Principal’s Message
As Term 3 draws to a close, I am delighted to share with you the many significant events our community has celebrated recently.
A Prayer for our Ursuline Graduates
Loving and gracious God,
We gather in gratitude for the young women graduating this week — for their courage, resilience, and the many ways they have grown in wisdom and grace.
As they leave the familiar places of St Ursula’s, we ask You to bless them abundantly. May they carry with them the values instilled through their education, especially the call to Serviam — “I will serve.” May this motto continue to shape their hearts and guide their choices, wherever life may lead.
Help them to be women of compassion, integrity, and strength. May they serve with joy, lead with humility, and love without condition. Let them be a light in the world — advocates for justice, peace, and kindness.
In moments of uncertainty, remind them of Your presence. In times of triumph, may they give thanks. And in all things, may they remember they are deeply loved and wonderfully made.
We entrust them to Your care, confident that Your plans for them are filled with hope and promise.
Amen.
Farewell to the Graduating Class of 2025
We offer our congratulations and best wishes to our Year 12 graduates. As Serviam women, our motto has become part of who they are. Their strength of character, compassion, generosity, gratitude, school pride and sense of fun has been evident and they leave a lasting impression on our community. It was a pleasure to celebrate this exceptional group of young women through our graduation events this week.
We began on Wednesday 24 September with a Graduation Assembly to recognise the Class of 2025’s many achievements. We were honoured to have the following distinguished guests join us:
- The Honourable Ms Courtney Houssos MP, Acting Minister for Education for NSW
- The Honourable Mr Mark Coure MP, Member for Oatley
- Mrs Danielle Cronin, Executive Director, Sydney Catholic Schools
- Mr Kevin Carragher, Director Education and Research, Sydney Catholic Schools
- Ms Jodie Alvaro Specialist, System Performance & Finance, Catholic Education Foundation
- Mr Ian Todd, Chief Executive Officer, Kingsgrove RSL Club
- Mr Bernie Deady, President of Kingsgrove Conference St Vincent De Paul
- Fr Casey, Parish Priest, Our Lady of Fatima Kingsgrove
- Sr Leone Pallisier osu (College Principal 1976 to 1982)
- Sr Frances Milledge osu
- Ms Louise Maguire, Principal Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School Kingsgrove
The Assembly concluded with a moving Guard of Honour, as the entire College community came together to send off our graduates.
In the evening, Year 12 students and their families gathered for a beautiful Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, followed by a celebratory Supper in Merici Hall. It was a magical day from start to finish, and we were thrilled to see so many parents and family members join us.
Senior Student Leadership Commissioning
Last Friday we commissioned our 2026 College Senior Student Leadership Team at a special Assembly followed by morning tea in the Year 12 garden with both the outgoing and incoming leaders and parents.
I reminded our new leaders of the importance of servant leadership, integrity and the privilege of representing their peers. I know our new leaders will rise to the challenge and embrace the Serviam spirit.
I also extend my heartfelt thanks to our outgoing College Co-Captains, Elyana Fadel and Zara Sly, as well as our Committee Co-Captains and Senior Captains for their outstanding service to our community in Term 4 2024 and 2025.
I proudly present to you our new leaders for Term 4 2025 and 2026:
Father Daughter Bowling Night
Last week, the College Leadership Team and I attended the Father-Daughter Bowling Night, organised by our SUPA committee members Lou Lou Fortunato and Theresa Shafik. The event was sold out and a resounding success, with dads and daughters enjoying a joyful evening of bowling, connection and fun.
Parent Forum – Purposeful Use of Technology Survey Results
Our Parent Working Party, alongside Dr Danielle Einstein and myself, hosted an interactive evening last week to present the results of the parent survey on technology use. Over 30 parents attended to discuss the findings and explore the way forward for our community. Further information will be shared with our community next term. A huge thanks to our Parent Working Party who led the forum: Chris Morris, Claire Golledge, Dany Elachi, Evonne Kalafatas, Loulou Fortunato, Diana Nasr, and Gabriela Schimpf.
Farewell Father Casey
Father Casey, Parish Priest at Our Lady of Fatima, Kingsgrove, is leaving after 13 years and will move to a new parish in Botany. It has been a real privilege to work with Father and we will miss him terribly. His last mass at Kingsgrove will be October 19. We thank him for all his support, spiritual guidance and friendship to the College over the years and we wish him all the best at his new parish.
The Ursuline Co-Curricular Experience
Earlier this year we put together a video highlighting the many co-curricular and enrichment opportunities available for our students. Please view the video here.
In the Footsteps of Angela Merici
As we head into the holiday break, I wish everyone in our community a restful and safe time with loved ones. I will be travelling to Italy on a pilgrimage, In the Footsteps of Angela Merici, with Ursuline sisters and leaders from Ursuline schools around the world, and I look forward to sharing this journey with you when I return at the start of week 4 next term.
Ms Libby Denny will be Acting Principal in my absence from the start of Term 4 until the end of Week 3.
God Bless,