St Mary's Cathedral College Newsletter: Term 2, Week 5

From the College Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, 

We are deeply saddened to let you know of the passing of one of our much loved students, Macauley Montrose. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. 

We know that this is an incredibly difficult time for everyone who knew Mac. His loss is being felt by many and we are doing everything we can to support Mac’s friends, family and the wider student and staff community. 

This will be a challenging time for us all over the coming weeks and months, but please be assured that we will provide whatever support is needed for as long as it is needed. 

We pray for Mac.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father you know all things, and you know us individually.  
You know our grief, our struggles, and you know the difficulties we have in life, Lord. 
We ask you to receive Macauley Montrose into your heavenly embrace. 
We ask you to be with his family at this time in particular. 
To all of us here at the College, to his friends, teachers and staff that we may feel your warm embrace on this day, and we know that in our sufferings that you too have suffered, and that we can rely on you for help and grace.
We trust all these prayers through the intercession of your Blessed Mother as we pray together. 

Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

May the blessing of almighty God console and strengthen you all on this day, and the days to come. 

FOUNDERS' DAY MASS 
Friday 31 May was our College Founders' Day, purposefully celebrated on the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I was blessed to take the journey to the Church of the Visitation in Jerusalem as part of my pilgrimage experience. It is the site where Mary met Elizabeth right after the annunciation to her in Nazareth.  As she arrived and greeted Elizabeth “the baby leaped in Elizabeth’s womb; and she was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:41). Mary carried “The Word (Who) was made flesh” (John 1:14), the promise of salvation and eternal life. In the Magnificat which is displayed at the site,  Mary proclaims the Lord’s greatness with humility and grace. On this special day in our calendar, we are called to Christ through Mary, as believers. We are reminded of the joy and hope that comes from saying yes to God. Mary is the instrument through which grace entered the world. On this day we are called to reflect upon the determination and the will of the spirit that filled Mary as she travelled to Elizabeth. In those moments when we hesitate, let us be inspired by Mary’s example and her sense of holy urgency to make Jesus Christ known and loved. Let us, as Mary did, become instruments of this love as we carry the light of faith and hope into the world. 

Our Mass, led by College Chaplain and Alumni Fr Roberto Keryakos, was graced by representatives from the four Religious Orders that have shaped our 200-year legacy: Benedictines, Marist Brothers, Sisters of Charity, and Christian Brothers.

Each Order shared insights into their history, spirituality, and charitable endeavours with students in each of their Houses, enriching our understanding of those who laid the foundation of the College and instilled the values we hold today.

As we continue our Bicentenary celebrations, let’s carry forward our legacy of faith and learning, looking toward a bright future for SMCC. We’re excited to expand our College family, sharing the blessings of this community with even more people.

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WALK WITH CHRIST
I had the privilege of joining our students in walking in faith on the Feast of Corpus Christi. More than 15000 people joined The Walk With Christ and our students made the College proud in a long lasting tradition of leading this procession. 

This walk of faith allowed us to recognise the way our participation in the Body and Blood of Christ is a re-engagement with the covenant of reconciliation, forgiveness and peace that Christ in the Spirit forged through his death.

As followers of Christ, we make our stand with Him, to take in all He stands for, living by His values, walking in His way, even if that means the cross.

As I undertook this journey I found myself reflecting upon that upper room in Jerusalem, where the first disciples gathered. Every time we gather for Christ we are reminded of the significance of that last supper and Jesus’ ministry of loving service.

Kerrie McDiarmid, College Principal

From the Dean of Senior Years

Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students,

YEAR 12 ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY
During Week Two we held our Year 12 Semester 1 Academic Assembly. It was a wonderful occasion to congratulate our Year 12 students on their achievements halfway through the HSC year. This year we included a new award for Academic Application. This award was awarded to a student from each class who has demonstrated ongoing diligence and effort throughout the semester. 

Following the semester academic period, students engaged in a phronesis lesson during which they analysed their results and looked for growth opportunities. There is plenty of room for growth as we move towards the Trial HSC in Term 3 and the final exams at the end of year. Teachers are continuing to work hard with their Year 12 classes to ensure positive learning is occurring and we continue to maintain high expectations for all our students. 

ACADEMIC TUTORING PROGRAM
Last year we launched an academic tutoring program facilitated by our high achieving alumni. This year we expanded the program to Year 11 and 12. We are pleased to announce that this term we have further expanded the program to our Year 10 students. Tutoring runs each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3pm-6pm in the College library. Students are able to seek assistance with assessment tasks and homework as well as revise key concepts in any of their subjects. We employ over 15 tutors across each week to support the academic progress of our students. Please encourage your son to avail themselves of this service should they require extra support for their learning. 

SUMMER SPORTS ASSEMBLY
We also celebrated our sporting success with the Summer Sports Assembly. This assembly acknowledged the sporting success from Term 4 and Term 1 SCS representative season as well as our age champions from the College Swimming Carnival. We thank all the coaches who have supported our students representing the college and congratulate the boys involved on their outstanding commitment and success in their various sporting pursuits. 

WELLBEING INITIATIVE
We are pleased that the College secured motivational speaker and mental health advocate, Luke S. Kennedy, who presented to our Year  9-12 students on Monday, 3 June. He's one of the most sought after guest speakers in the country, and reports from all schools state that he leaves a huge impact on students and the school community. 

Topics covered in his student talk;

• Mental Health - Self-Care
• Resilience 
• How to be yourself and stop worrying what other people think
• Authenticity 

As well as this, Luke held an extended session for our teaching staff during their professional learning workshop, and his residency culminated by presenting to our parent community from 6pm in the College Hall. 

Luke's presentation isn't your typical Bad Guy Gone Good. Through 'on the edge of your seat' stories, Luke inspires deep, lasting change, and self-awareness, for a wide range of audiences, from large corporations, events, to primary schools and secondary schools.

You would have left inspired and with simple and effective strategies to improve your connection with your kids, and also improve your own mental health.

TRAVELLING TO AND FROM SCHOOL - ROAD SAFETY
There is increasing concern about the near trance-like state people can apparently enter while using mobile phones and or headphones. Psychologists call this ‘divided attention’ or ‘inattentional blindness’.

Looking at the mobile phone screen or being distracted by sound coming through headphones can make a pedestrian forget about looking out for cars and miss sounds that could warn of danger and approaching traffic. If your child uses these devices, talk about these safety tips;

• Put your mobile phone away when you are on your way walking, to reduce distractions.
• Be alert! Always stop, look, listen and think before stepping out onto the road.
• Check for vehicles entering and leaving driveways.
• Don’t answer text messages while crossing a road. 

For those who rely on public buses as their mode of transportation, we want to highlight three critical pedestrian safety messages:

1. Stand Well Away from the Kerb When Waiting for the Bus: When waiting for the school bus, it's essential to stand well away from the edge of the road. This ensures your safety by providing a buffer zone between you and passing vehicles. Stand back from the curb, ideally at least three big steps away, until the bus comes to a complete stop.
2. Wait Till the Bus Has Gone and Then Use a Safe Place to Cross: After exiting the school bus, it's important to wait until the bus has departed before attempting to cross the road. Once the bus has left, use a designated crossing. Never attempt to cross in front of the bus or between parked cars. 
3. STOP LOOK LISTEN THINK every time you cross the road: Before crossing, look out before you step out, don’t assume drivers will always stop for you and check that the driver has stopped before stepping out.

By following these three safety messages, students who travel by school bus can minimise the risk of accidents and ensure a safe journey to and from school.

We encourage all students, regardless of their mode of transportation, to stay safe. 

ANNUAL CONCERT
Rehearsals are well underway for our Annual Concert. This longstanding College tradition is an event we look forward to. This year promises to be bigger and better than ever with a celebration of 200 years of the foundation of our College. 

As we move towards this event, I would like to remind everyone that it is a compulsory school event and that if a student is unable to attend, a doctor’s certificate is provided explaining their absence.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY
We would like to remind everyone that we are holding a Professional Learning Day for our staff on Friday, 7 June 2024. As gazetted on the College calendar, this will be a pupil free day. Staff will be engaged in a series of workshops that focus on “transitions” in the middle and senior schools and engage in a deep dive on co-education differentiated pedagogy that will support all the learners in our College. Supervision will be provided for students who require this on the day. Please contact your son’s Instructional Leader: Wellbeing to indicate they require this supervision. 

Chris Maoudis, Dean of Senior Years

From the Dean of Middle Years

Our Years 3 to 8 students have been involved in many school initiatives since returning for Term 2 including Founders’ Day, Mother’s Day Mass, Sports Assembly, the Year 8 Geography Excursion to Olympic Park, Debating, and Representative Sport.

The boys are working hard in their lessons and have a renewed enthusiasm for learning. Engagement levels in lessons are high and we are working towards Semester 1 reports at the end of term. Rehearsal for our Annual Concert in the Town Hall has begun and we are all looking forward to a spectacular evening.

Years 5 and 6 continue to be involved in the completion of our Playground Project  It is great to see the passion the boys are bringing to their learning through their prior knowledge and experiences to support and welcome our new K-4 students in 2025. By doing this, students are able to draw on their skills and apply them to new experiences at a more complex level.

UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL MEDIA USE AMONG CHILDREN UNDER 13: A Guide for Parents
In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are widely used by people of all ages to connect, share, and explore. However, parents need to be aware that most social media platforms have age restrictions, typically requiring users to be at least 13 years old. Despite these guidelines, many younger children are using these platforms, which raises significant concerns about their safety and wellbeing.

Why Age Restrictions Matter
Social media platforms enforce age restrictions to comply with regulations like the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which aims to protect the privacy and safety of children online. These age limits are in place because younger children are more vulnerable to risks such as:

• Privacy Violations: Children may not fully understand the implications of sharing personal information online.
• Exposure to Inappropriate Content: Younger users might encounter content that is not suitable for their age.
• Cyberbullying: Social media can be a platform for bullying, which can have severe emotional and psychological effects.
• Predatory Behaviour: Predators can exploit the anonymity of the internet to target children.

The Role of Parents and Guardians
Parents and guardians play a crucial role in guiding their children’s use of social media. Here are some steps you can take to ensure your child’s safety online:

1. Understand the Platforms: Familiarise yourself with the social media platforms your child wants to use. Learn about their features, privacy settings, and age restrictions.
2. Set Clear Rules and Expectations: Establish clear guidelines about the use of social media, including which platforms are permitted, the amount of time they can spend online, and what kind of content is appropriate to share and view.
3. Discuss Online Safety: Have open and honest conversations with your child about the potential risks of social media. Teach them about the importance of protecting their personal information and recognising suspicious behaviour.
4. Monitor Activity: Regularly check your child’s social media accounts to ensure they are following the rules and staying safe. Use parental control tools if necessary.
5. Encourage Offline Activities: Promote a healthy balance between online and offline activities. Encourage your child to engage in hobbies, sports, and face-to-face interactions with friends.

Be Faithful. Be Kind. Be Engaged.

David Timillero, Dean of Middle Years

From the Dean of Mission

This Term we celebrate Founders’ Day. This is an important opportunity for the community to stop and reflect on the significance we each have in the life of the College. We also reflect on those who have come before us, and what we can learn from them. There are also considerations for the legacy we leave for those who come after us.  

We are celebrating Founders’ Day on the Feast of the Visitation. This recalls Mary’s journey to see her cousin Elizabeth when both were expecting to give birth. We read that Elizabeth’s  child - John the Baptist - “leaped for joy”, that she was filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaimed the great truth about Mary as the Mother of God (Luke 1). We hope that all members of our College experience joy within, are filled with the wisdom and convictions not just of this world but of God (the Holy Spirit) and that we are inspired to know, speak and live by the truth. 

This was true of the four Religious Orders who have had a role leading this school community over the last 200 years (the Benedictines, the Sisters of Charity, the Marist Brothers and Christian Brothers). Representatives of these orders will visit the College on Founders’ Day and celebrate our Mass with us before speaking to our students. We look forward to learning more about these orders and partnering with them in prayer and charitable works as we take Christ forward with us into the world like Mary.

Some practical ways students can do this in Years 10 and 11 are by signing up for our local public school primary Religious Education teaching program. Students in Years 10 and 11 will be invited to attend training on Tuesday, 4 June (10:00am – 3:00pm). This is a program run in partnership with  the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD). Over the past 60 years, CCD Sydney has taught over 1 million Christian children in public schools. Currently 28,000 children are taught every week in some 400 schools across Sydney. This work is a direct result of the tireless efforts and selfless generosity of 1,900 dedicated people we call catechists, and over 400 High School Catechists from the Sydney Catholic Schools.

St Mary's Cathedral College Year 10 and 11 students are invited to be a part of this program. They will always be supervised by a teacher, work with at least one other St Mary's Cathedral College student, and be given training on how to deliver a short class for primary aged students at Plunkett Street Public School Woolloomooloo – classes take place on a Tuesday afternoon, and students are asked to volunteer at least once a Term. 

This is a great opportunity to volunteer for an important cause. For many students at Plunkett Street Public School, our Year 10 and 11 visits will be the crucial reason why they grow in their faith. If students are interested, they are asked to please complete the form that has been sent to them.  

Another great example of how Christ is carried forward is through the Sacramental Program that the College runs in with the Cathedral. Fr Roberto (College Chaplain) has started instructing five our our students and one sibling to receive First Reconciliation and First Communion at the 10.30am Mass on Sunday, 23 June. Please pray for these students as they take this important step in their faith journey.

For students who are already Baptised, have made their First Holy Communion, are in Year 6 or above and who with the support of their families/caregivers would like to be Confirmed, they are asked to please complete the attached google form. This will occur on Sunday, 18 August, at St Mary’s Cathedral at 12:30pm. Please be aware that some local parishes may request that students living in their local area be Confirmed within their parish – the College will assist you in determining this. Students must choose a person fully confirmed and of the Catholic faith, but not a parent, to accompany them as their Sponsor for the ceremony. If one cannot be found, please contact Mr Thomas Hunter (St Mary’s Cathedral College Dean of Mission), to assist in finding one. Students and at least one parent/caregiver will also need to attend the following preparation classes at St Mary’s Cathedral House from 6:15pm - 7:30pm on: Monday 29 July; Monday 5 August; Monday 12 August. A reflection day and rehearsal will be held at St Mary’s Cathedral College and Cathedral during school time on Friday, 9 August. For further information on receiving the Sacraments or in becoming a Catholic, please do not hesitate to contact St Mary’s Cathedral College Chaplain, Father Roberto Keryakos on (02) 9220 0400 or St Mary’s Cathedral College Dean of Mission, Mr Thomas Hunter on (02) 9235 0500.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP   
As we continue to move ahead with our own student parliament on how forming our constitution to give all students a greater voice, Ryan Carlisle and John Oliveri visited NSW Parliament Government House to get some ideas. Here is a recount they wrote about their experience. 

WALK WITH CHRIST
Continuing a long standing custom of SMCC students participating in the Walk with Christ procession, several of our students carried the canopy over the bishops and the Blessed Sacrament this year. Here are some words by the Archbishop about the day, “Thank you to everyone who joined us for yesterday’s Walk With Christ procession. More than 15,000 of you came to process through the streets of Sydney with our Eucharistic Lord. In doing so, you proclaimed to our city the gift of redemption in Christ Jesus, not through your words but simply by walking with Christ whom you love. Like a priest calling down the Spirit upon the elements of bread and wine to change them into Christ’s Body and Blood, you exercised your priestly power as the baptised to call the Spirit down upon our city to change it into God’s kingdom. That His kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as in heaven, you brought Sydney our daily Bread, the Bread of Life. You proclaimed that Christ lives in our city, our communities, our hearts.”

Walk with Christ 2024

OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS
Our choir and some of our Year 6 students had a wonderful opportunity to join Archbishop Fisher and representatives from every Catholic primary school in the Sydney Archdiocese to celebrate the feast day of Our Lady Help of Christians. 

St Mary's Cathedral and St Mary's Cathedral College take as their patroness Mary Help of Christians in acknowledgment of her importance to the first Catholics who arrived in Sydney, and for us today.

Thomas Hunter, Dean of Mission

From the Dean of Liberal Arts

STUDENT PARLIAMENT UPDATE
The SMCC Student Parliament has recently reached a significant milestone by finalising the SMCC Student Parliament Constitution. This essential document will guide the operations and governance of the Student Parliament, ensuring clarity and consistency in its processes.

In addition to this achievement, the Student Parliament has commenced planning for the upcoming transition of our school to a K-12 and Coeducational college in 2025. This transition is a major step for our community, and the Student Parliament is dedicated to making it as smooth as possible for all students. They are currently developing strategies and initiatives to facilitate this process and will soon be seeking feedback from the student body. 

PHRONESIS PROGRAM UPDATE
Our Phronesis Program continues to enrich the educational experience of our students through targeted initiatives designed to develop various skills and positive behaviours across all year levels.

• Primary Students: The focus has been on fostering Positive Behaviours, encouraging young learners to develop good habits and a supportive school environment.
• Year 7: Students have been engaged in sessions on Study Skills and Goal Setting, equipping them with essential tools for academic success and personal growth.
• Year 8: The emphasis has been on Community Interactions, helping students understand and appreciate their roles within the wider community and the importance of social responsibility.
• Year 9: The topic of Sensory Overload and its Impact on Studying has been explored, providing students with strategies to manage distractions and enhance their focus.
• Year 10: Preparations for Subject Selection have been a priority, with students assessing their Academic Strengths to make informed decisions about their future educational paths.
• Year 11: Students have delved into the Habits of Mind, examining how these habits can contribute to becoming successful senior students and lifelong learners.
• Year 12: Focus has been on Preparation for Upcoming Assessments and Education Beyond School. Year 12 students are being guided through the challenges of their final assessments and exploring options for further education and career paths.

We are proud of the dedication and progress shown by all our students and look forward to seeing them apply these valuable lessons in their academic and personal lives. Keep up the great work, everyone!

Belinda VanderGert, Dean of Liberal Arts

From the Leader of Curriculum & Assessment

YEAR 10 SUBJECT SELECTION 

SUBJECT INFORMATION DAY
Year 10 students are in the process of choosing their subject for Years 11 and 12. A letter was sent out earlier this term to students and parents/carers detailing the timeline for this process. On Tuesday, 11 June (Day 2) Teachers will run 20-minute information sessions during periods 3-5 and students can attend nine separate Subject Information sessions to make more informed decisions around subject selection.

PARENT INFORMATION EVENING
On Wednesday, 12 June, a Parent Information Session on Year 11 and 12 Subject Selection for 2025/26 will take place in the College Hall between 6:00pm and 7:00pm.

This is a compulsory event, and every student in Year 10 is expected to attend with at least one parent. Each student will receive a subject selection handbook, and you will have an opportunity to meet with Instructional Leaders of Learning at the end of the presentations from the Principal, Dean of Senior Years, Leader of Curriculum and Assessment, and the Leader of Pathways and Partnerships. 

 This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about your son's pathways next year and beyond.

HSC PREPARATION

THE 2024 HSC WRITTEN EXAMINATION TIMETABLE IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE.
The 2024 HSC examination timetable is now available as a PDF and on the NESA website. Year 12 students can view their personal timetable via their Students Online account. It is expected that Year 12 students have checked that they can effectively access Students Online and their examination timetable to ensure that all their examinations appear correctly. Any student with a concern regarding either their online access or their HSC Timetable must notify me promptly. 

2023 HSC: WHAT THE MARKERS SAID!
Marking feedback from the 2023 HSC marking centres is now available for every examination paper via the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) website. 

Students will find each subject is well-supported by NESA resources, including the 2023 HSC examination paper, marking guidelines and marking feedback. Each subject examination pack is a valuable study resource for the current cohort of HSC students preparing for the 2024 examinations. The feedback also includes an overview of the features of the top responses.

Anne Ung, Leader of Curriculum & Assessment 

From the Leader of Pathways & Partnerships

YEAR 10 SET UP FOR SUCCESS DAY
On Friday of week 3, Year 10 participated in an entire day dedicated to preparing them for the upcoming subject selection process. Choosing a pattern of study for Stage 6 can be a very daunting and confusing process for students and their families. The best way to alleviate much of the confusion is to ensure we are accurately informed about all the options available. This day was another step in the right direction and I want to commend all of Year 10 on the way that they authentically engaged with the material. A big thank you to Mr Maoudis, Ms Ung, Ms VanderGert, Mr Dinh and Mr Rodriguez for all the work they put into the day.

Examples of information provided included:

• What is the difference between the HSC and ATAR?
• Prerequisites for Advanced Mathematics, Advanced English, Physics, Chemistry, Economics and Studies of Religion
• Major works requirements for practical subjects
• University prerequisites
• Studying a language externally through the School of Languages
• Internal Vocational Education and Training (VET) options
• External Vocational Education and Training (EVET) options 
• School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) options
• Resources students have access to such as JobJump and the Careers Department

Students also had a very productive Q&A session with Year 11 and 12 students with regards to the practicality of their pattern of study and its relationship to their pathway goals. I would like to thank the following students for their participation:

• Tyler Mrmacovski  (Yr 12)
• Anthony Trovato (Yr 12)
• Ian Kim (Yr 11)
• Xavier Smith (Yr 11)

If any students or their families would like to discuss any issue related to subject selection and pathways generally, please do not hesitate to contact me.

UNSW CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
In week 4, Clifford Kong of Year 10 participated in the UNSW Civil and Engineering Work Experience Program. In collaboration with the Infrastructure Advisory Council (IAC), UNSW hosts an annual work experience program aimed at promoting engineering career paths to high school students. Clifford gained practical experience in various civil and environmental engineering sectors, including:

• Coastal and Port Infrastructure
• Structures and Design
• Construction and Project Management
• Water, Wastewater, and Environmental Engineering
• Road, Transport, and Underground Engineering
• Surveying and Geospatial Engineering

Each day included field trips led by UNSW staff and supported by industry professionals, allowing Clifford to visit diverse engineering sites around Sydney. These excursions were followed by debriefing sessions and short report writing exercises at the UNSW Kensington campus. Clifford stated that the experience was “well worth it and allowed me to make better decisions about my pathways moving forward”. 

CAREERS WEBSITE - NOTICEBOARD
A reminder that the school’s careers noticeboard is updated every Thursday 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 the Youth Minister

POPE FRANCIS AWARD
A group of our enthusiastic Year 7 students have embarked on the Pope Francis Award, marking the beginning of their journey in school, parish, and community service. Recently, these dedicated students received their log books and badges, symbolising their commitment to this inspiring program. The award encourages them to grow in faith, develop leadership skills, and make meaningful contributions to the community. We look forward to witnessing their progress and the positive impact they will undoubtedly have.’

JOHN 10:10 PROGRAM
We are delighted to see some of our students start enjoying the John 10:10 program with an amazing night at the 10:10 youth event for this Term! Students from various schools gathered for fun, faith, and fellowship. 

It was the inaugural John 10:10 Youth Night, featuring socialising, games, a talk on service by Chris Nolan from the St Vincent de Paul Society, and prayer with Fr Josh Whicker MGL.

St Mary's students joined students from St Ursula's College Kingsgrove, Marcellin College Randwick, St Vincent's College Ashfield, Marist College Penshurst and Bethany Catholic College Hurstville!! 

A huge thank you to the Sydney Catholic Schools Mission and Identity Team and everyone involved in making it a memorable evening!

Niamh McGrath, Youth Ministry Co-ordinator

JOHN 10:10 CONFERENCE
Recount by Daniel Russo and  Riley Power (Year 10)

From Religious Education

YEAR 11 STUDIES IN CATHOLIC THOUGHT  (SiCT) EXCURSION REFLECTION
On Friday 17 May, Year 11 Studies in Catholic Thought (SiCT) were privileged to attend an excursion to St Patrick’s Church Hill, St Peter Julian, St Benedict’s, Sacred Heart Darlinghurst and St Francis of Assisi Paddington. As we explored these well-established Catholic Churches situated through Sydney’s CBD we delved into the different symbols of the Trinity and the Divinity and Humanity of Christ, with the intention of providing students with an understanding of the diverse images that exist to represent the fundamental mysteries that underpin the Catholic tradition.

Our first stop of the day was St Patrick’s Church Hill, where both Mr Rolls and Mrs Calbrese’s classes split, with my class taking the first fifteen minutes to explore the crypt where students read and engaged with the precious artefacts that shared information about the church's rich tapestry. As we walked out from the crypt and inside the church, I was stunned by the illuminated brightness and Irish-themed decor, including a statue of St. Patrick and a golden monstrance. But, the most captivating sight was the beautiful stained glass windows which contained symbols of the Trinity and the Divinity and Humanity of Christ.

Our next stop was St Peter Julian situated in Haymarket along George Street. Our initial impressions were complete shock as the church’s modern appearance both inside and out made it almost unrecognisable amidst the SiCT students as we approached. Similarly again, each class took fifteen minutes to explore the inside of the church, with our sights initially being drawn towards the breathtaking piece of sculpting on the dove situated above the altar. The altar was also truly breathtaking with its size being significantly immense compared to the other churches we had visited prior and those to follow throughout the rest of the day. 

Following this we walked through the CBD to our next location, St Benedict’s at Broadway. As we entered through the gates and enjoyed a rest in the courtyard attached to the church, we were immersed in the tranquillity. Inside the church a peaceful ambience was felt as we took in the marvellous stained glass windows which reflected significant ideas about the Trinity and the Divinity and Humanity of Christ. Following this we were given an opportunity to have a break and relax before we moved on to the next church.

A short walk and a quick bus trip across the CBD and we had arrived at our second last church of the day, Sacred Heart Darlinghurst. Upon entry our eyes were drawn to the spectacular mosaic artwork crafted by hand, of Jesus with a message reading “Jesus Have Mercy” that occupied the entire wall behind the altar.  Directly opposite this wonderful mosaic was a beautiful stained glass window that featured the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Our final stop of the day was St Francis of Assisi Paddington, where Mr Rolls spoke about the significance of the church and the differences between this church and those we had visited prior throughout the day and the influence of Vatican II on its layout. The major difference was the size of the altar, which was very similar to the one we encountered at St Peter Julian. St Francis of Assisi also had three altars situated within the church, being the first church we visited on the excursion to feature more than one altar. We were then given fifteen minutes to walk about the church and take in and make any final comments in our booklets that relate to the Trinity and the Divinity and Humanity of Christ to assist with our upcoming assessment task. 

It is important to note that this wonderful day would not have been possible without our dedicated teachers, including Mr Rolls and Mrs Calabrese, as well as Mrs Claxton-Fante the head of department for Religious Education at the College, for her efforts in organising and orchestrating an engaging day out where students could learn and further understand the diverse images that exist to represent the fundamental mysteries that underpin the Catholic tradition.  

Antonio Carnabuci, Year 11

YEAR 11 STUDIES OF RELIGION (SOR) EXCURSION REFLECTION
On Friday 17 May, the Year 11 Studies of Religion (SOR) classes embarked on an excursion across the city, visiting churches of Christian denominations to practically apply the concepts investigated in our depth-study of Christianity. In doing so, we hoped to gain insight into the subtle nuances which characterise our faiths and ascertain some firsthand experiences to reference in our assessment tasks. 

Across the day, we visited St. Sophia and Three Daughters Orthodox Church, our local St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Stephen’s Uniting Church, St. Phillip’s Anglican Church, and finally Scots Presbyterian Church. 

Our group began in the morning at St. Sophia’s, where we were greeted by a very friendly Father Irenaeus. Father spoke to us about the distinct features of Greek Orthodoxy, pointing out their emphasis on icons, interpretation of the Eucharist (a common talking point amongst all of our speakers) and the Iconostasis—both a fantastic artistic and practical expression of faith.

Then, we walked over to the Cathedral, where Father Roberto took us through the baptismal font and explained the significance of the intricate mosaics which decorated the floor. Walking around, it was a useful experience to learn more about the reason for many architectural decisions of its construction, particularly its gothic direction. 

After a short break we made our way to St Stephen’s Uniting Church, where Minister Ken introduced us to the ornate building. Everyone found Ken fantastically interesting, especially when discussing how St Stephen’s has engaged in social justice systems in the past. 

Then, we took the train to Wynyard and walked to St. Phillips—also Australia’s oldest church! There, we sat around and listened as Rev Justin spoke to us about the distinctions between Catholicism and Anglicanism. Justin also allowed us the privilege of looking at Australia’s oldest book—a copy of the Bible that had been brought to Australia on the First Fleet—and explained to us the significance of the symbolism of the construction of St Phillip’s, including the flower motif which represented humanity. 

Finally, we walked down the road to Scots Presbyterian Church. The building sits central in the city, and as Craig explained, the church’s relatively modern architectural design was intended to reflect the Presbyterian belief that Christianity should progress as society does. Similar to St. Phillips, Scots was minimalist in its iconography—an interesting contrast to the Catholic/Orthodox denominations, whose institutions are filled with artistic impressions of Christ. 

Overall, the experience was an enriching one for all students on the excursion. The material we gathered was incredibly valuable both academically and for us as individuals, thanks to the expertise of Father Irenaeus, Father Roberto, Minister Ken, Rev Justin, and Craig. 

Matthew Davies, Year 11 

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Creative & Performing Arts News

ARTEXPRESS 2024 - NGUNUNGGULA REGIONAL GALLERY
ARTEXPRESS is an annual series of exhibitions of exemplary artworks by New South Wales visual arts students from the Higher School Certificate examination. This year only 214 works in total were selected to be exhibited in 7 venues across the State from over 8600 submitted works.

St Mary's Cathedral College is very proud indeed to be represented by Aden O’Hara and his sculpture at Ngununggula, Southern Highlands Regional Gallery. The Opening Night on Saturday 25 May, brought together Aden’s’ family and friends, Principal Mrs Kerrie McDiarmid and her husband, and his Visual Arts teacher, Michele Marshall, to celebrate Aden’s success. Celebrated artist Ben Quilty and NESA Advisors were also in attendance for this momentous evening. 

Aden’s HSC Artwork, ‘Our Tethered Callus’, is a sculpture made from clay and resin nestled amongst beautiful sandstone rocks perched on white plinths. Inspired by personal interactions and relationships with family, friends and society, his body of work incorporates aspects of the human body and the natural environment to make a contemplative exhibit of our shared human identity. It represents an imaginative landscape that communicates the transformative nature of life's physical and emotional challenges and examines the complexities of both individual and collective growth, connection and separation.

Congratulations Aden on your outstanding achievement. Aden’s work will be on display at Ngununggula until 30 June 2024.

Michele Marshall, Instructional Leader of Learning: Creative and Performing Arts

YEAR 11 DRAMA EXCURSION
On 8 May 2024, Year 11 Drama students visited the Drama Theatre at Sydney Opera House to watch ‘No Pay? No Way!’ by Sydney Theatre Company. Below is a theatre review from Oliver Alkhair in Year 11 Drama. 

Georgia Andreacchio, Drama Teacher

Sydney Theatre Company’s No Pay? No Way! Is easily the funniest play of their 2024 season. From the very start of the show forcing the audience to roar in laughter, Director Sarah Giles has adapted this play from the original 1972 Dario Fo play Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay! Which premiered in Italy. Having first been performed pre Covid in early 2020, this production returns and is relevant as ever. Tackling the tough themes of rising cost of living prices and corrupt governments in a comedic way, this farce manages to raise awareness for serious political issues while also making audiences laugh for the full two hours. 

The play opens to Antonia (Mandy McElhinney) returning from the supermarket after a spontaneous protest against the supermarket prices doubling overnight. McElhinney displays a very developed Antonia showing many different layers to her role being relatable and able to really connect with the audience while also showing a very comedic side to stand up to misogyny and the hardships of being a housewife in a man's world. As her husband Giovanni, Glenn Hazeldine exemplified all the necessary aspects of a clown in a farce being believably clueless and not fully there while also trying hard to be a good person. The whole cast did an amazing job at showing many sides to their characters while also creating very shallow and funny personalities. This really added to the storyline as the audience was able to deeply connect with the four main characters however were also able to laugh at the stupidity and ridiculousness of it all. Emma Harvie played Antonia’s friend and neighbour Margherita and performed perfectly in the role simultaneously creating a character that the audience empathise with while also delivering an extremely absurd performance. 

The set was designed very cleverly. In the first act looking like an apartment before falling apart to represent the society and economy collapsing. A theme which really resonated with the audience due to the current cost of living crisis. The lighting complimented the theme of Epic theatre utilising the house lights in times where the actors broke the fourth walls and featuring more bland colours during the dark times of the show. The use of music really paid homage to the historical roots of the play while accompanying the setting of the show. 

Overall, this absurd yet relatable show was a great way to raise awareness of serious political issues while also giving the audience a very entertaining performance. 

By Oliver Alkhair

WHY STUDENTS SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN DRAMA

Primary News

AEL NATIONAL MINECRAFT BUILD COMPETITION
Year 6 students participated in the AEL National Minecraft Build Competition. They were required to work in teams of 2-4 people designing and building a neighbourhood. The teams worked extremely hard on their builds and demonstrated outstanding team work. They gave up their lunch breaks for two months to work on their builds.

Click on the link below for the Project Video.

Fiona Roy, Instructional Leader RE Curriculum Primary

Library News

PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE (PRC)
All students from Years 3 to 9 are strongly encouraged to participate in the Premier's Reading Challenge. There will be a presentation of certificates and medals for those who complete the challenge at the end of the year, but the challenge really is its own reward. Visit the PRC home page to login. A list of usernames and passwords can be found here. Please see me if there are any problems or if you have any questions.

Edward Hawkins, Teacher-Librarian

Music News

THE SMCC SEMESTER 1 CONCERT
Our Ensemble rehearsals are continuing to work towards the Semester 1 Concert in Week 7, Friday 14 June, 2024 in the College Hall from 5:00pm - 7:00pm.

Our Semester 1 Concert will bring together the SMCC ensemble offerings to showcase the flourishing musical talents of our students.  It will be a night not to be missed. We ask that all audience members and performing musicians remain to the conclusion of the Concert.

Week 7, Friday 14 June, 2024
Semester 1 Concert 5:00pm - 7:00pm
College Hall

Ensembles performing on this occasion will include:

Poco Strings - Primary
Advanced Primary Strings
Primary Band

Junior Strings
Cathedral Strings
Tango Media Luna
Classical Spanish Guitar
Contemporary Guitar

Junior Band
Intermediate Band
Senior Band
Saxophone Quartet

Middle School Rock Band
Rock Band 1
Rock Band 2
Rock Band 3
Funk Band

This is an opportunity for our wider community to come together with our student musicians to hear some great repertoire and share in our music making efforts for the semester.

We hope to see you there!

THE 2024 SCS EISTEDDFOD
A warm congratulations to those student musician that performed in section of the SCS Eisteddfod earlier in the term. We are delighted at the fantastic musical achievements of our SMCC student musicians, which included but were not limited to the following results:

Marcelino Tjiputra - Highly Commended in Jazz Piano Solo
Ryker Widjaja - Highly Commended in Classical Piano Solo
Franklin Niu Xie - Highly Commended in Jazz Piano Solo

Thank you to the parents, carers and supports that attended the SCS Eisteddfod events and ensured that the student musicians enjoyed a positive musical experience.

ANZAC DAY ARNCLIFFE RSL SUB-BRANCH DAWN SERVICE

ANZAC Day Thursday,  25 April 2024 - Arncliffe Park
Our SMCC Brass Ensemble were invited once more to participate in the annual commemoration by the RSL Arncliffe Sub-Branch in Arncliffe Park at the Cenotaph. This year marked the 71st Anniversary of the Arncliffe RSL and included dignitaries and councillors from the Bayside Electorate.

Our student musicians received a warm reception as they accompanied the Oatley community choirs for the Hymns Abide with Me, The Recessional and the Australian National Anthem. The service was well attended by the wider community and Skyler Gachos’ rendition of the Last Post & Reveille was a valued contribution.

A note of appreciation is given to the parents, families and friends that braved the chilly morning dew to support our musicians for this prestigious opportunity. The boys performed at a high standard and represented the College with pride. Their efforts and dedication was appreciated.

SMCC Brass Ensemble
Alvan Chen - trumpet
Skyler Gacho - Trumpet
Arthur Tang - trumpet
Jeffrey Wang - trumpet
Ruben Brewitt - trombone
Alexander Spencer - trombone
Xavier Lovi - Trombone

MOTHER'S DAY BREAKFAST
We would like to congratulate and extend our thanks to our soloists Nicholas Ho who performed Etude No. 15 from Petite Ecole De la Melodie by Dancla and Tango No 2 from Espana by Albeniz; and Lucas Ong who performed Kreisler's Sicilienne & Rigaudon at the Mother’s Day Breakfast accompanied by Mr Miro Galczynski. Their musicianship and musical interpretations were warmly received by those in attendance.

THE ANNUAL COLLEGE CONCERT - CELEBRATE 200 YEARS
Friday 28 June, 2024 @ 6:30pm
Sydney Town Hall

Rehearsals for our College Concert are going strong and we ask that students revisit the 2024 Finale resources and practise their parts. All students have access. It is important that everyone learns the lyrics and gives their best effort in our Bicentennial year.

Special Project Ensembles are rehearsing their items for the event each week and these should appear in Compass for those musicians. Again, we ask that all student musicians refine their parts with their own instrumental teacher in their lessons to ensure that we present our best efforts.

Tickets will be available via TryBooking. This is currently being finalised and will be communicated to all in the coming weeks.

MUSIC DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Term 2

Week 6 - Friday, 7 June 2024
Spanish Classical Guitar SCS Eisteddfod performance
Eastwood Marist
Details to be advised

Week 7 - Friday,  14 June 2024
Semester 1 Concert 5:00pm - 7:00pm
College Hall

Week 7 - Sunday, 16 June 2024
HSC Music 1 rehearsals 10am - 3pm
Chapter Hall

Week 9 - Friday, 28 June 2024
Annual College Concert 6:30pm
Sydney Town Hall

 Week 10 - Monday, 1 July 2024
NSW Police Bands in Concert
All ensembles & student musicians from the College Concert to attend
College Hall

Alison Hunter, Leader of Music

Sport News

SCS FOOTBALL & LEAGUE

 Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

SYDNEY CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Sydney Cross Country Championships were held at Sydney Equestrian Centre on Wednesday, 22 May 2024. Cathedral had an impressive 35 runners represent the College at this event. We experienced some great success, with 9 students progressing to the NSWCCC carnival. Thank you to all the boys for representing the College with such pride and integrity.

Jacob Sousa:         7th place U14
Tyler New:            12th place U15
Leo Simmons:       12th place U14
Raj Naidu:             Gold Medal U16
Charles Woods:     7th place U16
Rory Reed:            Silver Medal U17
Harry Reed:           Bronze Medal 18+
Harry Abbey:         11th place 18+
Tadhg Donnellan:  12th place 18+

CONFERENCE 1 TABLE TENNIS
The Conference 1 Table Tennis gala day was held at Hurstville Aquatic Centre on Tuesday May 6. Cathedral had 9 teams competing across the three age divisions. Congratulations to Thomas Liu & Vivan Shetty (Juniors) and Kevin Yu & Evan Zafiropoulos (Seniors) who advanced to the Sydney Championships to be held in Week 6.

Junior 
First place:      SMCC 3
Third place:    SMCC1

Intermediate
Third place:    SMCC3

Senior
Second place:  SMCC2
Third place:     SMCC1

PRIMARY CONFERENCE 1 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Conference 1 Football Championships for our Primary school boys was held at Heffron park on Monday, 27 May 2024. The competition was extremely tough, and our team struggled to find the back of the net. But our boys worked really hard, had a lot of fun and are already looking forward to next year's tournament.

NSW ALL SCHOOL SWIMMING
Cathedral had 6 swimmers competing in the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships in Week 5. Our U14 relay team performed exceptionally well, coming in fourth in both the 4x50m medley and freestyle relays, and recording personal bests in both events. An extra special mention goes to Aleister Low. Aleister placed third in the U13 50m Backstroke and has now qualified for the National All Schools Championships on the Gold Coast in July. 

Simon Shaw, Instructional Leader Co-curricular/Sport

Community News

NSW JUNIOR BILLIARDS U18 & U15 CHAMPION
Jason Yu, a Year 10 student and the current national U15 and U18 snooker champion, as well as the Player of the Carnival for the 2023 & 2024 Australian Junior Pool Championships, prepares to participate in the 2024 World Pool Cup in Blackpool, UK from 18/06/2024 to 29/06/2024 as the youngest player on the Australian squad in four weeks. 

We wish Jason all the very best!

From the Parents & Friends Committee

PARENT YEAR REPRESENTATIVES

Dear Parents/Carers,

I'm pleased to share our parent Year Representatives for 2024.

Our P&F email address: smccpfcommittee@gmail.com   to direct questions or comments.
Heidi Spiliopoulos Holt (President) tel: 0415 653 795
Amanda Sharwood (Vice-President) tel: 0425 251 546

Our year representatives will support the P&F by being the connecting force between the committee's messages, the school's messages and callouts for our support and the parents they are representing in their year group.

The Year Representatives are:

Year 3/4 rep- Josue Castro
Jcasvilla@gmail.com

Year 5 rep - Christine Ho
Christine.minhchauho@gmail.com

Year 6 rep - Liz Vincent
lizalicevincent@gmail.com

Year 7 rep - Lucy Kara
lfvsnowball@gmail.com

Year 8 rep - Natalia Hennessy
Natalia.hennessy@gmail.com

Year 9 reps 
Amanda Halpin - amandahalpin@optusnet.com.au
Jamily Lichaa - Jamilylichaa@gmail.com

Year 10 rep - Bernadette McIntosh
bernadette@holidayscollection.com.au

Year 11 rep 
Grainne Tierney-Reed -  Stmarysyr12@yahoo.com
Bernadette McIntosh -  bernadette@holidayscollection.com.au

Year 12 reps 
Grainne Tierney-Reed - Stmarysyr12@yahoo.com
Janette Lum - Stmarysyr12@yahoo.com

Should you have any inquiry, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Kind regards,
Heidi

Upcoming Dates