Principal’s Message

Welcome to our latest College newsletter. I am delighted to be able to celebrate and share with you our latest news and events that have taken place over the last fortnight.

Completion of external examinations for the Higher School Certificate and International Baccalaureate

Congratulations to our Year 12 2024 students who have completed their final examinations. This is a major milestone in each of their lives and we are proud of each one of them for their commitment to learning. As students walked out of their final exams, the look on their faces said it all: relief, a great sense of accomplishment and a winning smile.

I look forward to sharing this jubilant feeling with the students at our Year 12 Formal this Thursday night.

Year 8 Orbispace winners meet with the Duchess of York

On Friday 8 November,  our Year 8  students who won the Orbispace Initiative Pitch for the Planet Competition: Maria Katsaros; Ella Rentzepis; Isabella Saoud; Jacinta Shori; Sophia Steel; Elena Vidanovski; and Eden Vonhoff were invited to have morning tea with the Duchess of York, Patron of the program. During morning tea the girls were asked to discuss their innovation, ideas and thoughts on sustainability. Seated with the students were very impressive young female innovators who have incredible ideas on how we can live more sustainably and how technology can be used for good. It was a great opportunity for our students to mingle with these inspiring young women and it is very affirming to have their voices and ideas heard. Ms McDougall and I were delighted to join them at this very special event and we could not be more proud of these students. A special thanks to Ms McDougall who is a champion for this program and has guided these students.

St Ursula’s Parent Association (SUPA) Bunnings BBQ

On Saturday 26 October, our St Ursula’s Parent Association organised a fundraising BBQ at Bunnings Kingsgrove. With the weather warm and no rain in sight, lots of sausages and drinks were sold by our many parent volunteers. In fact, we were completely sold out by 3:00 pm. 

Thank you to Peter Shori, Diana Barakat and the College finance team for ensuring this day ran smoothly and I also wish to thank the following parent volunteers for their service on the day: Max Garavaglia; Verida Durchar; Vanessa Dondina; Tom Coorey; Ranil Peiris and Chantal Peiris; Paolo Truant; Nikki Suters-Sly; Alex Xenos; Celia Lopes; Liza Chow; Chi Vi Chau; Bobby Dunimagloski; and Sabine Chalhoub. 

I also wish to thank those parents who kindly donated water and soft drinks to sell at the BBQ: Rachel Aulbury; Henny Purnawidjaja; Irene Karantonis; Padro Tsoi; Joanna Smith; Kathy Stojkovic; Donna Nehme; Jacqueline Sanchez; Bhavna Khanna; Evonne Kalafatas; Helen Koumoulas; Helen Skarmoutsos; and Maria Savvas.

We could not do these events without your support.

I wish all our families many blessings and thank you for your support.

Vivienne Awad
Principal

Gospel Reflection

On Sunday we had a Gospel story about a poor widow who Jesus says has put more in than all who contributed. Gospels of Mark and Luke both relay an incident involving a widow’s gift to God. She didn’t give much—just two mites—or did she?

The story is often called the story of the widow’s mite or the story of the widow’s offering. One day, Jesus was sitting with His disciples near the temple treasury watching people depositing money into the offering receptacles. The court of women held thirteen such receptacles, and people could cast their money in as they walked by. Jesus watched as the rich were contributing large sums of money, but then along came a widow with two small coins in her hand. The English Standard Version of the Bible calls them “two small copper coins, which make a penny” (Mark 12:41). The King James Version calls the coins “mites.” These were the smallest denomination of coins. The widow put her coins into the box, and Jesus called His disciples to Him and pointed out her action: “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43–44)

There are several things that the story of the widow’s mite teaches us. First, God sees what man overlooks. The big gifts in the temple were surely noticed by people; that’s probably what the disciples were watching. But Jesus saw what no one else did – He saw the humble gift of a poor widow. This was the gift that Jesus thought worthy of comment; this was the gift that the disciples needed to be aware of. The other gifts in the treasury that day made a lot of noise as they jingled into the receptacles, but the widow’s mites were heard in heaven.

Second, God’s evaluation is different from man’s. The widow’s two mites added up to a penny, according to man’s tabulation. But Jesus said that she had given more than anyone else that day. How could this be, when “many rich people threw in large amounts”? The difference is one of proportion. The rich were giving large sums, but they still retained their fortunes; the widow “put in everything—all she had to live on”. Hers was a true sacrifice; the rich had not begun to give to the level of her sacrifice.

Third, God commends giving in faith. Here was a woman in need of receiving charity, yet she had a heart to give. Even though the amount was negligible—what could a widow’s mite buy?—she gave it in faith that God could use it. The widow’s faith is also evident in the fact that she gave the last of her money. Like the widow of Zarephath, who gave her last meal to Elijah (1 Kings 17:7–16) in the first reading on Sunday, the widow in the temple gave away her last means of self-support. Does that mean the widow left the temple completely destitute, went home, and died of starvation? No. The Bible teaches that God provides for our needs (Matthew 6:25–34). We don’t know the details of this particular widow’s future, but we can be certain that she was provided for. Just as God provided for the widow and her son in Elijah’s day (1 Kings 17:15–16), God also provided for the widow in Jesus’ day.

It is interesting that, just before Jesus commented on the widow’s mite, He commented on the scribes “who devour widows’ houses” (Mark 12:40). The religious officials of the day, instead of helping the widows in need, were perfectly content to rob them of their livelihood and inheritance. The system was corrupt, and the darkness of the scribes’ greed makes the widow’s sacrifice shine even more brightly. “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7), and He is faithful to take care of His own.

God will not be outdone in generosity. Sometimes we become the beneficiaries of obvious blessing, as was the case in the story of the woman of Zarephath who was granted a year’s supply of floor and oil. At other times, we simply continue living life as usual, like the woman in the temple who was unaware of the commendation that Jesus had given her. The truly generous do not look for reward. They carry out their responsibilities and place the rest in God’s hands.

Prayer
Lord, it is my desire to give my all to you.
It is such a joy to give back to you what is yours.
Help me to be a better steward of the treasures you have provided me.
May I be generous in my giving to others and humble always.
Amen.

Important Reminders

Forgotten Items

If your daughter forgets something for school, please remember that it’s not the end of the world! We kindly ask that you refrain from bringing forgotten items to the school reception, as this can disrupt lessons and teachers. It’s essential for students to take responsibility for ensuring they have everything they need before leaving home.

We appreciate your support in fostering responsibility and resilience in our students.

Additionally, we understand that girls may use their mobile phones to request forgotten items. Please avoid messaging your child during school hours, as this is against school rules and could result in detention.

Thank you for your understanding!

Attendance

We want to remind you about the importance of timely communication regarding your child’s absences from school. It is essential that all absences, whether for a whole day or part of a day, are justified promptly. We regularly review our attendance records and will follow up on any unexplained absences.

Please note that any student arriving after 8:45 AM, even by a few minutes, will be marked as partially absent and will need an explanation. You will receive a notification via Compass email about any unexplained absences every two weeks. The easiest way to provide explanations is through the Compass portal. Alternatively, you can print the attached letter, fill in the reason for absence, sign it, and return it to Student Services.

Attached is also a copy of the SCS Compulsory School Attendance information for your reference.

Regarding late arrivals, please remember that the school gates close at 8:40 AM when the first bell rings, allowing students time to get to class. While we understand that occasional lateness can happen, we assure you that only absences exceeding 90 minutes will appear on your child’s report. Our Year Coordinators monitor late arrivals, and if a student is consistently late, a detention may be issued.

Changes to Uniform and Grooming guidelines

Sincere thanks to all parents who provided feedback on revisions to the uniform and grooming guidelines for 2025. Your feedback is being considered. The final guidelines will be shared with you and your daughter before the end of term.

Important end of year events

Please look for a letter that I will share later in the week, outlining key events for the final weeks of term.

Janet Cairncross
Assistant Principal

Slam Poetry Showcase!

This year, our Year 7 English students took the stage with an exciting slam poetry task.

Slam poetry serves as a powerful platform for self-expression and social commentary, allowing poets to share personal experiences while addressing important issues. It fosters community engagement and encourages artistic innovation through performance.

Get ready to celebrate their voices as we share highlights from their incredible work. Join us in cheering them on and discovering the power of poetry—let the slam begin!

Poem 1: We NEED to CONNECT
By Gemma Makatoa and Sun Kim

We need to connect
Social Media affects our social life
Scrolling on our phone all day
Not being able to play outside
No time to connect
Or get off the NET

It makes us feel bad about ourselves
Is it really necessary?

Social Media
Scrolling on our phones all day
Instead of seeing our friends in person,
We see them on instagram doing a dance.

As our connections worsen,
As there could be a chance
We aren’t friends
Trying to keep up with the trends.

Social Media affects our social life
We need to get this one right
Real world connections, number one
We are social people,
We need to connect

Social Media affects our social life
Scrolling on our phone all day
Not going outside
No time to connect
Or get off the NET!

When was the last time you felt good about yourself
After someone has made a post?

It’s addictive
We need to STOP!
You know what’s right
Get outside, step outside into that good light.

Poem 2: Social media
By Leah Bateup, Jemimah Shariff and Arianna Tahhan

In my hand this tiny thing
A rectangle that makes me king
I scroll and swipe tap and type
In this world of endless hype

Pictures, posts and videos fly
It’s a fake reality that everyone buys
Friends and likes, they come in fast
But does this happiness really last?

Filters on, I’m looking cool
But really it just makes me look like a fool
Behind the screen am I the same
Or is this just a silly game?

Followers count, the numbers grow
Do they really care? Do they know?
Likes and hearts, they fuel the fire
But do they lift me any higher?

When the battery dies and the screen goes black
Do I still feel like I’m on track?
In this online world, I wear a mask
Finding true self, that’s the real task

I wonder what it means to me
To live a life where I feel free
Free from likes and follows too
To be myself, not someone new?

This world inside my little screen
It’s not as simple as it seems
So lets put down this magic box
And step outside, forget the clocks.

Real friends, real laughs, let’s make a start
Connecting face to face, heart to heart.

Poem 3: Adulthood
By Teresa Santosa & Bella Beaumont

In the constitution
There is an institution
The adults have to work and work, and work and work and work
Then kids could play and play, until the clouds went grey
Then there will be the day
When they will have to pay
Then the life of adult work
Will begin to lurk
The mentality and stability
And all of their mobility
Then it will feel as though the world will crumble
And the people around you will begin to tumble
However strange it may be
You’ve passed the age of adolescents
It will feel as though your childhood has slipped away
But when the sun slowly goes down
Lay your head to rest
For you have been freed
Although the work just will seem like chains
Think about how much you’ll gain
Decisions, decisions
All of their conditions
Now all of your choices
And everything that you can do
And everything that you want to be
And everything that you can be
And everything that you want to do
Forever now you are never alone
For it is your day
And things will finally go your way
The many earnings you’ve had to beg for
It will finally rest in your hands
Save or buy
For your future, so bright
Use it to your delight
For now it’s the time
You can play by your own rules
You are not just somebody else’s tool
Not your parents
Not your peers
You will never be anybody’s little fool
For this is your day
And things will finally go your way

Poem 4: Rubbish
By Clarissa Sulim, Abigail Halias and Evangeline Manubawa

Rubbish isn’t true
Because it’s really blue
If you go outside
Open your eyes wide
And see the truth
Let’s go youth!

Rubbish can’t break down
Into the ground
Look at the sea
Then look back at me
See the rubbish floating there?
It will lead to a turtle’s despair!

And one day when the endangered turtles go extinct
The amount of rubbish we leave will be very succinct.
And don’t forget the air pollution
That could flow into the institution
And when all the people get terribly sick
You’ll be known as the centre of the trick

Leaving old paper on the pathway
Causes our trees to be cast away
Don’t forget the wrappers
From your very graham crackers

So let’s all come together
Clean up our earth NOW
Let’s be clever

Poem 5: “Why can’t I look like her?”
By Emirea Shrestha, Jingling Xu, Kathy Pham

Unrealistic standards and fake news
To the point I can’t even snooze
I am constantly being compared
About things I used to not care

Likes, Comments, Follows

I am being called boring
All the time I’m on my phone staring
Looking at other people’s bodies
Beautiful and perfect
Why does my body always need correction?

Since when were we so concerned
About celebrities’ life?
Sometimes we have to be quiet

Makeup, Plastic surgery, Diets

High Beauty Standards, Fast Fashion
Since when did all of these so-called rules come into place?
And when did I actually care about my face?

Blush, Mascara, Lip Gloss
My face needs to be a certain colour or look
Just for a person to give you a friendly look
And give you the foot!

Social Media
Is telling us that we are not good enough for this world
Social Media I should say
Bye, Bye…
I no longer want to play.

Poem 6: Why the Mask?
By Emily Le, Susannah Johnson and Chanel Nguyen

Everyday I rock up to school
Girls painted with makeup.
They look so pretty!
Maybe I can be pretty too?
Maybe I need to wear some too,
so can I fit in with you?
I must wear makeup tomorrow!
I must hide my ugliness under the clay mask!
Everyone feels the same
But no one says so for fear of being lame.

Appearance is what I think about day to day
Even though I should be thinking about what I say
I don’t know how to say
I pay to slay everyday but it’s never enough
But why is appearance so important?
Why can’t we just be ourselves
Why can’t you just look like you!?
So we can be true!

We spend hours and hours
Trying to look like flowers
Beauty standards are too high
Your inner self feels like it has to hush
Why must I hide how I feel inside?

When will you know that there is beauty inside
So put makeup aside!
Why can’t you see?
Beauty standards aren’t real, just phony
All they do is make girls feel lonely!

So, why the mask I ask?
Just take it off
Unmask
So you can bask in the light of your true self.

Our Orbispace winning team meets the Duchess of York!

Earlier this year seven Year 8 students from the College were one of two teams who won first place in The Orbispace Initiative Pitch for the Planet Competition. On Friday 8 November these students were awarded the unique opportunity to have a private high tea with the patron of the program The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson.

These students were invited to an intimate high tea, enabling them to have one on one discussions with The Duchess of York as a celebration of their achievement and success. Ella Rentzepis did a wonderful job of presenting their innovation and ideas to The Duchess. All Students were given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their ideas about the future of our planet and sustainability. The Duchess of York, is the founding ambassador for the Youth Impact Council with a strong passion for amplifying the voices of Generation Z, with a genuine interest in the ideas and opinions of the young women who attended the event.

The Orbispace Initiative is a program with the mission to inspire the next generation of Australian female innovators by equipping them with the skills and mindsets needed to succeed in a rapidly changing physical and digital landscape. The program focuses on technical STEM skills and entrepreneurship. The winning team, consisted of Maria Katsaros, Ella Rentzepis, Isabella Saoud, Jacinta Shori, Sophie Steel, Elena Vidanovski and Eden Vonhoff, the founders of ‘WattWay’ focusing on the problem of inefficient and inaccessible charging processes associated with electric vehicles. Their solution is wireless charging stations situated across parking spots, garages and red lights.

It was an inspirational day for all involved. The students represented the College with grace and enthusiasm. A huge congratulations to these students for making such an impact with their ideas and innovations.

Kaitlyn McDougall
Newman Teacher in Charge

Middle School Ethics Olympiad

St Ursula’s students volunteer at OLOL Swimming Carnival

On Thursday 24 October, 11 Sport Lifestyle and Recreation (SLR) students volunteered to assist at the OLOL Primary School Swimming Carnival.

Well done to these students who were great representatives of our College. We have received some very positive feedback from parents about what a wonderful job they did assisting at this event.

Rowena Francis, Taylor Coyle and Lauren Sheedy reflect on their experience:

What interested you in volunteering at OLOL’s Swimming Carnival?

To help out – Rowena

What interested me in assisting at OLOL’s Swimming Carnival was the opportunity to support the students, encourage their sportsmanship, and help create a positive and fun environment for everyone involved. – Taylor

Being able to help out the kids participating – Lauren

What did you learn from the experience?

Patience – Rowena

From volunteering at the swimming carnival, I learned how much effort goes into organizing a school event and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. It taught me the importance of teamwork and communication, as every volunteer had a role that contributed to the day’s success. Most importantly, I saw how my actions could positively impact the students, helping them feel supported and motivated, which was very rewarding. – Taylor

Patience – Lauren

What did you enjoy most about this experience?

I enjoyed assisting the children and doing it with my friends – Rowena

What I enjoyed most about the experience was seeing the students’ excitement and energy. I was one of the volunteers that was in the pool assisting with the 25m races, and before the races began each of the students would talk to us and we would give them some encouraging words. It was amazing to see how a few kind words could help them feel more confident and calm before their swim. – Taylor

Being able to do something different compared to our normal carnivals and being with my friends – Lauren

SUPA Bunnings BBQ

On Saturday 26 October, customers at Bunnings Kingsgrove followed the scent of sizzling sausages to St Ursula’s annual Bunnings Barbeque fundraiser! We arrived there early in the morning, setting up tables and drinks in the booth that we would be working in. The day was busy, fast paced and engaging, with some moments having a pause in customers and at other times, packed. 

And, like all great successes, there were challenges along the way. We sold out of bread once, and sausages twice! But we were resourceful, made on site decisions and, with teamwork, pushed through. It was an amazing experience that taught me a lot about what it’s like to run a business-style booth. 

Thank you to the parents, teachers and students who volunteered their time on the day, the parents that donated drinks, and businesses that supported to make the day possible!

Jacinta Shori
Year 8

Thursday Sport

SCS Sport 8 Week Rowing Program

Dear Parent/Carer,

Sydney Catholic Schools is providing a 8 week Rowing program for students from your school in years 8 – 11 in 2025.

The aim of the program is to:

• Introduce students to a sport
• Develop basic skills
• Develop a love for the sport
• Develop an interest so that the student will continue the sport with a local club

Dates and Location :  2025

Time : 5:45am – 7:25am

Cost  :  $350

Gender : Boys and Girls

Registration: Registration closes Wednesday 11 December

For detailed information and to secure a spot, visit the following link > Rowing  

Best regards,

SCS Sports Team

General Sports Officer

My Strengths Parent Package

MyStrengths is a strengths based program that we have been running at the College with both our staff and students. They have a background in positive psychology and positive wellbeing, and have become an integral part of our Pastoral Care program. 

St Ursula’s has a subscription to the full MyStrengths Parenting package. This is now active for all members of our community, both parents and staff.

MyStrengths parents provide short parenting courses, workshops and resources which provide easy practical steps drawing on a strength-based approach.

To access this fabulous resource simply go to:http://stursulas.mystrengths.com.au/

We encourage you to go online and explore.

Anne Sukkar
Leader of Wellbeing

Book of Remembrance

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