Engagement 

MCHF Talks the Podcast: Episode 4: Turning Pages Together

In this episode, we’re diving headfirst into the wonderful (and sometimes weird) world of reading! 

We're joined by three powerhouse educators: 

👩‍🏫 The Head of Teaching and Learning - Ms. Dettling

📚 Our Teacher Librarian- Ms. Papanastasiou

 📝 The Leader of Learning English K–12- Mr. Cunningham

Together, they unpack what makes reading magical, why some teens can’t get enough of it… and why others would rather do literally anything else. From classroom insights to personal favourites, trends in YA fiction to strategies for sparking a love of literature, this conversation is all about understanding the reader within every student. Whether you're a bookworm, a reluctant reader, a parent, or a fellow educator — this one's for you. 🎧 Listen now and rediscover the joy (and the challenges) of getting teens to turn the page. 🔔 

Author Visits

This week, our Primary Hall was buzzing with excitement as students enjoyed two special author visits!

On Tuesday, 26th August, Andrew McDonald, author of the much-loved Real Pigeons series, captivated our Years 4–6 students with stories about writing, creativity, and the adventures of his feathered crime-fighters.

On Wednesday, 27th August, Lucinda Gifford, illustrator and author of popular children’s books, delighted our K–3 students with her playful storytelling and wonderful illustrations.

Both visits sparked curiosity, encouraged a love of reading, and reminded our students that every great story begins with imagination. 🌟

A big thank you to Andrew and Lucinda for sharing their passion for books with our school community!

Alumni Guest Speaker

Year 12 were very lucky to meet and listen to one of our own ex-students. Therese Frangie is a seasoned executive with over 20 years in the Quick Service Restaurant industry. Starting on the restaurant floor at 15, she has held senior leadership roles with brands like KFC, Starbucks, Oporto, and Mad Mex, and is now the CEO of Oporto. A mother of three with an MBA, Therese is passionate about leadership, diversity, and helping people become the best version of themselves.

It’s clear that her success is not only built on hard work and experience, but also on empathy, vision, faith, and a genuine commitment to people. We are proud to call you one of our own, and grateful for the example you set. Thank you for inspiring the next generation. 

Entrepreneurship UTS Guest Speaker

Since 2022, Aaron Ngyan has been visiting Maronite College of the Holy Family (MCHF) as part of the Engage and Enrichment Showcase. In his most recent session, hosted by UTS Startups, Aaron shared his journey as an entrepreneur and innovator. He spoke about the power of AI, the importance of hard work and resilience, and the value of starting early to bring ideas to life.

Aaron’s talk provided students with authentic insights into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, inspiring them to explore opportunities and act on their own ideas.

Engage and Enrich Showcase: Extending learning beyond the be

On Tuesday 2nd September, our students proudly presented their talents, skills, and passions at the Enrichment & Engagement Showcase. The event highlighted a wide range of projects and initiatives, from academic excellence and creative arts to innovation and leadership. Families, staff, and peers were inspired by the dedication, collaboration, and enthusiasm on display. The Showcase was a wonderful celebration of student achievement and the opportunities our College provides for every learner to thrive beyond the classroom.

MCHF Mock Trial Defeat Marist

Congratulations to the MCHF Mock Trial team for their impressive victory over Marist Parramatta in the 2nd Elimination Round of the Law Society’s Mock Trial Competition! This sees our College in the top 8 schools in the State. 

In a challenging defamation case, the team skillfully represented the plaintiff, successfully proving the defendant guilty on the Balance of Probabilities. Their dedication and resilience truly shone through, particularly in crafting outstanding cross-examination questions that left a strong impact. The magistrate praised the students for their excellent Opening Statements, sharp Cross-Examination skills, and compelling Closing Arguments. Well done to all the team members for their hard work and exceptional performance—your commitment has truly paid off! 

Mock Trial Team Breaks into the Top 4 in NSW!

We are thrilled to share that our Mock Trial team has achieved a remarkable victory in the Quarter Finals against Trinity Grammar – Summer Hill. In an intense and highly competitive round, our students not only secured a “not guilty” verdict on the charge of disclosing private information, but also triumphed by an impressive 12 points. Adding to the celebration, the judge took the extraordinary step of awarding costs in our favour – a rare outcome in Mock Trial competitions!

This outstanding result means our team has now advanced to the Semi-Finals, placing us among the Top 4 schools in NSW. Our students are absolutely beaming with pride, and we could not be more delighted with their hard work, teamwork, and passion.

The new case will be released in Week 1 of Term 4, and we look forward with great anticipation as we set our sights on the Grand Final. 

Congratulations once again to our incredible team on this historic achievement!

R U, OKAY? Day

On 11th September, MCHF came together to mark R U, OK? Day, a national initiative reminding us of all to check in on one another and start meaningful conversations that can make a difference. Students and staff engaged in activities that highlighted the importance of connection, kindness, and looking out for our peers. Through prayer, reflection, and community-building activities, the College embraced the message that every day is a good day to ask, “Are you okay?” and support those around us.

Year 9 Pastoral: Together We Achieve!

Our Year 9 students embraced today’s pastoral session with enthusiasm, working both collaboratively and competitively to bring the College theme “Together, We Achieve!” to life. Through a variety of team-based challenges and activities, students demonstrated creativity, problem-solving, and resilience, all while supporting and encouraging one another. The spirit of friendly competition fostered teamwork and strengthened connections, showing how much can be achieved when individuals come together with a shared goal. It was a wonderful reminder of the power of unity, cooperation, and positive relationships in shaping the Year 9 journey.

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