Wellbeing - Middle School

Inspire Inclusion

Last Friday, during our Middle School Assembly, we were privileged to be joined by Dr Angela Rassi as part of International Women’s Day. Dr Rassi is a General Practitioner Doctor and a mum of two young children. Dr Rassi attended the University of Sydney, graduating with a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Neuroscience) followed by a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 2012. She has worked at Concord, Canterbury, and Broken Hill Hospitals, and has completed specialty training in General Practice. Dr Rassi has an interest in antenatal care, breastfeeding medicine, and paediatrics. She is a member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine and together with a fellow doctor, she formed Sydney Perinatal Doctors. Dr Rassi works locally at a practice in Five Dock, is a graduate of Santa Sabina College and her brother was a graduate of St Patrick’s College.

Importantly, Dr Rassi addressed some key themes with the boys. Importantly, that women not that long ago were not allowed to be doctors and the realities some remarkable women had in overcoming this. That, for many years working in a hospital, it was assumed she was a nurse rather than a doctor given her gender. Addressing and overcoming the issue of balancing being a working parent and the medical industry being inflexible to the needs of a working mother. She then ultimately challenged all our students to imagine a world that is not defined by gender, where we can dream big and not face any barriers to achieving those dreams, in anything we do.

Following on from Dr Rassi’s address, I spoke to the students given the importance of the day, how closely Dr Rassi’s address actually aligns with the teachings of our faith. To remind them why they are sitting in our College today, and why you as families send them here. We are all equally made in God’s image. Key word ‘equally’. We all have equal responsibility. Every human being is the object of the love of God. No one is different, no one is above, no one is left out. 

Genesis 1; verse 27 says it beautifully:

Men and women are equal in the eyes of God as they are both created in the image of God. 

So, as we are in Lent and we approach Easter, Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross served not only to enable us to enter into his kingdom but taught us how to live until we do. He taught us, by his life, the definition of true love. He humbled himself and showed us how to do the same. 

Nonetheless, to respect the equality of people who are different requires connection and understanding. So, I urged them to listen well and learn. To ask good questions for inclusion. To put away pride and desire for control. But, by being humble, that we love, respect, and joyfully help the other to flourish. Only then, and always, will our light shine. 

Alexandros Sinadinos

Director of Middle School

Middle School Commendation Awards and Commendation Certificates

Congratulations to the 22 students in Year 8 who were recently awarded Commendation Certificates (Principal’s Awards) at their Year Coordinator Meeting. The students received the certificates based on aspects such as their consistent achievement and application in academic pursuits, consistently good behaviour, and demonstrating College spirit. 

We also acknowledge the many students who have qualified for Commendation Awards after accumulating four Commendation Slips throughout 2023 and at the beginning of 2024. 

Felicity Warsop

Year 8 Coordinator