Principal’s Message

As we settle into Term 4 at the College, we cannot but help be impacted by the horrific news coming from the Middle East.

As a staff, we gathered and prayed this prayer at our first staff meeting for the term. 

Prayer for Peace in the Middle East

God of mercy and compassion,
of grace and reconciliation,
pour your power upon all your children in the Middle East:

Jews, Muslims and Christians,
Palestinians and Israelis.

Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to hope,
oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation,
that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces,
and peace and justice could be experienced by all.

St Angela: Pray for us

St Ursula: Protect our future

Amen

We also remember all those in Ukraine with continuing violence and destruction. The sentiment in this picture is one that I feel everyone can relate to. 

Time is flying 

Here in the safety of Australia, it really does seem like this year has flown and that it is only 62 days until Christmas.

The final term of the 2023 academic year brings with it the beginning of the HSC. Our girls have been well prepared by their teachers and, after all their hard work, should be feeling confident in approaching each paper. They will do their best and that will be enough. 

Mr Anthony Cleary, Director of Mission and Identity, reminded all in this week’s Catholic Weekly that the HSC, while important, does not define a young person despite the fact that schools are judged and ranked by their results. We keep all HSC students, particularly our girls, in our prayers as they navigate the rest of these exams. 

We also welcomed back our students and staff from the Immersion to Cambodia and heard from them what they had seen and learnt, especially what they had learnt about themselves. I do sincerely thank Mrs Monk and Mrs Nader for their vision in bringing the immersion to fruition as a visible witness to our commitment to this Ursuline school. 

This term, we welcome Ms Linda Mudaliar, who has been appointed our new Head of Operations. Linda comes to us with both school and corporate experience and will be a wonderful addition to our College replacing Ms Claire Baroni. Linda’s job is a key one within the College, especially in these times of increasing financial stress. I am sure that you will make her feel very welcome.

World Teachers’ Day

This coming Friday 27 October, is World Teachers’ Day 2023. It is an opportunity to recognise the significant contributions teachers make in and out of the classroom, at the individual level and in our communities. They are skilled in educating, inspiring and supporting our students. Our teachers go above and beyond for our students at St Ursula’s. We acknowledge them and say:

Thank you, we appreciate you! 

I finish the newsletter as I began it.

Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with each and every one of us, in each interaction we have, whether at home, at the College, at work or in the community.  

May the peace of Christ find a home in your hearts this day and always.

Mary Leask
Principal

Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s

In this week’s Gospel reading, the Pharisees and the Herodians try to trip Jesus up, but He won’t fall for their setup. They ask Him to choose between the worldly and the holy, between the political and the religious. Jesus simply says that we need to give to each what is due to each.

Instead of falling into the trap set by the Pharisees, Jesus approaches the question in a completely different way. He asks them to show Him the money with which they pay tax. Immediately, He turned the tables on them. He doesn’t appear to carry any of the coins in question and yet the Pharisees’ disciples carry them as a matter of habit. They are asking if it is permissible to pay the tax and yet freely carry the coin with which the tax is paid. Jesus shows up the hypocrisy of their question by forcing them to reveal their own position in the simple action of producing one of the Roman coins. Jesus then closes the dispute by instructing them to render (give) to Caesar what belongs to Caesar but, more importantly, render to God what belongs to God. In a very simple way, Jesus has shown the Pharisees’ disciples as being collaborators with the Roman authority and placing that authority above the authority of God. He reminds the listeners that regardless of earthly authority, the first duty is owed to God.

The question of coinage was a problematic one for first century Jews. The tradition – grounded in the commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai – forbade the use of ‘graven’ or carved images. The people of Israel took this prohibition very seriously and did not portray the human face in artwork of any kind. Roman coins were minted with the face of the emperor on them and it was compulsory that taxes be paid with Roman coins. This helps to explain the role of the Temple money-changers who converted the Roman coin into Temple coin that could be used for religious purposes.

The Gospel of Matthew tends to treat the Pharisees rather harshly. In fact, they had more in common with Jesus’ style of teaching than other religious groups of the time and some have suggested that Jesus may even have been quite closely associated with the Pharisees. The role of the Pharisees was to interpret the Torah – the Law – for everyday people. They were teachers and preachers who often had a group of disciples who were their followers. The community in which the Gospel of Matthew was written regarded the Pharisees harshly because they saw Jesus – not the Pharisees – as the rightful interpreter of the Law.

This Gospel passage is sometimes interpreted as Jesus’ endorsement of the Christian responsibility to state authorities. It has been interpreted as affirming the obligation to pay taxes and participate in the processes of government. In fact, Jesus neatly avoided the direct question put to Him and never gave a response to the question of paying taxes. Rather, He made the question a much broader one and reminded people that their first obligation was to God, not the state. It is an excellent example of the need for critical interpretation of scripture. A simple, literal reading of this text leads us to drawing simple, literal conclusions about whether or not we should be paying taxes. 

The sense that we, as the People of God, can split off our obligations to the Gospel from the State is as false as it is dangerous. We only have to think of some of the darkest chapters of the last century to see what happens when good, church-going people like us, do not put their Sunday devotion in touch with their Monday politics. Evil can reign.  

In the Gospel, it is made clear that Jesus is not here to divide our world between the obligations to Caesar and our obligations to God. Instead, He answers and acknowledges the state’s responsibility, but affirms that a greater commitment is owed to God. Coins and images that bear Caesar’s face may belong to him, but all things on this earth are under the dominion of God. 

The world asks for money, but God asks for your heart.

Prayer for the Gospel Reading

God of Justice and Compassion, we thank you for your provision. 

We are blessed to be citizens of this great country and we are blessed even more by being citizens of your Heavenly Kingdom. Help us to look inwardly to assess our priorities and correct them where we need to. 

Help us look outwardly to see how each of us can build your Kingdom here on earth. We seek to give to you what belongs to you (and nothing less) and give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar (and nothing more). 

Heal our divisions, strengthen our faith, and guide our steps. Amen!

Julie Monk
Religious Education Coordinator

World Youth Day Pilgrimage – Part 4

By Jayda Kazzi and Ashley Kadi

Visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima

To conclude our Pilgrimage, we travelled from Lisbon to Tomar by coach. Here, we participated in a retreat program and visited the nearby Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima. We had opportunities to participate in catechesis, prayer, silence and reflection. Group discussions with pilgrims from Bus 7 helped us to reflect on the life-changing experience of the last few weeks. 

Fatima has deep spiritual significance for Catholics because Mother Mary appeared to three shepherd children (Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco) in the Cova de Iria fields on 13 May 1917. This remarkable pilgrimage site has touched the hearts and souls of countless visitors from around the world, and our visit was no exception. As we entered this sacred place, we could undoubtedly feel Mother Mary, her protection and peace.  

We visited the Rosary Basilica with the Tombs of the visionaries where we prayed before the tombs of Lucia Santos, Francisco, and Jacinta Marto. We were reminded that the message of hope and love transcends time and place, and that the call to prayer and penance is as relevant today as it was a century ago.

We vividly remember attending Mass at the Chapel of Apparitions which was celebrated by Archbishop Anthony Fisher. Archbishop Fisher recalled Mother Mary’s words to Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta and we pondered how these words retain meaning for us: 

Be not afraid. Trust in God. Offer yourselves to Him. Bear sufferings patiently. Atone for failings. Pray for an end to war, dictatorship, cruelty. The Rosary is for all these needs. 

Unfortunately, due to some local fires, the sky changed to a golden orange colour. As Mass concluded, we saw white ash drift down from the sky. We were in awe of nature and took a moment to remember that Mother Mary’s love, peace and protection will always be with us. 

We paused for personal prayer at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and encountered the living Christ in the Eucharist.

At 9.30pm every evening, pilgrims from all over the world gathered in unity and devotion to pray the Rosary and honour the message of Our Lady of Fatima. Each pilgrim carried a candle, creating a sea of light that symbolises our spiritual journey from darkness to light. This was a profound opportunity for prayer and unified Christians from diverse backgrounds and cultures as we joined in singing Marian hymns. 

Our pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Fatima was a transformative experience that left us with a deep sense of peace and renewal.

Catholic Mission Immersion: Cambodia

Learning Cambodia’s history

Our first official day on Immersion saw the group learn first-hand the devastating impact made by the Khmer Rouge on the people of Cambodia. The Khmer Rouge demanded unquestioning loyalty and this loyalty replaced all other forms – to parents, to family, to village, to religion. The Khmer Rouge executed millions of men, women and children between 1975 and 1979. More than 388 sites containing 19,733 mass graves have been identified from the period of their reign.

We visited the site of a notorious extermination camp, Choeung Ek. It is a peaceful place today, where visitors can learn of the history that unfolded here. Seeing hundreds of bracelets on a tree that marked where women and children were buried was particularly confronting and made us reflect on the importance of educating future generations about the genocide in order to avoid history repeating itself.

Battambang – Seeing the work of Catholic Mission

A reflection by Annabelle Sara, Year 11

While at centres which are the work of the Catholic Prefecture of Battambang, in partnership with the Catholic Mission, we saw the realities of how many young children live in Cambodia. St Joseph’s Parish, the Arrupe Centre and La Palomas exist because of circumstances where parents cannot afford to support their children (because of poverty or disability), leading to the parents ‘leaving’ their children at these centres so that they can go work (often in Thailand). 

The Arrupe Centre is a specialised centre for children and young people with disabilities, providing schooling, work and housing. 

St Joseph’s Parish is a centre for school-aged children which has supported high school education in an effort to break the cycle of poverty.

How I met Syer Mout, her story and the impact she had on me

A reflection by Christine El-Tahche, Year 11

I met Syer Mout whilst I was planting a tree, symbolising life, growth, wisdom and prosperity. Together, we planted 30 trees and she helped me when I was struggling and never failed to put a smile on my face. She made me happy, she was another little sister to me. Every time I looked into her eyes I felt at home, I felt loved and I felt safe. She will always have a special place in my heart; her story transformed my perspective on life.

When I found out her story, I discovered that she is an orphan and one of four girls. She lived in the worst poverty possible, with very little income, a difficult way of living, and very little food or fresh water. She and her sisters had to survive day by day, hoping that they would overcome this poverty cycle. This is when St Joseph’s Catholic Centre took her and her sister in, raised them, gave them a bed to sleep in, fresh food and water and an education.

Syer Mout has the kindest heart and smile and will never fail to make you laugh; this little girl found hope in the darkest, hardest challenges she faced in her life and I am beyond grateful to have met a girl like her. She changed and transformed my life for the better, showed me how to be optimistic and see life beyond the challenges, and she taught me the simple way of life and that even in the darkest moments, the light of hope can guide anyone towards a brighter future. 

Chrab Viel – Serviam in action at Mother of Peace Primary School

A reflection by Bethany Lui, Year 11

Finally visiting the Mother of Peace Primary School that our Ursuline community has worked and raised so much for, was truly inspiring. I can’t really put it into words how it felt. I feel that the Cambodian trip was an indescribably eye-opening immersion experience, teaching us all a lesson in gratitude, empathy and humility. I am extremely proud of what our community has done, and how many families’ lives we have positively impacted and given a better chance at having a good education. This chance can allow everyone to have a better and fairer start at changing the living conditions and standards of Cambodia, allowing for more opportunities for families in the hope of ending the poverty cycle. I believe being part of the Ursuline community is one of the best and most unique things about our school, as it is the most impactful and significantly dynamic way we live and act out Angela Merici’s work today. 

Even though we couldn’t have fluent conversations with everyone, emotionally bonding with the children and getting to know them was a really heart-warming experience. I felt extremely welcomed and loved by the friendly and hospitable community of the school, and the time we spent there made me realise many things about the world and how privileged we are in Australia and the ridiculous amount of unnecessary luxuries we have, yet we still manage to complain and want more. While at Mother of Peace Primary School, we also met  our Ursuline sisters who run and teach at the school. 

From the leaders of the Immersion

The work of the Ursuline Sisters is truly inspiring, and demonstrates their commitment to, and passion for, not only educating but also helping to care for children. Witnessing the Sisters supporting a whole community by providing education, financial support and jobs for people was a modern and practical example of how we can live out Serviam within our daily lives.

The Ursuline Sisters are living Serviam throughout their daily routines of school life, life at home, life in the local community, furthering their example of living a life of service. This was also a moment of realisation for me and it showed how St Angela Merici’s and St Ursula’s visions are universal ideals which continue to carry out the goal of educating people in order to see them rise. I acknowledge the dedication of the Ursulines, and feel inspired to work towards assisting people in creating better living environments. 

On behalf of Mrs Monk and myself, we would like to thank you all for your continued prayers and support as we undertook this Immersion. I am unsure that a review here will never do justice to the experience but I know, personally, I have come back with a renewed sense of love and respect for the work of the Catholic Church in our developing countries. To see the Ursuline Sisters working and living in the Cambodian community is a blessing I will carry with me for life. These are remarkable women doing God’s work with no expectation of anything in return – what an amazing reminder of what our faith is meant to be.

We appreciate the support of Catholic Mission, our Immersion partner, for its professional care and organisation of our group. We thank the parents for entrusting their daughters to our care and thank Sydney Catholic Schools and Mrs Leask, in particular, who gave us the space to dream this Immersion to life. We pray our connection to Chrab Viel continues to grow as there is still so much work to be done, God willing. 

Antoinette Nader
Youth Ministry Coordinator

Have you got your musical tickets?

Zero Emissions Week

Last term, in Week 10, our passionate Environmental Club students organised the College’s very first Zero Emissions Week. The aim was to raise awareness about environmental issues and challenge students to think about how they can make small changes to make a big difference.

The initiative began on Monday morning when students handed out homemade zero-waste banana bread. This delicious bread was made with whole bananas – skin and all!

On Tuesday, students were asked to pledge one thing they would do to reduce their environmental impact. They wrote their pledges on a paper leaf to create a tree mural.

On Wednesday, members of the club ran a beeswax wrap workshop where students made their own reusable food wrap. Beeswax wraps are easy and inexpensive to make. You can make your own at home by following these instructions. 

On Thursday in Period 3, classes across the College switched off their lights as a symbol of change. 

The club also ran a writing challenge and posted daily tips and quiz questions in the notices each day. Congratulations to the winners of the daily quiz: Sibella Nam, Savannah Rose, Talia Zammarrelli and Wendi Fan.

Environmental Club is led by TAS/VET teacher, Emma Smith.

The Environmental Club Members are:
Olivia Holt 
Anabel McNamara 
Hanna Tandaovong 
Kristina Nikas 
Irene Shafik 
Samantha Osorio

Emma Smith
TAS/VET Teacher

Jacinta writes winning theme song for CEF

Year 10 student, Jacinta Drumond, is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who already records and shares original songs and covers on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music. She has just been named the winner of the Catholic Education Foundation Songwriting Competition, another sign she’s well on her way to achieving her dream of being a professional singer-songwriter. 

The competition, a joint initiative of the CEF and the Sydney Catholic Schools Arts Team, invited students in Years 9-12 to compose and perform a theme song for the CEF to mark its tenth anniversary. The CEF is a not-for-profit organisation that provides a school fee support program to families experiencing hardship, offering bursaries that allow young people to attend Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Sydney.

She said writing her song, titled Opportunities for All, allowed her a unique chance to do what she loves. 

“Music is something I am really passionate about, and it’s a gift I want to share with people who can relate to and appreciate it,” she said.

“I entered the songwriting competition because it provided me with a meaningful platform to share my passion for music while connecting with the Catholic values and principles that the CEF promotes through its work. Ultimately, it was a creative way for me to contribute and support that mission through music.”

Jacinta said the competition required her to take a new approach to composition.

“My songwriting process usually begins with the music, meaning I find the chords and produce the music, before surrounding it with melodies and harmonies to form my final, ready-to-release songs. The competition guidelines required me to compose a song that was different to my usual style of pop ballad, so I had to incorporate a faster and more uplifting melody with lyrics suited to the values of the CEF,” she said.

Jacinta has been invited to record her song using the recording studio at Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood.

“With James Long, Education Officer: Creative & Performing Arts at Sydney Catholic Schools, and the amazing music producer, Philippe-Marc Anquetil, I will gain industry experience recording and producing my composition professionally and alongside experts, which is so exciting!” Jacinta said.

Jacinta takes elective Music at St Ursula’s College and performs in a range of school events and productions, both as a solo artist and a member of Ursula Voices and the Open Choir.

Jacinta’s song will be used in CEF promotional material over the next two years; a wonderful way to share her talent and voice with many in the community.

Thursday Sport

Cassandra reflects on SCS Water Polo Camp

I had an amazing experience at the Sydney Catholic Schools Water Polo Camp, where I learned about the different opportunities that water polo has to offer. The camp had several coaches who taught us the techniques and skills required for water polo. 

On the first day, we participated in a land warm-up and water activities. The activities were designed to teach us how to score, pass and swim with our heads up in the pool. Then we listened to a panel of experienced athletes who have played water polo, and had a discussion about where we could play water polo in the future. The panel talk and discussion about pathways helped me understand more about the sport and how to become resilient in the face of sport losses. 

On the second day, we played games against other students, which was very entertaining. The camp made me work hard on skills like egg-beating and jumping out of the water.

Overall, I had a great time and would love to play water polo again in the future.

Cassandra Peiris
Year 7

NSWCCC Girls’ Cricket Schools Cup

On Tuesday, 17 October, the St Ursula’s Representative Cricket Team braved the weather to play in the NSWCCC Girls’ Cricket Schools Cup. In cold, wet and windy conditions, the girls showed up and battled it out against other schools at Gannons Park, Peakhurst. Ms Magee (Coach) commented that the team improved with every game and represented the College with pride.

Congratulations to the following team members, including those students who assisted with umpiring and scoring.

Keira Bui
Courtney Carey
Paige Corbo
Taylor Coyle
Jannet Du
Alexia Giannakis
Madelyn Giannakis
Tara Jose
Isabella Raj
Angel-Jade Stamatatos
Zara Tizzone
Paige Warner
Joscelyn Forman
Juliette Morton

Jaclyn Mott
Sports Plus Coordinator

Important news from Transport NSW

Please click here to view the latest information from Transport NSW regarding school student travel.

MyStrengths Parenting Package

Members of the St Ursula’s community have been granted full access to the MyStrengths Parenting resource. The online portal provides short parenting courses, workshops and resources which offer simple, practical guidance, drawing on a strengths-based approach to parenting.

The resources are free when accessed through this link: https://stursulas.mystrengths.com.au. 

Simply click the button that says “Access this course today” and create your own login.

We encourage you to explore the support the site offers.

Anne Sukkar
Leader of Wellbeing

Our Lady of Fatima Parish News

Please click here to view the latest bulletin from Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Kingsgrove.

Archbishops Fisher’s Newsletter

To view the latest edition of Connect, please click here.