Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As the weather brightens and we near the end of term, I want to try to be as positive as I can be. We all understand what’s in front of us and I don’t want the newsletter to be unreasonably adding to that rhetoric. My sincere hope remains that everyone is keeping well and managing in these trying times.

Thank you to all parents for assisting in the delivery and supervision of the remote learning packages through doing what you do. I recognise your efforts and applaud your resilience as a great example to your daughters, and other members of your household.

There has, understandably, been much happening in the Year 12 space that I wish to recognise and comment on.

Last Monday saw the conclusion of the Year 12 HSC Trials. They have been successfully concluded through a vastly different, on-line environment. My congratulations to all girls who faced and completed this challenge. Well done!! This week has provided the opportunity for all girls to return to classes, reflect on the exams and to prepare in earnest for the HSC. There will also be a tremendous chance in Week 10 to engage in the follow-on Connect Education Post-Trial study sessions.

I also remind all Year 12 parents and guardians that there will be no classes for Year 12 girls on Thursday and Friday 16-17 September.

I also wish to thank the teaching staff who prepared the girls for the Trials, and themselves, adapting, to a different exam delivery approach. As with the efforts of you as parents, the work of the teaching staff and in particular those extra efforts taken, often fly under the radar. I recognise your work and my sincere thanks are extended to you.

During these last two weeks, we have witnessed the submission of major works for both Design and Technology, as well as the Visual Arts. The talent and creativity exhibited has been inspiring and I know these works will impress the examiners. Well done to all girls involved with the submission of these works. I am constantly impressed by their ability to rise to the challenge of translating their thoughts and ideas into meaningful practice.

I want to also inform you that HSC examinations will be held next week for Drama Group Conference and Individual Performance on Monday, Music Solo Performance on Wednesday and Italian Orals on Thursday. As a Community, positive thoughts are extended to all girls participating in these activities. I know their efforts toward their works and studies, as well as their abilities, will shine!

Finally, but by no means least, Graduation celebrations are a point of constant discussion and, with every change to Health directions, so too are there modifications to our plans. We recognise the importance of these events, and their significance as a culmination of six years of secondary education. I assure you we are trying very hard to work at providing the most fitting conclusion to the Year 12 high school journey. There are many things we cannot control—but what we can, we will. You will be informed of the intersection of our plans with public information/health directions in a timely manner. We will adapt as best as possible.

With the approaching Term break, I ask all of you to take a deserved rest to the extent you can. It has been an exhausting time as we have faced new ways of learning, connecting and managing. I also know many of you face continued work pressures and the end of a school term perhaps changes little. It is, however, an important time for the girls to decompress as best possible. I ask that you continue to monitor the girls health during this ‘different’ two-week period and continue your guidance toward them in making good decisions.

The College has witnessed some outstanding achievements this Term. Of note, I wish to extend congratulations on behalf of the Community and recognise the following girls:  

• Juanita Bailey, upon whom was conferred The Archbishop of Sydney Awards for Student Excellence.  This Award recognises students in Year 12 who give witness to their Catholic values and contribute actively to the faith life of the school and parish.
• Emma Karpes, Jacqui Kostogiannis, Annika Lindin, Anna Shmalko, Lauren Leong, Isla Dindial and Abbey Williamson for being awarded Tournament Honours for the secondary school division of the Tournament of Minds.
• Odette Lichaa is a VET Excellence Award winner for displaying excellence in the completion of all aspects of their Allied Health course.
• Angelique Campbell is a VET Excellence Award winner for 2021 for displaying excellence in the completion of all aspects of their Tourism, Travel and Events course.
• Olivia Mavrovelis is a VET Excellence Award winner for 2021 for displaying excellence in the completion of all aspects of their Hospitality course.
• Lily Finati who was selected in this year’s Honorary State Surf Life Saving Team and named the Surf Life Saving Sydney 2020-2021 Youth Athlete of the Year.

Well done to these girls on the credit they have brought to themselves and their families, and their continued contributions to this College.

I also wish to announce publicly through this Newsletter, the 2022 Student Leadership Profile and House Captains, who were informed of their appointment these past two weeks. By putting themselves forward as College leaders and through the acceptance of their appointment, they have displayed their willingness to be selfless exemplars of the values of this College and to provide leadership and understanding to all. It is with the deepest of pleasure that I congratulate the following girls:

• Profile Captains
  • College Captain: Meira Jackson
  • College Vice Captain: Cynthia Liong
  • Faith & Charism Captain: Giovannie Dalaguit
  • S.R.C. Captain: Ruby Thomasyu
  • Social Justice Captain: Mia Ray
  • Arts & Culture Captain: Abby Connolly
  • Sustainability Captain: Molly Martin
  • Sports Captain: Joiful Fotu Moala
• House Captains
  • Aquinas: Macy Smith & Rosie Tsaccounis
  • Brigid: Sophie Hammann & Emily Murray
  • Regina Mundi: Tatiana Attard & Leah Doyle
  • Winifred: Isabella Cardno & Sophie Ferenczi
  • Xavier: Elizabeth Goutzas & Lucia Martin-Mortess

I also wish to announce in this Newsletter an important staffing change. Kristy Watson, our Director of Staffing and Administration will be moving to a promotional position within Sydney Catholic Schools. Kristy’s success at securing this position shows great credit to her character and organisational skills. I have separately thanked Kristy for her valued contribution to this College and we wish her well in her future endeavours. She remains part of the fabric of this College.

I also wish to congratulate and recognise the following staffing appointments for the 2022 College year, and thank them for the wonderful contribution they will make to this College:

• Natasha Fox has secured a permanent appointment in the position of Director of Learning & Innovation. This is a wonderful testament to her curriculum abilities, interactions with students, families and staff, as well as her tireless efforts to lead the curriculum journey through these very challenging times.
• Matthew Woolaston has been appointed the new Director of Staffing & Administration.
• David Martin has been appointed to the HSIE Department. David will co-lead the HSIE Department with David Nally. The current Head of HSIE, Magali Foote, is stepping away from leading the Department to pursue a part-time teaching role.
• Tayla Whiteman will be taking up a permanent position in English and RE.
• Jesse Bacon will be joining the College to teach English.
• Kalvin Fernandez will be beginning his journey with the College teaching English and Mandarin.

In conclusion, in one more week, we will arrive at our term break. I hope this time will provide a chance for relaxation and recharging in the various ways this may present. We do not fully understand when our return to face-to-face learning will be, although I know we are all looking forward to that day. Thank you again for your patience and support. It means much.

God Bless.

Sharyn Quirk

Principal