Cohort News

Year 7 Pastoral Care

Welcome to the second half of term 3. We have been hard at work completing assessments and getting involved in many of the College's initiatives and activities. 

Throughout our PEEC lessons each morning, Year 7 has been focussing on the topic of 'Motivation' - what motivates us and how failure can be a very important aspect in contributing to success. Who knew that Colonel Sanders was broke at the age of 62 and was rejected by 1,009 restaurants before he developed a great following for his Kentucky Fried Chicken? Or that Walt Disney was fired from his first job because he "lacked imagination and had no good ideas", before he created the stories and the film studio that we all know and love! Despite the increasing odds and failures along the way, they each displayed great motivation and a belief in their ideas, which they improved, with each failure, to lead to great success. 

During sport, Year 7 have been dancing, skipping, and working together to keep moving, despite the cold weather. A highlight has been the Cullen Hall Zumba sessions! Last week we moved to our second cycle of sporting activities for the term. Please see below what each class is participating in:

Please note, all Year 7 House Sport for this term will take place at Brigidine College and dismissal time is 2.45pm.

Another exciting experience this term has been a visit from Randwick City Council and the Maroubra Beach Youth Engagement program. 7 Xavier were the first and very fortunate to be consulted on the upcoming re-development plans and to have their say as to what they would like to see and use in this area. Definitely, a rewarding experience to have your say in the local community. We look forward to welcoming back Randwick City Council soon, to hear more about the development.

I would like to thank and congratulate Year 7 for their enthusiasm and engagement with these activities being run throughout the term.

Rebecca Monohan 

Year 7 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 9 Pastoral Care

Hi and welcome to Week 6 of Term 3. We are about to commence assessments for most subjects. I take this opportunity to remind students if they are absent for an assessment that they are to contact their classroom teacher on the day of the task. This can be done via email. If an assessment task is missed because of illness, a doctor’s certificate is required to be attached to the illness/misadventure form. The outline of this process can be found in the Stage 5 Student handbook that can be found on Compass, under the star menu. You can also locate the illness/misadventure form on Compass. 

Recently, in our Pastoral lesson we were able to do a whole year group activity where we worked on our leadership skills and teamwork. Students had to trust  their peers in groups and walk through an obstacle course as well as through trying different types of food, whilst blindfolded. This was a great activity that brought the girls together across all Pastoral classes. Below are some pictures of this Pastoral activity. 

During Thursday House Sport, this term, Year 9 played soccer, touch football and frisbee at Grant Reserve. This provided a great opportunity to enjoy the nice weather as it starts to warm up. In Week 6 we are going to ice skating and bowling. 

Tony Munguia

Year 9 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 10 Pastoral Care

Term 3 has been going well for the Year 10 cohort. The subject selection process is now complete and all students have made their final decisions regarding their subjects for Years 11 and 12. Well done to all girls and the mature way they approached the selection of their subjects.

Term 3 sport, for Year 10, has seen the girls participate in a variety of activities including beach volleyball, workouts at Titans Gym in Coogee and Tennis. From all reports, the girls engaged with all activities, with enthusiasm. We will finish the rest of the Term at Paine Reserve in Randwick, where various team sports will be organised for them. All students will be dismissed from the venue.

Finally, could students, parents and guardians please be mindful of the following procedures regarding signing in and out of school. All students, who have to leave school for any reason, need to either post this on Compass and/or have a note signed by the Year Coordinator, before recess, of the chosen day. They then have to sign out of the school office before leaving. Likewise all students arriving late or coming back to school from an appointment, need to sign in. 

Thank you for your assistance with this as it is paramount that we know where students are throughout the school day.

Jon Campbell

Year 10 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 11 Pastoral Care

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope this term has been a productive and smooth one for you and your families.

Year 11 is  a cohesive and resilient group of young women. This term is the culmination of their Preliminary Studies and as a cohort they have demonstrated great determination and drive in the pursuit of following their goals. In the next few weeks, as mentioned in the previous newsletter, we will be going through the selection process of our Profile captains for the College. This has been a smooth process for all, as we look forward to the announcement of the  Leadership positions, especially our new College Captain for 2023. Therefore, Mrs Quirk  will be announcing our Profile College Captains at the beginning of September. I wish every applicant every success in their applications for these leadership positions, here at the College.

Year 11 will sit for their Preliminary Examinations in Week 9 and Week 10.

They will receive a published timetable over the next few days and it is important that if they are not well on the day of the examination, parents need to contact the front office and provide a doctors certificate alongside an illness/misadventure form, which needs to be completed and submitted to Ms Fox and Ms Agazzi. Year 11 will be briefed on the processes of the examination period in Week 7 so all guidelines will be clear and transparent.

Year 11 excelled in the Athletics Carnival in Week 5. These are the following sporting achievements:

Zara Williamson - 16 yrs

First in 100 m  Division B

Second 200m Division A

Second  Relay

Second  Long Jump

First High Jump

Elizabeth Frawley - 17 yrs

Second Relay

Second High Jump

Second Long Jump

Ava Sheerin   - 16 yrs

Third 100m  Division A

Second  Relay

Ava Smith - 17 yrs

First in   Discus

Second Shot Put

Paige Muscat  - 17 yrs

Second 100 m  Division B

Second Relay

These students have really demonstrated their sporting talents and I have placed some of their photos in this newsletter. We are all so proud of your achievements!

I wish every family a safe and successful term.

Yours sincerely,

Adriana Parsons

Year 11 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 12 Pastoral Care

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11

A warm welcome back to the Class of 2022 as they return to the classroom, post their HSC Trial Examinations! 

As I reflect on their return to regular lessons, I would like to note the incredible perseverance and effort exhibited by the Class of 2022 during their HSC Trial period. Their focus, coupled with the countless hours of preparation, certainly has not gone unnoticed by their teachers. 

As we shift toward the process of feedback and improvement, I would like to continue to remind the girls that whilst their HSC Trials play an important part in working towards an end goal, as they receive their results they are to be kept in perspective, as they are not yet HSC-ready. The message continues to be that there is always time to make a difference. The HSC Trials will provide each student with a benchmark to where they are currently positioned in their HSC preparation and will enable them to work out what needs to be done in order to improve, before the HSC starts. A growth mindset and continued grit and perseverance is critical.

Knowing that the next big ticket item is the final HSC Examinations is likely a challenging and stressful thought. However, as we move toward the HSC it is again important to remind the girls to keep this time period in perspective and to stay balanced in their preparation. Prioritising sleep, good food and exercise is pivotal. 

Each year the Sydney Morning Herald releases a HSC Study Guide which outlines pertinent academic and wellbeing information, strategies and tips to succeed in the HSC exams. The 2022 SMH HSC Study Guide has been attached for your reading. Whilst it is expected that each student reads this guide, it is encouraged that parents also read it to support their daughter in employing strategies to maximise their academic pursuits and general wellbeing. 

Upcoming Events

Information regarding the Graduation Ceremony, Mass and Formal has now been emailed and provided in hard copy to all parents, guardians and students. Students will be receiving their formal invitations shortly, which will include instructions on how to book their tickets online.

As we continue through this busy period ahead, please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of the Year 12 Pastoral Care Team should you have any questions or concerns.

God Bless.

Amy Borg

Year 12 Pastoral Care Coordinator