The Exec Address

From the Executive Principal 

Dear MCHF community,

We are a few weeks into term 3 and there are some very special events that we will be celebrating in the weeks ahead. Alongside these, we have our everyday work expectations including Year 12 HSC trial exams that the students are currently undertaking. May the wisdom of the Holy Spirit be theirs as they complete their exams.

On 15 August, we celebrate the Foundation Day of the Congregation of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family. It was on this day back in 1895 that the Congregation commenced with Patriarch Elias Howayek’s blessings. It is on this day that the Religious Sisters take their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The College celebrated a Mass on Thursday, 14th August to pray for the ministry of the Sisters. 

We have our annual Colour run on 3 September, and it is a day that promises to be full of fun, activities, students sprayed with colour, and sliming of teachers! It is an important fundraiser for the College as we embark on our Masterplan. Thank you to all families who have donated to their child’s efforts in this activity.

Soon after the fun run, we will have our Spring Markets (fete) on Sunday, 21 September 2025. Please keep the date free, and we hope to see you all at MCHF for a wonderful community gathering event. There will be rides, inflatables, food stalls, BBQ, face painting, games, dunk the teacher, entertainment, and much more. The day will commence at 10 am and finish at 3 pm. Once again, all money raised will go towards our Masterplan.

Our final big event for the year is our Alumni Ball to be held on 17 October at 7 pm at the Renaissance. More information to follow, but the invitation is open to all past students and teachers of the Our Lady of Lebanon College and Maronite College of the Holy Family.

We pray that the Holy Family will continue to watch over our community and protect us from all harm.

Sr Margaret Ghosn

Executive Principal

Head of College 

"Term 3 – Together We Are Achieving!”

Dear College Community,

As we reach the midpoint of Term 3, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the many achievements and activities that have taken place so far, and to acknowledge the dedication and spirit of our College community. The term has been marked by significant milestones, meaningful celebrations, and continued academic and personal growth for our students.

We are delighted to welcome new staff members to our College family this term. Please join me in warmly welcoming Mr Terrence Tran (Secondary HSIE Teacher), Mr Gary Wong (Secondary Science Teacher), Ms Marie Harb (Secondary Maths and Science Teacher), and our new Diverse Learning team members: Ms Rose-Marie Taouk, Ms Chantal Rizk, and Mr Charbel Ibrahim. We are thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the positive contributions they will bring to our students’ learning journeys.

Term 3 is full of wonderful events and important milestones. Our Year 12 students are preparing for their Trial HSC Exams, followed by their Graduation – a significant step in their educational journey. We also look forward to our Spring Markets on Sunday 21st September, the Colour Run on Wednesday 3rd September, and Foundation Day, where we will celebrate the 130-year anniversary of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family – a truly special occasion for our College.

The Primary Athletics Carnival was a fantastic success. Congratulations to all students and staff for their enthusiastic participation, and a special congratulations to Charbel House for taking home the trophy! A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated parents who came along to cheer on the students – your presence always adds to the spirit of the day.

Year 10 students have begun the exciting process of choosing their HSC subjects, with the Subject Selection Evening held on Wednesday, 23rd July. Meanwhile, Year 5 and Year 11 students have begun the journey toward student leadership, with sessions outlining the election process for our 2026 leadership team. We eagerly await the announcement of our new student leaders in the coming weeks.

It was a joy to witness the creativity and learning on display at the Year 6 Science PBL Showcase on Wednesday, 30th July. The projects were engaging and well-presented – congratulations to all students and staff involved. A special celebration also took place with our Kindergarten students, who marked 100 days of learning on Thursday 31st July – a joyful milestone that reminds us of the wonder of early learning.

We celebrated excellence at the Secondary Semester 1 Awards Ceremony on Friday, 1st August, recognising students for their outstanding academic achievements. That evening, the Primary Disco brought music, dancing, and excitement, as students enjoyed a well-earned celebration with their peers.

As always, I thank our dedicated staff, supportive families, and wonderful students for making our College such a special place. Let’s embrace the remainder of Term 3 with enthusiasm, and continue to nurture a community of faith, learning, and growth.

Mr Elie Asmar

Head of College

Curriculum Update

Dear MCHF Community, 

As we move into a critical phase of the academic year, I’d like to highlight several key events and opportunities for our students and their families. The upcoming HSC Trial Examinations mark an essential milestone for our Year 12 students, offering a valuable chance to refine exam strategies and consolidate learning. Similarly, Year 11 students will soon undertake their End of Preliminary Course Exams, a vital step in preparing for their HSC year. The End of Course Exams will commence on Friday, week 8, and conclude on Friday, week 10 this term.

For our younger learners, subject selection for Year 11 2026 is now underway. The choices your child/ren make for their pattern of study play a significant role in shaping future academic pathways, and we encourage families to engage in thoughtful discussions with their children during this process. Similarly, Year 9 2026 subject selections will take place later in this term.

Reviewing Semester 1 results is crucial. These reports provide insight into each student’s progress and areas for growth. We urge parents/guardians to support their child/ren in setting realistic goals and implementing strategies to improve outcomes.

Your involvement as a parent or guardian is pivotal. Encouragement, routine, and open communication can significantly influence your child’s academic success. Together, we can ensure every student reaches their full potential this term.

I am looking forward to working with you and your child/ren this term.

Ms Dalla

Head of Curriculum

Teaching and Learning Update

The start to Term Three has been frenetic, but wonderful, as both staff and students advance through their learning journeys.

Year 12 students are reaching the pointy end of their schooling career, having just finished the HSC Trial exams. While they have their heads down and are applying their learning to try and gain as many extra marks as possible, they are aware that the HSC is not really about the ATAR result they achieve. 

The HSC (whether the student is taking an ATAR or a non-ATAR route) is simply a challenge, often the first of many, where students are called to step into the world of being an adult and are provoked to give their all. The rank they achieve (or don't achieve) is irrelevant; it's how they apply themselves, it's how they dust themselves off when they are knocked down, it's how they condition themselves to see they are more than any number; they are a child of God and have a purpose in their life.

We wish every HSC student the best of luck, and we want each of them to know, quite simply, that they are enough. Try your best because every challenge is merely a gift from God, because He knows you can achieve.

Across the rest of the school, select students have been sitting the ICAS exams in Digital Technologies, English, Mathematics, and Science. ICAS is an online academic competition that gives students in Years 2-9 the opportunity to challenge their higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills. MCHF has many extension classes and enrichment opportunities, to showcase the diverse range of talents at the College. All students and parents are invited to contact me if they wish to find out about any of these opportunities that occur every day at our College.

Teachers are always seeking further knowledge, of content and pedagogy. We are, in fact, lifelong learners, and this is born from a genuine desire to improve the human race, for current and future generations. We began the Term with a Twilight professional learning seminar on Explicit Teaching pedagogy, and we currently have approximately 20 teachers engaging in a micro-credentialed course through the University of Adelaide on the specifics of this teaching technique, which aims to improve student learning through clarity and worked examples. More exciting updates on our learning to come.

So, we have hit the halfway point, and now it is time to turn on the outboard motors to make sure we propel towards the end of this Term. With exams and assessments, we know that learning can be challenging, but we also know that God walks beside us with each challenge and adventure, and the fruit of this is that our brains and bodies, and spirit grow.

God bless.

Ms. Emma Dettling 

Head of Teaching and Learning K-12