnson and HSC College Dux Daniella Haklane, which they kindly agreed to share with us.

“Estoy muy agradecido por la oportunidad para hablar de mis experiencias frente a la comunidad”. It’s still so surreal that after the past 2 years I can now speak another language and am off to university next week. But more than that, it’s the greatest honour to be standing before you as a member of St Ursula’s first ever cohort of International Baccalaureate Diploma students and the first IB dux in our school’s history. Today I represent my little IB cohort of 7 girls who were strong enough and daring enough to take a leap of faith and do the IB.

When I sat in my first high achievers assembly in Yr 7, it became a longstanding dream of mine to be one of the girls up on this stage. But never could I have imagined that I would be standing here as a graduate of the IB, something I didn’t even know existed. 

When this opportunity came up in Yr 10, it wasn’t an easy decision to make. I’ve been asked more times than I can count why I picked the IB over the HSC? Why take that risk? And when it comes down to it the answer is simple – the IB made me excited. Excited that I would be a pioneer at our school; that the classes would stretch my brain and hold my interest; and that I would be a part of something on a global scale. The IB content being comparable to first year uni and the idea of small classes helped confirm my decision.  

The IB has been all of those things and more. In Theory of Knowledge I was challenged to consider “how we know what we know”, I learnt another language, read books from around the world in literature, and considered other cultures, other perspectives. My internal assessments, which are large research projects worth 20% of our final mark, taught me how to think outside the box and undertake academic research. And still today, one of my proudest achievements was finishing my 4000 word extended essay about the American legal system’s impact during the civil rights movement. During my IB years, I had more than ever, felt that I was an actual participant in my own learning journey. The International Baccalaureate was right, for me.
Annabelle Johnson

My family and my teachers taught me the importance of having a strong support system of people who believe in you, encourage you and inspire in you the confidence to keep going, even in moments of self-doubt and worry. I encourage you all to lean on those who support you when your confidence wavers, and just as importantly, be that support for others. Lift each other up, celebrate each other’s successes, and help build a community where everyone feels empowered to do their best.

While the support of my teachers and family gave me strength, I also found that there were moments when I needed something even greater to lean on. 

So the second lesson I learnt this year, more than ever, is the importance of trusting in God. Whenever I felt overwhelmed, turning to Him gave me the strength to slow down, regain my confidence, and keep moving forward. A passage that deeply resonated with me during this time was Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” This verse is a strong encouragement to do our best, place our trust in God, and let Him guide the way. When you struggle to find confidence in yourself, have confidence in the Lord—He will lift you up.
Daniella Haklane

St Ursula’s Parent Association (SUPA)

I am pleased to introduce to our new parents and carers the St Ursula’s Parent Association (SUPA), established in 2024 to foster strong connections between the College and our parent community. 

Our first meeting for 2025 is on Thursday 27 February at 6:00 pm at the College. All parents are invited to come along and find out more. We will be seeking two to three Year 7 parents to join SUPA as Year group representatives. SUPA is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow parents and the College Leadership Team, and contribute to the College community.

Please make sure you read the newsletter article on our Insieme Service Program. It highlights the extensive opportunities our students have to demonstrate service within and outside our College community.

I look forward to seeing parents at our College Opening Mass on Tuesday 25 February, 10:00 am at St Mary’s Cathedral. The mass will also be live-streamed, and a link will be sent to all families for those who are unable to join us.

Vivienne Awad
Principal

Gospel Reflection

There are a lot of great and important passages on love in the Bible, and one of them is found right at the beginning of this Sunday’s gospel reading (Luke 6:27-38).

Love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, pray for those who mistreat us. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also.

The Gospel is asking a lot right?

When I think of this passage, I think of people who have shown us what this looks like in extreme circumstances. People who have endured real hatred and abuse, and who still have managed to love. And one in particular is Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He died just a couple of years ago, of cancer, but his legacy certainly lives on, because he was a Christian who taught us and showed us how to love even our enemies. 

Bishop Tutu served as a leader in South Africa during the struggle to dismantle apartheid and he certainly earned a lot of enemies along the way. What makes him such a great example of what Sunday’s gospel reading looks like is how he treated those enemies. Bishop Tutu never became bitter or hateful. He never deviated from what the Bible taught him – to love and forgive one’s enemies. He managed to go through his entire life with this focus. He was asked his secret to doing this. How was he able to live by these challenging teachings of Jesus? Bishop Tutu’s answer was both complicated and simple: 

“I hold on, and often only by the skin of my teeth, to believe that God is in charge of his world, in spite of all appearances to the contrary.” (Bishop Tutu’s Hopes and Fears)

When you truly believe that you can love even your enemies. You can pray for those who mistreat you. You can turn the other cheek and you can forgive. You can do all of this because of this deep inner conviction that God is in charge of his world, no matter how bad things look. It is a simple but life-changing belief. That was his simple answer. 

The more complicated answer is found in several of his books, including his memoir, “No Future without Forgiveness.” In this book, he talks about forgiveness as a process that is not simple, and not quick. As he puts it so eloquently:

“Forgiving, is not forgetting; it’s actually remembering – remembering and not using your right to hit back. It’s a second chance for a new beginning.”

Now, I suspect that if Bishop Tutu were still alive today, he would remind us that there is a much better role model than him, and that is Jesus. When you think about it, Jesus lived by his own teaching in an incredible way. He did that because he himself believed that his Heavenly Father was in charge of his world, no matter what was happening in his life. He chose to love his enemies even when they mocked him and spat upon him. He was determined to do good to those who hated him even when they cried out for his crucifixion. He opted to bless them when they cursed him and he prayed for them when they abused him. Even when hanging from the cross, he forgave those who put him there: 

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

Filled with the faith and conviction that God was in charge of his world, in spite of all evidence to the contrary, Jesus lived fearlessly, loved courageously, and forgave endlessly. And aren’t we thankful for that? We are certainly thankful that Jesus did what he taught us to do, later in this same reading, when he went on to say: 

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).  

Jesus did exactly that for us all. Jesus didn’t come to judge us or to condemn the world, but to save this world and to love us. In the same way, Jesus sends us out into the world not to condemn it or to judge it, but to bless it and to love it. To do all this trusting in the one who is truly in charge, even when the evidence might suggest otherwise. 

“God’s dream,” Bishop Tutu once said, “is that you and I, and all of us, will realize that we are family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness, and for compassion.”

God’s dream for us starts with God’s love for us. God’s dream for us becomes real because of God’s son, who loved us enough to die for us. God’s dream for us is shown to us through people like Bishop Tutu and also through everyday people like us. 

The world will know we are followers of Jesus by our love for one another. The world will become convinced of this love when we love even our enemies, just as Jesus taught us to do. Let us love God, love ourselves and love one another. Finally, let us follow our College theme this year “Together we rise” and do this in unity – together.

Prayer

Lord, loving our enemies is contrary to our human nature. But now You are asking us to love them. We always fail You. Lord, change our heart and transform it to become like Your merciful heart especially during sacramental celebrations. 

Allow us to spend time pondering how You have been merciful to us even when we are sinful and ungrateful.

In this way, we learn the way of the gospel. This we ask in Jesus’ name. 

Amen.

Julie Monk
Religious Education Coordinator

Introducing Insieme – our new Faith in Action Program

I am delighted to share that I have stepped into the newly created role of Coordinator of Service and Outreach. I look forward to working alongside our students, staff, and families, building on our rich and visible tradition of service, compassion, and engagement with the wider community. Inspired by Pope Francis’ call to serve with love and humility and Angela Merici’s dedication to empowering and educating young women, this role will create meaningful opportunities for our students to live out their faith in action. Service takes many forms in a school community, whether through outreach initiatives, cultural engagement, or sporting opportunities—all of which are vital to a holistic education. By participating in these diverse areas of service, our young women will develop a deeper understanding of social justice, leadership, and their responsibility to contribute positively to the world around them. 

Together, we will guide our young women to deepen their understanding of social justice and their responsibility to serve others with courage and generosity. I look forward to collaborating with you on this important journey.

This year, our Community Service program has been relaunched as the Insieme: Faith in Action Program.

The Insieme: Faith in Action Program provides a framework for students in our community to live out the College motto SERVIAM. This program is central to our mission of living out the teachings of Jesus Christ, who came among us “as one who serves” (Luke 22:27). “Insieme,” meaning “together” in Italian, reflects the spirit of unity and collaboration which are key elements of the Ursuline tradition. The program highlights the importance of working together in faith and service, embodying shared values such compassion, justice and integrity. It emphasises the collective journey of living out faith through action within the community.

We are called to be a LIVING example of service and kindness to others. The Gospel teaches that true service is grounded in love and humility, exemplified by Jesus, who said, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).

Through participation in the Insieme: Faith in Action Program, we are challenged to continue the Ursuline tradition of living a life of active witness to the Gospel through Serviam. Both semester reports will indicate: Goal Achievement (achieved, not yet achieved) recorded through Compass.

We are also looking at a number of outreach opportunities for our parent community in 2025. More details to be published soon.

Antoinette Nader
Coordinator of Service and Outreach 

Welcome to our new staff for 2025

Please get to know the wonderful new team members who will be helping support our students to learn and grow in 2025:

	Brittany Neumann | English & Year Coordinator I am delighted to be joining the St Ursula’s team and community this year. It’s a privilege to work alongside the Year 11 girls and their families as their coordinator. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a welcoming and experienced teaching team. My passion lies in making students’ time at school a meaningful and enriching educational experience, supporting them throughout their journey. As an English teacher, I am dedicated to fostering strong reading and writing skills while inspiring a love for the subject.
	Anita Rombola | HSIE teacher and Year Coordinator I am thrilled to be joining the vibrant St Ursula’s community this year and have already experienced the warm and welcoming atmosphere that the staff and students create. I am looking forward to walking alongside each Year 8 student and their families as their Year Coordinator, and teaching in the HSIE and English departments. I am passionate about student wellbeing and critical thinking, and am excited to see our students grow in their confidence and capacity throughout the year.
	Gabriella Demel | English Hi! I am so beyond grateful for the opportunity of joining the rich St Ursuline community this year and cannot wait to familiarise myself with the students and families of this school. I am passionate about uplifting the young women of tomorrow and feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a welcoming and experienced team. My key teaching areas are predominantly English, with a little bit of HSIE, and I am dedicated to fostering a strong learning environment, ensuring students have a meaningful and enriching educational experience. I look forward to an exciting year of teaching ahead!
	Jacqueline Wan | Learning Support Hello! I have been made to feel very welcome at St Ursula’s College, especially by my lovely Learning Support team. I will be responsible for looking after the Year 7 and 10 Learning Support students this year. I look forward to working with your daughters and assisting them in all areas of their learning. My hope is to make them feel safe, so they feel a sense of belonging, and can thrive in their academic and social life here at St Ursula’s College. Please feel free to contact me throughout the year if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to working with the parent community.
	Georgia Tran | English After a quick move from the country into the city, I can say I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to be teaching at the College this year. It is a privilege to be part of such a welcoming and supportive school community. I am passionate about fostering creativity and critical thinking, and in creating a classroom environment where students feel encouraged to express themselves and grow. My goal is to inspire a lifelong love of learning through curiosity, creativity and deep reflection. I am really looking forward to the year ahead!
	Emily Baker | HSIE Joining St Ursula’s this year has felt like meeting a family I never  knew I had. The staff and students have been so welcoming and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of this incredible school. As a HSIE and English teacher I am looking forward to sharing enriching learning experiences with the St Ursula’s students and helping them strive to be active citizens and educated young women who share their light with the world.
	Sophia Lapi | English I’m thrilled to be joining the College community this year. I am committed to creating an environment where students can thrive and reach their full potential. I look forward to working closely with parents and carers to ensure the academic and emotional success of students. I’m especially excited to become actively involved in school programs, retreats, and community engagement initiatives collaborating with staff, students, and the wider community throughout the year.
	Melissa Lameri | HSIE I am extremely excited to be joining the St Ursula’s College community. I am passionate about creating a positive and inclusive learning environment where students can reach their full potential through authentic learning experiences. I look forward to working with the talented staff of the College and watching students thrive, both in and out of the classroom.
	Melinda Scarpignato | TAS I am very inspired to be joining the wonderful St Ursula’s College community. I have been so impressed by the innovative learning programs, excellent facilities, resources and opportunities for students at the College. I am dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment to promote students achieving their full potential. I look forward to working collaboratively with the innovative and dynamic TAS/VET teams, Pastoral teams and school community
	Rebecca Bombaci | RE Joining the St Ursula’s Community this year has been the fulfilment of a longstanding dream. I have awaited the right timing and my patience has paid off. The Religious Education faculty have welcomed me so warmly and the seamlessness in the start of what is usually a chaotic part of the year has made me further recognise the importance of time and waiting. In my job-share with Michelle Starks, I feel blessed and optimistic about the year ahead. I have ten years of experience working as a committed and passionate Religious Education Teacher. During this time, I have also been a Youth Ministry Coordinator and member of the Wellbeing Team at my previous school. I look forward to being part of the spiritual and academic journey ahead with the wonderful students and staff at St Ursula’s College.
	Natalie Germanos | Science I am excited to be joining the Science team and becoming part of this wonderful Catholic school community. With a passion for science and a love for teaching, I look forward to inspiring students to explore the wonders of the world around them. I am currently working full time and then part time from term 2, 3 and 4 with Diana Chronopoulos. Also, I am yet to complete my final placement and once confirmed I will be commencing the start of term 2. I am excited to teach scientific concepts but also encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of creation. Looking forward to this new adventure and to collaborate with my colleagues and make a positive impact on our students’ learning journeys.
	Anne Querin | PDHPE Hello! I am excited to be joining the staff at St Ursula’s College. I aim to create a nurturing and supportive environment where students feel valued and seen, giving them the foundations to achieve their personal best. I am looking forward to working with staff, students, and the school community throughout the year. Thank you to both staff and students for the warm welcome.
	Eleanor Fattal | Visual Arts It is a privilege to join the staff at St Ursula’s College as a Visual Arts teacher. Expressive forms such as painting and photography are personal passions of mine, and I am eager to share my knowledge and experience with the students. I look forward to seeing them experiment, explore their artistic interests, and discover where their creativity—through God’s guidance—takes them this year.
	Christina Kattos | HSIE I’m excited to join the St Ursula’s community as part of the HSIE team in 2025! I’m eager to contribute to the students’ learning experiences and collaborate with such a dedicated group of educators. I look forward to becoming part of this wonderful school community and am keen to meet all the students and parents.

Welcome to the 2025 School Year: A Focus on Pastoral Care

At the heart of every thriving Catholic school is a strong foundation of pastoral care – a commitment to nurturing the spiritual, emotional and personal well-being of each student.  

At St Ursula’s we believe that academic care and pastoral care are inextricably linked. Our students are not just learners; they are individuals with unique talents, aspirations and challenges. Through our pastoral care program, we strive to provide a safe and supportive environment where every student feels valued, empowered and encouraged to grow.  

So, what does Pastoral Care look like at St Ursula’s and why is it essential to your daughter’s journey?  

• Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment
• Positive Psychology
• Fostering Emotional Resilience  
• Encouraging Personal Growth  
• Building Positive Relationships
• Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing

Through these pillars of Pastoral Care, we aim to create a school culture where students feel supported in both their academic and personal journeys.  

Our Pastoral Care Program for 2025 is outlined below. We encourage you to speak with your daughter about the topics she will explore this year as part of her pastoral care experience.  

We look forward to working together as a school community to ensure a positive and enriching year for all our students.  

Anne Sukkar
Leader of Wellbeing

Supporting Student Wellbeing

At St Ursula’s, we are always looking for ways to enhance our support for students’ wellbeing and learning. As part of our professional reading this year, the College Leadership Team and Pastoral Leadership Team are currently engaged in Raising Anxiety by Judith Locke and Danielle Einstein. 

Locke and Einstein examine the rising issue of anxiety among young people and share practical strategies to help build resilience and confidence. 

They offer the following approaches to support your daughter’s development and emotional strength:

1. Understand Anxiety’s Purpose – Anxiety isn’t always bad! It can help teens stay focused and alert to potential dangers. Teach them that feeling anxious sometimes is normal and even useful.

2. Recognise When Anxiety Becomes a Problem – Occasional worry is part of life, but if anxiety becomes overwhelming or interferes with daily activities, it may need professional attention.

3. Encourage Healthy Coping Strategies – Avoiding challenges or relying on comfort objects may provide short-term relief but can reinforce anxiety. Help your teen build resilience by facing fears gradually.

4. Address Anxiety Early – If left unchecked, anxiety can worsen over time. Be proactive in teaching coping skills and seeking support if needed.

5. Help Teens Navigate Uncertainty – Some teens are naturally more prone to worry. Encourage them to step outside their comfort zone rather than avoiding new situations.

6. Balance Protection and Independence – While parents want to keep their children safe, overprotecting them can limit their ability to handle life’s challenges. Let them take age-appropriate risks.

7. Avoid Overparenting – Constantly stepping in to prevent failure can undermine confidence. Allow your teen to develop self-reliance by handling their own responsibilities.

8. Teach the Value of Effort, Not Just Success – Excessive praise can make teens dependent on external validation. Encourage perseverance, problem-solving, and learning from mistakes.

9. Support, Don’t Rescue – If teens always have someone fixing their problems, they may struggle with independence. Guide them but let them take ownership of their choices.

10. Emphasise Growth Over Perfection – Help teens understand that success comes with effort, setbacks, and resilience. Encourage them to embrace challenges rather than fear failure.

Locke, J., & Einstein, D. (2024). Raising anxiety.

As we progress through *Raising Anxiety*, we’ll continue to share valuable strategies with you.

Anne Sukkar
Leader of Wellbeing

High Achievers Assembly

We were delighted to welcome back our 2024 High Achievers and their families for a special assembly celebrating their outstanding performances in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) and International Baccalaureate (IB). This event was an opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of our students, whose dedication, resilience and commitment have led to remarkable academic achievements.

We congratulated our high achievers on their impressive ATAR scores and acknowledged the success of our accelerated students who completed HSC courses in Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Extension 1, and Hospitality ahead of schedule. In addition, we celebrated our HSC students who were nominated or selected by NESA to showcase their Major Projects in the prestigious ARTEXPRESS, SHAPE and ENCORE exhibitions.

We also proudly acknowledged our top achieving students in 2024, including those who earned a NSW Schools State Rank, those who achieved a Sydney Catholic Schools ranking for the HSC, and those who achieved all-round exceptional performance in the IB.

A particularly historic moment for the College was the recognition of our inaugural IB cohort—trailblazers who pioneered this program with distinction (Sophia Ginley, Annabelle Johnson, Sarah-Angelina Kami, Zoe Paramythis, Natalie Petrykowycz, Kayla Portugal, Anna Richards). Their efforts set a strong foundation for future students to excel in this globally recognised curriculum.

A highlight of the assembly was the presentation of our dual Dux recipients:

• Annabelle Johnson (IB Diploma Programme Dux, ATAR 96.8) 
• Daniella Haklane (HSC Dux, ATAR 98.4) 

These outstanding students exemplify academic excellence, and their success is a testament to the unwavering support of our dedicated teaching staff, families, and the wider school community.

We are incredibly proud of the achievements of the HSC and IB Class of 2024 and invite you to join us in celebrating their hard work and success.

Please click here to view our 2024 Highlights booklet

Once again, congratulations to the Class of 2024 on their remarkable accomplishments. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for these talented young women as they go on to make a positive impact in the world.

Following the assembly, a panel of our high-achieving students from the Class of 2024 joined our current Year 12 cohort to share their insights and wisdom from their senior year. They passed on valuable advice, offering practical tips and personal reflections to help inspire and support our Year 12 students as they navigate the challenges of their final year. Their maturity, honesty, and willingness to share their experiences demonstrated both their resilience and their commitment to uplifting those who follow in their footsteps. We thank them dearly for their generosity in giving back to the College community in this way.

Ryan Zammit
Leader of Teaching and Learning Innovation

Together We Rise

On Wednesday 5 February, our Senior Student Leaders entered Merici hall donned with hats, binoculars and backpacks, ready for a hiking expedition. With a bang of confetti followed by an entertaining dance routine to High School Musical’s “We’re All in This Together”, the College Theme for 2025 was launched – Together We Rise.

College Co-captains, Elyana and Zara, explained that the theme “Together We Rise” emphasises the importance of unity and collective strength in achieving individual and collective success and overcoming adversity. It highlights that each person carries their own “backpack” filled with personal burdens or talents—whether academic, emotional, or social. While these can feel overwhelming, the theme encourages students and staff to support one another in order to lighten the load.

Please click here to view the  2025 College Theme.

Congratulations to our 2025 Student Leaders

Our Student Leaders in Years 8 – 11 were commissioned in a special assembly on Wednesday.

Please click here to view our Student Leaders for 2025.

Welcome Year 7

Year 7 have made a fantastic start to their high school journey, settling in with enthusiasm and positivity. They have embraced the new routines, friendships, and opportunities that come with joining our vibrant College community. It has been wonderful to see them navigating their classes with confidence and immersing themselves in the supportive and inclusive culture of St Ursula’s.

One of the exciting new experiences for Year 7 has been their participation in the Amadeus music program. Students have eagerly engaged in learning their allocated instruments, showing great enthusiasm as they develop new skills and an appreciation for music. The program has already provided wonderful opportunities for collaboration, creativity, and perseverance as they embark on their musical journeys.

Thursday sport has also been a highlight of the term, with students enthusiastically taking part in their chosen activities. Half of the cohort has been developing their swimming skills. Meanwhile, the other half has been actively engaged in frisbee. It has been fantastic to see their energy and commitment, and we look forward to supporting them as they continue to grow throughout the year.

Natalie Quail
Year 7 Coordinator

Year 7 Reflection Day

Have you ever thought about acceptance? What does it mean to accept somebody and how can you be more accepting of others in your life? Year 7 certainly have as part of their Year 7 Reflection Day this week.

At the College we have six values, one for each year group that build our understanding of our College motto “Serviam”. Each value has four further elements that help us understand the value more and how we can implement the value in our life. While these values are called our Ursuline values, they are Christian values based on the Gospel and our faith. St Angela Merici called her company of women to “look to him” and always follow the values and teachings of Jesus, just as the College does today.

Throughout the Year 7 Reflection Day, our newest students learnt that Jesus is the model of how to live out these values in our lives. Students learned about acceptance, diversity, inclusivity and affirmation as a starting point in their Ursuline journey. The focus of the day was on the scripture passage from John 13:20 where Jesus says – 

Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and anyone who accepts me accepts the one who sent me.

With this Scripture focus we examined through games, activities, large group and smaller group discussion, how we can:

• Be open to others without judgement
• Invite others into our lives
• Seek unity while respecting our differences
• Affirm the good in ourselves and others

Students also heard from our College Co-Captains who took time out of their busy Year 12 studies to explain how the College theme for 2025 ‘Together we rise” can be used by Year 7 to live out their Ursuline values. As part of the liturgy of the day students were asked to write the things that make them different and unique on an image of a girl.  These images were laid down in the shape of a cross, in the middle of the group, to represent how all our diverse qualities and differences make a greater whole. 

The Sydney Catholic School theme for 2025 is “May we always seek what is good, true, and beautiful.” As witnesses of Christ, we are called to seek and promote what is good, true, and beautiful in creation. Finally as a part of the day students were asked to affirm themselves before affirming the members of their PC class. This is about recognising what is good and positive in others and showing them they are appreciated and that they belong.

We hope this day helps our students in Year 7 to transition effectively and feel like they are an important part of this fabulous community. We would like to thank our Captains Zara and Elyana for speaking to Year 7 and the PC team for their work on the day, especially Ms Quail and Ms Murray. Thanks also to Mrs Monk (REC) and Mrs Nader (Assistant REC and Social Justice and Outreach Coordinator) for their work facilitating the day.

Friday Morning Mass and Monday Rosary

We are very blessed at the College to have a beautiful chapel on site. The chapel was built in 1969 – 70 and opened in 1970. The main feature of this building is definitely the beautiful stained glass windows, designed by Sr Mel Williams, which encircle the chapel and altar. This Chapel was used daily by the Ursulines when they were present at the College in larger numbers and is now used for Friday Morning Mass, Rosary on Mondays and Religious Education lessons.

While a different Religious Education class organises each Friday morning Mass, all are always welcome to join us at Mass and there is a number of students and staff who come nearly every week to spend some time with God in the Eucharist. We are very lucky to have such wonderful and humble priests in our area who assist us by being rostered on for our Masses. We are grateful to Fr Casey (currently on sabbatical) and Fr Emmanuel from Kingsgrove Parish, Fr Peter from Beverly Hills Parish, Fr John from Riverwood Parish and Fr Josh from Penshurst/Peakhurst Parish who all come to the College to celebrate Mass throughout the year. Mass begins at 8.10am and finishes in time for PC at 8.45am. Please see the roster for term 1 below:

We ask that when it is your daughter’s class Mass she arrives on time and participates in the Mass. We only ask our students to come to Mass in the chapel once a year and think it is a beautiful way to celebrate the learning in our RE classrooms and our heritage and faith.

We also hold Rosary in the Chapel each Monday at lunchtime and this is student led. While there are always teachers present, we are very happy to have our students lead us in this important devotion to Our Lady. Rosary beads and instruction cards are provided for students who may not be familiar with this practice but would like to join. Again, everyone is always welcome and we encourage students to take part. 

If you have any questions about Friday Morning Mass or Rosary, please do not hesitate to contact me at the College or discuss with your daughters RE class teacher.

Julie Monk
Religious Education Coordinator

Youth Ministry News

My name is Nicole Katacos and I am the newly appointed Youth Ministry Coordinator.

I have had the pleasure of working at St Ursula’s College for over 10 years. In that time, I have worked in both the HSIE and RE faculties, teaching a broad range of subjects across all cohorts. 

I am a mother of two, a practicing Catholic at Our Lady of Fatima Kingsgrove parish and am deeply committed to the Mission of the Church. I am an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, lead the Children’s Liturgy on Sundays and always take part in One Meal. I have been educated through the Catholic school system and feel it has been an imperative component of my faith development.

I look forward to my new role as Youth Ministry Coordinator and will continue to find opportunities to support the faith formation of students while working in collaboration with staff, students and families in the Jubilee Year of the Catholic Church. 

In the next edition, I will share information on upcoming events.

Nicole Katacos
Youth Ministry Coordinator

One Meal at Kingsgrove and Service

Since 2021, we have been offering a weekly meal service for the vulnerable in our community.  In partnership with Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, our weekly meal service  is an active way of living the Gospel values and allows a visible expression of Serviam in our local community. 

We are calling for people who are interested in taking part to register their interest as Team member. 

What will be required?

• A commitment on a Wednesday every 12 weeks. 
• Take away service 
• You will be required at the Clune Centre from 4:00pm – 5:00pm
• You will work as part of a team of 8-10 volunteers. Each team will have a designated team leader. This number will allow the work to be spread out and shared. 
• You will be asked to bring a home cooked meal to the dinner service. (Main courses, side dishes, soups, fruit and dessert) Meals need to be nutritious, healthy and include a range of protein and vegetables. 
• The team will set up, serve and pack away the service.
• The dinner service will run outside of the Clune Centre at 89 Shaw St Kingsgrove. 
• All volunteers would be covered by insurance from One Meal.

If this ministry is something you may consider, please feel free to reach out to me at the College on 95023300 or via email at antoinette.nader@syd.catholic.edu.au

What does “Service “ look like at St Ursula’s College?

At St. Ursula’s College, Serviam, meaning “to serve,” embodies the Ursuline tradition of fostering a commitment to service, compassion, and leadership among students. This value is expressed through various activities and initiatives that encourage students to contribute positively to their school, local community, and beyond. 

Examples of how Serviam is reflected include:

Antoinette Nader
Coordinator of Service and Outreach 

Sport Report

Archbishop Fisher’s Newsletter

Please click here to view the latest newsletter from Archbishop Anthony Fisher.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

Members of the school community are invited to follow St Ursula’s on Facebook and on Instagram. If you know anyone considering high schools for their daughter, you may also like to share our accounts with them. 

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