The Exec Address

Executive Principal 

Dear Maronite College of the Holy Family (MCHF) community,

We are approaching closer to the end of the year however you can be sure that the next few weeks will be a very vibrant time at the College. Staff, students and parents/guardians, will be very involved in the various aspects of the College life in the coming weeks.

Teachers will be busy with:

- PAT testing

- Assessing

- Marking exams

- Report writing

Students should be focused on:

- Studying for final exams

- Attempting their best in final assessments

- Rehearsing for end of year concert or Expo

Parents are invited to:

- Help their children study for final exams

- Assist with Lebanon Independence Day activities

- Participate in the family movie night on 7 November

- Join us for the Primary Concert on 27 Nov

- Join us for the Expo on 2 Dec

I have worked closely with the Governing Board over the year and we have focused a great deal of energy on developing the Masterplan and looking into opportunities to accommodate the growth of the College. We have submitted our plans recently to the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs). The new proposed works which are likely to commence in 2028 will include a two level carpark, auditorium to seat 1600 people and has two basketball courts, a drama room, labs, music and art rooms

Recently our students participated in numerous competitions and attained some excellent results including:

- The MCHF mock trial team made it into the Grand Final, among 150 schools in NSW that competed. This is the best result the College has ever achieved and we are proud of our students. The Grand Final will take place on 2 December.

- The U16’s boys Parramatta Eels Cup rugby league team competed in the Grand Final for the 4th year in a row. Unfortunately, they were just defeated in the Grand Final but it was a tremendous effort to get that far.

- Rebecca Franjie (y12) was nominated for SHAPE, in recognition for her outstanding major work in Industrial Technology - Multimedia. SHAPE is a selection of outstanding

works from HSC Design and Technology, Industrial Technology and Textiles and Design.

- This year we took 17 students from MCHF and St Maroun’s College for an Ancient History and Culture tour of Italy which took place end of term 3. Students from Years 9-11, accompanied by staff members, visited places including: Milan, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Vatican City, Naples, Capri, Pompeii and Herculaneum, and Amalfi Coast.

So as life continues on at MCHF, I invite you to participate in any which way you can because when we collaborate, much is achieved.

God bless you all.

Sr Margaret Ghosn

Executive Principal

Head of College

Together We Achieve: Celebrating Growth, Leadership, and Community in Term 4 

Dear MCHF Community 

As we enter the final term of 2025, we reflect on our College theme, “Together We Achieve”, which has guided us in fostering a culture of collaboration, unity, and shared purpose. This theme has been evident in the many achievements and celebrations we’ve experienced this term, and in the exciting events still to come.

Term 4 is always a busy and vibrant time in our College calendar. We look forward to upcoming events including end of year exams, end-of-year awards, the K-2 concert, our Secondary Expo, the Parent Association Movie Night, and the 2026 Student Leaders Induction Mass. These moments are not only milestones but also opportunities to celebrate the growth and community unity.

We’ve already seen great success and meaningful experiences this term:

• We welcomed the Migrant Jubilee Cross, a powerful symbol of faith and unity.
• Year 11 students attended their camp, building leadership and resilience.
• Year 11 VET students completed their mandatory work placements, gaining valuable real-world experience.
• We hosted the Year 12, 2026 Parent Information Evening, preparing students and families for the journey ahead.
• Our 2026 student leaders from MCHF and St Maroun’s College joined together for a Leadership Coastal Walk from Coogee to Bondi, strengthening bonds and leadership skills.

On Friday 31st October, we celebrated World Teachers’ Day with the theme “Hats Off to Teachers”. The day began with a beautiful Mass, followed by a morning tea for staff. We also honoured three staff members for their 15 years of service to the College:

• Ms Rupa Bala – Head of Business Services
• Ms Jessica Loulach – Primary Teacher
• Ms Louise Hajje – Primary Teacher

Their commitment and contribution to our College community are deeply appreciated.

We also commend the select staff middle leaders who completed the AIS Middle Leadership Program this year. The final day involved presenting strategic projects to the Executive Team and Board, and the quality of these presentations reflected the exceptional leadership within our College. Congratulations to:

• Ms Claudia Bou-Melhem (Leader of Engagement)
• Sr Juliette Abi Khalil (Leader of Liturgy and Social Justice)
• Sr Rita Bou Raffoul (Leader of Learning - Primary Religion)
• Ms Connie Zouein (Leader of Learning - Primary)
• Ms Jessica Ishak (Leader of Wellbeing - Year 11)
• Ms Shilpa Kumar (Leader of Learning - VET and Careers)
• Ms Patty Esber-Dayoub (Leader of Learning - HSIE Social Sciences)
• Ms Jeannie Gahdmar (Leader of Learning - HSIE)
• Mr Michael Abood (Leader of Learning - PDHPE)
• Ms Grace Bechara (Leader of Wellbeing - Early Stage 1 and Stage 1)
• Ms Jackie Botros (Leader of Learning - TAS)
• Ms Catherine Mathews (Leader of Diverse Learning)

A special congratulations to Mr Samer Boulos, our ICT Manager, who was announced as a winner of the “Innovation in Education Award” at the 35th Elets World Education Awards. Mr Boulos will represent our College at the World Education Summit in Dubai in 2026 — a remarkable achievement that highlights his impact on education and innovation.

As we journey through the remainder of Term 4, we remain committed to nurturing learning, celebrating achievements, and preparing for a meaningful conclusion to the academic year. 

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in our mission.

Mr. Elie Asmar

Head of College

Head of Teaching & Learning 

To our community of learners at MCHF, 

As we enter the final term of the year at Maronite College of the Holy Family, we are reminded that Term 4 is both a time of reflection and renewed effort. It is a season where our students can consolidate their learning, demonstrate their growth, and finish the academic year with pride and purpose. 

Throughout 2025, our classrooms have been filled with curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. As we now move toward the end of the year, it is vital that every student—whether in Kindergarten or Year 12—maintains a strong focus on their learning goals. The habits formed in these final weeks will not only influence academic outcomes in your final Report of the year, but will also build resilience, self-discipline, and perseverance—qualities that extend far beyond the classroom. 

Teachers across the College are continuing to provide rich, structured learning experiences that reflect our commitment to, and growing understanding of explicit teaching—ensuring clarity, guidance, and support for every learner. Students are encouraged to engage actively, ask questions, and take ownership of their learning journey. Parents and caregivers can play a crucial role by maintaining routines, encouraging consistent study habits, and celebrating the small achievements that lead to greater success. 

For our learners, this Term really is a chance to reflect on how far you have come in 2025, and to set new goals for the year ahead. Across every year level, the message remains the same: finish strong, stay committed, and continue striving for excellence. 

Let us all approach the remainder of the Term with gratitude for what has been achieved and determination for what is still possible. Together, as a faith-filled learning community, we can ensure that every student ends the year confident, capable, and ready for the next chapter of their educational journey. 

Ms. Emma Dettling 

Head of Curriculum 

A Season of Academic Milestones

As we move through Term 4, the College is abuzz with academic activity and achievement. Our Year 12 students are currently undertaking their HSC examinations, and we commend them for their dedication and resilience during this pivotal time. We wish them every success as they complete their final examinations and move into the next stage of their education.

Meanwhile, our junior students are also preparing for their end-of-year exams. Year 9 and 10 students will sit their yearly exams in Weeks 3 and 4, followed by Years 7 and 8 in Weeks 5 and 6. These assessments are an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning and growth over the year. 

Year 5 and Year 6 will also be sitting their end of year exams for Mathematics and English. I will then use Year 6 results in consultation with Year 6 teachers and Mathematics and English Coordinators to initially determine Year 7 2026 classes. 

In addition to exams, Year 10 students will be engaging in taster lessons for their selected Stage 6 subjects during Weeks 5 and 6. This initiative helps students make informed decisions about their senior studies and fosters a smooth transition into Stage 6. As part of this transition, Year 10 will also complete the mandatory HSC: All My Own Work program, which equips them with essential skills in academic integrity and independent learning.

Year 11 students have now commenced their HSC courses and assessments, marking the beginning of their final stage of secondary education. A special congratulations goes to our Year 11 Accelerated Mathematics Advanced and Extension students, who have successfully completed their HSC a year early—an outstanding achievement that reflects their hard work and commitment.

Year 6 students have also experienced a Day in the Life of a High School Student, whereby they were given a timetable for the day and experienced subjects including Religion, Science, History and PDHPE. There were some nerves about getting lost in the buildings, however, Year 6 students appeared to be a little more relaxed about the next stage of their education. 

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our parents for their ongoing support and our dedicated staff for their unwavering commitment to each child’s education here at MCHF. Together, we have truly embodied our 2025 theme: "Together We Achieve." I look forward to celebrating the end-of-year results and the remarkable growth we’ve seen—both individually and as a College.

Warm regards,

Ms. Dalla