Dear Staff, Students, Parents and Carers,

As we come to the close of Term 1, I want to take a moment to pause and reflect on all that we have achieved as a college community. It’s been a term full of learning, growth, and connection – and I could not be prouder of the way our students have embraced the start of this academic year. I am also incredibly proud of the support that the students and staff of the day have given so generously to one of our students, Sienna Barbara (12 Jackson) who is currently undergoing treatment. Our day for Sienna last Friday was an enormous success raising a phenomenal $14,000 on this day alone. We have now added the Easter Raffle and drink sales from yesterday as well totalling $14,877. I know that Sienna and her family are eternally grateful for your collective generosity which means the world to Sienna at this most challenging time. Thank you especially to Mrs Wilson, Mrs Lemaire and our Year 12 students who took the lead for this initiative and without this, it would not have been the truly successful day that it was, raising $14,877 that will help her receive the treatment she needs to recover. I would like to congratulate students, staff and families for your outstanding support of Sienna through raising these funds that will make an enormous difference to her receiving treatment at this stage of her recovery through her illness.

APPRECIATION EMAIL FROM SIENNA’S FAMILY

Dear Tania and CCC community,

We want to express our deepest gratitude for the incredible support of the Caroline Chisholm community in the amazing fundraising efforts for Sienna and her medication.

The generosity and kindness from you all have had a profound impact on our family's journey. Knowing that we have a community of caring individuals rallying around us during this challenging time has been a source of strength and comfort. The funds raised will go a long way in helping us make our target to fund Sienna’s medication for two years and we will continue to fight for this medication to be subsidised sooner for other families like ours who have not been able to be as fortunate as us and have the means, love and support to achieve what we have.

We are incredibly grateful to have the school community by our side, and we cannot thank you enough for the selflessness and support by everyone involved. We have only hope and positivity as a part of our lives each day at the moment which means everything to us!

I also wanted to mention to you about the incredible care and support we have had from Glenda, especially early on when we weren’t ready to share Sienna’s journey and I in particular felt quite isolated and afraid. Having regular ‘checks-ins’ by Glenda, filled with massive amounts of compassion, were such a huge support to me as a part of my journey being a petrified mother not knowing what I was doing or if I had done enough. I will forever be grateful to her.

Thank you once again for your generosity and for believing in our fight to give Sienna the best chance at a long and healthy future we possibly can.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Julia Greig, Sienna and family

To our Year 7 students – what a wonderful beginning you’ve made. You’ve stepped into high school life with courage, curiosity and energy, and you’ve already become a valued part of our college family. To our senior students, your leadership, focus, and example have been outstanding. You continue to show what it means to live the values of Caroline Chisholm: compassion, resilience, and service.

Term 1 has also brought many opportunities beyond the classroom – from sports carnivals and excursions to liturgies and leadership programs. These moments have helped us grow not just academically, but as whole people, grounded in our faith and committed to the wellbeing of one another.

EASTER CELEBRATION

This year, Easter will fall in the holidays, offering us a powerful reminder of renewal, sacrifice, and hope. As a Catholic community, we journeyed through Lent with intention, and when we return in Term 2 we will have celebrated the joy of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. May I thank all our staff and students who contributed to our liturgies and prayer life throughout the season – you helped us all to reflect more deeply on what it means to serve others in love, just as Christ did.

And as we look ahead to ANZAC Day during the break, we take time to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who have served our country in war and in peacekeeping missions. Please remember that you’re all invited to attend the ANZAC ceremony at Warragamba where we traditionally gather and march as a college community with other local schools. The ANZAC stories remind us of the values we hold dear: courage, mateship, endurance, and sacrifice. We remember not to glorify war, but to reflect on the cost of peace and the power of service. In this way, the spirit of the ANZACs is deeply aligned with our college mission – to educate young women who will go out into the world and make a difference through compassion and justice. I hope to see lots of Chisholm girls at the ANZAC Day ceremony at Warragamba on 25 April at 10:30am.

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL – 11 April 2025

Our annual Athletics Carnival, held on Friday 11 April, was a vibrant celebration of school spirit, participation, and sporting excellence. Blessed with perfect weather and a sea of house colours, students from all year levels came together at the Blacktown Athletics Track to compete, cheer on their peers, and enjoy a day of fun and friendly competition. The enthusiasm and encouragement shown by students and staff alike truly embodied the spirit of our College. From sprints to relays, high jump to novelty events, it was wonderful to see so many students giving their best and supporting one another. A special thank you to the Ms Muscat, the PDHPE team and all staff who helped make the day such a success. Congratulations to our age champions and the winning house—your efforts were outstanding!

END OF TERM APPRECIATION

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff for your unwavering commitment and dedication to our students, and to our families for the trust and partnership you offer us every day. Most of all, to our students: thank you for your energy, your effort, and the way you continue to show up and give your best everyday.

I encourage everyone to take this holiday break as a time to rest and recharge – to spend time with loved ones, enjoy some well-earned relaxation, and return refreshed for a new term of learning and growth.

May the peace and promise of Easter stay with you over the break, and may we carry the spirit of remembrance and gratitude into our ANZAC Day reflections.

Thank you everyone for a wonderful Term 1, and I wish you all a safe, happy, and blessed holiday.

Mrs Tania Cairns

Principal Leader

Chisholm Need to Know

faith, courage and tolerance

Issue 5 Term 1 2025 · 11 Apr 2025

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