Principal’s Message

Welcome to our latest College newsletter, highlighting many significant events our community has celebrated recently.

Visiting Ursuline Sisters from Rome

On Monday, we had the pleasure of welcoming Sr Leone Pallisier, former Principal of St Ursula’s, along with two Ursuline Sisters—Sister Claudine and Sister Neusimar—who are currently serving at the General Council in Rome with Mother General Sue Flood. It was a joy to show them around the College with the assistance of Sr Fran Milledge. Given that Sr Sue Flood is an alumna of St Ursula’s Kingsgrove, they will no doubt be eager to share their experience of visiting her former school upon their return.

Mother Daughter Movie Night

A heartfelt thank you to St Ursula’s Parent Association (SUPA) representatives, Dany, Peter, and Jerry, for their incredible effort in organising this year’s Mother Daughter Movie Night at Event Cinemas Hurstville on 28 May. The evening was a resounding success, bringing our community together for an exclusive screening of the newly released Lilo & Stitch. These SUPA events play a vital role in enhancing the College spirit and fostering a warm, connected community.

Inquiry & Review

This week, the College leadership team, alongside parents, staff and students, engaged with the Inquiry and Review panel to share the improvements made at the College since the last review in 2019. The discussion provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on our achievements and outline key areas for growth as we continue our improvement journey over the next four to five years. This process is an important part in the life of every Sydney Catholic School. The feedback received from the panel and from the community will help us discern College priority goals for the 2026-2029 Strategic Improvement Plan. I thank all parents, students and staff who provided feedback. A special thanks to our wonderful College Leadership Team who have spent many hours preparing documentation and evidence to present to the panel. I look forward to sharing with this community the commendations and recommendations the panel provides the College in their final report.

Tell Them From Me Online Parent Survey (TTFM)

Thank you to those parents and carers who have taken the time to provide their feedback on the TTFM survey to help us further improve student learning and well-being at St Ursula’s College. If you have not had a chance to complete as yet, please note it will close on Friday 13 June. This survey is completely anonymous and will take approximately 10 minutes of your time. You can access the survey using the following URL: http://tellthemfromme.com/tk54h

Exciting Announcement – Jubilee 2025 Songwriting Competition Winner!

I am thrilled to share that Year 12 student Jacinta Drumond has been selected as the winner of the Jubilee 2025 Songwriting Competition! Jacinta’s beautifully composed song captures the essence of hope, renewal, and unity—the very spirit of this Jubilee year.

As part of her prize, Jacinta will collaborate with renowned international producer Philippe-Marc Anquetil to professionally record and produce her song. It will be featured at key Jubilee 2025 events and shared widely across the school network, celebrating her incredible talent and artistic vision.

Congratulations, Jacinta, on this remarkable achievement.

Staff News

Janet Cairncross – Assistant Principal

During Terms 3 and 4 this year, Janet Cairncross will be on leave to pursue further study. She is completing a professional doctorate at the University of NSW and we wish her well with her research. In the meantime, we are conducting interviews with Sydney Catholic Schools for an Acting Assistant Principal for Terms 3 and 4 and will share further news with you shortly.

Retreats and Camps

Next week, I will be joining Year 11 students at their retreat, where we will explore the theme “Leading with a Servant Heart.” This retreat offers every student the chance to reflect on the essence of leadership and what it truly means to serve others. Upon our return, we will commence the important process of selecting the senior student leadership team for 2025/2026.

There is much anticipation in the College community for our musical, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical JR. Last minute rehearsals are taking place, lots of tickets have been sold and I look forward to seeing you all at the production in a few weeks.

Warm Regards,
Vivienne Awad

Gospel Reflection

If you go back and read the Old Testament, you will discover that Pentecost was one of the Jewish feast days. Only they didn’t call it Pentecost. That’s the Greek name. The Jews called it the Feast of Harvest or the Feast of Weeks. It is mentioned in five places in the first five books known to Jews as the Torah — in Exodus 23, Exodus 24, Leviticus 16, Numbers 28, and Deuteronomy 16. 

It was the celebration of the beginning of the early weeks of harvest. In Palestine, there were two harvests each year. The early harvest came during the months of May and June; the final harvest came in the Fall or October and November in the Northern Hemisphere. Pentecost was the celebration of the beginning of the early wheat harvest, which meant that Pentecost always fell sometime during the middle of the month of May or sometimes in early June.

Pentecost was a pilgrim festival. That meant that according to Jewish Law, all the adult Jewish men would come from wherever they were living to Jerusalem and personally be in attendance during this celebration.

Pentecost was a holiday. No servile work was to be done. School was out. The shops were closed. It was party time.

There were certain celebrations and sacrifices and offerings which were prescribed in the Law for the day of Pentecost. On Pentecost, the High Priest was to take two loaves of freshly baked wheat bread and offer them before the Lord. The wheat bread was made from the newly harvested wheat.

The significance of Pentecost to the church is something that we need to walk through carefully, and we shouldn’t ignore, because Pentecost was a Jewish celebration. And so in our modern day of the New Testament church, we don’t celebrate Pentecost in the way that the Old Testament Hebrews did.

But Pentecost was the moment in history after Christ had ascended. And he had promised during the gospel narratives, during his earthly ministry, that he would leave, but that he would send the comforter, he would send the Holy Spirit. And it was at that moment in Pentecost where the spirit came, and empowered the early believers, specifically the apostles that were left, and Peter, who became the head of the Early Christian Community.

Peter, is almost a comedic personality in the gospel narratives. He is the one who constantly puts his foot in his mouth, constantly is having to be corrected by Jesus, but is in the inner circle. And because of grace and mercy, he is chosen to be the one who stands up in front of this throng, probably thousands, maybe tens of thousands of people to proclaim the gospel, there in the midst of a Hebrew celebration that was intended to remind the Hebrews of how God had always protected them.

And here Peter stands up and says, “And let me tell you about the Messiah, who is the eternal protection for all of humanity. Let me tell you who he is.” And so Pentecost becomes this marker in history to really what many people would say, “And that’s the moment that church is born.”

That is when thousands come into the faith. And it goes from this little sect of believers who followed a Jewish rabbi from Nazareth who died and rose again, and suddenly the church breaks forth into culture. Suddenly it is that unstoppable force that no one can really deny any longer. Pentecost has taken on a new significance for us. It is the living reality of the moment that the spirit of God seemingly burst forth.

So we question – When was the last time that we heard the wind of God’s Spirit?

As we listen to the readings this Sunday, and celebrate once again the memory of that first Pentecost, may it be for us as it was then; a moment of empowerment, an awareness of God’s glory in this dark world, a life changing experience.

Let us pray:

We light a candle, and enjoy the flickering light,
the fragrance and warmth it creates.
But without the spark that ignites,
there will be no flame.
Without the wax, the source of power,
the wick will not burn.
Without the flame,
there will be no fragrance,
no warmth, no light.
And so with us, Lord.
You are the catalyst that ignites us,
and the fuel that sustains us.
You fill us with your fragrance as you enter our lives.
You empower us to carry your flame in our hearts,
to be the fragrance, warmth,
and light of your love, in this dark world.

Mary, Our lady of Inclusive Love
Pray for us

St Angela Merici
Pray for us

St Ursula
Protect our future

Julie Monk
Religious Education Coordinator

Term 2 Outreach: Ignite Food Store

Term 2 sees our Outreach focus on supporting a local community group. In exploring ways to assist the Ursuline outreach in Sydney, we hope to support the work of Jesuit Social Services—a group that Sr Patty Andrews supports through her ministry at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Plumpton.

Anchored in the Gospel value of “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31), this initiative encourages students to actively support those facing systemic disadvantage. Jesuit Social Services provide education, mental health support, and opportunities for social inclusion, reflecting Jesus’ call to care for the vulnerable and work for justice. By engaging in this effort, students can tangibly live out their faith and respond to the needs of their community.

For over a decade Jesuit Social Services has been connecting with and offering service to the people of Emerton and wider Mt Druitt.

From the very basic offering of simple bags of donated food to what is now a mission providing essential support to thousands of people every year. Every day we connect with families and individuals who are struggling. Imagine what it must be like to be out of food and still have 5 days before there’s any money in your account. So many people out here experience this on a regular basis and Ignite Food Store has become the point of hope for so many people. Due to increased costs of living we are now seeing young families, retired and elderly folks, low income families, people experiencing homelessness, unemployed younger people, people with disabilities, and women and children escaping from domestic violence. All are regular visitors to the Ignite Food Store. They leave with bags full of fresh fruit and vegetables and other essential food items to get them and their loved ones through the fortnight. Your contribution and generosity make such a wonderful impact on the lives of so many and partner with us in building a just society. On behalf of the Ignite Food Store team and the Emerton and broader Mt Druitt communities a huge thank you!

All Items are to be placed into the back of the College Chapel during WEEK 6 and 7 ONLY- This is a two week campaign.

WATCH: Ignite Food Store

Items will be collected from the Chapel by Jesuit Social Services in Week 8.

Thank you for your support.

Antoinette Nader
Assistant REC/Service & Outreach Co-ordinator

Jesuit Social Service Outreach Experience

Grateful, changed, appreciative, fulfilled, inspired

These are the words the Mirrabooka Committee used to describe the opportunity we had today, to travel to Emerton and engage with Jesuit Social Services (JSS) alongside the College Co-captains, Mrs Monk and Mrs Nader.

When we arrived, we were given insight into the struggles of various communities within Western Sydney in particular, especially the deep disadvantage some people face every day.

Throughout our visit, we encountered the profound truth expressed in Matthew “Grateful, changed, appreciative, fulfilled, inspired.”

In Matthew’s Gospel we are reminded that Jesus declares: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…“

These words echo through the work of Jesuit Social Services, as they strive to ensure that no one is left behind, bringing social justice to those who need it most. Their Ignite Food Store is more than just a place to receive groceries—it embodies the Gospel call to care for the most vulnerable, making Christ’s presence tangible through service and generosity. Witnessing this firsthand, we saw how our donations directly impact struggling families, ensuring their children have access to healthy meals.

We also had the privilege of visiting the Baabayn Aboriginal community where each girl immersed herself in the beautiful culture and life that the Elders so generously shared. Any questions asked were met with raw and honest answers, telling stories of the past, the future, and visions of hope, truth and change. Their willingness to embrace us as sisters reflects the same hospitality Jesus calls us to embody—a radical openness that fosters healing, understanding, and shared humanity.

After today, our eyes were opened to the realities of struggles beyond our immediate community, reminding us of the everyday necessities we often overlook. Moved by this experience and the impact that even small acts of service can have, we are even more committed to the importance of ensuring our Term 2 Outreach is a success. This initiative is more than charity; it is an act of Serviam—an expression of our commitment to Christ’s call to serve.

Through this, we become living witnesses to Matthew 25, ensuring that the hungry are fed, the struggling are uplifted, and the stranger is welcomed with love.

Olivia Gois and Liana Kazzi
Year 10

Youth Ministry News

It is hard to believe that we are half way through Term 2 with the following faith-formation events just around the corner.

What’s On

• Wednesday 2 July – Purpose Festival
• Wednesday 13 August – Year 7, 8, 9 Evangelisation Day

This event will be held at Mount Saint Joseph Catholic College, Milperra. This occasion calls for students from Sydney Catholic Schools to join together in a day of worship, praise and song. There will be talks from guest speakers, performances by Catholic artists, and presentations by Catholic evangelists. The day will revolve around the theme of “May we always seek what is good, true and beautiful”.

An expression of interest form is currently being circulated through the College for students. Once this has been finalised, a request will be sent via Compass to provide consent for your daughter to attend by Week 8.

Events From The Archdiocese and Sydney Catholic Schools

 Nicole Katacos
Youth Ministry Coordinator

Bible Study

On Friday 23 May, St Ursula’s College was buzzing with spiritual energy as the very first Angela’s Circle of Grace bible study took place. Facilitated by Purpose High from Sydney Catholic Youth and a group of dedicated Year 11 students, the welcoming theme – “Come As You Are,” saw an incredible turnout, with 39 students from across the College gathered to explore faith and fellowship. It was truly inspiring to witness so many young women eager to engage in thoughtful discussion and grow in their understanding of the Bible in a supportive and inclusive environment.

The enthusiasm and participation shown by the students underscores a deep desire for opportunities to connect with their faith and with each other. As we look forward to seeing the continued growth and impact of this bible study, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Purpose High and the diligent Year 11 student facilitators – Isabelle Ung, Georgia Sakr, Isabella Xenos and Mary-Anne El Azzi for their vision and effort in bringing this much-anticipated initiative to fruition.

Angela’s Circle of Friends will continue every second Friday (even weeks) at recess. Watch out for more information in the Daily Notices.

Gabi Habashy
Religious Education Teacher

Reconciliation Week

Indigenous Veterans Commemoration Service

During Reconciliation Week, we were privileged to attend this ceremony with student representatives from 52 Sydney schools and 3 country schools to honour the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women who fought for Australia in every conflict since the Boer War.

We heard from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph West who spoke about his great great uncle who fought and died in PNG during WWII. His regiment was the same one that Yr 11 student, Maya Robinson, discovered her great great great uncle also fought in. They met afterwards and the Lieutenant Colonel was very interested in their connection.

It was a solemn occasion where we all participated in a smoking ceremony and heard from soldiers about the way Aboriginal soldiers were treated as second class citizens when they returned from war even though they served alongside their Australian mates. It was similar to other ANZAC services where a catafalque party forms a guard of honour while the bugler plays the Last Post and Reveille, which was made extra special by being at the Hyde Park cenotaph.  

I asked the students for their lasting impressions of this event:

Angelina – It was a really eye-opening experience because we got to recognise the soldiers who were not recognised when they returned from war and why this happened.

Amira – I found out why we have Reconciliation Week and its importance.

Aisha – It was a very engaging experience for me to hear about how Aboriginal soldiers should always be recognised.

Makayla– My first time watching and learning about Aboriginal dancing – they posed like native animals which shows how nature is such an important part of their culture and they really connect to the land.

Ella– I found it really eye-opening to see the full scale of Aboriginal people who laid down their lives for us in war and I had no idea about this which is I guess what I came to learn.

Zoe– I found the service really moving especially considering their sacrifice. Plus I learnt more about their culture – I’ve never been that close to a smoking ceremony and didn’t realise it was about cleansing and welcoming.

Lucia– The event was very educational about history and Aboriginal people in the military.

Marion– I’ll never forget the very symbolic placing of the wreath in the pond of remembrance.

True – I liked the poem written by the friend of the Aboriginal soldier explaining how his grin cheered everyone up during the war.

Violet–  I found the precision of the catafalque party very interesting.

Maya– It was a pleasure meeting Lieutenant Colonel West because I like connecting back to my ancestors and discovering more about the past.

Charlotte – When they put the wreath in the pond it was a really beautiful way to commemorate the fallen Aboriginal soldiers.

Karen Horder
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student Support Teacher

Year 8 Reflection Day

Last Friday Year 8 attended their Reflection Day. As part of looking at the Ursuline Value of RESPECT, the students specifically looked at the concept of Human Dignity, and Catholic Social Teaching in this area. 

During sessions PC staff led the groups in activities with a focus on reverence, self-respect and respect for others. The students participated in a number of activities which challenged them to develop into confident, independent and mature young women. 

As part of understanding the ideals of RESPECT which are Dignity, Nurturing, Respect and Reverence, the students were encouraged to decorate a pot and given a marigold to care for at home. They were also given a copy of the Catholic Youth Bible to nurture their faith and to grow their relationship with God. 

At the end of the day the students were sent an evaluation form. Here are some of the anonymous comments – 

• Year 8 Reflection Day was a meaningful experience where students painted pots, planted marigolds, and explored the themes of respect and dignity. Through a variety of fun and interactive activities, they gained a deeper understanding of others’ perspectives and experiences.
• This year’s reflection deeply explored the idea of human dignity as we went through a variety of activities and videos. It was a truly enlightening experience and I, along with my peers, are very grateful for the day.
• This year 8 reflection day was really fun, it helped every individual student learn about dignity, and to be respectful. All the games and activities, especially the icebreakers and decorating pots that our marigolds would be in, were especially fun to do on this reflection day.
• I enjoy learning about the importance of dignity and how Jesus lived that in His life. I enjoy coming together as a cohort to learn things together.
• The year 8 reflection day for 2025 was an extremely fun day where we got to explore our key values of respect, focusing on human dignity. We received our bibles, decorated pots and also participated in various activities that helped us to learn more about human dignity. Thank you to all the teachers who contributed to making this day fun for us!
• Our Year 8 Reflection Day was a great experience that helped me recognise the dignity of those around me. It helped me gain knowledge on how Jesus Christ showed dignity to those around him and how we can to do that to others.
• On Reflection Day, we learnt about dignity and why it’s important to treat everyone with respect and kindness. Showing dignity helps create a positive and caring community for everyone.
• Students learnt about the Catholic perspective of dignity and how it related to their focused aspect of respect in year 8. They participated in group teams to put forward ideas and perspectives on dignity and as a final activity painted a pot for a marigold flower, the ‘companion’ plant.

Julie Monk
Religious Education Coordinator

Sydney Writers Festival

On Friday 23 May, 19 Year 9 students attended the Sydney’s Writers Festival to gain some insights into writing and a more professional standpoint from conceptualisation to publication. Although the journey to get there was rough, the efforts were definitely worth it as we learnt lots of valuable insights. This event had something for everyone. A great memory to hold and an amazing and vivid experience. 

The day kicked off with Mike Lucas who brought humour and wisdom to the stage. He gave golden advice to the people who want to start writing or dream of writing a novel one day. His motto “Don’t get it right, get it written” was refreshing to hear as perfection comes later but getting words on the page and the motivation to keep on, is more important. It is the first step and one of the key steps. 

Next came Hayley Lawrence; she gave us some motivational and inspirational words. She explored how her life experiences linked with the novels she made and published. Hayley told us about her novels “Into the Wild”, “Into the Tiger” and “The Other Side of Tomorrow” which were about her personal experiences. Her knowledge and wisdom of words were truly inspirational. Her talk was different from the others and really stood out amongst the other guests. 

Following Hayley Lawrence, Demet Divaroren showed us her book “Blood Moon Bride”. Showing us the power of resilience and identity. It links together with our Year 9 value UNITY and it was a wonderful experience. To help inspire us more she played an upbeat song to help link it to the idea of trying your best and just to get writing.

To close the day Neal Shusterman delivered an amazing session of storytelling. He is best known for his series “Scythe” and  he talked to us about subverting expectations in a genre. His dystopian literature often clashes against the traditional ideas of the genre. 

Overall it was an amazing day and highly engaging, the event was well worth it and all girls who attended were inspired at the end. As a collective we truly learnt the value of putting pen to paper. To anyone out there who is interested in writing, we recommend going to the Sydney Writers Festival and get writing yourself! 

Lucia Corniola and Valencia Erwin
Year 9

Da Vinci Decathlon

Year 11 Talented Maths Day

On Tuesday last week, five of our Year 11 students in the Accelerated Mathematics Extension 1 course had the opportunity to attend the Talented Students Day held at Sydney Technical High School. The event brought together students from various schools across Sydney to tackle a series of challenging, out-of-the-box mathematical problems in a fun and collaborative setting.

The day consisted of four different problem-solving challenges, where students were rotated through individual, paired, and group-based tasks. The problems were carefully designed to stretch our thinking beyond the standard curriculum, many of them were ones we had never encountered before. To make things even more interesting, no calculators were allowed, requiring us to rely solely on our logic, estimation skills, and mental arithmetic.

Working under time pressure, we navigated puzzles, logic problems, number patterns, and mathematical riddles – each one testing a different aspect of our mathematical reasoning. Despite the intensity, the atmosphere was upbeat and engaging, with plenty of opportunities to collaborate, learn from others, and appreciate mathematics. The event was not only a great opportunity to challenge ourselves, but also to connect with like-minded students from other schools who share the same passion for maths. The day offered a valuable opportunity to engage with mathematics in a new and stimulating way. It was a worthwhile experience that challenged us to think differently and pushed us beyond the familiar boundaries of classroom learning.

Bianca Fortunato
Year 11

Year 12 Retreat

The Year 12 Retreat was held at two separate venues, Camp Kedron and Kiah Ridge. The opportunity to step away from the routine of school, provided time for the students to reflect on the key relationships that have nurtured their journey. Here is what Year 12 students had to say about their experience:

What did you see as the purpose of the Year 12 Retreat?

• Senior Retreat was a time to reflect on the time at school and the people that have helped bring us to where we are. This was a time for relaxing and understanding our journey with God now that we have nearly finished school.
• Understanding the value of family, friendship. Our faith was emphasised through sessions and collaborative activities. It was also a great opportunity to spend time with friends and talk with the staff.
• I found the small group sessions to be very significant as coming together in smaller groups allowed me to share information that I wouldn’t share in front of the whole grade, it gave a sense of security. Also, the group contained people outside of my friendship group so I got to know, on a deeper level, some students I didn’t know very well.
• To become closer as a cohort.
• To grow closer to God as well as each other.

What did you enjoy most about this Retreat?

• The friendship session and writing the affirmations. It really grounded me into reality and reminded me of the people that love me, reminding me to think not just of myself when I’m busy spiralling from stress.
• I found the small group sessions to be very significant as coming together in smaller groups allowed me to share information that i wouldn’t share in front of the whole grade, it gave a sense of security. Also, the group contained people outside of my friendship group so i got to know on a deeper level some students i haven’t really spoken to much.
• I loved the Reconciliation and Mass on the second day. Father was so nice and beautiful to speak with. The affirmations were beautiful and brought many people closer together.
• Affirmation writing reflected a kindness amongst peers and provided an opportunity for genuine connection. The Mass and quiet time that followed was a relaxing experience.

 

Titration Competition

Nine Year 12 Chemistry students represented the College in the 2025 NSW Titration Competition at The University of Sydney on Thursday 5 June. Held annually by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, the Titration Competition aims to inspire senior students to enhance their passion for chemistry and develop valuable hands-on laboratory skills. 

We were fortunate enough to enter three teams of three students who conducted experiments in a university chemistry laboratory. Each student carried out two rounds of acid–base titration experiments, an essential skill of Year 12 Chemistry, with the aim of finding the concentration of an unknown solution. Students had only 90 minutes to complete all six of their titration experiments and calculations, with the goal of being the most accurate group, competing against each other and other schools.

Weeks of before and after school training sessions paid off as one of our teams came second and one of our teams came first with perfect calculations.

It is wonderful to have such diligent and talented chemists at the College.

Katrina Zenere
Science Teacher

IB Global Politics

From 29 May to 1 June, our IB Global Politics Class ventured to Cranbrook School at Bellevue Hill to participate in the Harvard Model United Nations Conference (HMUN). The aim of HMUN is to provide ‘delegates’ with insight into the workings of the United Nations and the dynamics of international relations by assuming the roles of world leaders and international decision-makers. HMUN is a challenging opportunity for young leaders to debate the most pressing issues of the day and to draft innovative, creative solutions. We spent our four days discussing global issues in our committees, networking with other delegates, balancing national interests with the interests of the international community, negotiating and collaborating with each other in order to write draft resolutions, and finally, voting them into “international law”. 

• Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC): Paige, Marceline and Caitlin explored ‘Terrorism in the Age of the Internet’.  Paige represented the views of Argentina, while Marceline represented Turkiye and Caitlin represented Switzerland.  The focus of this committee was the global security implications of end-to-end encryptions, how education could be a long-term solution to end global terrorism, how the creation of a UN-run watchdog for monitoring terrorism could improve the safety of vulnerable internet users, and the broader implications of internet security for the world. 

• Legal Committee:  The discussion revolved around ‘Human Rights Obligations of Multinational Tech Corporations in Supply Chain Sourcing’. While advocating for Greece, Carol discussed the exploitation of labour by multinational corporations in developing countries and how the creation of an international body to hold the corporations accountable would be essential in order to mitigate this. 

• United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP):  Julianna argued for the ‘Sustainable Use of Oceans, Seas, and Marine Resources’ on behalf of France. The committee explored how pressing issues such as climate change and the abuse of marine resources such as overfishing, bottom trawling and the breach of Exclusive Economic Zones have negatively affected and depleted our oceans.  A range of sustainable solutions in order to fight these problems was presented. 

Overall, the conference was challenging, exhausting and fun – a great way for our girls to practice their Global Politics knowledge and think critically about the global issues that face our world today.

Tanya Perrit
HSIE Teacher

Mock Trial

Well done to the Mock Trial team who performed admirably against St Ignatius’ College, Riverview on 20 May.

In a spirited encounter at Riverview, St Ursula’s – as defence in a civil matter – had to argue that the plaintiff was partly responsible for injuries sustained in a shopping centre. Public liability cases such as these are always difficult to defend and consequently St Ursula’s lost the points narrowly. 

Nonetheless, the magistrate was impressed with the team’s opening statement and closing submissions, as well as its sharp cross-examination.

St Ursula’s has another round at the end of the term and can still progress to the elimination rounds if it wins this round.

Thanks to Mr Morris (Ashleigh’s father) who came along to watch the trial.

Steve Baker
HSIE & Religion Teacher

Our Call For Hope – Winner of the Jubilee 2025 Songwriting Competition

Year 12 student, Jacinta Drummond has had her composition “Our Call for Hope” selected as the winner of the Jubilee 2025 Songwriting Competition. Not only will her song feature at key Jubilee 2025 events but Jacinta will also have the opportunity to work with international producer Philippe-Marc Anquetil to professionally record her song.

The 2025 Jubilee Songwriting Competition invited songwriters to capture Pope Francis’ vision for the Holy Year, expressing in both lyrics and melody the call for Catholics to embrace unity and look towards a future filled with compassion and peace. The winner was announced on Friday 30 May and I was honoured to hear that my composition, ‘Our Call for Hope’ had been selected. John Burland, renowned liturgical composer and musician, commented that my song “stood out for its musical excellence, lyrical depth, and powerful expression of the Jubilee theme,” and that “the judging panel was deeply moved.” I’m so grateful for this outcome and the opportunity to share my work with a wider audience.

Writing this song was a rewarding experience that allowed me to reflect on the values of the Jubilee Year and share my passion for music and songwriting. To compose this piece and in order to fulfill the competition’s criteria, I took a different approach from my usual style of songwriting. Usually I compose the music first, then improvise lyrics and melodies to workshop its overall structure and product. For this competition, however, I started with the lyrics, laying out the sections and focusing on the messages I hoped to convey. I wanted each lyric to tell a unique story so that when sung with the piano, they created a complete and emotionally powerful piece. It was a more thoughtful and structured process than usual but incredibly rewarding

Songwriting is an integral part of my life and being able to use it to communicate messages that resonate with so many people is something truly special to me. With each song I write and every opportunity to explore new lyrical and musical styles, I continue to grow as both an artist and a storyteller—skills I hope to carry into a future career as a professional singer-songwriter.

I look forward to the opportunity to work with John Burland and international producer, Philippe-Marc Anquetil to bring this track to life, as well as to the upcoming live performances. As an international theme, my song will be shared across multiple networks and hopefully inspire a wider community with its message. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to extend my craft and look forward to sharing the final product with everyone.

Jacinta Drummond
Year 12

2025 Mission Conference Performance

On Wednesday 21 May, I had the honour of performing at the 2025 Mission Conference Event as part of The Artists’ Evolution show group, a selected Sydney Catholic Schools performance ensemble.

We performed two original pieces, including my original composition, ‘Opportunities for All’—the winning theme song for the Catholic Education Foundation—and a collaborative composition titled ‘I Am Here’. Both songs shared messages of unity, hope, and the strength we find in lifting each other up, which was powerfully captured through our performance and choreography. The audience had a great response.

Being a part of The Artists’ Evolution Show group has been an incredible opportunity to further develop my skills, connect with talented students across different schools, and experience further performance opportunities. Additionally, the opportunity to arrange harmonies for my song, teach the students, and rehearse together towards a final product was both exciting and rewarding. It was incredibly moving to hear my song sung by so many other voices, and I’m so proud of the effort each member put into the process. Thank you to all who were involved.

Jacinta Drumond
Year 12

A PB for Isabella Espositio at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships

Isabella Espositio
Year 10

SCS Dance Eisteddfod

We had an unforgettable experience performing at St Joseph’s Milperra for the SCS Representative Dance Competition. Dance is deeply woven into the culture and spirit of St Ursula’s Kingsgrove, and it was a privilege to represent our school in such a dynamic and inspiring event. Every moment, from the countless hours of rehearsals to the behind-the-scenes preparation, was a testament to our dedication and passion. Seeing our hard work come to life on stage was incredibly rewarding, and we couldn’t be prouder of the performance we delivered.

A massive thank you to Ava Zygouras and Laura Mejia-Beltran, Year 11 students, for their exceptional choreography and leadership. Their creativity, energy, and guidance shaped our hip-hop routine, pushing us to grow as dancers and performers. Without their talent and commitment, we wouldn’t have achieved what we did. This experience was more than just a competition, it was a celebration of teamwork, perseverance, and the power of dance to bring us all together.

St Ursula’s Hip-hop troupe

Athletics Carnival

Despite the best laid plans for this year’s Athletics Carnival, wet weather forced the cancellation of the whole school event. However, the spirit of competition remained strong, and dedicated athletes and staff ensured that key events still went ahead.

Competitors took to the track with enthusiasm, showcasing their skills in both short and long distance events as well as participating in long jump, high jump and shot putt. With selection for the Conference 3 representative pathway on the line, students gave their all, embracing the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities despite the smaller crowd.

House spirit was alive and well, with those in attendance bringing energy, cheering, and encouragement to every event. The excitement peaked during the final race of the day—the 100m House Hundred—where runners fought for victory in front of their supportive peers.

While there was understandable disappointment that the whole college could not attend and celebrate together, we remain grateful that our competitive athletes were still given the chance to compete, progress, and represent their school. Their dedication, resilience, and enthusiasm embodied the true spirit of our school community. 

A huge thank you to the staff, students, and supporters who made the day memorable. We look forward to next year’s carnival—hopefully under clear skies!

House Champions

Jaclyn Mott

Assistant PDHPE & Sports Coordinator

Table Tennis

Students from St Ursula’s thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Table Tennis Gala Days!

Results from 12 May Gala Day

We had 18 players split into 3 senior teams, 4 intermediate teams and 2 junior teams.

• Our Junior team consisting of Aleyah Hall (Year 7) and Emma Hall (Year 7) came third and were awarded a bronze medal.
• Our Year 9 Intermediate team consisting of Amelia Pinto (Year 9) and Lucy Yoegiar (Year 9) won the competition and were awarded a gold medal.
• Our Year 10 Intermediate team consisting of Chloe Ya (Year 10) and Leanne Trinh (Year 10) came second and were awarded a silver medal.

All three Senior teams were going amazingly well before the finals – all reaching the Semis!

• The Senior team comprising of Rena Liang (Year 11) and Valerie Kwong (Year 11) were awarded a Silver medal.
• The Senior team comprising of Renee Kwong (Year 12) and Sarina Chou (Year 12) were awarded a Bronze medal.

The top two teams in each level go through to the next level (held on 3 June – results below).

Thank you for all your behind the scenes work for the table tennis teams. They had a great time at the tournament.

Results from 3 June Gala Day

We are delighted to announce that our Intermediate team has won the Sydney Table Tennis Competition!

Our other Intermediate team placed 5th overall and our Senior Team placed 4th. What an outstanding achievement!

Intermediate Table Tennis Champions!

Theresa Brungs
Leader of Inclusive Education

Photos from 12 May 2025 Gala Day

Thursday Sport

Tickets almost sold out – Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical JR

St Ursula’s College presents the 2025 musical production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical JR.

Tickets can be purchased for $25 each and are nearly sold out over the three nights.

Don’t miss your chance to see our students bring Roald Dahl’s story to life!

Scan the QR code or visit www.trybooking.com/DAKON to get your tickets today.

Embracing Disappointment: A Key to Resilience

Last year, St Ursula’s College welcomed psychologist Judith Locke (The Bonsai Child/The Bonsai Student) to share her insights with our staff and parents about the realities of growing up. Her message was clear – adolescence is filled with challenges, and shielding young people from every disappointment does them no favours. Instead, we must equip them with the skills to face setbacks and grow from them.

This important message is echoed in a recent article by adolescent psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg, who discusses why experiencing disappointment is a vital part of childhood development. He highlights how parents and society are increasingly quick to remove obstacles for young people, rather than allowing them to work through difficulties themselves. While the instinct to protect is natural, overprotecting children can hinder their ability to build resilience and emotional literacy – both essential for navigating life’s ups and downs.

At St Ursula’s, we are committed to fostering independence, resilience, and problem-solving skills in our students. We encourage you to read Carr-Gregg’s article and reflect on how you can support your child in managing disappointment, rather than avoiding it. By allowing young people to experience setbacks, we give them the opportunity to learn, adapt, and ultimately thrive in adulthood.

Let’s continue working together to prepare our young people for life’s challenges. If you missed Judith Locke’s powerful presentation last year, or if you’d like to revisit these important ideas, this article

Anne Sukkar
Leader of Wellbeing

MyStrengths

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

Follow us on socials

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