St Mary's Cathedral College Newsletter: Term 3, Week 10

From the College Principal

YEAR 12 GRADUATION
This week we farewelled the class of 2023.  This is certainly a group of extraordinary young men and they have left a lasting legacy during their time here at the College. We had the privilege of celebrating the Eucharuist with them and celebrated their success at their farewell breakfast, assembly and Graduation dinner. Below is an excerpt of some of my words to them. We wish them every success in their upcoming HSC examinations and we look forward to welcoming them back at the end of the year to acknowledge their achievements in these exams. 

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STAFF FAREWELL
Whilst we said goodbye to our year 12 students we also farewelled some two of our staff members this term: Elizabeth Butterfield and Lorraine Oliver.

Elizabeth has been a long time Mathematics teacher at the College, beginning her time here in 2003. Whilst she left the College and came back, she has certainly had a significant impact upon the many students who had the privilege of having her in their class. Elizabeth is an outstanding educator whose passion, care and dedication to her students is evidenced in the growth that she achieves with those she teaches. She has also been a mentor and much valued colleague of the staff at the College and she will be very much missed. We wish Elizabeth every success in her new role as Mathematics teacher at Christian Brothers Lewisham.

Lorraine Oliver is the second longest continuous serving member of staff at St Mary’s. It is true that the support staff at any school are the backbone of the College and Lorraine has certainly played a vital role in the smooth running of this school over many years. She has been a constant source of support and wisdom for all those who have had the privilege of working with her and I know that there are many students and families who are grateful to her for her care and support. After 33 years of service at St Mary’s she is putting down the calculator to pursue new opportunities in retirement. We wish her every happiness with her family and she will always be part of the St Mary’s family.

STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS
As you are aware, St Mary’s is growing and we have established a new middle leadership structure.  I am pleased to announce the following promotional positions which will commence in 2024 in support of our vision for learning at the College:

Leader of Pathways and Partnerships: Mr Ashley Norman
Leader of Operations and Administration: Mr Chau Dinh-Vu

Instructional Leader Humanities (5-8): Mr Nicholas Puiu
Instructional Leader STEM (5-8): Mr Adrian Claydon
Instructional Leader Arts (3-12 Drama and Visual Arts): Ms Michele Marshall
Instructional Leader RE Curriculum (3-6): Ms Fiona Roy
Instructional Leader VET (9-12): Mr Andrew Aslanidis
Instructional Leader Languages (3-12): Ms Elyse Williams

We are certainly blessed with some exceptional staff here at St Mary’s and I know that they will do an outstanding job in these roles. I congratulate all of these staff members and we look forward to working with them in these roles in 2024.

Kerrie McDiarmid, College Principal

From the Dean of Senior School

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

YEAR 12 GRADUATION
We farewelled the Class of 2023 on Tuesday, 19 September 2023. It was a joyous and memorable occasion and a fitting farewell to 13 years of schooling. All the boys were presented and awarded with their Graduation Certificates at a special Mass in the Cathedral. In the evening at our Awards dinner we congratulated and awarded our academic achievers with First in Course awards. The highlight of the evening was the recognition of our special award winners. 

I would like to thank the Year 12 students for their resilience and determination. The class of 2023 has been an empathetic, respectful and  good humored group. Their ongoing commitment to excellence in their study will ensure a successful HSC next term. We wish them the very best of luck.

YEAR 11
I’d like to congratulate the Year 11 students on their completion of the preliminary course. As you move into the HSC course next term, please be reassured that the College is working on plans to best set you up for success in your HSC year. We have plenty of new initiatives for next term and 2024 to support you in your learning.

YEAR 10
Term 3 has been busy for our Year 10 group as they navigate subject selection for the next two years. We will continue to work with them next term to finalise their patterns of study as the timetable takes shape. Students in Year 10 have their camp to look forward to next term. More importantly, they will have their final examinations to conclude their assessment program for the Stage 5 ROSA.

Thank you to the entire school community for their hard work throughout Term 3 and we look forward to the final term of the 2023 academic year.

Chris Maoudis, Dean of Senior Years

From the Dean of Mission

TO OUR CLASS OF 2023
Well done on completing thirteen years of studies!  This is a testament to your ability and strong character to push through challenges for the greater good. It is also a testament to the love and loyalty shown towards you by family, friends and educators. It is important to know that the world requires you to show the same love and loyalty to others. This is to live the Gospel message – to love one another, as God loves us (unconditionally). 

The next stage of life offers you an incredible journey of exploration as you forge new ideas and encounter new and at times challenging experiences. It’s a great opportunity to expand your sense of community and friendship. It's a phase that invites you to develop new enthusiasms with boundless vitality that can pave the way for transformative life trajectories. Moreover, it presents new opportunities for you to continue to develop your faith and character. Some ways you can do this are as follows:

• Back at the Cathedral. You are always welcome to attend the college Wednesday morning Mass in the Crypt when your new busy lives allow. You are also invited to attend City Compass every Thursday evening, 6.30pm - 7.30pm, with other young people from across Sydney led by Fr Lewi Barakat in the Cathedral – this involves Catechesis (Church teaching); Exposition and Silent Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; Sung Benediction; Dinner afterwards. Embrace is the young adults group at St Mary’s Cathedral. The group meets every Sunday after 6pm Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral House, next to St Mary’s Cathedral. For more information, join the Embrace Facebook page or visit the Cathedral’s Events Page or call the Cathedral Office on (02) 9220 0400 or email: embrace@stmaryscathedral.org.au
  

• The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney University Chaplaincy is present in the four large universities in the Sydney Archdiocese: University of Sydney; University of NSW; University of Technology, Sydney; Macquarie University. This is an excellent opportunity to engage further in your faith with such activities as charitable outreaches, discussion groups on ethical matters of concern, study camps and retreats during these important formative years. 

• Faith in Action Volunteering with The Cardoner Network. The Cardoner Network is a not-for-profit, Young Adult-focused hub for volunteering, founded in 2010. They seek to engage Young Adults in a conscientious community with shared values, where genuine friendships are made. The Pillars of the Project provide opportunities to come together to grow, learn to question, and contribute in different ways. They seek to embed in Young Adults an understanding and respect for all through opportunities of service both locally and abroad. Cardoner Network’s mission is to deepen the human, spiritual and intellectual formation of young adults, grounding them in a love of the poor in the service of the church.

• Prayer. In the lead up to and through the exam period, it is important to stop and take time to pray. This will help focus and calm you, and most importantly open you up to God’s grace and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. As Blessed Edmund Rice wrote, ​​"Cast all your cares into the arms of Divine Providence." A good prayer resource is the Xavier University Jesuit prayer index. We are all certainly praying for and with you, as you set out to achieve your best in the coming exams.
  

THE CLANCY AWARD
Each year secondary students from across the Archdiocese of Sydney are invited to participate in The Clancy Prize Religious Art Exhibition. It is a wonderful event that showcases the creative talents of our young people to know and love Christ through learning. Two of our students, Elias Tordesillas Ringma and Enzo Calabria,  submitted entries that formed part of the exhibition on display until Friday, 29 September, at the Australian Catholic University McGlade Gallery, Strathfield Campus. The theme of the 2023 exhibition is:
                  Pilgrimage, the inner and outer journey to seek transformation.                                   Pilgrimage is a symbol of life.

ARCHBISHOP'S AWARD FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE
The Archbishop’s Award for Student Excellence acknowledges achievements in a range of areas, including school leadership, commitment to faith and social justice, as well as contribution to Parish life and service to the community. This Year St Mary’s Cathedral College student Liam Chang was awarded this prestigious honour in recognition of the many outstanding ways he has lived his faith in action.  His citation, read on the day by fellow student George Nguyen, was as follows:

SYDNEY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS RE TESTS
On Wednesday, 11 October, students in Years 6, 8 and 10 will complete the Sydney Catholic Schools RE Test. We wish these students all the best as they prepare for this examination.  This is a wonderful opportunity for parents, students and teachers to see how our young men are improving their understanding across the five key strands of Religious Education:

• Scripture and Jesus
• Church and Community
• God, Religion and Life
• Prayer, Liturgy and Sacraments
• Morality and Justice

Parents and carers who would like to see the style of questions asked may find past papers for Year 6, Year 8 and Year 10 at RE Online.

Thomas Hunter, Dean of Mission

From the Dean of Liberal Arts

UNVEILING OUR BICENTENNIAL MUSEUM PROJECT

As St. Mary's Cathedral College approaches its remarkable Bicentennial, we are thrilled to introduce an extraordinary project that will be a centrepiece of our celebrations! In Term 4, our students will embark on a journey to transform the College's School Hall Foyer into a captivating museum space.

🏛️ A Mini Museum Exhibition Celebrating 200 Years of Tradition 🏛️
This ambitious project is dedicated to developing a mini museum exhibition right here in our school foyer, a tribute to the rich Catholic traditions that have graced our college for two centuries. As we delve into our history, we aim to connect the past with the present, and forge a path into the future.

🌟 In Collaboration with the Australian Museum 🌟
To make this vision a reality, we are partnering with the  Australian Museum, a world-renowned institution of expertise and knowledge. Our students will have the exclusive opportunity to gain direct insights from a team of museum experts on how exhibitions come together. They will witness the magic behind curating historical treasures and stories.

🤝 A Collaborative Endeavor by Our Student Body 🤝
Our students who will lead the way! 31 students have taken up the opportunity to collaboratively design and create an engaging and educational pop-up museum. This museum will not only be for our students but will also be open to our dedicated staff and curious visitors who wish to explore the historical and cultural significance of our college.

Our bespoke museum exhibition will serve as a captivating showcase of the Catholic traditions that have shaped St. Mary's Cathedral College into the College it is today. It will be a journey through time, highlighting the evolution of Catholic education, the significant milestones we've achieved, and the invaluable contributions of individuals who have played a vital role in establishing and nurturing our beloved college.

Within this exhibition, we aspire to feature a range of treasures: artefacts that have witnessed history, interactive displays that engage your curiosity, multimedia presentations that breathe life into the past, and informative panels that offer a comprehensive and immersive experience.

We invite all members of our school community to stay tuned for updates and to join us on this remarkable journey. Together, let's celebrate 200 years of excellence in Catholic education and create a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.

TERM 3 WRAP UP
As we bid farewell to another exciting and productive term at St Mary’s Cathedral College, it's time to reflect on the remarkable events and accomplishments that have taken place within our school community. Term 3 was filled with enriching experiences, both inside and outside the classroom. 

Our Italian language program continued to thrive this term with a series of engaging excursions and incursions for students of all levels. From exploring local Italian culture and cuisine to interactive language sessions, our students had the opportunity to deepen their appreciation for the Italian language and heritage.

Year 7 students had a blast at our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Day, where they took part in hands-on activities and challenges designed to ignite their curiosity and passion for these critical fields. It was a day filled with innovation and problem-solving.

Year 7 students were treated to an eye-opening experience with a guest speaker who demonstrated the fascinating world of liquid nitrogen, while Year 9 had an unforgettable encounter with the Surfing Scientists, who showcased the science of lasers and light.

Our Year 7 music program included  the chance to participate in an interactive and cultural performance, "Music for our Elders.” Additionally, the school's ensemble students had a prestigious opportunity to view a Jazz performance at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Geography came to life as students embarked on exciting excursions to various locations, where they applied their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. These hands-on experiences fostered a deeper understanding of our planet's complexities.

Year 8 and 10 students took the first steps toward shaping their educational pathways by participating in subject selection discussions. With the guidance of our dedicated staff they are well-prepared to make informed choices for next year.

Our Year 11 Construction students gained valuable insights into the world of work through work placements. These experiences provided a taste of potential career paths and allowed students to develop important workplace skills.

The Year 8 camp was a resounding success, providing students with an opportunity to bond with their peers, step out of their comfort zones, and engage in a range of adventurous activities. It was a week of personal growth and memorable experiences.

Our compassionate Year 12 students organised a "Winter Sleep Out" fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for homelessness. Their dedication to making a positive impact on the community is truly commendable, and we are proud of their efforts.

As we look back on the many achievements and experiences of Term 3, we want to extend our gratitude to the amazing staff at SMCC for their  unwavering support and commitment to our school's mission. We eagerly anticipate the exciting opportunities and challenges that Term 4 will bring for our wonderful students.

Belinda VanderGert, Dean of Liberal Arts

From the Leader of Curriculum

YEAR 12 HSC PREPARATION
The College would like to wish the class of 2023 all the best as they prepare for their HSC Examinations. 

HSC written exams start on Wednesday, 11 October 2023. 

Students are expected to know the Rules and Processes, so please encourage your son to look closely at the information on this page: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/rules-and-processes 

Your son can access his personal HSC timetable via his Students Online Account. 

He should arrive at school at least 45 minutes before the start of each exam. Although he can wear his school jersey, he should continue following the SMCC grooming rules. 

Please encourage your son to attend the upcoming holiday workshops held at school and the virtual workshops run by Sydney Catholic Schools. 

2023 HSC HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS AT SMCC

Sydney Catholic Schools Workshops

These sessions will be delivered over Zoom, recorded and placed on the CANVAS Student Masterclass page. 

YEAR 12 HSC AND COMPASS
Students will lose access to Compass at the end of the HSC examination period, so please encourage your son to download their past reports. 

YEAR 11 EXAM BLOCK
Year 11 finished their Preliminary Examinations this week, and their behaviour and conduct have been outstanding.
Year 11 parents will receive a full school report at the end of week two of Term Four. This report will be published on Compass. Students can drop subject(s) at this point by completing the green form, copies of which can be found in my office. 

If your son intends to receive an ATAR, and will drop subjects for the HSC, he is encouraged to put his new pattern of study through the UAC ATAR Compass to check that these changes lead to an ATAR. A link to this can be found here:  https://www.uac.edu.au/atar-compass/ 

YEAR 7-10 PROGRESS REPORTS
Parents of Years 7-10 will receive progress reports this week, published on Compass. If you have difficulty accessing the Parent Portal, please get in touch with student services at the College for assistance. The main objective of these reports is to provide diagnostic information on behaviour, participation, organisation and homework. Consequently, this will allow students and their parents to use this report to assess and discuss areas of strength and weakness to develop strategies to move forward for the remainder of the semester. 

Karen Fahey, Acting Leader of Learning-Curriculum

Drama News

LIAM CARR SELECTED FOR HSC DRAMA SHOWCASE
Congratulations to Liam Carr for being selected to perform his HSC Monologue as part of the Sydney Catholic Schools HSC Showcase. This showcase will exhibit a range of exemplary group and individual performance that will be viewed by students in 2024. 

The monologue ‘Birdcage’ follows the story of Lewis who is trying to come to terms with his father's departure and now his brother, on whom he clearly relies, is heading overseas within hours. Will he ever return? Lewis has had a run-in with the cops. He’s lost it with the old woman who now lives in the house that used to be his home. He smashed her birdcage. The bird has already flown from the coop, seeking its freedom; much as his dad and brother have. Everyone seems to be flying away from him.

Georgia Andreacchio, Drama Teacher

Creative Arts News

VISUAL ARTS NIGHT
On Thursday, 31 August, the Visual Arts Night was held in the beautiful and historic Chapter Hall where we were very privileged indeed to have guest speaker, past student JD Reforma, curator and artist who is represented in the Art Gallery of NSW Collection, open our exhibition. 

Artworks were shown from all year groups - Year 8 clay heads, animal lino prints and the much loved Impressionist paintings. Year 9 Still Life and portrait artworks, Year 10 figurative sculptures and landscape artworks and the highlights, Year 12 Bodies of Work.

Our students certainly excel in many areas and each year we endeavour to do something new with a quirky take on the usual, such as the Year 8 ‘Scream’ live performance and the interactive clay work inspired by Kimsooja. The Year 8 students brought to life the face of Edvard Munch’s The Scream painting from their current In your Face unit of work and guests tried their hand at clay, contributing to a communal artwork.  ALL their artworks are to be highly commended, in particular the HSC Bodies of Work for 2023 which revealed rich and diverse ideas reflective of the personality of each student. Their work continues to be the pinnacle of our Visual Arts Night showing many hours of hard work and dedication. 

I would like to extend a big thank you to all the teachers in Creative Arts and beyond for helping with the organisation and setting up for the evening; Ms Michele Marshall, Ms Louisa Cunningham, Ms Kaylee Donnelly, Ms Jennifer Pas as well as the admin office staff who come to our assistance each year. Many people contribute in many ways to this night coming together. Without such a group effort this evening would not be possible. 

The annual event was well attended by parents, friends, teachers, past and current students. Overall it was a spectacular evening and I thank all who attended. I would also like to thank the Parent & Friends Committee for the drinks for this event and our extended College community for your continued support of the Arts.

 Michele Marshall, Leader of Learning-Creative Arts

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Science News

YEAR 7 SCIENCE LIQUID NITROGEN SHOW
On Tuesday, 29 August 2023, Year 7 students embarked on an exciting journey into the world of Liquid Nitrogen, guided by an expert educator from Fizzics Education. The experience ignited their curiosity as they delved into the realm of matter, exploring the concepts of solids, liquids, gases, and the transformations that occur between these states which complements their topic on "Blue Planet".

The students were engaged by a series of captivating demonstrations that brought science to life. These included the enchanting sounds of whistling teapots, mesmerising spins of twirling bottles, and the thrilling spectacle of exploding balloons. Our thanks go out to David from Fizzics Education for such an enjoyable and enlightening performance.

Adrian Claydon, Assistant Science Coordinator

Music News

SSO YOUNG MUSICIANS WORKSHOP
Please join us in congratulating Oisin Cantwell, one of our talented SMCC double bass student musicians from Year 9, on being offered a position from a State wide gruelling audition process, to participate in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s Young Musician Workshop and Concert in late September.

The workshop is a deep dive into the finer elements of a major work, our Young Musicians Workshop connects the talented musicians of the Sydney Symphony and the 2023 Fellowship, with students in a series of rehearsals, sectionals and masterclasses.

https://www.sydneysymphony.com/learning/young-musicians/young-musicians-workshop

During the workshop, Oisin will participate in instrumental section tutorials mentored by the Sydney Symphony musicians. They will study orchestral parts focusing on aspects of musicianship such as posture, intonation, articulation, ensemble playing and interpretation. The intensive learning weekend includes a free concert for family and friends.

This is a prestigious achievement and we wish Oisin the very best.

AAFC MUSIC CADET GRADUATE
Another outstanding SMCC double bass student musician from Year 9, Oscar Fahey, has been selected to participate in The Australian Air Force Cadets Week Long Musician's Course at the Defence Facility in Richmond, where  musically talented cadets will rehearse both marching and concert band skills. These annual courses engage musicians in learning new skills and creating lifelong friendships with opportunities to also take part in one of the oldest military traditions.

The AAFC Musical Units run multiple activities each year designed to improve and develop existing musical and military skills for cadets and staff.

Please join us in congratulating Oscar Fahey on his outstanding musical achievement and wishing him the very best.

2023 YEAR 12 MUSIC RECITAL & HSC PERFORMANCES
Thank you to all those that attended the Year 12 Music Recital on Tuesday, 22 September, 2023, 5:30pm-7:00pm in the Chapter Hall. This was a wonderful celebratory evening that highlighted the friendships & talents of the SMCC student musicians from Year 12.

The HSC Music performance examinations in week 8 reflected the quality and musical culture of the College, running smoothly and professionally. Dr Hopkins and our SMCC professional instrumental musicians supported the students in curating and refining their programs throughout 2023. Their dedication and professional expertise was much appreciated. These examinations are the culmination of many hours of practice and reflection over their senior years at the College. Our fine student musicians presented outstanding programs and are to be congratulated on their efforts and organisation on the day. Thank you to our dedicated parents and carers for supporting their son’s musical engagement through their years of study at the College.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL
Our Year 9 elective musicians and senior elective students have been rehearsing and practising for their pit orchestra seats with diligence throughout Term 3 under the direction of Dr Roberts, assisted by Dr Hopkins. This immersion opportunity has been integrated into the Musical Theatre studies for music elective Year 9 and we look forward to witnessing their efforts and musical growth on opening night. Tickets are selling fast and we encourage you to secure your seat to share in this experience with the students and staff at the Seymour Centre on Tuesday, 17 October and Wednesday, 18 October, commencing at 7.00 pm.

ACMF NATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION

Entries are closing soon!

The annual ACMF National Songwriting Competition is a nationwide initiative designed to encourage creativity and self-expression through songwriting, and is now in its 21st year.

Every year, students from schools across Australia are invited to put pen to paper and enter their original song.

There are some amazing prizes to be won!

Entries close 30 September 2023. We encourage our student composers to submit their original works to this prestigious National competition via the link: National Songwriting Competition Entry Form

SMCC LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES

Wednesday Lunchtime in the Chapter Hall 1:40pm - 2:05pm

All boys are invited to perform repertoire of their own choosing in a friendly setting. Student musicians are encouraged to prepare their pieces in their instrumental lessons with their teacher.

Elective Music students are required to perform twice a semester.

Be sure to secure your performance opportunity for term 4.

Lunchtime Concert Signup form

Alison Hunter, Leader of Learning-Music

Primary News

Year 5 students, Chris Esho and Steve Peiris created a slide presentation reviewing the term in the Primary learning spaces.  These are some of their highlights for all to enjoy.

Fiona Roy, Year 5 Teacher

Sport

SCS SYDNEY ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
A few weeks ago our College Athletics team competed at the SCS Conference 1 Athletics Championships at Homebush against seven other schools from our region. The results of this competition were reported on in a previous newsletter. However, from this Conference carnival fifteen of our team qualified to compete at the next level in the SCS Sydney Championships against Catholic Schools from the whole of the greater Sydney region.

The team members who achieved this were: Dylan Bitar, Michael Yfantis, Peter Ball, Harley Connell, Jacob Sousa, Benjamin Alorati, Jaden Park, Hunter Hart, Jeremy Leal, Fletcher Netting, Harry Reed, Rory Reed, Sebastian Mok, Ethan McKenzie, and Callum Sinnott.

The boys competed strongly against some hard opposition. Notable performances on the day came from the following boys:

Congratulations to these boys and to all of the others who qualified for this event which is an achievement in itself. Seven of the boys listed above have qualified for the NSW Combined Catholic College Championships that was planned to be held at Homebush on 11 September. 

COMBINED CATHOLIC COLLEGES (CCC) ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
As mentioned previously, seven members of the College Athletics team gained qualification to the CCC Championships that was planned to be held at Homebush on 11 September. These Championships comprise students from both SCS and private Catholic schools from across the whole of New South Wales. As such, the competition is usually of a high quality.

Unfortunately this event had to be cancelled at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances. We congratulate the boys selected to represent us at this competition: Jacob Sousa, Hunter Hart, Rory Reed, Harry Reed, Ethan McKenzie, Sebastian Mok, Jeremy Leal and Fletcher Netting.

This year the achievement was in qualifying itself. Several of our team will be competing in the NSW All Schools Championships in the upcoming holidays and I look forward to reporting on their performances at a later date.

Peter Bottrill, Athletics Team Manager

Term 4 Upcoming Events