Newsletter 15 2021 - 17 Sep 2021
You need to have a plan of action if you want to realise your hope

You need to have a plan of action if you want to realise your hope

According to the dictionary, hope is “a feeling of desire and expectation that things will go well in the future” and it is very easy to understand why during this time of uncertainty and pandemic so many of us are using and hearing “I hope” statements as part of almost every conversation we have.

I was reflecting on what I hope for at this time in the context of our College:  

  • I hope that our Year 12s are able to return to face-to-face learning so that they can rekindle their friendships with girls with whom they have studied for 6 maybe even 13 years.  
  • I hope that they are also able to re-establish their great relationships with their teachers most of whom have walked with them in their learning journey for at least the last two years. 
  • I hope that when they do return that they are able to keep safe –  not only so that their HSC examination can continue, but more importantly so that they are safe.
  • I hope that our Year 7 to 11 students are able in time, to return safely too.
  • I hope that the numbers contracting the virus decreases, that our hospital system is able to deal with the numbers coming in each day and that our front-line workers continue to be courageous. I heard only this morning that one man has just been released from the hospital after contracting the virus nearly 400 days ago and that the nurses clapped him in a guard of honour as he left the hospital.   

I was told some time ago, that hope is not a strategy and that you need to actually have a plan of action if you wanted to realise your hope… and while this is somewhat true in some circumstances, in settings where you have very little control, trying to plan becomes an exercise in dreams and options. 

So as a school we have made plans for Year 12 to return, we have plans to minimise the risk of them contracting the virus, we have plans… but our plans are out of necessity very flexible. 

For Christians, hope is so much more than just a feeling.

In the Bible, hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness.  

St Angela Merici, foundress of the Ursulines once wrote:

“ … Do not be afraid of not knowing ….have hope and firm faith in God, for he will help you in everything ….”

Prologue 14/15

In this time of so much uncertainty, we can be certain that our God walks with us: he is the face of our front-line workers, our grieving families, our elderly who are unable to be visited, our fathers who have lost their jobs, our own tiredness. 

As a Christian community, even though we don’t have control over many aspects of our current situation we do have control over how we respond to it. 

So our hope-inspired plan must include respectfulness especially to differences of opinions about the best course of action; it must include sensitivity; it must include selflessness and a sense of working for the common good. 

These actions are not “wishes” but are real and tangible ways that we can respond to what is happening and each one of us has control over these everyday actions and attitudes.

And finally, the best and sometimes most forgotten strategy is to pray:

  • pray that God continues to inspire scientists to find solutions to what we face;
  • pray that God continues to give front line workers the energy to keep turning up to work even in fear that they take COVID back to their own families; 
  • pray that God refreshes our teachers  so that when they return next term  the learning can continue to be lively and engaging ; 
  • pray to God that work and business can return so that families are not financially stressed.

In a word: Pray!

To have hope is to believe that history continues to be open to the dream of God and to human creativity;
To have hope is to continue to affirm that it is possible to dream of a different world,
without hunger, without injustice, without discimination;
To have hope is to believe in the revolutionary potential of faith and to leave the door open so that the Spirit can enter and make all things new;
To have hope is to begin as many times as necessary; 
To have hope is to live.

 


Each fortnight I have been sharing with you some of the highlights from the staff and students and each fortnight I have been truly inspired by the way in which they have risen and continue to rise to the challenge. 

It is fitting that this week’s highlight comes from Year 12 themselves.

As I write this 121 of our 165 Year 12 students have already received early offers to University and some have received more than 1 offer. This result is testimony to their courage and determination. They were not going to be defeated, nor deflated, they were going to thrive. What a great accomplishment for the cohort and to their teachers. 

I hope that the coming break renews each of us so that we can return refreshed for a new term. 

God bless each and every one of you and keep you and your families safe and well. 

Mary Leask 
Principal
Jesus will accept us – with our faults – and love us

Jesus will accept us – with our faults – and love us

Many people confront the reality of their own death quite prematurely. It may be a car accident, or a diagnosis of a serious medical condition; however it comes, the confrontation with death is life changing.

Jesus again foretells his death and Resurrection

In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus confronting this reality and trying to explain this to his obtuse disciples. Jesus did not need a crystal ball to realise that if he travelled to Jerusalem and continued to teach about God’s reign as he had been doing, then his teaching would put him in conflict with the authorities. He had the examples of prophets in the Old Testament who were persecuted and killed because their message was unacceptable. In our own time, the leader for democracy in Burma, Ang San Suu Kyi, would surely have known that her decision to return to Burma and enter into its political struggle would place her freedom and life at risk. Knowing the likely consequences, she, like Jesus, chose to be faithful to her vision. Oscar Romero, Benazir Bhutto and Martin Luther King provide further examples of men and women who faced the reality that the likely consequences of their choices would be death.

If Jesus looked to his disciples for support, he was sadly let down. While he walked towards his death, the disciples had plans of their own – who would be the greatest in the coming Kingdom! This section of Mark’s Gospel needs to be considered in its total context.

The ‘blindness’ of the disciples is framed by the two healings of blind men. Mark frequently uses this type of structure to bring narrative and theology together. The outer ‘frame’ acts as a commentary on what is happening in the narrative – in this case, it points to the deep blindness of the disciples.

From this point in Mark’s Gospel, the disciples will consistently fail in their understanding of Jesus and fear will undermine their loyalty to him. Remember that the Gospel was produced decades after the Resurrection, and it was written for a particular community. It is worth considering why the Gospel author presented the disciples in such a negative light. By the time of the Gospel, some of these disciples, such as Peter and James, have died for their faith, so it is strange that these great figures are presented so poorly. Scholars believe this is a deliberate technique of Mark to teach his community and Christians of all time, that disciples do not have to be perfect, that failure does not stop one from being a disciple. Jesus remains faithful even to failing disciples.

We see in this Gospel the ambition of the disciples, we read of their vying with one another for the best positions. Jesus’ response is clear – “If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.” We must be people of service to others – this is the heart of our Christian faith and the centre of our Ursuline Charism.

Today, we know something of the way we can project onto others our own inner demons, and then instead of grappling with our own truth, painful though it may be, we demonise the other. We can do this with individuals, and we can do this with groups. But this is the easy way out. Real truth, and the peace and freedom that come with knowing ourselves, warts and all, requires quiet contemplative time. As Christians, we need not do this alone, for in prayer we can call upon Jesus to be our friend and guide, leading us on the way to truth and life. He will accept us – with our faults – and love us.

Prayer for the week

“We need no wings to go in search of God, but have only to find a place where we can be alone and look upon Him present within us.”

These words were written by St. Teresa of Avila in her book The Way of Perfection. These words of the saint contain three essential steps for fruitful mental prayer. First, we must be searching for God; second, we must be willing to be alone with Him; and third, we need but look upon Our Lord, who is present within us.

In the name of the Father, in the name of the Son and the name of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let nothing disturb you,

Let nothing frighten you,

All things are passing away:

God never changes.

Patience obtains all things

Whoever has God lacks nothing;

God alone suffices.

St Angela Merici – pray for us

St Ursula – protect our future

In the name of the Father, in the name of the Son and the name of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 
Julie Monk
Religious Education Coordinator
A busy term of service to the community

A busy term of service to the community

It has been a very busy term while we have been in remote learning.

Here are a few highlights of how we have remained connected this term:

One Meal Kingsgrove

  • A heartfelt thank you to all the families who have supported us this term. NSW Government restrictions meant many teams were on reduced numbers, but thankfully our ‘Serviam Support Crew’ has ensured and no service has been missed. We have been blessed with generous support and have been overwhelmed with an abundance of fresh meals each week. 
  • An OLF Parents and St Ursula’s Parents team will lead the services in the holidays. 
  • The ‘Serviam Support Crew’ will be called upon again in Term 4.
  • To all the students who have helped with meals, please make sure you log this as COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS in your diary. When we return to school, these will be signed off and added to the hours recorded. 

You may follow the service on Instagram @onemealkingsgrove

Rosary @ Home

In Term 3, we found ourselves distanced but still united in our faith. One way we achieved this was through our Rosary @ Home Zoom sessions, which were held on Thursdays at 1.30pm and led by students. 

 

 

Looking ahead to Term 4

Once again we will be happy to contribute to Christmas Hampers in support of Vinnies. More information will be distributed early next term.

Thank you for your continued support of all our Youth Ministry activities.

 
Antoinette Nader
Assistant Religious Education Coordinator

 

Living the College ethos of Serviam

Living the College ethos of Serviam

Thank you to The Catholic Weekly for highlighting the amazing work of One Meal Kingsgrove volunteers from the St Ursula’s and OLF Primary community. They truly are living with Serviam spirit by serving others in our local community. 

Parish walks the walk

By Debbie Cramsie – The Catholic Weekly – September 9, 2021

Photo credit: Alphonsus Fok

The community at St Ursula’s College at Kingsgrove take their motto – I Will Serve – very seriously.

Every week they not only serve but prepare around 250 meals for the vulnerable in their local area. Answering the call for increased assistance due to COVID, the army of committed volunteers come together every week to provide for those in need of a helping hand. And it’s not just about the food, it’s an opportunity for the lonely and isolated to chat with someone who cares.

As One Meal Kingsgrove is an essential service, it has continued to operate during lockdown, running a restriction-compliant operation by students, parents, carers, teachers, staff, families and ex-students, throughout the pandemic.

Joining forces with Our Lady of Fatima Primary School, around 140 volunteers spend hours of their own time in their own kitchens making nutritious home-cooked meals which includes a piping hot dinner, rice, salad and dessert, with all ingredients purchased by the volunteers themselves.

Brainchild of the service, college Assistant Religious Education Coordinator Antoinette Nader said she was thrilled with the response to their service due only to the generosity, kindness and love shown by her school community. She said they strive to keep the one command to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ as well as to ‘be a neighbour to those around you’.

“We recognise that community is essential in supporting people during difficult times,” she said. “People access our service for a number of reasons, not all are hungry – many are lonely, isolated and simply longing for a friendly conversation.”

“After local LGA restrictions, many of our volunteer teams have found themselves limited in their capacity, so a support crew has stepped up and we have a kerbside drop off of food.

“Providing this service quite simply is a way of living the college ethos of Serviam which translates to ‘I Will Serve’. Knowing we are helping those in the community doing it a little tough really has given us a better understanding of giving while at the same time bringing us closer together as a Catholic community.

“We are so proud of what we have achieved and as COVID-19 restrictions ease we hope to grow the service and make it a more regular occurrence as well as offering a dine-in experience to help provide connections for those lonely and isolated in our community.”

President of Vinnies Kingsgrove Conference Bernard Deady said the One Meal service was invaluable.

“The One Meal Kingsgrove service, which provides us with meals every week, offers tremendous support for families in our local community who are doing it tough,” he said.

“These include families under severe financial, accommodation and psychological stress; single mums with young babies and homeless people.

“Our clients really appreciate the thoughtfulness of those providing the service. The quality, quantity and variety of One Meal Kingsgrove food offers them great support, and are a real comfort to know people are thinking of them through their difficult time, and for them, the One Meal Kingsgrove team are ‘their angels’.”

200 Years of Catholic Education: Interview with Sr Mary Wicks

200 Years of Catholic Education: Interview with Sr Mary Wicks

This week we celebrate Sr Mary Wicks, another Ursuline dedicated to serving God. Sr Mary has worked as a nurse and is now a doctor and medical specialist who lives in Alice Springs in Central Australia. She works predominantly with Indigenous communities and in the area of Indigenous Health, with a specialisation in Diabetes Care and Research. We interviewed Sr Mary for our research on Australian Catholic Church History.

When did you first begin to think God might be calling you to become an Ursuline Sister? 

A ‘call from God’ is a subtle thing and can take a while to work out. I was in Year 11 at school when I first felt attracted to religious life. I talked to an Ursuline Sister who taught me in Canberra. I was interested in nature and ecology, so I thought I was being called to be a Franciscan, so I contacted and stayed with the Poor Clare Sisters first but did not feel ‘at home’. In between this, I left Canberra after school and took a nursing job in Sydney. I contacted the Ursuline Sisters there and used to have chats now and then. It was only after three years of nursing, then specialty nursing in Critical Care, that I became a postulant, which is the first step to becoming a nun.

Why did you decide to become a sister and live out the Ursuline Values?

Becoming a nun wasn’t really an intellectual decision. I could easily have married my long-term boyfriend and had six children as he wanted! But I felt moved to try being a nun and would not have been able to settle until I had explored this. It was like a sense of unease that demanded attention and I knew I had to explore it. It has been very challenging at times – like all personal growth tends to be. Looking around the group of Ursuline Sisters I had decided to join, I saw that they were a motley mob (diverse group). A variety of personalities who were not necessarily people I would have chosen to live with and most of them would not have chosen to live with me either! Being part of a religious group has a different level of commitment than a friendship group. But it became clear to me that I belonged to this particular group trying to live out Ursuline life the best we could.

What does your work as a doctor in remote Indigenous communities involve?

A big question. I am a medical specialist not a GP, so in this role I visit communities, usually for a week at a time, and provide specialist medical care that is otherwise not available. The major health issues for remote Aboriginal peoples are:

  • Premature death from nearly every cause and increased morbidity – in particular, diabetes mellitus and associated complications, cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke), rheumatic heart disease, end stage kidney disease and interpersonal trauma.
  • Social issues such as, poverty, inadequate housing, inadequate health infrastructure in housing, interpersonal violence and for some, alcohol misuse

At present, I am also involved in research into diabetes, which is one of the major health issues for Aboriginal peoples in Central Australia.

2019 Immersion Group

What are the most rewarding parts about being an Ursuline Sister?

The values that are important to me do not necessarily require religious life. As you would know, there are many people doing great things in terms of social justice as single or married people. Being part of a group who share my values and are committed to each other is probably the most rewarding part of being a religious sister. We are like a family – we might not always agree but we do love and respect each other. We also believe that Jesus is the centre of our life.

How are the Ursuline Values evident in your current work?

A respect for the full humanity of all people and an openness to others, especially those who are different, are what I would hope that my work shows. Hospitality – a generous openness of spirit. Being competent in my medical skills, in cross cultural communication and showing care to my patients.

How do the Ursuline Values influence your day to day life and which one do you value most?

I live out of my values and Ursuline and personal values are the same for me. There is not a hierarchy of what I value most, as they all have their place. The main ones are

  • Respecting the individual
  • Social justice
  • A focus on a relationship with Jesus Christ

How has this line of work changed you as a person?

I am not sure whether by ‘line of work’ you mean being an Ursuline or a doctor. I have been radically changed by both. I see both as a vocation rather than a job. Working with very remote living Aboriginal peoples has made me more aware of unjust structures and attitudes of our colonial past that continue to inform politics today and cause harm to Aboriginal peoples. There is great complexity in the relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people and knowing how to really help people is also not always obvious and requires a lot of thought and discernment.

Do you have any tips about how the community can live out the Ursuline Values in their everyday lives?

I think the community has to live out fundamental Christian or humanitarian values of respect, care, equality, generosity etc. These are important for healthy communities, where all people can flourish and reach their potential within a community. This gaining of individual potential should not be at the cost of other people’s happiness and aspirations. The conditions in which individuals are born, grow, live, work, and age and the level of control they have over their life, fundamentally contribute to wellbeing. Our social systems should ensure that everyone has the possibility to flourish as human beings.

 
Annabelle Johnson, Daniella Haklane and Mikaela Vassilimis
Year 9 Newman Catholic Studies Students
University early entry offers extended to Year 12 students

University early entry offers extended to Year 12 students

Congratulations to the Year 12 students who have received university early entry offers. At this stage, we are aware of 101 offers, which is over 61% of the Year 12 cohort. Applications for early entry are still being processed, so we are sure there are more offers still to come. A feature article about the success of the Year 12 2021 students can be found  below and on the Sydney Catholic Schools website.

Early birds are soaring high

By Domenic Trimboli – Sydney Catholic Schools – 15 September, 2021

Year 12 students at St Ursula’s College Kingsgrove are proving they haven’t let a pandemic slow them down, with more than half of the class of 2021 already receiving early entry uni offers.

One hundred and one of the 165 Year 12 students at the college have been invited to study at institutions across the country in 2022, including at Australia’s two leading Catholic universities, Australian Catholic University and The University of Notre Dame Australia.

Through early entry programs, school leavers can secure a place in courses prior to taking their final exams, based on criteria which can include their Year 11 results, extracurricular activity and personal circumstances.

With St Ursula’s having reported a similar amount of offers at this stage last year, it represents a fantastic achievement for students and teaching staff alike.

TOMORROW’S LEADERS

Mary Leask, Principal at St Ursula’s, said the college was exceptionally proud of how hard the students have worked. “It’s uplifting and inspiring to know that these students have been empowered by their education to continue their learning journey and work towards their dream careers,” Mrs Leask said. “It also gives the girls a great confidence boost and scope of choice of where to study.”

Mrs Leask said the students deserve enormous credit for the way they have navigated the disruptions of what has been a challenging year.

“It’s a testament to their dedication and perseverance – not just this year, but throughout their years of education.

“To already see so many of them about to take a big step towards their future and the goals they hope to achieve, in fields they are passionate about, is truly a blessing – their future is our future,” Mrs Leask said.

A STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVE

St Ursula’s College Captain, Sienna Williams, is one of the students who has received an early offer for 2022.

Sienna, who has been offered a place at Western Sydney University to study a Bachelor of Psychology, said applying for early entry has given her peace of mind ahead of her final exams.

“I hoped that with this application it would aid in reducing my stress whilst still pushing me to give the HSC my best,” Sienna said.

“Our careers advisors have given us so much support and informed us of all the new early entry possibilities and opportunities as a result of COVID. They have provided us with both encouragement and motivation throughout these challenging times and helped us to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

DON’T BE AFRAID TO PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE

Amina Fisher, St Ursula’s VET Coordinator/Pathways Coach, said the college focuses on providing a whole school curriculum and co-curriculum that prepares students for their next phase of life.

“We have a careers profiling testing system that is really extensive and looks at students’ aptitude, interests and abilities,” Ms Fisher said. “From that we see which students are recommended for which degrees and do a targeted intervention with those students.”

Ms Fisher said that applying for early entry is all about creating different possibilities and opportunities.

“We like to pride ourselves on giving our students options – don’t be a student who only has one offer, be a student who is able to pick and choose,” Ms Fisher said. “You don’t know the answer until you ask – you’ve got nothing to lose by having a go.”

Reminder: Check your NESA details

Reminder: Check your NESA details

As a priority, students are reminded to check and update all their details with the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) at Students Online. NESA uses these details to send students their results. Students are reminded not to use their College email as their contact email, as they will lose access to the College email at the end of their HSC exams.

If Year 12 students do not change this email, they will not be able to receive their HSC results from NESA in January.

Please go to the NESA website at https://studentsonline.nesa.nsw.edu.au and login to access details.

 
Amy Bosnich
Leader of Administration
Literacy and Numeracy results show students overcoming COVID-19 disruptions

Literacy and Numeracy results show students overcoming COVID-19 disruptions

In 2021, NAPLAN Online Reading, Numeracy and Conventions of Language used a tailored test design. The tests automatically adapted to a student’s test performance and asked questions that match the student’s achievement level. Tailored testing has allowed all students to demonstrate their knowledge and encouraged students to stay engaged with the test. 

Tailored testing has also provided teachers access to more targeted and detailed information on students’ performance in the online assessment.

Our students in Years 7 and 9 in NSW have once again achieved some of the top NAPLAN results in the country, despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19 over the past 18 months, according to the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), responsible for NAPLAN, which released preliminary national data for 2021 this month.

Compared to 2019 results, there has been no fall in Literacy and Numeracy skills, despite predictions remote learning would see a dive in results. St Ursula’s mean scores for Literacy and Numeracy continue to be well above the diocese and national average in both Year 7 and Year 9.

The results are testament to the hard work and dedication of our Year 7 and 9 students and of course their teachers who have provided rigorous and meaningful teaching and learning.

 
Jo McKeown
Leader of Teaching & Learning Innovation
Investigating Mathematics Competition

Investigating Mathematics Competition

Every year, the Mathematical Association of NSW (MANSW), invites schools to participate in the ‘Investigating Mathematics Competition’. It is a statewide competition open to all schools in NSW. The purpose of the investigation is to explore ‘real-life’ situations and problems that engage students and teachers in Mathematics. It involves students formulating their own questions from a given situation.

This year, St Ursula’s College submitted entries from the Year 7 Newman class. Students developed their own topics and posed mathematical questions to explore. 

St Ursula’s placed first in the state, in the Year 7 category, for one of these entries: Tailoring a Woollen Toga for the Statue of Liberty.

Tailoring a woollen toga for the Statue of Liberty 

This project involved determining how much wool is needed to create a toga for the Statue of Liberty. The students explored mathematical concepts, which included measurement, ratios, time and finance. 

Congratulations to Theodora Liangas, Anna Glinatsis, Abigayl Faheem, Emilee-Rose Ibrahim and Irene Shafik, for all of their hard work and exceptional achievement!

I would also like to congratulate all of the students in the Year 7 Newman class for their effort and hard work. All of the projects presented were of a very high standard and showed amazing dedication to exploring Mathematics in a variety of fascinating contexts.

 
 
Jennifer Johnson
Mathematics Teacher

 

Highlights from HSC Music Trials

Highlights from HSC Music Trials

I am proud to bring you some truly unforgettable highlights from the Year 12 Music Trial Performances. Please enjoy the phenomenal talents of these students! Congratulations to the Year 12 Music students for turning in such wonderful performances, especially during the challenges of remote learning.

Year 12 Music Highlight Video Part 1

Year 12 Music Highlight Video Part 2

Olivia Chatto – ‘Astonishing’ (Little Women)

Amy Lansdown – ‘Rêverie’

Georgia Motto – ‘Someone Like You’ (Jekyll & Hyde)

Jess Iskandar – ‘Sparkle’

Jess Iskandar – ‘The Way It Is’

 
Sarah Olsen
Music Teacher and Band Conductor
Understanding the Ten Commandments

Understanding the Ten Commandments

Year 9 Newman Catholic Studies students were asked to watch a talk by Fr Daniel Russo on the Ten Commandments and create a visual essay that reflected their understanding and learning. Please enjoy their thoughtful essays.
 
 
 
Jessica Touma
Religion Teacher
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year 9 English students go on a novel adventure

Year 9 English students go on a novel adventure

This term, Year 9 English students joined a new class to study a novel that would take them into another world. My class ventured down the mighty Mississippi with Huckleberry Finn. One fun activity we did was make our own raft. Students had to use whatever they could find in their backyard or kitchen. Here is what some of the students thought about their creations:

“I’m so proud of my raft because I have the wigwam with a pillow and blankets for night time and I have a bottle of water to represent the whiskey from the novel. I also have wood for a fire. I used a bug catcher as a light and finally grabbed some of my favourite snacks. It is even dog friendly!”Grace Childs

“I’m so proud of my raft because it took a really long time to find all the right size sticks for the raft!” – Audrey Heiss

“I’m so proud of my raft because it floated! I was surprised because I thought it would most definitely sink, fortunately it did not.” – Margaret Oszywa

“I’m so proud of my raft because I challenged myself when deciding to make it. I am overall really happy with the outcome of my creation, as it clearly presents itself as looking like the raft from Huckleberry Finn. The raft managed to taste good, which definitely excited me as I realised my creation was successful.” – Taya Mastrogiannis

 

Karen Horder
Assistant English Coordinator

 

 

Talent on show at Year 8 virtual event

Talent on show at Year 8 virtual event

At the end of what has been a very challenging term, Year 8 students and staff were treated with an array of talent in our first-ever Year 8 Talent Quest!  We were all privileged to witness instrumental and vocal excellence via the Zoom event!

Well done to the following performers: Valarie Le, Alana Gilio, Lavinia Cacouratos, Jacinta Drumond, Sarah Ventura, Stephanie Paino, Lorelei Becci and Hannah Leonard. 

Thanks to all our entertainers and to a very receptive audience!

 

Steven Baker
Year 8 Coordinator 

 

Year 8 Technology have been busy baking

Year 8 Technology have been busy baking

Our Year 8 Technology Mandatory students have been studying the material properties of food during remote learning and were challenged to cook a product containing gluten. They watched videos of Mrs Smith cooking at home and followed along to make either scones, a bread loaf or pizza dough. The girls not only rose to the occasion but also plated and styled their dishes beautifully.

 
Emma Smith
VET/TAS Teacher

 

Taking on the ‘art challenge’ at home

Taking on the ‘art challenge’ at home

Year 8 students have been keeping busy, testing their creativity and having fun while working on Visual Art challenges at home. The challenges have focused on the topics Elements of Design, Nature Like Us is Alive and Landscapes. Students were asked to look around their homes for artwork inspiration and create personal responses for each challenge. Below are some of the results. Well done, everyone!

 
Suzanne Montague
Visual Arts / PVDI Teacher

 

Tasty pizza and cookie creations

Tasty pizza and cookie creations

Hospitality students undertook a pizza and cookie Zoom prac this term. Ingredient packs were prepared for them and distributed to students in a COVID-safe, restriction compliant manner. Thank you to Mrs Fisher for assisting with this task. You can view a video of the pack preparation here and a video highlighting the distribution here.

9A Hospitality were the first class to participate in the remote cookie baking and pizza making prac from their home kitchens. Here are some of their creations where they showcased their cooking and baking proficiency. Delicious!

Meanwhile, Year 10 Hospitality came together for pizza and cookie making Zoom parties last week. They were the perfect way to have some fun after exams. Here are some of the creative and delicious results, which were no doubt enjoyed by their families.

 

 
Emma Smith
VET/TAS Teacher
A lesson in healthy eating habits

A lesson in healthy eating habits

Year 7 students have been learning about nutrition for teenagers and the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating in their Food Technology classes. As part of this, in a recent remote cooking session they learnt how to make a healthy wrap and smoothie for lunch. Well done to the students for producing these healthy and delicious meals.

 
Emma Smith
VET/TAS Teacher
Physical activity during lockdown

Physical activity during lockdown

Remembering to make time for physical activity during lockdown is important. It helps to keep your mind and body healthy.

Community challenges

I have been challenging students and staff to keep active throughout lockdown. The latest challenge to the College community was a STRAVA challenge.

Congratulations to the following winners:

  • Staff winner – Mr Di Lizio
  • Student winner – Sibella Harm Nam
  • Highly commended – Laura B, Lilyana M and Ava V

Tour De Kids

Andrea Pedisic in PC class 11C is participating in the Tour De Kids cycling event. It is run by the Starlight Foundation to raise funds and awareness for their cause of helping ill children. The challenge is running during the month of September. Her distance goal that she hopes to achieve by the end of September is 450 km (roughly 15km a day).

So far she has raised $1,034. If you wish to sponsor Andrea and show your support for the Starlight Foundation, visit this link.

Congratulations

I would also like to congratulate Morgan Mitchell on winning the Super Netball Grand Final Quiz. She selected NSW Swifts as the winners and predicted a score of 62-58. That score correctly picked the difference of 4 goals and was only one goal of each team’s final point score.

 

 

Ideas for school holidays

For tips on what to do during the school holiday lockdown, this link may provide some inspiration.

Thank you all for your support of Term 3 Physical Activity, the remote learning edition. Keep healthy, safe and well over the holidays.

 
Jaclyn Mott
Sports Coordinator
Sports delivery in 2022

Sports delivery in 2022

Dear Parents and Carers

2022 will not only usher in a new year at the College, but also a new way for our girls to be engaged in Sport. Up until 2022, St Ursula’s has been involved in CGSSSA Gala Days in a range of sports, as well as conducting Physical Activity on Tuesdays. From 2022, St Ursula’s will join with all other secondary schools in offering Sport on a Thursday afternoon.

Background information

In June 2020, Ernst and Young were engaged to review the current model of secondary sports across Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) and provide a K-12 model of cohesive sporting opportunities and representative pathways for all students.

The resultant outcome of that extensive review is for Sydney Catholic Schools to have a comprehensive Sport program for all students that ensures:

● Safe and inclusive participation
● Equitable opportunities at a level that challenges each student
● Appropriate risk mitigation and compliance.

What does this mean for St Ursula’s?

All schools in the SCS network will have a common day for weekly Representative Inter-school Sport. This common day will be Thursday. St Ursula’s will let you know what your daughter’s timetable on a Thursday will look like. Depending on your daughter’s Year level, it may involve structured sport/activities, study classes or timetabled classes for students not participating in Representative Inter-school Sport.

In Term 4 of 2021, the College will let you know what representative school sport teams your daughter will be able to try out for. Students will be notified of this via Compass. Students will be expected to attend trials each term to be selected for representative teams.

Stage Groups for Inter-school sport

Age Groups for weekly and Gala Day Inter-school Sport will be:

● Year 8 Open – Students in Year 7 and 8
● Year 10 Open – Students in Year 9 and 10
● Senior Open – Students in Year 11 and 12 (up to 19 years)

Age Groups for Inter-school carnivals will be:

● 12s, 13s, 14s, 15s, 16s and Senior Open.

Most Inter-school Sport will consist of:

● Playing regular round games against other schools in the conference
● A Conference Finals series, and
● A Sydney Finals Series for winners of each conference

Sports offered in the Inter-school Sports competition

In 2022, Sydney Catholic Schools will be offering a variety of sports for students to compete in, both as a weekly competition and Gala Days.

In Term 1 2022, the sports offered will be basketball, touch football and water polo. Various other sports will be offered throughout the year. These will be promoted to your daughters each term.

Pathways available to representative sport

NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) is the pathway through which Sydney Catholic Schools students access NSW All Schools and Schools Sports Australia.

Through the SCS Inter-school Sports competition, as well as open tryouts, your daughter will have access to the representative sport offerings of NSWCCC. A link to sports offered at the NSWCCC level can be found at csnsw.sport.

Next Steps

To help us to prepare, we invite you to discuss Inter-school Sport with your daughter and complete this Google Form to see what sports may be offered and indicate your daughter’s interest in representing St Ursula’s. This is an expression of interest only, no teams will be selected at this time.

It is expected that at the beginning of next term, schools will be provided with the Sports schedule for Term 1 2022 and a public website will also be available by the end of the school year.

If you have any questions regarding school Sport, please contact our Sports Coordinator, Mrs Jaclyn Mott, via the College email at info@stursulakingsgrove.catholic.edu.au.

Year 7 to 12 Student Data Verification

Year 7 to 12 Student Data Verification

The College is required to ensure that our student data is accurate and up to date. This week you were sent an Event reminder via Compass.

Why does the College do this annually:

  • Parents and carers are able to update their email address and phone number via the Compass parent portal, however, any change to your residential or postal address must be notified in writing via this verification form or at other times of the year through email or letter to the College.
  • If your daughter has any medical issues, this data verification will ensure our information is accurate and up to date.
  • We also wish to ensure sibling discounts are correctly applied in 2022, so it is very important that you list each child in your family that will be attending a Sydney Catholic school in 2022 including your daughter.

We would appreciate this verification form being completed via Compass as soon as possible, and not later than Friday, 8 October 2021, to ensure that you are billed correctly for 2022.

Please note that if any of the questions do not apply to your daughter you must enter N/A or you will not be able to submit the form.
 
Thank you for your assistance.
 
 
Leanne Masetto
Office Manager
Date for your diary: Sydney Catholic Schools Family Forum

Date for your diary: Sydney Catholic Schools Family Forum

Mr Tony Farley, Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS), is pleased to invite parents and carers to the upcoming Term 4 Sydney Catholic Schools Family Forum, to be held online.

Please save this date: Monday, 11 October 2021

The theme will be ‘Supporting Learning at Home’

A link to register will be provided closer to the event.

 

 

Study Smarter Symposium

Study Smarter Symposium

The Study Smarter Symposium is hosting a free, one-day event on 24 September 2021 for parents, senior students and teachers. The event aims to provide techniques and motivation to help students ace their exams. 

Further information can be found at the following link.

 

 

Connect with Archbishop Anthony Fisher

Connect with Archbishop Anthony Fisher

The 14th edition of Connect, Archbishop Anthony Fisher’s newsletter, is now available. To read the Archbishop’s message and browse other informative articles, please click here.

Articles include:

  • Looking up in lockdown – Finding hope in the despair of Delta virus.
  • Plating up with grace – School community cooks up meals for those in need (highlighting our One Meal Kingsgrove volunteers and featuring Year 11 student Cristina Yazbeck!)
  • Holidays at home – 30 fun lockdown activities for the whole family.