St Mary's Cathedral College Newsletter: Term 3, Week 7

From the College Principal

A Blessing Prayer for Fathers

God of Kindness and Compassion, we are your children and you are Father to us all. We give honour and thanks to those who reflect your fatherly example: Those who are dads and grandads; Step-dads, foster dads and fathers-in-law; Those who are coaches, leaders and mentors; And those who are elders and wisdom-men of our communities. We look to these men for strength of body and strength of character. We look to them to pass on skills and pass on stories. We look to them to protect and provide. We look to them for care and compassion. We look to them to be co-creators and stewards of the world. For all those who embrace their role as father, we give thanks. For those who struggle with being fathers, give them strength. For those who are distanced from their children, give them comfort.

For those who have passed from this world, give them peace. Bless these men that we call father. Bless them in their strength and in their weakness. Bless them in their joy and in their sorrow. Bless them in their work and in their play. And bless them, Father, for being fathers.

We make this prayer through the one who taught us to call you Our Father: Your Son,
Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

© Greg Sunter accessed from: www.liturgyhelp.com
c 1635 available under creative commons.

SENIOR RETREAT
I was privileged to attend the Senior Leadership Retreat for our 2024 Student Leadership Team this week. The boys undertook a number of activities to build a sense of unity among the group and to develop their leadership skills. I thank Mr Ciaschetti and Mr Lynch for leading them through this process. They are an exemplary group of young men and I know that they will lead the school with pride and distinction during our Bicentennial year. I look forward to the next part of the leadership process where the boys will present speeches to the student body and then undertake interviews to determine the College Captain and Vice Captain. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

PARENT SEMINAR EVENING - The Unplugged Psychologist, Brad Marshall  

We hope you can join us for a Parent Seminar Evening at the College on Monday, 4 September 2023 from 6pm to 7pm. We will be joined by renowned guest speaker, Brad Marshall - The Unplugged Psychologist!

Please click HERE for any last minute RSVP.

Kerrie McDiarmid, College Principal

From the Dean of Senior School

Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students,

I had the opportunity to join the Year 11 Prefect-elect group at their leadership retreat this week and I was most pleased to see the enthusiasm and passion the boys displayed engaging with the initial sessions. They demonstrated the skills and understanding of what it means to be a student leader at SMCC. I want to thank Mr Lynch and Mr Ciaschetti for facilitating this important formation for our incoming leaders. The next few weeks will see the final phase of our leadership process where the various positions will be finalised and appointed.

Year 11 are now facing their final weeks of the preliminary course and will be undertaking their final examinations in Weeks 9 and 10. Students should be diligently studying and revising over the next week or so in preparation for these exams. I would encourage them to avail themselves of the extended library hours in order to develop consistent study habits.

Year 12 have been receiving feedback from their recent Trial HSC Examinations. I would like to commend the boys on their diligence and commitment to their study during their trials. These last few weeks of school are important for their academic journey as they need to focus on growth opportunities in response to their results. The largest learning gain is the time spent in developing exam techniques as well as revising content and skills in preparation for the final HSC Exams. We wish the Class of 2023 all the very best in their preparations for these exams.

The HSC Music Evening as well as the Art Show were outstanding showcases of the talents of our HSC students. Both events were of a very high standard and we congratulate the boys on the time, efforts and dedication that have gone into their major projects. 

We now look forward to celebrating the culmination of their formal school with the various graduation events in
Week 10.

Chris Maoudis, Dean of Senior Years

From the Dean of Middle School

The last three weeks have been very busy around the MIddle Years,

ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL COLLEGE EXPECTATIONS
At St Mary’s Cathedral College  we are committed to providing high-quality student wellbeing and pastoral care. We are committed to providing a safe and supportive school community that embraces difference and optimises student outcomes. The management of student behaviour and educational risk requires a recognition of the complex needs and individual circumstances of students and acting positively to respond to and promote student safety, diversity and dignity. This policy occurs within the context of a Catholic School and should be consistent with the Gospel values of justice, love, service and hope, thus transforming the hearts and minds of young Australians through a real and living understanding of the Gospel, a Liberating Education to build a more just and inclusive local and global community through presence, compassion and solidarity with our world.

All students at St Mary's Cathedral College can rightly expect that they will be safe and will be able to learn in an environment conducive to their progress. Similarly, all students have the responsibility, as per their Enrolment Contract, to ensure that they will uphold College rules and expectations.

Since the start of this term, Leaders of Learning, Leaders of Student Wellbeing and Homeroom Teachers  have worked with students to remind them of College expectations in relation to:

• Uniform
• Attendance and Punctuality
• Behaviour, including in class as well as when travelling to and from school
• Use of Technology including mobile phones

All College expectations relating to these areas can be found in the College Diary. We ask for parent support as we work with your sons to comply with these. Parents/Guardians are once again asked to sign their son’s College Diary each week. Your son’s Homeroom teacher will closely monitor their organisation for school.

STUDENT DROP-OFF AND PICK UP ON ST MARY'S ROAD
Stopping to allow children to alight from a car on the southern  side (School side) in the No Stopping Zones is illegal and also dangerous. The council sends a ranger to monitor the safety of this No Stopping Zone. 

A general reminder to parents when their children alight from the car they should do so on the footpath side and not the traffic side. Students should use the pedestrian crossing when crossing the road. 

At all times the College is aware of the need for safety for your son. We sincerely thank parents for their support with this matter.

COLLEGE EXPECTATIONS: TRAVELLING TO AND FROM SCHOOL
Our reputation in the broader community is reliant upon all students upholding these expectations. These expectations, none of which have changed from previous years and which are outlined in each student’s College Diary, are as follows:

1. When walking to/from the College, students must use the underpass.
2. Students must not loiter at train stations or bus stops.
3. When entering the station concourse to catch trains, students must tap their Opal card on and tap off. Jumping through the turnstiles is not permitted.

These expectations are designed to ensure students’ safety and compliance with the rules around using public transport. We ask for the support of all parents/guardians in reminding their sons of these points.

Be engaged, Be Kind and Be the best you can be every day.

David Timillero, Dean of Middle Years

From the Dean of Mission

BEING PEOPLE FOR ALL OTHERS
This week the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) released their Social Justice Statement titled, ‘Listen, Learn, Love: A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’. For this statement the ACBC decided that it would go beyond making a statement about the chosen social justice issue, and make a joint statement with those who are directly affected. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) was invited to speak directly in this statement to Catholics in Australia and, indeed, to all Australians. This collaborative decision is in itself an important example that we should always seek to engage with others, and especially be receptive to their contributions in matters that relate to them. The members of NATSICC were able to share the reality for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in a way that nobody else can. This reminds us of the example of Jesus shown in the Gospel, in that He encounters people where they are at. 

In the statement we are reminded that learning is characterised by the importance of listening to others, of taking what we have heard to prayerful reflection, and to act on it in light of the Gospel. This leads us to authentic love of our neighbours, who are all others. The statement also reminds us that when as Christians we talk about love, we are not just concerned with what is good for ourselves, but with the good of others.

                                       “Jesus shows us that the love that God wants is grounded in humility. It is characterised 
                                        by a willingness to empty ourselves of selfish interest so that the other becomes
                                        the centre and focus of our generosity, mercy, forgiveness and friendship.”
                                        (ACBC, 2023, pp. 16-17)

The focus of the Social Justice Statement reminds us to make a special effort to start or to continue listening, learning and showing greater love towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This is part of the greater Christian message to love God and love our neighbour, who is everybody. We are always called by the Gospel to be a people for all others. There have been some great examples of this by members of the SMCC community recently, and their stories are shared below.

Year 8 Reflection Day. This Term, Year 8 had their reflection day. These days are an important opportunity for students to reflect on key Gospel values and think about how they may incorporate these into their lives, and specifically their relationships with God and others. The Year 8 reflection day focuses on Saints, Role Models and Heroes. Students started the day with a drama performance on the life of Saint Mary MacKillop before reflecting on the role models and heroes in their own lives. Students finished the day with some staff reflections about role models and heroes, before a Year Group Mass in the Cathedral.

Beyond the College. We love hearing about students and families who participate in making a positive difference beyond the College. Recently, Year 6 student Harrison Howes participated in the Kids Giving Back, Outcomes for Our Community program.

“During the holidays I volunteered with the Kids Giving Back organisation and was given the opportunity to cook for people who were homeless. I was motivated to do this because if I was in need I would want people to help me in a similar way. After arriving in the morning we attended a safety briefing for working in a kitchen. We then prepared some vegetables and made some sauces for pasta. After all the cooking we did a reflection with a person who had experienced homelessness, and was living in their car. We packed the meals after stopping for our own lunch. For each meal we wrote a kind message to those in need. From the day I gained some knowledge about homelessness and how we can make a positive difference. This is something I would like to do more of in the future.” Harrison Howes

SMCC Youth Group Session 1 by Thomas Rodriguez, Youth Ministry Coordinator. St Mary's Cathedral College commenced their very own youth group on Friday, 25 August. During recess, the college ministry prefect team and Mr Rodriguez guided over 50 students from various year groups through faith-inspired reflection, fellowship through engaging leadership building exercises and group games. All the students who participated loved the games they played, the self-reflection they participated in and were even treated to some food to finish! 

We look forward to our next fortnightly gathering to continue with session 2! 

Information below:

Where: College Chapter Hall
When: Recess, Week 9, Friday, 15 September
Who: Students in Years 5 - 12

A World Youth Day Reflection by Tiernan Cargill.  I was motivated to embark on this pilgrimage because I wanted to deepen my faith and strengthen my connection with God. As I live a busy life with a continuous routine at school, committing to extracurricular activities and assessment tasks, I sensed a growing disconnect from my spiritual self.
I wanted to step away from my day-to-day life and seek more room for God and a chance to reinforce our relationship.

Before taking up the challenge to embark on this once-in-a-lifetime journey, I had a few expectations and emotions that were a mix of excitement and anticipation. I expected to dive into the sacred experience, and in return gain more knowledge about God’s teachings and purpose. I was amazed to be able to be a part of something so big and be surrounded by others with the same faith and spirituality as me.

My pilgrimage started off in Italy, a country known for its rich spiritual heritage and magnificent scenery. I did go to numerous astonishing places such as St. Peter’s Basilica and Venice, but one of the places that stood out most for me would be when I got to visit the Basilica of Santa Rita da Cascia. This beautiful sanctuary was so peaceful and calming, especially after visiting the busy ends of Rome. This fragrance of roses filled the air, a gentle reminder of the miraculous rose miracle attributed to St. Rita. I felt the presence of the divine Holy Spirit here, and I will always remember this experience.

Before taking my journey into Lisbon, another moment I enjoyed would be the enchanting celebration of Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. I was able to sit close to the altar and felt a significant personal connection with the centuries of devotion that had taken place within its walls. The divine and peaceful atmosphere reminded me of the magnificence of my faith and I felt that time was paused during these special moments.

At the start of my journey in Lisbon, one of the breathtaking events was the Welcoming Mass. It was during the gathering of thousands of people that I experienced a powerful sense of unity and connection with my fellow pilgrims and the other pilgrims who came from all over the world. I found it astounding that we all shared the same faith and I was able to meet pilgrims from Spain and America. I paid close attention to their unique stories of how they got here and where they were staying. I felt fortunate to have stayed at such nice hotels, appreciating the comforts provided, while hearing some Spanish pilgrims share their stories about how they had to sleep on the floor. I also had the wonderful opportunity to see the Pope in person which I will never forget and will be able to tell everyone about for a long time. This event truly let me see how strong our global faith community is.

The post-WYD retreat days were planned to provide a period of reflection after the transformative experiences of the pilgrimage. These days gave us the chance to think about all the opportunities we encountered and experiences we had. The retreat was held on the sacred grounds of Fatima, the place of Our Lady. It was particularly special for me as I got to celebrate my birthday there, savouring the joy of the moment with an enjoyable gelato. Some of the key features of this event would be the guided reflections and group discussions where pilgrims were allowed to share the encounters they had, reflecting on their spiritual growth.

The impact of WYD23 will remain a fundamental part of my faith journey and experience I will never forget. The pilgrimage has let me pause my busy day-to-day life and has reminded me how important my spiritual connection with God is. The moments under the stars at the Vigil Mass, the serenity of the basilicas, and the fragrance of roses at Cascia are all once-in-a-lifetime experiences that motivated my faith. The pilgrimage has taught me the importance of sharing one's experiences with others to strengthen one's faith. Overall, this journey has reminded me to commit to nurturing my relationship with God and I will embrace the lessons learned from this transformative pilgrimage back into my Sydney lifestyle.

Vinnies Winter Sleepout by Nicholas Puiu, HSIE Teacher.  On the night of Friday, 18 August, 43 Year 12 students gathered at the College to participate in the St Vincent de Paul winter sleepout, raising over $8,500 in the process. This was the fifth such year that students from the College have been involved in such an initiative.

Despite being tired from having participated in the annual College Athletics Carnival held earlier that day, Year 12 bedded down for the night in the open air as a means of both raising money for a worthy cause and in gaining greater empathy for the homeless.

The boys ate soup that had been made by Mr Dinh and listened to a talk about the nature of homelessness, with the overriding messages being that our homeless are often unseen and that our basic human interactions with them are the greatest gift that we can give. The boys were left to think about a quote from the Book of Matthew which states; “And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'

Awareness of the homeless is a hallmark of the College, with the College’s students regularly donating their time to serve at the Matthew Talbot Hostel and to collect items needed by the homeless on a daily basis.

Student Voice by Liam Chang, Student Ministry Prefect
The winter sleepout was, by far, the most memorable event in this year. Around forty Year 12 students arrived at the College on the night of 18 August to brave the cold night in solidarity with the homeless. We had been out for the day with the Athletics Carnival and were exhausted and physically unprepared, but after listening to Mr Puiu's experiences with helping the homeless and enjoying a hot bowl of soup, courtesy of Mr Dinh, we felt prepared to sleep out in the Basketball Court for the night. We went out into the cold night and set up our sleeping spaces in various places. With all our preparations for the night complete, we gathered for a final prayer before lights out. We prayed specifically for the homeless and those who suffer because of poverty or an unsafe domestic environment. Our goodnights said, we dispersed for the night. Most of us slept out in the open, huddled together for warmth, while others slept near the canteen, hoping to keep warm against the walls. It was an uneventful night, but a very difficult one. The lights remained on, despite 11 PM being referred to as "lights out", and the hard surface we slept on prevented us from having a pleasant sleeping experience. We had been told to wake up by 6 AM for an early start but ended up waking up at around 4 AM because of the cold. We packed up our sleeping gear and cleaned up our mess, leaving by 6:15. Our bodies were tired and in pain, but we were glad that we had given up one night for those who always sleep rough.

Thomas Hunter, Dean of Mission

From the Leader of Curriculum

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD 2023 HSC STUDY GUIDE
Each year NESA works with Fairfax Media to publish the HSC Study Guide, now available at: HSC Study Guide 2023 | The Sydney Morning Herald 

The Guide has a good range of NESA-endorsed resources.

STAY HEALTHY HSC HUB
The Stay Healthy HSC Hub provides resources and advice for students, parents/carers and teachers to help support HSC students to maintain their health and wellbeing as they prepare for and undertake their HSC examinations.

The Hub is now available at: Stay healthy HSC 

2023 TERTIARY OPEN DAYS
Several university Open days are taking place in the next two weeks, so please remember to check in to the SMCC Careers site via Compass.

YEAR 11 ASSESSMENT BLOCK
The Year 11 Assessment Block begins Monday, 11 September and concludes Thursday, 21 September.  

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.

EXAM INVIGILATORS
As we approach the Year 11 end-of-year exam period, the College invites expressions of interest in invigilating these exams from parents of Year 7-10 students. Our current invigilators are mums of two boys in year 11, so we need two people to replace them.

The exams are scheduled from Monday, September 11, to Thursday, September 21. 

Invigilators will be compensated at casual teacher rates and will be responsible for the following:

• providing active supervision of the exam room from 8: 30 am until 3:10 pm.
• Recording student absenteeism, toilet breaks, and other movements in the Exam Incident Booklet located at the front table of the exam room.
• Ensuring proper monitoring of students taking toilet breaks.
• Collecting any papers or notes surrendered by students.
• Offering appropriate assistance to students during the exam period.
• Ensuring students do not leave the exam early.

Your presence will help create a secure and encouraging environment for our Year 11 students as they approach this milestone. No prior experience is necessary, although a willingness to continue invigilating major exams in 2024 and act as the HSC presiding officer in 2024 would be advantageous.

If you are available and interested in participating as an invigilator, please email me directly at karen.fahey@syd.catholic.edu.au.

Karen Fahey, Acting Leader of Learning-Curriculum

Science News

NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
Week five was National Science Week. Under the captivating theme of "Innovation: Powering Future Industries," the Science department orchestrated a series of exhilarating activities that not only ignited a passion for science but also showcased the boundless potential of innovation in shaping the world of tomorrow.

The week was brimming with engaging activities that took place during recess and lunch breaks. Students eagerly participated in a range of challenges that challenged their problem-solving skills, teamwork, and scientific thinking. 

As the week unfolded, students not only learned about the pivotal role of innovation in shaping future industries but also had a blast doing so. The sheer excitement and enthusiasm that echoed through our school corridors were truly heartwarming. The creativity and dedication displayed by each participant were a testament to the brilliance that can emerge when passion and learning intersect.

Let us all remember that the lessons learned and the experiences gained are not confined to a single week. The spirit of innovation and scientific inquiry will continue to drive our students as they venture into the future, equipped with the tools to shape industries, transform societies, and make a positive impact on our world.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the Science staff and students who made this week a resounding success. Let's continue to nurture the flames of curiosity, innovation, and scientific exploration, for they hold the key to a brighter and more exciting future.

Anne Ung, Leader of Learning-Science

Year 9 Geography Field Trip to Pyrmont & Barangaroo

On Monday, 7 August, Year 9 went on a walking excursion around Pyrmont and Barangaroo. Our mission was to collect primary information for our upcoming assessment task on the ‘Changing Places’ unit. Some groups began at the Walumil Lawns in Barangaroo whilst others met in Pyrmont. My class began in Pyrmont. 

Beginning in Pyrmont Bay Park, the group walked across the peninsula towards Pirrama Park to collect information about green spaces. Along the way, we passed Jones Bay Wharf, which is a great example of adaptive reuse. We arrived at Jackson’s Landing (the home of the old CSR sugar refinery) to begin our excursion with guides from AUSECO. Here, we saw many examples of adaptive reuse and sympathetic development, like the repurposing of the Boiler Room and Cooperage into residential and commercial spaces. We used equipment to measure wind speed and the heights of buildings and learnt about how Pyrmont has changed over the last century.

After this, we walked back towards Pyrmont and the Australian National Maritime Museum. Along the way, we saw many other examples of adaptive reuse, gentrification and the like. We then caught the ferry from Pyrmont Bay to Circular Quay, which was a chance for us to eat lunch and take a breather. 

From the Quay, we walked to Barangaroo Reserve, which is another example of a stunning new green space on public land. After walking along the shoreline and examining the changing land use patterns in Barangaroo, we examined the effects of the area's redevelopment and the opportunities that this presents. The day finished at South Barangaroo in front of the ferry wharves. 

Overall, this was a very enlightening and enjoyable experience for all involved.

David Merodio, Year 9

Sport

SCS AFL, RUGBY 7’s, TENNIS & EUROPEAN HANDBALL 

August 3

August 10

August 17

August 24

CATHEDRAL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS 

The Cathedral Athletics Championships were held on Friday, 18 August at ES Marks, Kensington. The overnight rain before the carnival meant that we had to run a modified program, but it was fantastic to see the students adapt and still have fun competing for their House.

Congratulations to Kelly House for winning the Athletics Championships. There final results were:

Congratulations to our 2023 Age Champions:

U12 Harley Connell                                   U15 Michael Yfantis
U13 Benjamin Alorati                                U16 Charles Barbour
U14 Jeremy Leal                                        17+ Harry Reed

SCS CONFERENCE 1 ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Conference 1 Athletics Championships were held at Sydney Olympic Park on Tuesday, 22 August. It was a very short turnaround from our own carnival and we had several late withdrawals due to injury. But, thanks to our dedicated athletics squad, we were able to find replacements for most of those events. Our boys achieved some amazing success on the day, especially considering some were competing in events that aren’t normally their strength. Cathedral placed second in Junior, third in Intermediate, second in Senior and second overall!!!!

 Here are some highlights from the day:

 Peter Ball                                    Silver U12 Triple Jump
Jacob Sousa                                 Gold U12 1500m
                                                     Gold U12 800m
                                                     Silver U12 High Jump
Benjamin Alorati                         Silver U13 Discus
                                                     Silver U13 High Jump
Harley Connell                             Bronze U13 100m
Ryker Widjaja                              Gold U13 Triple Jump
Hunter Hart                                  Silver U14 400m
                                                     Silver U14 800m
Jeremy Leal                                 Gold U14 Triple Jump
Sebastian Mok                             Silver U14 High Jump
George Liney                               Bronze U15 Shot put
Thomas Munoz Rubi                   Silver U15 1500m
                                                     Bronze U15 800m
Michael Yfantis                           Silver U14 100m
                                                     Silver U14 Long Jump
                                                     Bronze U15 Triple Jump
Rory Reed                                    Gold U16 1500m
                                                     Gold U16 800m
Llewellyn Wylie                          Silver U16 Discus
Dylan Bitar                                  Silver 17+ Discus
Christian Callen                           Silver 17+ Triple Jump
Finnley Harding                           Bronze 17+ Shot Put
Ethan McKenzie                          Gold 17+ 1500m
Harry Reed                                   Silver 17+ 1500m
                                                      Gold 17+ 800m
Fletcher Netting                            Gold MC Snr 100m  
                                                      Gold MC Snr 200m
Silver U12 4X100m  Relay Team (Callum Sinnott, Jaden Park, Peter Ball, Harley Connell)

Simon Shaw, Sport Co-ordinator

Community News

20% DISCOUNT ON SPORTS & CO-CURRICULAR GROUP PHOTOS AVAILABLE UNTILl 7/09/2023

Dear Parents,

These school sports and co-curricular groups were photographed on 8/06/2023:

You can now view and purchase the group images listed above and if you place your order before 7/09/2023 you will get a 20% early order discount. Just click on the link below. Please note the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

https://www.advancedimage.com.au/PublicPortal/BrowseGroups.aspx?nbnhmHqqedAL7ulTNksv5w==

Images can also be viewed by visiting www.advancedlife.com.au entering the code: DQD 715 MJA and clicking on “Group Photos”

Important

• Sports and co-curricular group photos can only be purchased online, PLEASE DO NOT return payment to the school
• If your child's group or team is scheduled to be photographed at a later date, you will receive an additional email notification when the images are ready to be ordered
• Photos will be returned to the school for distribution approximately six weeks after the discounted early order period has closed
• Past years' photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available at the school's advancedorder and your child's advancedyou photo sites

Term 3 Upcoming Events