St Mary's Cathedral College Newsletter: Term 1, Week 5

From the College Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we embark on a new academic year, we are excited to bring you the first edition of our newsletter for 2025. Throughout the year, we will be publishing two newsletters per term to keep you informed about the latest happenings at the College. We hope you have been staying up-to-date with College events through our regular announcements on Compass, our website, and social media channels.

It has indeed been an incredible start to the year, marked by numerous milestone moments and achievements that have set the tone for a promising year ahead. 

In this newsletter, we will highlight some of these exciting developments and share stories from our vibrant College community.

A NEW CHAPTER FOR ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL COLLEGE
2025 is an historic year as we once again welcome young women to our community for the first time since 1967, marking a significant milestone in our journey towards becoming a Kindergarten to Year 12 co-educational College. There was much excitement as our newest members of the community began their time here with the orientation activities designed to create a sense of connection and belonging.

We were fortunate enough to have his Grace, the Archbishop bless our new Reception area and Junior School learning spaces.  We are thrilled to see our students thrive in this new environment.

We were also delighted to welcome Danielle Cronin, the new Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, to our College during Week 1. Ms. Cronin took the opportunity to meet with our staff and students, and experience first-hand the vibrant learning environment at our College.

OPENING MASS: A CELEBRATION OF UNITY
We were blessed to begin our year with an Opening Mass celebrated by His Grace Archbishop Anthony Fisher on 11 February. It was truly a beautiful ceremony that brought our community together. During the Mass, we formally welcomed all our Junior and Middle School students and reflected on Pope Francis' inspiring words: "You are the joyful hope of a Church and of a humanity which is always on the move. I would like to take you by the hand and walk the path of hope with you." These words resonate deeply as we embark on this new chapter in our College's history.

As part of this special day, we took a commemorative photo involving the whole College community on the Cathedral forecourt. The Year 12 theme for 2025, "Love like Jesus, Unite as One," draws from the scripture reference in Colossians. This image captures the entire St Mary's community united in Christ around the cross, illustrating the sense of unity we aim to foster at the College in this year of exciting change and in the years to come. 

PARENT MEET AND GREET
Our commitment to building a strong and supportive community extends beyond our students. On 28 February, we held a successful Parent Meet and Greet event, and it was wonderful to see so many parents from across the College come together to connect and share in the excitement of this new chapter. The partnership between home and school is vital to our students' success, and we deeply appreciate your involvement.

OPEN DAY
Our Open Day on 10 March was also a resounding success, with almost 3,000 visitors passing through our doors. This event provided a fantastic opportunity for prospective families to experience the vibrant atmosphere and rich history of St Mary's Cathedral College. We took the opportunity to launch our video which provides a glimpse into what makes St Mary’s special.

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We are grateful for the support of our parents, staff and students. We look forward to another exciting and successful year ahead!

Kerrie McDiarmid, College Principal

From the College Chaplain

Dear SMCC Community,

Lent is upon us! We were very blessed to come together for Mass on Ash Wednesday last week led by Fr Don Richardson, Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral. For Christians, Lent is a time of intense spiritual exercise, where we try to live more self-restrained lives. The Opening Prayer – called the ‘Collect’ – of the Mass on Ash Wednesday reminds us of this, “Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting this campaign of Christian service, so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint.”

This beautiful prayer is a sober reminder for us all that self-restraint is a good antidote for the spiritual battles we all face each day. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are the three primary methods employed during Lent to purify our lives, and make us more centred on God and less centred on ourselves.

It is good, in fact, liberating, to realise that we are not the be-all and end-all, and that God is God, and that He is in control of our lives and of the world we live in. Imagine a world where all people believed this and lived according to it?

Now, to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These are three beautiful ways we can change for the better, making of our lives a pleasing sacrifice to God. A wonderful definition of prayer comes from St John Damascene who defined prayer as, “the raising of the heart and mind to God”. Seen in this light, prayer then doesn’t seem as complicated as we once thought it was. So, rather than simply rattling off a set prayer-formula without engaging our heart and mind, we can still pray with words, but we must make sure, most importantly, that our hearts and minds are active and engaged with what we say with our lips! And let’s not forget the two other ways to pray, namely meditation, where we use a text from Scripture, or an icon or holy image to meditate on the things of God, as well as contemplation, an even higher form of prayer, where we simply spend time alone with God in silence, as if we were passing time with an intimate friend.

There is a famous story of St John Vianney, a French priest who ministered in a little town named, Ars, in the nineteenth century. Each day as he would enter the church, he would notice a farmer sitting in the pew in silence, staring at the tabernacle. After some time, St John Vianney asked the man, “what do you do here every day?” to which the man replied, “I look at Him, and He looks at me!” A beautiful example of contemplative prayer. Sound like a waste of time? It might sound like it, but I’ll bet you anything, if you spend some time each day in silence, and preferably in a church, in contemplative prayer with God, you will notice a difference in stress levels and you will begin to have a more positive outlook in life. And if you persevere in contemplative prayer, you might even hear what God might be asking of you! Try it and see for yourself.

We might think that we don’t have time to pray every day, but I would suggest that we do have time, but we simply don’t prioritise it as much as we should. So, why not? Give it a go this Lent. Be more intentional with your time spent with the Lord. We never lose anything that we give to God, and He promised us that He will pay back whatever we offer Him a hundredfold (c.f. Matthew 19:29).

How about fasting? And what’s the point of fasting, anyway? The reality is that whoever we are, and whatever we believe (or don’t believe), we all fill ourselves up with so many things. It can be junk food, sugary drinks, binging Netflix, phone addiction, compulsive news checking, online shopping, the list goes on. The point of the Lenten fast isn’t to take a white-knuckled approach and say, “I’m going to give up x, y or z, just to see if I can do it” but rather because we realise that though we fill ourselves up with so many things, they don’t satisfy us in the long run. Only God truly satisfies our souls, and only a self-restrained, measured lifestyle will give us long-lasting peace, something all people want!

If you think you have nothing to fast from, if your diet is impeccable, your screen-time desirable and your shopping habits frugal, then maybe check out what our wonderful new Family Educator, Mrs Angela Mills has posted on “Fasting this Lent in the words of Pope Francis”. We all could do better in the ways our Pope suggests!

What about almsgiving? Again, why? There are many reasons, but one in particular is that we are part of a world-wide human community, and because of our common dignity as being made in God’s image and likeness, we are in some way brothers and sisters to one another, because we have God as our common Father. And so, what would happen if a member of your immediate family was in want? Surely, you would assist them in whatever way they needed assistance? So too with our world-wide human family, our brothers and sisters all over the world, we all have a duty to support them in whatever ways we can. On a local level, we can all support our College’s efforts with Project Compassion, providing simple necessities for many of our brothers and sisters around the world – necessities that we take for granted here in Australia – clean water, access to good education and life skills. Why not consider making a difference now? https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/s-marys-cathedral-college-sydney

Aside from Lent, you would have received notification last Friday via Compass that the Sacraments are once again being offered to students in our College through the strong partnership we have between our College and the Cathedral parish. If your son or daughter is interested in being baptised, or if they have already been baptised and would like to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion or Confirmation, please sign up! The Sacraments are God’s sharing of His own divine life with us, and they are an indispensable part of our growth and flourishing as human beings and as Christians. I encourage you to not deny your son or daughter what is rightfully theirs as children of God, the Sacraments.

On the topic of Sacraments, weekly Mass is offered each Wednesday at 8:10am in St Mary’s Cathedral Crypt. Students, parents, caregivers and families are very welcome to join us each and every week.

Lastly, please keep in your prayers the health of our dear Holy Father, Pope Francis, who has just spent the last three weeks in hospital battling double pneumonia. He is eighty-eight years old and has suffered breathing difficulties all his life. We don’t know whether the Pope will ever recover, but we trust that God is in control, and that He will continue to guide the Church regardless of the health of His Vicar, the Pope.

Thank you for giving us at the College the immense privilege of supporting your son or daughter in these formative years of their lives. I hope you know how much our Cathedral clergy and College staff are here to support you. I assure you of my heartfelt encouragement and prayers. Do feel free to reach me via Mr Thomas Hunter, Assistant Principal: Mission, or Mrs Angela Mills, Family Educator.

May God bless and strengthen you all in this holy Lenten season!

Fr Roberto Keryakos
Assistant Priest – St Mary’s Cathedral
Chaplain – St Mary’s Cathedral College

From the Assistant Principal: Mission

LENT
Starting with the traditional Shrove Tuesday, the College got going with its fundraising for Caritas –  Project Compassion. Thank you to all who contributed to this event. Our fundraising will continue for the rest of Term 1. For those families who would like to donate, you can do so via our College’s Caritas website via the QR Code herein or via the following link:  St Mary’s Caritas Page

For donations over $5, we will add your family name to our Water Wall – please ensure that your family name is recorded on the donation message if you would like us to do this. 

The theme for Caritas this year is UNITE AGAINST POVERTY, and this aligns with the College’s theme for this year that the Prefect student leadership team developed – UNITY: Love like Jesus, Unite as One. The associate Scripture Verse is “Above all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:14).

We joined together as a Community to observe Ash Wednesday as the start of Lent. This was a lovely Mass celebrated by the Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral, Fr Don Richardson, and College Chaplain Fr Roberto Keryakos. An important reminder for us were Fr Don’s words about being “ambassadors” of a good spiritual life that makes us better people in all ways. We can focus on doing this through the three spiritual exercises of “prayer, fasting and giving of charity” this Lent. 

Thank you in advance for all your support of our important fundraiser initiatives. Students and families will be kept up to date about various other opportunities to give support through “silly sock” and mufti days, tournaments and the water wall initiatives. 

OPENING SCHOOL MASS
The opening school Mass is always a great occasion to welcome new members to our College. This year we had the added excitement of welcoming girls back to the College for the first time since 1967. This included girls who are now members of the Cathedral Choir. The Archbishop was our celebrant along with Fr Don and Fr Roberto. 

Following the Mass the Archbishop came to the College to bless the new Junior School Classrooms and new College statue of Mary.

This is the edited text of the Homily for Mass for the Opening of the 2025 School Year for St Mary’s Cathedral College, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, 11 February 2025. 

Most of you will be familiar with that great classic of English literature, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Authored and illustrated by Eric Carle in 1969, it was on the bestsellers list for children’s picture books for around 19 years and has been translated into sixty languages. It has sold over 50 million copies or one copy every 30 seconds since it was written!

There’s no one reason why it’s been so successful. Part of it no doubt is the eye-catching cover of a caterpillar with green and blue body and red and gold face, as well as the bold and bright illustrations, die-cut holes between the pages, and easy text, with simple sentences and plenty of repetition that makes it an easy read even for young readers still becoming acquainted with letters, numbers and days of the week.

In terms of storyline, it’s ultimately about learning from experience, including our mistakes. When the very hungry caterpillar goes on a rampage of eating cake, ice cream, sausages, lollipops and other treats, he suffers a tummy ache. The next day he corrects himself by dining on a more caterpillar-friendly diet of a single leaf. He gets healthy again and this enables him to begin cocooning. It’s a story, then, of hope and transformation, where no matter our missteps or how far gone we think we are, we can yet get back on track and become all we are meant to be.

In our first reading today from the Book of Genesis (Gen 1:20-2:4) we heard another tale of transformation. God takes nothing and makes something. He takes a formless void and makes it into an ordered cosmos, full of beauty and variety. He takes dead material and makes it teem with fish, and birds, and every kind of living thing—even caterpillars.

But all this is a prelude to something greater. On the last day of His creation God says, “Now let’s make human beings, male and female, so they can fill the earth, enjoy and take care of it.” Like the fish and birds, the beasts and caterpillars, these humans are material beings, alive, and good. But there’s something special about them, something not just good but “very good”. “Let’s make them,” God says, “in our own image and likeness.”

Which means you guys are like God! Now that’s a very strange thing to say. Ask your Mum and Dad, your siblings and peers, or your teachers, just how godlike you are, and I suspect they could identify just the occasional deficiency! And after all, God is so different, so unique, so much greater than us. He isn’t limited by time and space, by gifts and opportunities, as we are. He can’t be seen and touched, live and die, like His creatures. So in what sense are the students of St Mary’s Cathedral College really patterned after God Himself?

Well, God doesn’t leave us guessing in this regard. He comes to meet us as one of us. By making the Invisible visible, the Timeless timely, the Infinite small, the Creator a creature, we can encounter Him, speak with Him, be taught by Him. Jesus came as a baby, a junior primary kid, a middle school youth, a senior secondary leader. So, instead of making us in His image, you might say He made Himself in our image and likeness. But that was for the sake of our transformation, our hope, our caterpillaring. It was so we might emerge from our cocoons more and more like Him. He came to share in our lot so we might share in His.

And after living and dying and rising among us, He didn’t abandon us: He remains present in His Word and Sacraments, and in His People who are the Church and your school—so that every day, at St Mary’s Cathedral College, amidst the treasures of a Catholic education, you will have a chance to meet Christ yourself, and to strengthen your relationship with the God who loves you so much. Through your interactions with your peers, teachers and chaplains; through your study, sport, worship, music and more; as you strive to cultivate your minds and hearts and spirits to glorify God, improve the world and make the most of yourselves; as you grow in knowledge, wisdom and virtue, into the very image of God.

But sometimes we fall short. We go for the treats rather than what’s really good for us. We do things our own way rather than God’s. We go off track. Like the hungry caterpillar, we end up with a tummy ache, a heart ache. And we might wonder, is there any way back?

Today the Church remembers a girl of school age like yourselves, who proved herself a saint. Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old at a grotto outside the French village of Lourdes, saw a vision of our Blessed Mother Mary, patron of Australia, of this cathedral and of your College. Through her Mary called people to prayer and penance, to return to her Son who would always have them back. Many listened to young Bernadette, and placed their trust in God through the intercession of His Mother. Their faith was met with the miraculous, as over 7000 people have received the grace of some healing at Lourdes. When the Church celebrated the centenary of those apparitions in 1958, Pope Pius XII referred to Mary not just as a special person and a saint, but as a school, a place we can learn how to live, how to share Christ with the world, how to join with Mary at the foot of her Son’s cross.

And so, my dear young friends, as your college begins a new chapter in its long history, and as you turn a new page in yours, cling to the comfort and example of Mother Mary, Virgin of Lourdes and Help of Christians, your patron and friend. Pray that through her intercession your college might truly be a place of daily encounter with God and of transformation of each one of you, not just into beautiful butterflies but into something much greater, into images of God. God bless you all!

YEAR 10 REFLECTION DAY
Year 10 journeyed to the Corollary Centre for their reflection day that focused on the theme of unity. The day started with prayer, and students were asked to bring up important symbols of our faith: the Crucifix, College Candle, Book of the Gospels and the new College Crest (the Marian cross). We then moved into hearing from two members of the Sydney Catholic Schools Mission and Identity Team talk about the John 10:10 program. This program focuses on respectful relationships based on our common dignity as we are made in the image and likeness of God. 

After lunch Students heard a talk from Fr Roberto Keryakos on what we can learn about unity from Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship), and engaged in some personal reflections. We then completed our day with Mass. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Women’s Lenten Retreat with the Dominican Sisters
Saturday, 29 March  from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm AEDT

Women of all ages are invited to join the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia and the Catholic Women’s Network for a Lenten Retreat Day on Saturday, 29 March 2025 at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney.

The retreat day will unpack Jesus’ question and our response, exploring its impact and application on the three fundamental relationships in our life. The day will include all day Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions, keynote talks by the Dominican Sisters, breakout sessions, morning tea and lunch.

Women who have attended previous retreat days are encouraged to bring a friend to this event.

Ticket price is $50 per person which includes morning tea and lunch.
A group discount is on offer – buy 4 tickets for $180

Registration is essential: https://www.trybooking.com/CXLMB

Stations of the Cross at St Mary's Cathedral 
Starting Friday, 7 March and every Friday during Lent at 12:15pm.

The Stations of the Cross is a special devotion that commemorates the journey of Christ to his Crucifixion and burial.

St Mary's Cathedral has 14 stations arranged in order in which we visit to commemorate and pray. The stations are magnificent oil paintings painted in France, which were acquired by Cardinal Moran in 1885 during a visit to Europe. In 2019-2021, the Stations were restored by David Stein & Co. Conservation of Fine Art to bring out the original colour, depth and clarity of the paintings from over 100 years ago.

You can join every Friday in Lent both physically inside the Cathedral or virtually via livestream on our YouTube Channel from 12:15pm.

Thomas Hunter, Assistant Principal of Mission 

From the Family Educator

FINDING MY FEET - JUST LIKE YOU
Hello! I am thrilled to be stepping into the new role of Family Educator at SMCC. My role is all about helping families connect with the faith life of our community, supporting you in this journey of raising children who feel loved, valued, and guided by our Catholic faith. As I begin this new chapter 5 weeks in, I’ve been thinking a lot about the students and families who are also experiencing their own fresh start.

Starting something new is always a mix of emotions. Excitement, nervousness, and that little voice wondering, Will I find my place here? As I begin my journey at this school, I’ve been thinking a lot about the students and families who are also stepping into something new. Whether your child is starting school for the first time, moving up a year level, or joining our community from another school, I imagine you might be feeling something similar to what I am.

I’ll be honest, there have been moments when I’ve questioned myself. Will I ever remember everyone’s names? Will I understand how things work here? Will people accept me? And then I remind myself of something I tell my own children: Being brave doesn’t mean we’re not afraid. It means we keep going, even when things feel uncertain. Change stretches us, but it also strengthens us, helping us grow into the people we are meant to be.

As parents, we want everything to go smoothly for our children. We want them to walk into school feeling confident, make friends easily, and settle in without a hitch. But the reality is, adjusting takes time. There might be wobbly moments (for them and for us), but that’s okay. In these moments, we need to be kind to ourselves. We don’t have to get everything right immediately. And just as we reassure our children that they will find their way, we need to remind ourselves of the same truth.

As always, what brings me comfort in times of transition is my faith. I truly believe that God places us exactly where we are meant to be. Even when we feel uncertain, He sees the bigger picture. When I take a deep breath and let go of the little worries, I find peace in knowing that I’m not doing this alone.

So if you’re feeling a little unsettled, know that you’re not alone. Let’s be gentle with ourselves and trust that, in time, we will find our rhythm. And in the meantime, let’s remind each other that every new beginning while sometimes messy is also full of possibility.

I look forward to meeting you and your families as we settle into this journey together.

Angela Mills, Family Educator

From the Assistant Principal: Senior School

Welcome back to a new academic year at St Mary's Cathedral College. We hope you had a restful and enjoyable break. We are excited to embark on another year of learning, growth, and community.

The Senior School has had a busy start to the year. We have warmly welcomed all our new students in Years K-7, and our Year 10 students have taken on leadership roles in the peer support program, helping younger students settle into school life.

Our year commenced with a beautiful Mass held in the Cathedral, bringing together our entire school community in prayer and reflection. It was a wonderful way to start the year, reminding us of our shared values and the importance of faith in our daily lives. The Mass reinforced the Year 12 leaders' theme for the year: UNITY. Following the Mass, staff and students assembled outside the Cathedral to be united as one community in the outline of a cross, and we had a drone on hand to capture the moment.

We were delighted to see so many parents and students at the recent Stage 5 and Year 11 Information Evenings. These events provided valuable insights into the academic year ahead. Additionally, our Meet and Greet evening was a fantastic opportunity for parents and carers to connect with staff.

Our annual swimming carnival was a tremendous success, with students showing great enthusiasm and sportsmanship. A special commendation goes to our Year 11 students who assisted with the K-4 swimming carnival, demonstrating leadership and community spirit. We also had excellent representation from the Senior School at the SCS Conference 1 Swimming Carnival, with many students achieving personal best performances.

Our Ash Wednesday Mass was a poignant reminder of the spirit of reflection that Lent affords all Christians. This paved the way for the launch of the Lenten Appeal. Our Year 12 student leaders will be providing many opportunities for our community to be involved in charitable acts during Lent.

We are pleased to announce that our Academic Tutoring Program is back up and running for 2025. High-performing ex-students are providing tutoring for our Year 11 and 12 students each Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday until 6 pm. This year, we have seen increased numbers using this service as we continue to build a culture of learning and academic excellence.

Looking ahead, our Year 9 students are preparing for their NAPLAN tests, and our Year 12 students are actively gearing up for their Semester One Assessment Block. We wish them all the best in their studies and assessments.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. We look forward to a successful and fulfilling year ahead.

Chris Maoudis,  Assistant Principal of Senior School

From the Assistant Principal: Middle School

A warm welcome back to all our Middle School students and families! We've already had a fantastic start to the year, packed with exciting events and opportunities. Our Year 7 students have settled in beautifully, thanks to a successful Orientation program filled with team-building activities and helpful introductions to school life.

The Opening School Mass was a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and reflect on the year ahead, setting a positive tone for our learning journey. As we now enter the season of Lent, let's remember to embrace reflection and compassion in our daily lives.

On the sporting front, our representative teams have shown incredible dedication and talent! Congratulations to all our athletes, especially our Stage 3 swimmers who achieved outstanding results at the recent regional competition. Your hard work and sportsmanship are truly inspiring.

In the classrooms, students are already diving into engaging lessons and exploring new concepts. Teachers are excited to guide you through a year of academic growth and personal development. Remember, your curiosity and participation are key to a successful year.

Seeing our middle school students return to school with so much enthusiasm for learning has been humbling. They are engaging so well with their teachers and each other, so I congratulate them on this fantastic start to the year.

Keep an eye out for upcoming events and announcements. We’re looking forward to a productive and rewarding year of learning, friendship, and achievement!

Be Faithful. Be Kind. Be Engaged. 

David Timillero,  Assistant Principal of Middle School

From the Assistant Principal: Junior School

It has been a wonderful start to the year for the Junior School, filled with excitement, learning and new beginnings. Our Junior School students have embraced their first weeks with enthusiasm, making new friends and settling into their routines.

FINGERPRINT ART: A CELEBRATION OF NEW BEGINNINGS
Our first day in the Junior School was marked by a special celebration of new beginnings. Every student contributed to a fingerprint artwork that is now proudly displayed in the Junior School. These beautiful trees symbolise the deep roots and bright future of St Mary’s as we move forward in our 200-year history.

At the heart of the artwork are the hands of our dedicated teachers, forming the strong trunks that represent wisdom, guidance, and the enduring traditions of our school. From these trunks, our students' fingerprints create a vibrant canopy of leaves, each one a unique mark of the new generation calling St Mary’s home.

With the return of girls after 60 years and the establishment of the Junior School, these trees stand as a testament to our past, present, and future. Together, we honour our roots, nurture our growth, and reach for a future without limits.

KINDERGARTEN’S READING ADVENTURE STARTS - ONE FINGER AT A TIME!
Kindergarten are settling into big school and are already practising their reading using their finger to find words!

YEAR 1 & YEAR 2 IN OUR CARINYA CORNER
Year 1 & Year 2 have enjoyed exploring the new Junior School section of the library, Carinya Corner, each Friday. 

Our St Mary’s College library is named after Cardinal Jimmy Freeman, who was a Chaplain to First Nations people of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. "Carinya" is an indigenous word meaning "a happy, peaceful home- a resting place". 

YEAR 3 INVESTIGATES INSECTS!
Year 3 students recently enjoyed a fascinating visit from Mrs Jo Walker, our Secondary School Science Lab Assistant at the College. As part of their investigation into classifying living things, they explored various specimens, identifying them as vertebrates or invertebrates.

A highlight of the visit was meeting two Goliath Stick Insects! Some brave students even held these incredible creatures while learning about their unique characteristics. They also practised scientific drawing, creating detailed sketches of the insects. In a few weeks, they will revisit the insects to observe how they have grown and changed.

YEAR 4 CYBER SAFETY POLICE TALK
Year 4 students learned vital tips for staying safe online, including never sharing personal information and always using strong passwords. They also discovered the importance of speaking up if they encounter anything suspicious or uncomfortable while online. Senior Constable Greg explained the dangers of cyberbullying and the value of keeping privacy settings secure. Students were encouraged to be mindful of what they share and to always ask a trusted adult if they feel unsure about something they see or experience on the internet.

WELLBEING INCURSION: BRAINSTORM PRODUCTIONS, “THE PROTECTORS”
Kindergarten to Year 4 students had the opportunity to watch an exciting live incursion by Brainstorm Productions called “The Protectors”. This engaging performance taught valuable lessons about resilience, cyber safety, and bullying prevention. The story follows Leo and Serena, who face challenges with bullying and emotional regulation. As they enter Protector School, they discover the power of empathy, assertiveness, and resilience. Supported by a Q&A session and classroom resources, the program provided practical strategies for students to stand up to bullying, stay safe online, and manage their emotions. It was an inspiring and empowering experience for all involved!

USEFUL ANTI-BULLYING / RESILIENCE LINKS & INFORMATION FOR PARENTS / FAMILIES:

Brainstorm Productions
Bullying. No Way!
NSW Government Anti-bullying 
eSafetyCommissioner

ROAD SAFETY REMINDER
Ensuring the safety of our students is a shared responsibility. Please take note of the following road safety guidelines when dropping off and picking up your child:

• Slow Down – 40 km/h school zones apply from 8:00–9:30 am & 2:30–4:00 pm.
• No Double Parking – It blocks views and puts children at risk. Use designated parking areas. Please note: Paid/timed parking spaces surround the College.
• Drive Safely – Be mindful of students walking, cycling, and catching buses.
• No Stopping Zones/Bus Zones – No parking or stopping in these areas.
• Safe Drop-Off & Pick-Up – Always use the school side and the kerbside ‘safety door’.
• Pedestrian Safety – Children under 10 should hold an adult’s hand near roads.
• Crossing Safely – Use crossings, not between parked cars. Plan safe routes.

For a helpful K–6 resource on road safety, visit Safety Town.

SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD'S TRANSITION TO SCHOOL
Our Family Educator, Angela Mills, has created a helpful presentation: Supporting Your Child's Transition to School presentation. This resource provides valuable insights and strategies to help your child adjust to their new environment.
We encourage you to take a moment to explore the presentation, as it offers practical guidance to make the transition as smooth and positive as possible.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to sharing many more Junior School learning adventures in the future!

Suzanne Georgiou, Assistant Principal of Junior School

From the Assistant Principal: Liberal Arts

ACCELERATE ACTION: CELEBRATING IWD 2025 AT SMCC
Our school community came together for a powerful assembly in honour of International Women’s Day 2025, embracing this year’s theme: ‘Accelerate Action’. We were privileged to welcome Millie Farrow and Jordan Thompson from Sydney FC, who shared their inspiring journeys in football, the challenges they’ve overcome as female athletes, and their vision for the future of women’s sport.

Through an engaging Q&A, they encouraged our students to dream big, work hard, and champion equality—on and off the field. Their stories of resilience and representation sparked meaningful conversations about how we can all drive change.

In the spirit of taking action, students penned their own ‘I will’ statements—personal commitments to fairness and inclusion. These are now displayed in the amphitheatre under the statue of Mary, serving as a daily reminder that progress starts with each of us.

Thank you, Millie and Jordan, for inspiring the next generation to step up, speak out, and push for a more inclusive future! 💜⚽

As we dive into another year of learning and growth, our school community entered into the Phronesis program for 2025. Our Junior School students began their journey with an introduction to the Phronesis program's purpose—helping them grow into their best selves. They explored the concept of virtues, understanding that a virtue is a good habit or quality that guides a person to do the right thing and be a good person. The message to our youngest learners was clear: We can use our virtues every day! Whether it's through acts of kindness or helping someone in need, our virtues shape our actions and interactions, making our community stronger.

In the Middle School, students started the year by setting meaningful goals to approach the year strategically. With growth in mind, they are learning to channel their focus and ambition into actionable plans. It's all about building a foundation for success through thoughtful planning and self-reflection.

Meanwhile, the Senior School celebrated the achievements of our 2024 high achievers with a special gathering. This event emphasized the Strategic domain, with a spotlight on the virtues of excellence, purpose, focus, and balance—qualities exemplified by our Year 12 alumni. These outstanding students have set a remarkable example of how to strive for success while maintaining a sense of purpose and well-being.

The Phronesis program also highlighted International Women’s Day, focusing on the virtues of empathy and respect in alignment with the global theme of accelerating action. Students reflected on the importance of understanding others’ experiences and showing respect as a way to drive meaningful change within their communities and beyond. This emphasis on character growth reinforces our vision of nurturing compassionate and empowered individuals.

Our teachers and students have embraced activating the city as a classroom, with students embarking on enriching excursions to iconic locations such as the National Art Gallery, Botanical Gardens, Hyde Park Barracks, Taronga Zoo, and Q Station in Manly. These experiences have provided hands-on learning opportunities, allowing students to connect their studies to the wider world.

What a fantastic start to learning at St Mary’s Cathedral College! With such a dynamic and purposeful beginning, we are eager to see how our students continue to grow, excel, and embody the virtues that guide us all. Here's to a year filled with discovery, inspiration, and living our virtues every day.

Belinda VanderGert, Assistant Principal of Liberal Arts

From the Leader of Curriculum & Assessment

ASSESSMENT HANDBOOKS
Assessment Handbooks for Years 7-12 were shared via Compass in Week 3. This important document outlines the assessment procedures and the schedule of assessments for each course delivered at the College. Please note that this document, along with the assessment calendar, is available within the favourites (the star) tab of the Compass portal. Parents are encouraged to be familiar with it and discuss the contents with their child/ren.

7-10 TIMETABLE (2025) CLASS STRUCTURES
Students in Years 7-10 are in different groups for different subjects. Some are streamed, but most are of mixed ability. In summary, the classes are organised as follows:

Year 7

• English, HSIE, RE and Science - Class 1 is a high potential class and classes 2 - 5 are mixed ability classes. 
• Music Technology, PDHPE and Visual Arts - Class A and B are high potential classes. Classes C - E are mixed ability. Classes in these core subjects are organized based on students' musical experience and the instruments they play.
• Mathematics Class 1 is a high potential class. Classes 2 - 6 are mixed ability classes. These placements are not strictly based on mathematics performance, however, students will be reassessed after their first Year 7 mathematics task in early Term 2, and classes will be restructured for more appropriate streaming.

Year 8

• English, HSIE, RE and Science - Class 1 is a high potential class and classes 2 - 5 are mixed ability classes. 
• Music, Technology, PDHPE, Visual Arts and LOTE - classes are based on our Amadeus music program and students’ musical preferences.
• Mathematics classes 1 and 2 are high potential classes. Class 3 is mixed ability, and Classes 4 and 5 are supported groups.

Year 9

• English, HSIE, RE and PDHPE - Class 1 is a high potential class and classes 2 - 5 are mixed ability classes. 
• Mathematics classes  are streamed, with Classes 1 and 2  being high potential. 
• Science classes  are streamed, with Class 1 being high potential. Class 5 is a supported group. 
• Subject selection choices determine elective classes.

Year 10

• English, RE, HSIE, PDHPE, and Science - there is one high-potential class in each subject, while the remaining classes are mixed-ability. These groupings were determined independently by each faculty based on Year 9 assessment data for their respective subjects. As a result, a student's class placement may vary across subjects.
• Mathematics classes  are streamed, with Class 1 being high potential. 
• Subject selection choices determine elective classes.

Classes are constructed based on a combination of data which may include NAPLAN, Allwell, PAT, school-based assessments as well as consultation with Instructional Leaders of Learning and Instructional Leaders of Wellbeing. Class structures will be reviewed at the end of each semester. 

NAPLAN
NAPLAN begins on Wednesday, 12 March for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.  Parents/Carers and students were sent information regarding the exact dates and details last week. Year 5 students should by now all have Lockdown Browser installed with the assistance of parents/carers. Years 7 and 9 were required to install the Lockdown Browser on their computers during homeroom in Week 5. Please attend to this as soon as possible if not already done so. 

The following link provides some information to parents and carers about NAPLAN for 2025. This contains video links and information about NAPLAN, the public demonstration site, and how to support your child/ren. 

YEAR 12 ASSESSMENT BLOCK 
The Year 12 Assessment Block begins Monday, 24 March and concludes Friday, 28 March.  

The Assessment Block timetable and Student Responsibilities and Procedures have been emailed to all students. They are reminded to familiarise themselves with these documents thoroughly.

Anne Ung, Leader of Curriculum and Assessment

From the Leader of Pathways & Partnerships

UTS PARTNERSHIP
The Year 9 Entrepreneurship and Investing elective has begun their partnership with The University of Technology Sydney.
As part of their SMCC elective course, students will undertake the Practical Entrepreneurship course at UTS. The university-developed, board-endorsed course introduces students to tech-enabled entrepreneurship, guiding them through setting up ventures such as Etsy stores, creating low and no-content books for Amazon KDP, exploring dropshipping, and developing faceless YouTube channels. Completion of this course counts as one subject in any UTS degree.

SYDNEY FC PARTNERSHIP
This year the College has embarked upon a first of its kind partnership with Sydney FC. Already Sydney FC has been working with our Year 7 students at Moore Park during sport and we were extremely honoured to have Jordan Thompson and Millie Farrow join the school to help celebrate International Women’s Day. Both players engaged in a Q&A session with students at our assembly to discuss the issues that still face women in competitive sports. Finally, the flagship of the partnership is the Year 9 Football Focus elective and all reports from Mr Bottrill and Mr Shaw indicate that the start of the program has been extremely positive. The program includes a combination of professional level coaching from Sydney FC coaches and a football focus lens to teach critical thinking and literacy skills amongst other things.

2025 NSW SPACE DISCOVERY PROGRAM
SMCC has begun their partnership with Makers Empire to deliver the Space Discovery Program to Year 5 this year. As part of the program, teachers received STEM focussed professional development in a range of areas. Of particular interest is the Makers Empire 3D software and 3D printer that the school has received to help Year 5 design and produce prototypes of real life space problems. The best prototypes will pitch their idea to industry professionals later in the year.

YEAR 12 UAC ACCESS
Some students have already been asking about University Admissions Centre (UAC) access because they are very keen to enter their preferences. I can inform you that the UAC portal will not open until 2 April 2025. I can also inform you that all information relating to UAC, Early Entry, School Recommendation Scheme and the Educational Access Scheme will all be provided to students prior to that date. In the meantime, if you do have any questions pertaining to these matters do not hesitate to contact me.

CAREERS WEBSITE - NOTICEBOARD
A reminder that the school’s careers noticeboard is updated every Friday morning and can be found here. It contains information and opportunities pertaining to universities, TAFE, private colleges and a range of other institutions.

Ashley Norman, Leader of Pathways & Partnerships

From Creative and Performing Arts

DRAMA

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DRAMATIC ART (NIDA) - VOICE IN VIRTUE
This year, SCS are excited to launch a 2025 partnership with the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) with the creation of an original show - Voice in Virtue - to be performed at NIDA on 7-9 May 2025. The show is a combination of monologues, scenes, devised and movement work.

The NIDA partnership establishes a significant talent development program for our students that provides them with the opportunity to work alongside SCS Artists in Residence and NIDA professionals to create an original show that will also be used as a resource for all Sydney Catholic Schools. These learnings will provide rich learning experiences that will promote excellence in the arts.

Last week, callback auditions for Voice in Virtue took place and we are excited to announce, Lewis Crispin in Year 11 Drama was offered a place in the program. We congratulate Lewis on this outstanding achievement of his talents in Drama and look forward to seeing his performance in May.

VISUAL ARTS

ST COLUMBA'S ART PRIZE
Exciting news—the St Columba’s Art Prize is back, and this year it includes a Youth Category with a $1000 cash prize!

This incredible opportunity is open to current students and Year 12 (2024) graduates. Students also have the option to sell their artwork with no commission, though sales are not required.

We would love to encourage you to showcase your talent and enter. Flyer attached with more information.

For any inquiries please email Susan Ruming  sruming1@parra.catholic.edu.au

PORTRAIT PRIZE
We are delighted to share the exciting news that Alejandro Doral de Apraiz and Dean Grech of Year 10 have been selected to showcase their artwork in the 2025 Portrait Prize Exhibition at McGlade Gallery, ACU, from 3 April to  2 May 2025.

The Opening Night is on Thursday, 3 April from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. There will be an  invitation for Opening Night for the student and 2 guests forthcoming.

Congratulations once again to these students on their outstanding achievement.

Michele Marshall, Instructional Leader Creative and Performing Arts (Year 3-12)

PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE OPPORTUNITY!
Any students in Year 9-12 who would like to attend the photography course on Monday, 5 May from 3.30pm to 5.30pm, please see Ms Marshall promptly. This is a wonderful free opportunity hosted by SONY and Marist College Eastwood.

From Religious Education

YEAR 9 EXCURSION 

From Mathematics

EXCITING NEWS: MATHSPACE IS HERE TO SUPPORT STUDENT LEARNING!

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are excited to announce that the Mathematics faculty is now using Mathspace, an innovative online platform designed to help students improve their mathematical skills.

Mathspace uses built-in AI, Milo the Dog, to provide students with step-by-step guidance when solving problems. Instead of simply giving the answers, Mathspace offers helpful hints, prompts, and instructional videos to support students in developing their understanding and problem-solving skills. This means that students will have consistent support at home, ensuring they can practise and improve their maths skills with confidence.

Additionally, students can use Mathspace for independent revision. By selecting the textbook from their dashboard and choosing a topic to revise, they can click on "Start Adaptive Task". The system will then generate three sets of questions that progressively become more challenging as students demonstrate their understanding. The goal is for students to achieve Mastery Level through these adaptive tasks, helping them build confidence and deepen their mathematical knowledge.

Mathspace also suggests skills and tasks for students based on their past work, ensuring they always have something meaningful to practise. The aim is for students to master as many mathematical skills as possible throughout their journey at St Mary’s Cathedral College. So even when students say they’ve completed all their homework, there’s always an extra task available to strengthen their learning.

We also encourage parents to stay involved in their child’s learning. Parents can be linked to their child’s Mathspace account to receive a weekly email update on completed and outstanding tasks, as well as the skills their child has achieved. To sign up for these updates, simply complete the Google Form.

We encourage all parents to support their children in using Mathspace regularly as part of their learning routine. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Mathematics faculty.

Thank you for your ongoing support in helping our students succeed in Mathematics!

CELEBRATING Pi DAY: THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MATHEMATICS
Pi Day, celebrated on March 14th (3/14), is not only a tribute to the mathematical constant π (pi) but also the International Day of Mathematics (IDM). This global event highlights the importance of mathematics in our daily lives and promotes the beauty of math through a wide range of activities and discussions. Pi Day honours pi, which represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, and the American format of writing the date, 3/14 mirrors the first three digits of pi, 3.14.

Fun Pi Trivia:

1. Pi is infinite: Pi's decimal expansion goes on forever without repeating. As of now, millions of digits have been calculated, but it has no end!
2. Pi and the Circle: The symbol for pi (π) comes from the Greek letter, which was first used by Welsh mathematician William Jones in 1706.
3. Pi Day and IDM: In 2020, UNESCO declared March 14th as the International Day of Mathematics to recognize the role math plays in solving global challenges.
4. Pi Approximation Day: A special Pi Day occurs every July 22nd (22/7 in date format), which is an approximation of pi (22 ÷ 7 = 3.14).

Pi Day isn't just about pi—it's a celebration of mathematics and the endless wonders it brings to our world! The Australian Association of Mathematic Teachers has created a Scavenger hunt that can be done at home to celebrate how Mathematics is all around us. 

Steven Casimiro,  Instructional Leader Mathematics (Years 9-12)

Sport News

SCS TOUCH & BASKETBALL 

Round 1

Round 2

SMCC SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
The SMCC Swimming Championships were held at Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre on Monday, 17 February 2025. We were blessed with fantastic weather, and our students displayed tremendous enthusiasm and pride, both in the pool and in the stands. It was also exciting to welcome girls for the first time. The first place winners of each girls race has the great honour of setting the very first record in that event!

Congratulations to Moran House for successfully defending their title and winning the 2025 Swimming Championships.

CONFERENCE 1 SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
The annual SCS Conference 1 Swimming Championships were held on Tuesday, 25 February at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. The competition was fierce this year, with several association records broken. SMCC experienced some fantastic individual and team success. Below are some highlights:

Cathedral relinquished the Junior Age Division shield after holding it for three years. However, we won the Intermediate Age Shield, the Junior Boys Ration shield, the Junior Girls Ratio shield and placed third overall.

 Congratulations to all of the members of our swim team and thank you to the coaches.

 We have several members of our team who have progressed to the Sydney Swimming Championships, where they will compete against the other three Sydney conferences. We wish those students the best of luck.

Simon Shaw, Instructional Leader Co-curricular/Sport

JUNIOR SCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL
The inaugural co-educational Junior School Swimming Carnival was also held at the Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre on Monday, 17 February 2025. It was an unforgettable day of fun, competition, and teamwork. Students came together for a variety of events, combining both high-energy competitive races and creative novice challenges that showcased every swimmer’s abilities.

Among the highlights were the thrilling pool noodle races, where students showed their agility and speed while balancing on floating noodles. These lighthearted yet competitive races had everyone laughing and cheering, adding an extra layer of excitement to the carnival. Another popular event saw students collecting floating devices and placing them into buckets, testing their speed and coordination in a unique and engaging challenge.

Competitive races kept the energy high, with students racing in sprints and relays, all while supporting one another. The atmosphere was filled with school spirit as each house cheered on their swimmers, encouraging everyone to give their best.

From seasoned swimmers to novices taking on their first race, every student participated with enthusiasm and determination. The day successfully combined fun and friendly competition, promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, and inclusivity. Well done SMCC community and what a great start to 2025.

SMCC CONFERENCE 1 JUNIOR SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP
I am incredibly proud of our 12 students who represented SMCC at the Conference 1 Junior Swimming Championship. Each of these students swam exceptionally well in their individual heats, showcasing their dedication and skill in the pool. While all of them performed admirably, only one student Pierson Fragias progressed to the Sydney Championships in the 50-metre breaststroke event. This is a fantastic achievement, and it speaks volumes about the commitment and hard work of our team.

As a teacher, seeing the effort and sportsmanship displayed by each swimmer fills me with immense pride. It’s not always about winning, but about the passion and perseverance each athlete shows. Our swim team should be commended not only for their accomplishments in the pool but also for the teamwork and spirit they exhibited throughout the competition.

Congratulations to all the swimmers for their hard work, and to Pierson Fragias who made it through to the next stage, what an accomplishment from all our swimmers that represented our community with grace and determination, and I’m excited to see what lies ahead. Keep pushing yourself, and know that every effort counts. Well done to our amazing swim team! Go SMCC.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ARABELLA SODEN-SMITH ON NETBALL SUCCESS
As SMCC community we are thrilled to announce that Arabella from our middle school has successfully progressed to the next stage of the Netball trials in Sydney Diocesan pathways. This is a fantastic achievement and testament to Arabella’s dedication, hard work and skill on the court. 

Arabella’s progress is a reflection of the commitment and passion she has for the sport, and we are confident she will continue to impress as she moves through the next stages of selection. All the very best Arabella!

Gordon Kome, PDHPE Teacher

Library News

PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE (PRC)
The Premier's Reading Challenge, a long-running initiative that fosters reading and information literacy, is now open to students from Kindergarten to Year 9. All students have been registered with the competition. There is a video here that explains the rationale and the process of logging books. 

Students in the Junior School should speak to their teacher to obtain their username and password. (All passwords from previous years have been reset.) Other students can speak to their English teacher or see a member of the library staff. Once hey have this information, they should login at the PRC site. Any student with further questions should see me. 

Challenge closes to students: Friday, 22 August 2025.

Edward Hawkins, Teacher-Librarian

Upcoming Dates