Principal's Report

Principal's Report

Every two years the College offers our community the opportunity to go to Italy where we visit our sister schools, experience home hospitality and see the amazing locations across Italy. For me the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel are must see locations. Going to a Papal Mass at St Peter’s Basilica is a highlight I will never forget. Not everyone is able to go on such a trip and experience the beauty of the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica. That was until our 2019 Feast Day where we were all transported to another place for a Mass I hope many will remember for the rest of their lives.

Feast Day 2019 commenced with Mass in the hall but it was Mass with a difference. A week of work went into recreating the Sistine Chapel. The hall had been completely blacked out using material that was used to project Michelangelo’s masterpiece from the roof of the Sistine Chapel. A 4K image had been divided up with 18 high resolution projectors similar to those used at White Night in Melbourne to project onto buildings. Each projector was positioned so that the artwork on each registered in a perfect match with the next across the 18 individual images to create the full image of the Sistine Chapel which was projected to scale (actual size) in our hall.

The image of the Last Judgement which appears behind the altar on the far wall of the chapel was also recreated using a giant LED screen behind our altar. Students entered the hall in the traditional procession for the Feast of Corpus Christi which sees the whole community gather on the Village Green and lead the Church as the Body of Christ to the Mass. The procession wound its way out the gate of the Trades Training Centre and around the College entering the Emmaus Parish gate before entering the hall where a Choir dressed at Monks chanted traditional Gregoria Chants to welcome the Body of Christ to Mass. The atmosphere was added to with 20 floor standing candelabras with electric candles.

The hall was stunning. The faces of each person spoke of surprise and awe as 1000 of us entered for Mass. With very little noise and a noticeable reverence the procession moved inside and each person took their seat ready for Father Maurie to commence the Mass. Father Maurie commented on being transported to another place and how in fact the College responded resulting in a Mass the likes we have not experienced before. It was truly a wonderful occasion that our students entered into recognising that we as the Body of Christ were gathered at the Lord’s table to celebrate as a people of the Eucharist. Thank you to Vince Ianuzzi, Father Maurie, our amazing Maintenance Team, Morgana and the sound and lighting crew, Office Staff, Rebekah and the Choir and all of those involved in the Mass for your contribution in creating a moment that was truly very special.

At the end of the Feast Day Mass we recognise staff long service with staff receiving a badge indicating their period of service. Dr Janet Doolan received an award from Father Maurie and a standing ovation from the College for her 35 years of service to Catholic Regional College Sydenham. Thank you Janet and all staff who received an award recognising their contribution and dedication to this community. The other recipients of recognition awards were:

After Mass each Home Group put on a Market Stall and each student was given $10 Sydollars to spend at the market stalls. This was a lot of fun as stalls ranged from waffles to dunk the teacher, from Zorb balls to guess the number of lollies in a jar. 

Lunch saw us all enjoy Vietnamese style pork rolls and soup with thanks to our Food Services Team comprising the Manna Crew, Quatrefoils staff and Bakery Crew - thank you to each of these talented team members for their efforts. Before moving off we cleaned up the yard and then moved back to the hall for the 2019 Talent Quest. The Talent Quest is another highlight