Principal’s Message

Preparation is an undervalued necessity

This morning on my way to work I heard on the radio that we had hit the 39 days until Christmas mark. I must admit it jolted me a little to realise that we are so close and I thought to myself I have so much to do. 

The countdown has truly begun and the preparations in some homes for Christmas are underway. Certainly, the major stores began their preparations for Christmas back in July (if not earlier) and even Australia Post is advertising their dates for parcel delivery deadlines. Parishes too are already preparing for Christmas as you would have read in yesterday’s Compass announcement to all families regarding Our Lady of Fatima’s Christmas Carols.

I am conscious that many staff are preparing 2024 for new syllabi in English and Maths, writing programmes and gathering resources to ensure that the teachers begin a new school year ready to go.

Our Pastoral Care Coordinators and Assistant Coordinators have been allocated their 2024 year groups and along with their pastoral care teams are reviewing this year’s programmes to prepare for their work in 2024.

Studies Coordinators are making preparations for their courses that will be running next year and of course our IB staff will be preparing for their first set of formal international examinations.

We can’t leave any of these things to chance. 

The students too are preparing. Year 12 2024 students and their parents and carers recently attended an information evening to discuss the HSC rules and regulations, of which there are many, and if there were any first-time HSC parents present on that evening, I know it can seem a bit daunting. A Zoom meeting was also held for students who are doing a major work in Art, Music, Design & Technology, Textiles, English, and History as these require extensive preparation and pre-organisation to ensure they are completed to the best of each girl’s ability. 

We are also preparing to welcome 200 new Year 7 students and our newest families to this community.  

We are preparing our budget at a time of increasing costs and trying to make sure that as a College we can cover all of our bills too.

Perhaps the most important thing we are preparing for is our annual Christmas hampers that we provide to our local St Vincent De Paul. As you know, each girl is asked to be as generous as they can be as the need has increased in our local area.

As a College, we will be teaching and learning each day until the end of the term. It was wonderful to witness the great teaching and inspired learning at our recent Newman Symposium and of course, we are preparing and looking forward to celebrating with our students at the end-of-year Assemblies.

I too am preparing to farewell a school that I have grown to love, to farewell a community of generosity and compassion, to farewell a staff who are second to none and to farewell students who are inspirational. I am taking stock of what went well in my 8 years as Principal and especially of what did not go so well. I will learn from those things and aim to be better next time. 

Preparation I think is often undervalued, sometimes we just rush in and do, but preparation requires stopping and taking stock before you “do”.

As we approach the season of Advent in the Church, which is a season of preparation too, we might begin the process of taking stock of the direction of our lives. What’s going well and how could I be better?

I pray that at this time when there is so much turmoil, grief and despair in our world we take the time to stop and prepare our lives and our hearts for Advent so that as we approach Christmas we will be well prepared to welcome Christ into our lives more fully. 

May God abundantly bless each and every one of you so that you in turn can be a blessing to all those whom you meet. 

Mary Leask

Principal 

Assistant Principal’s Message

As the year draws to an end I am seeking your support with a number of things. 

Uniform

I’ve noticed over the past few weeks that students have been issued with an increasing number of uniform cautions. With formals and other special events taking place, students have been electing to get acrylic nails and lash extensions. Please remember that these items are contrary to the uniform code and should be removed before coming to school. Students may be sent home until uniform concerns are rectified, if they can’t be immediately addressed. This year students have been spoken to many times about uniform requirements, therefore for the remainder of the year any student who is issued with a caution for a uniform infringement will also be given an after school detention. 

Early Leave

I also would like to remind you of the process if your daughter needs to take early leave. Learning will continue right to the end of term so appointments should be made outside of school hours. On the rare occasion where this is not possible for parents it is preferable an attendance note is added into Compass. If for some reason you are unable to do this, students need to bring a letter of request on the day of the intended departure.This note must be written and signed by the parent/carer. Before leaving the College the student MUST present to Student Services to sign out. It is the responsibility of the student to make their own way to Student Services to sign out. Unless absolutely necessary parents should not be turning up at the College to collect students without prior notification. The College cannot let a student leave without a note from a parent/carer or one in Compass. 

It is important to focus on the little things to ensure the College runs smoothly.

Important end-of-term dates for your calendar

• Tuesday 21 November – Year 7 to 11 Remote Learning Day
• Wednesday 6 December – Year 7 to 10 Award Assemblies
• Thursday 7 December – Last day of lessons
• Friday 8 December – Year 7 to 11 Picnic Day – official last day at the College
• Monday 11 December – Year 11 Parent/Teacher Interviews / Year 7 to 10 Remote Learning Day
• Tuesday 12 December – Year 7 to 10 Parent/Teacher Interviews 

Janet Cairncross

Assistant Principal

The rich man, his servants and the talents

This weekend’s Gospel is a very familiar parable and one that is often used with students and young people. It is generally used as an encouragement to make the most of the gifts and skills that the listeners possess. It is rarely, however, placed in its context as part of the full Chapter 25 lesson about the time of waiting and preparation for the coming of the Lord and the Christian life.

Again, the story is presented as a parable of the Kingdom – a glimpse into the right order of things in the realised Kingdom. A very wealthy master entrusts his considerable assets to his servants to manage in his absence. The three servants were allocated money, ‘each in proportion to his ability’. The emphasis of the parable is on what each servant did with the funds they were allotted. They were charged with managing the money in the place of their master; acting in their master’s place to further develop his wealth.

Like all of Jesus’ parables, this one has a sting in the tail. Although the third servant has done nothing illegal or corrupt, he is very harshly dealt with. His crime is laziness! He was given a great opportunity to demonstrate his abilities and yet he shied away and returned to his master exactly what had been entrusted to him, unimproved. The author of Matthew’s Gospel uses this parable to shock the audience out of complacency. They cannot rely solely on the promised return of the Lord, they must continue to act on Jesus’ message and work to bring about the Kingdom in their own lives. Those who fail to act, leaving everything to the work of God, are as bad as the lazy servant who failed to grasp an extraordinary opportunity.

Like the original audience of Matthew’s Gospel, we can sometimes rely too much on God to bring about the Kingdom in our world. Like the lazy servant in the Gospel, we can fall into the trap of handing the world back to God in exactly the same condition that we received it. We have to make a difference in the world! We are called to change the world and bring it closer to the realisation of the Kingdom. The only way that we can do that it is to live our lives as if the Kingdom is already here. In the introductory rites of the Eucharist, we ask forgiveness ‘for what I have done, and what I have failed to do’. This last phrase is the point of the parable. What have I failed to do?

All who would follow Jesus are to preach the Good News of the Kingdom to the whole world (24:14) by going about the work that the master has called them to do (24:24-51). This work includes visiting the sick and imprisoned, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger and feeding the hungry (25:31-46). This is the true meaning of Serviam – to serve – to do the work God commands of us as we wait. Those who are found faithful may hear their master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  

Prayer based on Gospel reading

Creative, powerful God
Generous author of Life
You make, You bless, You give
You entrust us to care and tend your gifts
You call us to be fruitful and multiply
You empower us with abilities and opportunities
Your goodness is in our hands
We will use it and risk it
We will be trustworthy
May our efforts bring you joy

Amen

Connecting with the Ursulines in Cambodia

At our whole school assembly on Friday, staff and students who attended the Cambodian Immersion presented the College with gifts. These gifts included a priest’s stole and two wooden statues, which come from the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang. 

In areas where the Catholic Church is not sufficiently developed to be called a diocese, a priest or bishop leads a prefecture. In Cambodia, in the area of our sister school in Chrab Veil, the person who leads this prefecture is His Excellency Bishop Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzalez, affectionately known as Bishop Kike.

Bishop Kike began his mission in the refugee camps of Cambodia in 1985, working with those who had been displaced, maimed by landmines and suffered as a result of war, disease and persecution. After completing his studies and being ordained, he returned to Cambodia in 1992. He has worked tirelessly for the people of Cambodia ever since and is known internationally as the Bishop of the Wheelchairs for his unique mission to Cambodia’s disabled, many of them maimed by landmines.

This image of Mary is well loved in Battambang Prefecture and can be found in many parishes, in wood or stone. This picture shows the stone statue in the St Joseph’s Centre run by the church to support schooling for rural and disadvantaged students that we visited. It represents Jesus’ act of entrusting the community of believers to his mother’s loving care, and how this community was open to every human being. The statue is full of symbolism: Mary holds Jesus with open arms welcoming all who wish to draw near, both of them with a disarming smile. In the middle of the figure are two children; one holds a book symbolizing wisdom, the other plays the flute putting together art, music and tradition in praising God.

In the lower part are three children; one child gives a hug of welcome, a sign of solidarity to include two other disabled children. One child is in a wheelchair holding a dove to represent peace and the other child uses a crutch and holds flowers; a sign of love and God’s greatest commandment – “Love one another as I have loved you”. The crutch and the wheelchair are like a sacrament that gives them back their dignity and makes communion between disabled and non-disabled.

The cloak of Our Lady which surrounds them all symbolizes the family we belong to in the church. We are all included under this cloak. We are all under the love of God. We are all creatures made as an image of God, the supreme master builder. At the bottom of the image are lotus flowers, the most emblematic flower in Cambodia as a symbol of glory, purity and holiness.

All these wooden statues are carved by disabled Cambodian artists; this also shows that we can all help each other in bringing the love of God that Jesus­ brings to our Iives, no matter our condition.  We are all creatures made as an image of God, the supreme master builder.

Our group purchased two statues for the College during our immersion. Both are from the shop at the prefecture so our purchase would support the work of the Catholic Church in Cambodia. We hope this statue will, like our statues of St Angela Merici, and St Ursula, become part of our community and our sacred spaces. We have a larger one for the front office and a smaller one for the Chapel.

As part of our connection to our community in Cambodia we will also now be introducing the prayer intention that is said in Cambodia in the Battambang Prefecture in relation to this image of Mary. This will mean that when we pray as a community, we will pray to three strong women who represent our community; St Angela Merici, who began the Ursuline Company of Women, St Ursula, whom the Company was inspired by; and Mary, our Mother of Inclusive Love, who loves us and guides us every day. 

We hope that, by including this prayer intention, we can grow and develop our connection to our sister school in Cambodia. We are already working towards our next student immersion in 2025 to continue our work with, and support for, the Ursulines and the other works of the Catholic Church in Cambodia. 

Mary, Our Lady of Inclusive Love – Pray for us.

Julie Monk
Religious Education Coordinator

Year 11 Academic Awards

Please click here to view all our Year 11 award recipients.

Remembrance Day Assembly

On Friday 10 November, the College community gathered for a whole school assembly to celebrate Remembrance Day. The College reflected on the need for peace and remembered those who have served our country in times of war.

The assembly also included numerous presentations, including a presentation from Christine El-Tahche and Kayleigh O’Donoghue, on their Cambodian Immersion experience. A gift was presented to the College from the Cambodian communities. 

Year 10 students, Alannah Skurray and Sara Ruggero, spoke to the community about the ongoing efforts of the Zonta group and the initiatives run at the College to support those less fortunate. 

With Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical extravaganza coming up, Natalie Petrykowycz and Ebony Morris spoke to the community about the progress of the musical and allowed us to meet the cast! 

Sarah-Angelina Kami and Joscelyn Forman presented to the community a number of sporting awards. We are proud of all of our athletes. 

Thank you to our wonderful Year 8 leaders who led the assembly. 

Diana Chronopoulos
Year 8 Coordinator & Science Teacher

Food on sale at College musical

The College musical is fast approaching and excitement is building amongst staff and students!

If you don’t yet have tickets for next week’s performances, you can still purchase seats!

Dinner and dessert, sorted!

Our talented Hospitality and VET staff and students are helping to make the performances extra sweet, with food and drinks on sale before the show and during intermission. Cash is preferred.

2023 Newman Symposium

This year, the Newman Symposium was held on Monday 13 November to celebrate student talent and achievement here at the College.

The theme of this year’s Symposium was ‘Pursue the Possibilities‘. In a world that is rapidly changing, there is a growing interest in fostering the creative thinking abilities of our students. With this focus, our Newman teachers tasked their classes with developing new ways of thinking and constructing knowledge, as well as encouraging students to seek improvements in current systems and processes. In addition, they urged students to approach new challenges with the aim of creating innovative strategies and to think outside the box when solving problems.

The afternoon’s program was a wonderful display of the range of student talent here at the College.  The presentations were from a variety of subject areas that provided guests a glimpse into the extension-level work our Newman Program students have engaged in throughout the year. Each presentation was led by Newman students – this was an opportunity for them to take charge and celebrate their own successes, achievements and growth.

Each presentation exemplified the outstanding effort and dedication of both Newman students and their teachers.

Well done!

Lara Summersford
Leader of Inclusive Education

Students consider ethical conundrums…

On Wednesday 1 November, two teams of four Year 9 students competed in the Middle School Ethics Olympiad that took place over Zoom. This year’s competition asked students to consider eight ethical cases on topical issues such as lying and peer pressure, the complexities of group work, the actions of governments and incentivising versus bribing, to name a few. The competition involved discussing and refuting cases against a range of schools in NSW, being judged on ethical theories and moral objectivism.

The following eth-letes represented the College, with both teams earning an honourable mention from the judges:

• Jisla Bravo
• Ava Burns Bonnici
• Aya Elachi
• Bianca Fortunato
• Olivia Holt
• Bianca McKenzie
• Kristina Nikas
• Isabella Xenos

Through this competition, our eth-letes developed their critical thinking skills by engaging in important discussions with each other and students from a range of Australian contexts. The team worked well together and came close to placing in the competition! 

I would like to thank our Year 11 coaches who participated in the Senior Ethics Olympiad earlier this year. These girls trained our Year 9 students in the different ethical frameworks and how best to approach each case, learning from their own experiences. A big thank you to:

• Stephanie Avgoustou
• Annabelle Johnson
• Margaret Oszywa
• Natalie Petrykowycz
• Anna Richards

Lara Summersford
Leader of Inclusive Education

Yr 10 Japanese Excursion

Last Friday, Year 10 students embarked on a Japanese excursion and explored Japanese cuisine and culture!

We visited the Japan Foundation for a workshop and we learnt about the importance of furoshiki ふろしきand the art of folding cloth to carry items and wrap gifts. ‘Furohsiki’ means “Bath” + “To Spread”.

Next we headed to Kura Kura Traditional Japanese restaurant. We ate foods such as chicken teriyaki, beef pieces with egg, rice, miso soup and drinks from Japan such as green tea and Calpis. We were given the full experience of Japanese cuisine.

Ms Onodera then took us to Kinokuniya bookshop where we explored sections in art, traditional Japanese writing and manga.

Overall this was a very fun and enjoyable experience and we all got to dive into Japanese culture and practise speaking Japanese!

Sarah Ventura
Year 10 student

Write a Book in a Day

On 18 September, students in Years 7 and 9 participated in The Write a Book in a Day Competition. This was a fun and creative team writing competition with some very unique aspects:

• It involved a collaborative team effort, where students planned, wrote and illustrated a book
• Each story grew from a unique set of parameters that were given to each writing team at the start of the day
• The book was to be completed within 12 hours, between 8am and 8pm.
• Completed books were shared digitally with children in hospitals across Australia.

Students were also encouraged to fundraise for the Kids’ Cancer Project. All sponsorship funds raised went toward scientific research to discover better treatments, and ultimately, a cure for children with cancer. Our teams raised a total of $775.33 – well done, girls!

St Ursula’s Team 1 wrote the book titled ‘Radioactive Rivalry: A Fishy Business’. Team 1’s parameters were:

• Primary characters – Environmental scientist and spy
• Non-human character – Goldfish
• Setting – Abandoned house
• Issue – Magical headphones
• Random words – ruby, melts, shiver, tasty, sponge

According to illustrators Gabriella Saliba and Ava Crowley-Sweet: Radioactive Rivalry is a story about an environmental scientist named Billy and a spy named Ivy, who are investigating an abandoned house. They have to learn to work together, despite their strong rivalry, to solve a mystery about an unnatural red lake near the abandoned house.

St Ursula’s Team 2 wrote the book titled ‘Ruby Red’. Team 2’s parameters were:

• Primary characters – TV star and cricketer
• Non-human character – alpaca
• Setting – Tennis court
• Issue – Heatwave
• Random words – ruby, melts, shiver, tasty, sponge

According to writers Jacinta Shori and Eden Vonhoff: The book is about a girl named Jessica whose entire life revolved around cricket. The story starts after she misses an important game. It is set in a farm in Australia experiencing a deadly heatwave, and follows Jessica as it shows her past through her memories and contrasts them to her current life in the city.

While our teams didn’t place in this national competition, I would like to say a big congratulations to the following students:

Lara Summersford
Leader of Inclusive Education

Engineers encourage girls to follow STEM dreams

Emma Smith
TAS/VET Teacher

Year 7 Meet and Greet event

On Wednesday 15 November, we welcomed to the College 32 Year 6 students from various primary schools across Sydney for a Year 7 2024 Meet and Greet. These students are the only ones from their primary schools who are attending St Ursula’s next year, so we hold this small-group event ahead of our official Orientation Day to give them the chance to make connections with their new peers.

The wonderful Year 10 Leaders assisted with friendly smiles and various get-to-know-you activities. The morning was very well received.

Thank you to the Year 10 Leaders and the many staff members involved in this event for their support in making the day a success. I look forward to working with the incoming Year 7 cohort as they begin their educational journey at St Ursula’s College. 

Diana Chronopoulos
Year 8 Coordinator & Science Teacher

Year 6 Talented Maths Day

On Wednesday 8 November, St Ursula’s College hosted the Year 6 Talented Mathematics Day. We extended invitations to students at local primary schools, inviting them to partake in a diverse range of mathematical activities. Students from 13 schools eagerly attended the event, all vying for the coveted Merici Shield.

The primary objective of the day was to offer highly-proficient maths students an opportunity to collaborate, learn, and compete with peers who share a similar passion for mathematics, while facing rigorous challenges. This inter-school competition was designed for Stage 3 students who aspire to excel at the highest levels. The activities encompassed logic problems, cross numbers and relays, each presenting a range of intricate problem-solving challenges.

The event concluded with an awards ceremony, during which students were presented with trophies in recognition of their outstanding mathematical accomplishments. St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Rockdale secured third place, while second place was awarded to St Raphael’s Catholic Primary School South Hurstville. The top honour, and the Merici Shield, was claimed by St Declan’s Catholic Primary School Penshurst. Congratulations to the winners, and well done to all participating students!

Evelyn Zaczeck
Mathematics Coordinator

Girls bring 80’s aerobics back!

This term in PDHPE, Year 10 students have been working together in groups to choreograph a creative aerobics routine to their choice of music. The students were required to incorporate traditional aerobics movements including star jumps, box steps, kicks, lunges and squats along with their own original ideas for an engaging 90-second performance. 

The groups performed their routines in front of their classmates. It was fabulous to see great energy and enthusiasm from the girls, with many groups embracing 80s dance fashion in their neon brights! Well done to all girls! What a great way to end your Junior PE practical journey.

Jessica Magee
PDHPE Teacher

Jacinta records & performs CEF theme song

Jacinta Drumond, Year 10, has been busy juggling her schoolwork with burgeoning musical success. 

After winning the Catholic Education Foundation Songwriting Competition, she attended Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood to professionally record her song, with support from James Long, Education Officer: Creative & Performing Arts at Sydney Catholic Schools, and the music producer, Philippe-Marc Anquetil.

She also performed the song at an event held to mark the tenth anniversary of the CEF. The organisation will now use Jacinta’s composition as a theme song and will feature it in their promotional material over the next two years.

Congratulations, Jacinta!

Thursday Sport

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award continues to offer the opportunity for students to build resilience, leadership, and character while making a positive impact on their communities. Congratulations to Bianca Fortunato and Ava Andrews, who have received their Bronze Award.

Jaclyn Mott

Sports Plus Coordinator

SCS Sports Awards

Sydney Catholic Schools held a Sports Awards Ceremony at Bethany College on the 6 November 2023. This ceremony acknowledged students, teachers and schools for their achievements throughout 2023.

The following students received Certificates of Achievement: 

• Isabella Esposito (Year 8) – NSWCCC Swimming Team
• Isabella Bottaro (Year 12) – NSWCCC Softball Team
• Sarah-Angelina Kami (Year 11) – NSWCCC Netball Team

The following students received Sporting Excellence Awards:

• Monika Otai (Year 12) – Netball
• Alexia Apostolakis (Year 11) – Football
• Melissa Danelutti (Year 11) – Bocce

Ms Jennifer Hespe was also recognised at this ceremony with a Service to Sport Award for all her contributions to sport at St Ursula’s College over the years. We thank her tremendously for her enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment to the students of St Ursula’s College particularly with her involvement in Gymnastics and Rugby 7’s.

We are also pleased to announce that at the Sydney Catholic Schools Sports Awards Ceremony, St Ursula’s was awarded the OVERALL 2023 Conference Girls Aggregate Champions. 

Congratulations to all representative sports students for their contribution to this amazing achievement.

Jaclyn Mott

Sports Plus Coordinator

Sydney Catholic Schools – Exciting holiday offerings

Dear Parents and Carers

We are thrilled to share with you a range of exciting holiday opportunities for your child/ren here at Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS).

Prepare them for a holiday experience filled with joy, growth and unforgettable memories with their friends attending these active offerings:

• Water Polo Camp: Dive into excellence as they learn the art of teamwork and water prowess.
• Golf Camps: Swing to success and master the art of the perfect putt.
• Table Tennis Camp: Full-body workout and improve your hand-eye coordination and reflexes.

Equip your child with skills, a love for physical activity, and nurture their spirit of competition, all while having fun. 

For detailed information and to secure a spot, visit the following link tinyurl.com/scssportprgms.

Best regards,

SCS Sports Team

SCS Rowing Foundation Program

MyStrengnths 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.

OLF Christmas Carols Night

Archbishop Fisher’s Newsletter

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