St Mary's Cathedral College Newsletter: Term 3, Week 5

From the College Principal

PRAYER
Mary, our Mother, your total giving of yourself reminds us that we hold in trust from God our Father all our accomplishments and talents and gifts - trusted as we are to offer them in his service, and bring happiness and well-being to our brothers and sisters. Your “Yes” to God’s invitation to be the mother of his Son reminds us that prayer is not just words but is from the heart. We ask you to pray to Jesus for us that the Holy Spirit may live fully in us, too, so that we may pray in the way that each of us finds best. So may we be prepared to join you in saying “Yes” to God our Father, that Jesus may be born anew in our hearts.  Amen.

Mary Help of Christians
Pray for us 

Live Jesus in our hearts
Forever

ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL COLLEGE BICENTENARY BALL
Friday, 2 August 2024 marked the St Mary’s Cathedral College Bicentenary Ball, a milestone event held at the prestigious Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Sydney. The event marked 200 years of the College’s history, bringing together a distinguished gathering of current and former staff, students, and alumni.

The evening was a resounding success, made even more special by the unique contributions and shared memories of each attendee. The community participation and support have not only honoured our past but also strengthened the bonds within our community, fostering a sense of unity and shared vision for the future.

We extend our sincerest thanks to our generous sponsors, whose contributions were invaluable in making this event possible. 

Additionally, we are appreciative of the guests who participated in the silent auction. Our students and staff are grateful for all the support, with funds raised contributing to our Bicentenary events, including the SMCC Museum student project, which will launch in October.

A special callout and thank you to our incredible MCs, 'The Reynolds Brothers' for their exceptional hosting and for bringing 200 years of education to the forefront with an onscreen showcase of archival imagery.  We also extend our gratitude to our esteemed guest speaker, Dallas McInerney, CEO of CSNSW, for his inspiring words.  His contributions added greatly to the evening's success and enjoyment. 

We hope all guests enjoyed the evening as much as we did. Please see Community News attached for further details and highlights of the evening. 

THE 2024 ARCHBISHOP OF SYDNEY AWARDS FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE
Congratulations to Ryan Carlisle, who was presented with the 2024 Archbishop of Sydney Awards for Student Excellence today! Ryan received this prestigious accolade in recognition of  the outstanding achievements he has made to the faith life of our College.

This honour reflects Ryan’s dedication, hard work, and exemplary contributions, and we are incredibly proud of his achievement. Well done, Ryan! 

Thank you Charlie Abbey, also pictured, for representing the College and reading the citation at today’s awards ceremony.

YEAR 12 TRIAL HSC EXAMS
Congratulations to our Year 12 cohort who concluded their HSC Trial exams earlier this week. This is a significant milestone, and we are confident in the dedication and effort you have put into your studies. 

1 Month, 3 Weeks and 1 Day until the 2024 HSC Exams Commence - Stay focused, believe in your preparation, and give it your all. You’ve got this!! 

SMCC CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS SHOWCASE
The College annual Creative & Performing Arts Showcase is being held on Thursday, 12 September at 5:30pm at the centre of the College grounds, in the quadrangle.

Immerse yourself in the creative artworks, live art and drama performances, whilst engaging in our interactive art station. The evening will also include a Bicentenary visual showcase of the history of the creative and performing arts at St Mary's. 

We hope you can join us for a wonderful evening as we celebrate 'The Arts' of today, tomorrow and the past!

Please RSVP by Friday, 6 September HERE

Kerrie McDiarmid, College Principal

From the Dean of Senior Years

Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students,

It has been a busy start to the term in the senior school thus far. The HSC Trials were the focus for our Year 12 students as they focused on their last set of assessment tasks. We congratulate the boys on their diligence in engaging with this stressful time. 

Year 12 now moves into a period of feedback with their teachers as well as wrapping up their HSC courses and ramping up their revision in preparation for their HSC examinations. Many students will also be undertaking HSC examinations with their major works in the coming weeks. We wish the students in Industrial Technology, Drama and Music the best of luck in their upcoming practical components. 

Year 11 have been diligently working in preparation for the Year 11 Preliminary Course Examinations. The timetable for this will be available in Week 6. We also congratulate the groups of students from Year 11 who will lead the College in 2025 as part of the student leadership group:

• Luke Budi 
• Antonio Carnabuci
• Tiernan Cargill
• Mario Dawood 
• Austin McDean
• Xavier Mills
• Tristan McIntosh
• Luke Pitts 
• Theenathan (Nathan) Somboonvarakit 
• Xavier Smith 
• David Vu
• Michael Yfantis
• Evan Zafiropoulos

The next stage for these students involves a prefect leadership retreat, speeches, voting and interviews for School Captain and Vice-Captain and the final announcement of the successful candidates in the positions as well as portfolio allocations. We congratulate them on their success thus far and thank them for their engagement in the process. 

Year 10 students have also been continuing their process of discernment in relation to their patterns of study for Stage 6. We conducted very successful interviews with students and their parents/carers and now the College is working through the construction of the timetable to see what will be offered next year. 

We now look forward to planning and preparations for our Year 12 Graduation events. There is still much to do before the end of this term.

Chris Maoudis, Dean of Senior Years 

From the Dean of Middle Years

The last five weeks have been very busy around the Middle Years at SMCC.

We are filled with joy and pride as we congratulate the students who have recently received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Communion and Confirmation! These sacred milestones mark an important step in their spiritual journey, and we celebrate the commitment and faith they have shown in preparing for these sacraments.

We are so proud of each and every one of you for your dedication, reverence, and heartfelt participation in these sacraments. May this time be a source of lasting grace and joy for you and your families.

May God's blessings continue to shine upon you as you grow in faith and love.

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, 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. It 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 Gospels, 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 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, Instructional Leaders of Learning, Instructional Leaders of Wellbeing and Homeroom Teachers  have worked with students to remind them of College expectations about:

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

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 on College Street.
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

CONFIRMATIONS
It was a great occasion to see fourteen of our students - from Year 6 to Year 12 - make the Sacrament of Confirmation with students from across the City Deanery (parishes/churches in and around the CBD). Fr Roberto was again very generous with his time as College Chaplain, and prepared our students (along with two girls – one a twin sister and another a local Cathedral parishioner). Students attended a series of evening preparation classes and a reflection day ahead of attending the Confirmation Mass on Sunday, 18 August with Bishops Anthony Fisher, Danny Meagher, Richard Umbers and Terry Brady all present to administer the sacrament. Principal Kerrie McDiarmid joined with families, myself and the Head of Primary Religious Education, Fiona Roy, on the day to offer our ongoing support and prayers. We hope that these students, and all members of our College community and Cathedral Parish, live out the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit in being a people for others and a people of God’s love. 

For anybody who wishes their son, or daughter from next year, to make one of the sacraments, I am always happy to assist you with the process – please email (info@smccsydney.catholic.edu.au) leaving your contact details and a request for Mr Thomas Hunter (Dean of Mission) to get in contact. 

VINNIES WINTER SLEEPOUT
The Term started off with some of our Year 12 students giving a good witness of an important part of what it means to be a member of the SMCC Community – being a person for others. Taking on the challenge of facing the elements by 'sleeping out' in the school yard. This effort was made to raise awareness and vital funds for the St Vincent de Paul Society's Winter Appeal. This initiative is about shining a light on the growing issue of homelessness in our society (most of which is hidden from our awareness).

The evening began with a moving prayer session in the Cathedral Crypt, followed by an insightful talk about the various forms of homelessness that affect many individuals. Mr. Dinh then treated the students to his famous soup, providing a warm meal before they braved the cold night with nothing but their sleeping bags.

Our dedicated Year 12 students have set a target of $5,000 to support Vinnies in this worthy cause. 

You can support their efforts by donating any amount through our Vinnie's Winter Sleepout fundraising page: https://my.fundraise.vinniesnsw.org.au/vinnies-community-sleepouts/st-mary-s-cathedral-college-2024

Every contribution makes a difference!

RELIGIOUS ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES SURVEY
In 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022, students from across the Archdiocese of Sydney (Years 5, 7, 9 & 11) participated in the Survey of Religious Attitudes and Practices. Completed by approximately 18,000 students, the survey data has strengthened our understanding of young people’s perception of religion, their personal spirituality and their engagement in matters which are faith-based. The data has also helped Sydney Catholic Schools to shape our approach to youth ministry and our efforts to engage our youth in the life of the Church. The survey is conducted every two years, as a means of generating longitudinal data. 

One popular way to view this data is to compare Year 7 and Year 11, to see if there has been any variation that may be attributed to a student’s experiences while at a school between these years. Some standout features of the data for St Mary’s Cathedral College viewed in this way are as follows:

• We should be aware that for a small number of students, their view of the importance of religion may slightly decrease between Years 7 and 11. While this may be expected with adolescence, it is something we (parents/carers and College staff) can question and help students with. (see row 1 below)
• Prayer seems to be something that remains constant, but there are indications that while a few grow in this area, a few more are letting it go. While all students are present for Homeroom prayer and the Angelus prayer said at the College every day, this data reminds us that ongoing invitations and explanations are needed – even for senior students. (see row 2 below)
• It’s great to see that there are signs consistent with a growth in student confidence in speaking about their faith with family, friends and all others. (see row 3 below)
• Student interest in wanting to learn more about their faith remains somewhat consistent and high across the years students attend the College. (see row 4 below)
• For students identifying what the greatest influences for their view on faith are, it is difficult to get clear majorities, but we can get the most and least popular results. For a student's time at the College between Year 7 - 11, God, Church and family remain the three highest influences of faith – and this is certainly consistent with the view of the Catholic Church who sees the family and local parishes (the domestic Church) as the primary teachers of faith. Students seem to believe across all years that social media has the least influence on their view of faith – indicating that social media is either much better or much worse at influencing than what is perceived.  

YEAR 8 REFLECTION DAY
It was good to see Year 8 engage in their Reflection Day last week. These are an important part of the faith life of the College. This year we were joined by Mr Rolls, Year 8 Instructional Leader of Wellbeing, and his fellow Year 8 Religious Education teachers, the Youth Mission Team and College Chaplain Fr Roberto. The theme continued on from last year in exploring relationships with self, God and others. Here is a reflection on the day written by Year 8 student Liam Tran.

Thomas Hunter, Dean of Mission

From the Leader of Curriculum & Assessment

YEAR 12 TRIAL EXAMS
The Year 12 Trial Examinations concluded this week. Congratulations to our Year 12 students for their hard work and dedication. As we head into the final weeks of this term it is important to maintain your study habits. Review feedback, revise your study plans and ask your teachers for help. Staying focused now will help you achieve your goals. A reminder that the following resources are available to you:

• Atomi
• Edrolo
• ATAR Notes

In addition, each year NESA works with Fairfax Media to publish the HSC Study Guide, now available at: HSC Study Guide 2024 | The Sydney Morning Herald 

STAGE 5 SUBJECT SELECTION
Year 8 students will need to start thinking about their Year 9 and 10 elective subject choices for 2025-26.  A letter was sent out early this week with information on the process. Students will have access to a Subject Information Handbook at the end of Week 6,  detailing RoSA (Record of School Achievement) and College requirements. Additionally, the handbook will contain comprehensive information about electives offered at the College.

To ensure that students thoroughly understand these courses, we will hold a Subject Selection information session on Wednesday 4th September for students . Students  will have the opportunity to gain more information about electives and ask specific questions to their teachers. 

There will also be a Parent Information Evening on Wednesday, 4 September. The information night will help you support your son in choosing subjects that align with his interests and goals.

Parents of Year 8 are encouraged to examine the Subject Information Handbook and discuss possible elective choices with their sons. Students will select their subject preferences online in the coming weeks. 

Anne Ung, Leader of Curriculum & Assessment

From the Leader of Pathways & Partnerships

YEAR 10 - EVET APPLICATIONS FOR for 2025
A reminder that any student who is interested in undertaking an EVET course in 2025 must meet with Mr Norman  to ensure it is the right course and pathway for them. The applications must be submitted by the 6th September. This involves completing both the online google form and expression of interest document.

Please note, submission of an expression of interest does not guarantee a place in the course.  Sometimes courses do not run if there is insufficient demand and sometimes there is not a sufficient number of places available to meet student demand for the course.

YEAR 12 - EARLY ENTRY CLOSING DATES
Early entry schemes in NSW provide an alternative pathway to university admission, focusing on a broader assessment of a student’s abilities and achievements. Students interested in these schemes should research specific university requirements and apply early to take advantage of these opportunities. Some upcoming closing dates can be found in the table below. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and students are encouraged to look at the requirements for an institution they are considering applying for. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mr Norman.

2025 NSW SPACE DISCOVERY PROGRAM
We recently discovered the exciting news that St Mary’s Cathedral College has been chosen as one of 16 schools participating in the NSW Space Discovery Program for Years 5 and 6 in 2025. In preparation for the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney in 2025, the Andy Thomas Space Foundation and the Australian EdTech company, Makers Empire, are collaborating to deliver an engaging education program to selected schools across NSW. 

The IAC is the world’s largest space congress, attracting over 6,000 participants from the global space community. It covers all space sectors and topics, offering the latest updates and developments in academia and industry, along with networking opportunities and potential partnerships.

The NSW Space Discovery program is specifically designed for primary schools in NSW to engage students in STEM learning while raising awareness of career opportunities in the space industry. This program, which offers exciting industry links and real-world learning experiences, is supported by the NSW Government through the NSW Department of Investment, Enterprise and Trade.

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 Student Leadership

NATIONAL YOUTH SUMMIT: FEDERAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA
On Monday, 12 August, Tiernan Cargill, Jamie Naffah, Nathan Azzi and I had the pleasure of attending the 'Together for Humanity, National Youth Summit’. It took place at Federal Parliament House in Canberra and was attended by sixteen other schools from across Australia. The summit focused on the theme ‘building belonging in a disconnected world’ with each school presenting on an issue important to their community. We chose the topic hidden homelessness, a term used to identify people who are living in unsecure accommodation and one we thought important on the backdrop of increased cost of living and housing affordability.

Over the course of the day, we listened to a range of topics that covered toxic masculinity, multiculturalism and the role of social media in shaping self image. The event gave us the opportunity to share our ideas on the presentations with students from other schools, reflecting on ethical, political and cultural factors. Being able to talk with such a diverse group of people from all across the country made the day eye opening and deeply inspiring. 

We were privileged to hear from a number of federal representatives and community leaders with the Governor General, Her Excellency Sam Mostyn, and the Minister for Education, the Honourable Jason Clare being among an esteemed list of guests. We also had the opportunity to speak directly with the Honourable Julian Hill (Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs). The conversation proved both highly insightful and informative. 

I wish to draw special attention to the event organisers and the ‘Together for Humanity’ volunteers who made the event possible. They were all kind, considerate and genuinely passionate about providing a platform for student voice. I also wish to thank Mr Mastrobattista for taking the time to support and supervise us on the trip.

Evan Zafiropoulos (Year 11)

Creative & Performing Arts News

YEAR 12 DRAMA SHOWCASE 2024
On 23 July, the college held the HSC Drama Showcase. The showcase involved a range of group and individual performances as well as short films and promotional design projects. 

As a Drama educator and advocate of the arts, nothing brings me more joy than to see young people participating in Drama. Drama is a subject where students will learn crucial life skills that are necessary for ALL future professions and industries. 

According to Google, ‘hard’ skills aren’t the most important to be successful. ‘Soft skills’ are far more crucial; being a good coach, communicating and listening, possessing insights into others, having empathy toward and being supportive of one’s colleagues, being a good critical thinker and problem solver, and being able to make connections across complex ideas. These are all skills that are developed in Drama. 

It is truly a blessing to have mentored students in this cohort. I'd like to take this opportunity to personally thank Year 12 for ticking Drama on their subject selection form. I am extraordinarily proud that students have embraced Drama and have taken a risk at the life changing subject that Drama is.    

A noteworthy practitioner, Augusto Boal of the Theatre of the Oppressed once stated “We must all do theatre to find out who we are and to discover who we could become.” This is my philosophy and students are greeted by this phrase each time they walk into this room. 

It is a privilege to be a Drama teacher and watch students grow into socially conscious individuals and find their voices in society. Young men in this class have created theatre on issues of misogyny, identity and the destructive nature of competition. To hear young men speak passionately about these topics is truly inspirational and brings me hope for our future. The range of theatrical forms and artistic avenues should challenge, entertain and disrupt audiences to reconsider experiences that are uniquely human. 

Young people need to experience Drama. The world needs to experience Theatre. 

Georgia Andreacchio, Drama Teacher

‘HOODS’ A YEAR 11 PRODUCTION
Year 11 Drama class has been busy in Term 2 and 3 preparing for the play ‘Hoods’ by Angela Betzien and directed by Ms Georgia Andreacchio. Students performed three shows over 8 and 9 August for audiences of students, teachers, parents and friends of the college. 

The class performed exceptionally well, delivering an important message about hope and resilience in times of distress.

YEAR 11 FIBRE ARTS WORKSHOP
On Tuesday, 30 July and Wednesday, 31 July, Year 11 spent 2 days creating sculptural fibre works with guest artist Brooke Munro, from the Southern highlands.  Brooke studied and mastered basketry techniques early in life, and  turned that knowledge, combined with a natural affinity for the outdoors, into contemporary expressions of art. Her pieces are primarily constructed from found objects and natural materials including bones to create sculptural forms.

For most students, this was their first time working with fibre and weaving techniques. The boys embraced each new process to add to their repertoire of knowledge. Demonstrations were videoed and posted to google classroom to be used as resource references. The results were spectacular. They learnt basketry techniques such as weaving, netting, coiling and twining, with an emphasis on more extreme texture and form not usually associated with fibre arts. 

This was an exceptional day full of inspiration, expressiveness and mastery of methods to expand the students creative capacity.

Michele Marshall,  Instructional Leader of Creative Arts

YEAR 9 WORKSHOP
The Year 9 Visual Arts class were fortunate enough to be able to spend time working under esteemed Contemporary Artist Abdul Abdullah. Abdullah is a five time Archibald finalist with artworks in many of Australia’s largest galleries with their own collection of artworks. His thriving practice encompasses painting, drawing, embroidery, photography, video and performance. Abdullah is a dynamic and engaging artist who related his experiences as an ‘outsider amongst outsiders’, an idea many of our students could relate too. The students utilised this opportunity to create a portrait with his guidance.

We were  presented with a talk on his personal practice, which is indeed challenging politically and utilises diverse media. Abdullah was able to share some unique tips  for developing a successful portrait painting  using his own practice consisting of numerous portraits. Abdullah’s approach to creating a human likeness is distinctive and allowed the students to create the bones of a successful portrait. Even the way he demonstrated mixing flesh tones for his portrait was astonishing. The students were enthusiastically engaged with the whole process and were surprised how Abdul’s process made the execution of a portrait more achievable.

This workshop allowed the Visual Arts students to gain an understanding of the dense intellectual and aesthetic processes needed to be successful in the competitive world. Hopefully this will pave the way for the students to understand that anything can be achieved with sustained diligence and resilience.

We thank Abdul Abdullah for taking time out of his busy schedule to work with our students.

Louisa Cunningham, Visual Arts Teacher

From LOTE

YEAR 8 ITALIAN INCURSION
On Tuesday in Week Five, our Year 8 students had the opportunity to participate in an Italian Incursion to expose them to different elements of the Italian culture, which we do not always have the opportunity to touch on in class.  We began the day with an Acknowledgement of Country and a prayer in Italian, and then the students split up into groups to rotate through five different activities.

Ms De Barra took students through the history of Carnevale and its famous masks.  The students learnt about the origins of this tradition as well as some of the traditional mask types, and then were able to make their own mask in the second half of the session.  Some beautiful masks were made throughout the day!  In the yard, Ms Zanuttini taught the groups about the popular Italian pastime, bocce.  In small groups, the students were able to hone their skills whilst playing against each other, and then competed in a knockout competition to find a winning pair in each group!

Ms Briglia engaged the boys in Italian trivia.  The students were tested on their knowledge of Italian culture, geography, language, sport and food, competing against each other in small groups to find a winner in each session.  Next door, some of our Year 10 students volunteered their time to teach the students how to play Tombola (Italian bingo).  The boys were tested on their knowledge of Italian numbers, but also had to compete with speed to get all the numbers on their cards marked off first!

Ms Williams gave each of the students the opportunity to make their own pizza.  Some delectable creations were made, including a pizza featuring only tomato sauce and pineapple – a horror to Italian eyes but I’m sure it was delicious!   The boys also learnt about the origins of pizza, how it is made in Italy and what some of the classic pizza types are.

An Italian cultural day is not complete without (even more) food, and so at recess the boys were each given the opportunity to order some traditional Italian gelato.  They could choose two gusti (flavours) from chocolate, vanilla bean, honeycomb crunch, caramel, oreo, lemon lime and strawberry to build their own cone.  Oreo was far and away the most popular flavour!

At the end of the day, the students moved away from Italian to appreciate the linguistic skills of some of our teachers.  Mr Puiu, Ms Zanuttini, Mr Corpus, Ms Regaya, Mrs Getley, Ms De Barra and Ms Williams all provided recordings of themselves speaking other languages (ranging from Cantonese and Tagalog to Dutch, German and Irish!) and the students had to guess which teacher was speaking and also what language they were speaking in.  This was a huge hit!

All in all, the Year 8 students had a fantastic day engaging with the Italian language and culture.  I hope that the students enjoyed themselves, and that this encourages students to consider Italian as an elective subject in Year Nine!

Elyse Williams, Instructional Leader of Learning - Languages

Gold Duke of Edinburgh 2024

From 2 July to 13 July,  nine St Mary’s Cathedral students, along with 6 Brigidine College students embarked on their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey in the Northern Territory with the Black Diamond Adventures crew. Over 12 days, the students fully immersed themselves in Australian culture, developing new bushcraft skills and hiking through the breathtaking landscapes of Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Watarrka, and West MacDonnell National Parks.

The adventure kicked off with a four-day practice journey, which included two day walks and one overnight expedition. The students began with a 10.5 km base walk around Uluru, taking in its sheer magnitude and experiencing their first Outback sunrise. They also enjoyed a unique cultural experience with local Indigenous man Uncle Sammy, who shared stories about Uluru and taught them spear-throwing at the cultural centre. The team then moved on to Kata Tjuta for a stunning 7.5 km Valley of the Winds walk, exploring the impressive rock formations. The day ended with a 5 km sunset hike on the Giles Track into their campsite near Kings Canyon, where they spent their first night under the stars. The following day, they completed the remaining 16 km of the Giles Track, including the scenic Kings Canyon rim walk, before heading to Erldunda, the heart of Australia, for a relaxing evening around the campfire.

After a restful night, the group travelled to Alice Springs, where they visited a reptile park and shopped for souvenirs at Todd Mall before preparing for their qualifying journey with a pizza party. Sunday was a well-earned rest day, featuring a leisurely bike ride around Alice Springs, visiting ANZAC Hill and the Telegraph Station, and then travelling to Hamilton Downs Cattle Station. Here, they learned about life on a cattle station, participated in a Damper and Whip Cracking Master Class, and ended the day with a sunset walk up Drovers Hill.

The qualifying journey began with map and compass navigation training, leading to a small collection of Etchings and a refreshing swim at Jay Creek, also known as the "JC Spa." The students learned how to use flint and steel, earning their fire licences by successfully lighting their fires. On the second day, they faced a challenging 11 km off-track loop to the saddle of the High Route, applying their navigation skills in rough terrain. That evening, the group set up camp in a riverbed for a night under the stars.

On Thursday, the team joined the Larapinta Trail, visiting a Black Diamond Adventures historical site for morning tea before continuing their hike to Jay Creek. After lunch, they explored the pristine Fish Hole and enjoyed their final night on expedition together. Friday marked the final and most demanding day of the qualifying journey, as the students tackled the High Route, braving windy conditions and difficult terrain. They were rewarded with spectacular views before finally arriving at Standley Chasm, where they celebrated the completion of their journey.

Throughout the trip, the students displayed remarkable resilience, perseverance, and camaraderie, lifting each other up and making the experience unforgettable for all involved.

Daniel Lilic: “I loved every minute of the Gold Duke of Ed Hike. It was an unforgettable experience and I cannot recommend it enough to go and also experience the Northern Territory.”

Tiernan Cargill: “I learned a lot from this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sleeping under the stars and conquering thrilling hikes truly shaped my virtues, teaching me to always be diligent and maintain a positive mindset. I am incredibly appreciative of the Black Diamond crew for their encouragement and pushing me past my limits. Getting to know my schoolmates better and the girls from St Brigidine made the experience even more enjoyable. Overall, this trip was transformative, reinforcing my resilience and determination to overcome challenges.”

Monique Zanuttini, Teacher

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From SCIENCE & STEM

YEAR 12 PHYSICS KICKSTART EXCURSION
On Wednesday,  24 July 2024, Year 12 Physics classes attended Sydney University’s Kickstart Science program. The aim of the excursion was to provide the students with practical experience for Module 8, From the Universe to the Atom. 

The students studied experiments such as J.J. Thomson’s cathode ray tube to measure the charge-to-mass ratio, Milikin’s Oil drop experiment to measure charge-to-mass ratio and cloud chambers to observe types of radiation. The students enjoyed engaging with the experiments and presenters.

We thank University of Sydney’s Kickstart Science for the day.

Adrian Claydon, Instructional Leader of Learning - Science (9-12)

2024 NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
Week Four was National Science Week running from 10 - 18th August. Under the theme of "Species Survival – More Than Just Sustainability", the Science department orchestrated a series of activities to ignite students' passion for science. The theme explores some of the critical challenges impacting Earth’s human, animal and plant habitation, especially here in Australia. We share our island home with more than 200,000 animal species – more than in any other developed nation – and around 24,000 species of native plants, each contributing to our rich biodiversity. Our custodianship comes with a great responsibility to protect their long-term survival.

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. Activities included ‘Bugs for Brunch’ where students could try mealworms and crickets, ‘Terrarium Trouble’ where students made their own terrarium, and ‘Sustainability Snakes and Ladders’ where students discussed sustainability between the serious games of snakes and ladders. There was even a poster competition and a Science Kahoot.

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 custodianship and a responsibility to protect the biodiversity of life.

STAFF NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK CAKE COMPETITION
The Great Cathedral Bake-off, held as a sweet conclusion to National Science Week, was a resounding success! The creativity and enthusiasm the SMCC staff shone through in every delicious entry, with cakes inspired by the 2024 Science Week theme, Species Survival, that were as visually stunning as they were tasty. It was a fantastic way to bring everyone together, celebrate our love for science, and enjoy some delightful treats. Additionally, staff were able to raise money to support the koalas at The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. Thank you to all who participated and made the event memorable!

Adrian Claydon, Instructional Leader of Learning - Science (9-12)

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YEAR 7 STEM DAY 2024
Year 7 STEM day 2024 was a resounding success and great fun was had by both the Year 7 students and their teachers.

We started the day with a Maths session where students learned about projectile motion and then constructed a catapult to demonstrate this. They considered the forces acting on their projectile and how they could construct it to maximise the distance travelled and the accuracy of their catapulted projectile.

The next session involved a challenge where students constructed a roller coaster out of limited materials, aiming for the most creative design and the longest continual roll of a marble.

Session 3 and 4 were a rotation through a Science activity and a TAS activity. In Science, students learned about how drones are used to take samples of whale snot from whales swimming off the Sydney coast. They then analysed simulated whale snot to assess the health of whales, conducting chemical tests for levels of protein, glucose and acidity.

In TAS students spent time on concept development for their solar car project. They looked at aerodynamics and gear ratios and considered how they could incorporate these ideas into their designs for their cars.

After lunch, students competed with each other to build the highest tower of cards, making assessments of the need for strong foundations for their tower and how high they could build before cracks began to form and disaster sent them tragically crashing to the ground.

Points were given to teams throughout the day for creativity, technical skill and success on the given briefs. The winning teams were cloaked in glory but all teams rose to the challenges and competed with enthusiasm and enjoyed all that the day provided.

Danielle van der Meer, Instructional Leader STEM 5-8

From HSIE

YEAR 9 GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP TO BARANGAROO
This term, Year 9's Geography assessment asks them to discuss whether the geographical processes that have changed Barangaroo over the last few years have led to the development of an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable suburb. They are working in pairs, examining processes such as transport, green spaces, urban consolidation and changing demographics. Their findings are to be presented as a video documentary.

The Geography field trip undertaken on Friday, 9 August was an opportunity to see these processes in action. Students met at Waterman's Cove in the morning. We began with an introductory discussion about Barangaroo from our Observatory Hill Environmental Education Centre guides, including the innovations used to make the locality a sustainable environment. Our first practical activity involved surveying various amenities in the area, before walking around one of the towers to take a survey of the different businesses. A quick morning tea next to the water was followed by other practical activities: measuring ground and air temperatures, wind speed and a survey of the types of passers-by. The boys even took part in short interviews of people in the surrounding area. After this, we moved northwards, stopping to look at the Crown buildings and find out what may happen with the area next to Crown (currently a parking lot). We kept moving, stopping briefly at the new Metro station and the Cutaway entrance. After lunch at the top of Barangaroo Reserve, we retook the same measurements so that we could discuss the value and need for adequate green space. An amble through the streets of Miller's Point brought us to Wynyard, our departure point.

Ashley Pereira, Instructional Leader HSIE

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Primary News

Term 3 has seen the Primary students working very hard and having lots of fun.  For Sport this term all primary students are participating in AFL skills clinics at Moore Park.  The students have been learning to craft their hand balling and kicking skills through specific drills and games led by the expert coaches.

Students have been immersed in a wide range of learning activities across all key learning areas. Week 4 was National Science Week and the students loved attending different workshops in the Science labs where they participated in different activities and had the chance to win some cool prizes.  Week 5 is Book Week and the theme is Reading is Magic.  To celebrate this, Mr Hawkins is carrying out a poetry workshop with the Primary students, teaching them how to write a Triolet poem and inviting them to present these at lunchtime.  The week will finish with a parade to celebrate the many wonderful books loved by the students.

STUDENT ACCOUNTS OF SCIENCE WEEK

STUDENT ACCOUNT OF SPORT AT MOORE PARK

STUDENT ACCOUNT OF THE STAGE 3 OZTAG GALA DAY

Music News

SMCC STUDENT MUSICIANS SHINE!
The benefits of playing and performing in an ensemble, group, band are enormous. The most important being that it is fun!

The SMCC Music Department would like to congratulate Brendon Chen (Year 7) and Nicholas Gunawan (Year 7) on their successful auditions and participation in the SCS Artists’ Evolution Instrumental Ensembles for 2024. 

These fine musicians have been rehearsing weekly as part of a curated ensemble, which will culminate in a performance later in Term 4 for a SCS Network Festival. It should be a spectacular event not to be missed.

By joining an ensemble, you are joining a community of musicians and forging lifelong friendships. We invite those student musicians interested in joining to fill in the application form and join in the fun!

Music Ensemble Application

SMCC music ensemble opportunities provide a context, a safe and welcoming environment, and expert guidance for every student to develop a deep love for, and value of music regardless of their existing skill level or future musical aspirations.

Over 60 SMCC student musicians have engaged in one or more of the solo performance opportunities that have been provided at the College to date in 2024. We commend the many students that seek to build upon these opportunities by participating in external Eisteddfods and music examinations. These are wonderful opportunities that all contribute to a rich musical life.

We wish Franklin Xie (Year 5) the very best as he prepares his piano repertoire for the Ryde Eisteddfod in the coming weeks. We hope to celebrate his musical achievements with the wider community in the next College newsletter.

Xavier Yu (Year 7) was successful in his audition to perform on flute at the SCS Classical Recital event which will be held on Saturday, 31 August, 2024 at Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood from 1pm - 2.30pm. We congratulate Xavier and look forward to his Recital report in our next newsletter.

Tickets to this Concert are general admission and free of charge. Seats may be reserved via the Trybooking link HERE

THE SSO YOUNG MUSICIANS WORKSHOP ANNOUNCES THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
The SSO Young Musicians Workshop connects students with the talented musicians of the Sydney Symphony and the 2024 Sydney Symphony Fellows in a three day immersive orchestral program through a series of rehearsals, sectionals, and masterclasses. We celebrate the musical achievements of the following students on their successful applications, as they seek to engage in this exciting Term break opportunity.

Lucas Ong (Year 7), Rocky- Dimitri Holt (Year 7) and Sasha Chee (Year 6).

MUSIC BEYOND THE COLLEGE - A CONCERT PERFORMANCE REPORT

We wish to congratulate Eliott Lie (Year 7) on his dedication and commitment to his music studies. He performs regularly with his church orchestra and has shared his experiences from their most recent concert with us below.

With over 30 exciting opportunities to hear our ensembles and soloist perform in Semester 1, we invite the wider community, family and friends to join us for one of the many Concerts and recitals in the coming weeks.

SMCC LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES - AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM AND GAIN EXPERIENCE
Wednesday Lunchtime in the Chapter Hall 
A performance opportunity open to all student musicians across the College.

Lunchtime Concerts present a casual and supportive environment where students gain valuable performance practice. Our talented musical community are warmly invited to perform every Wednesday Lunchtime, in the Chapter Hall. This opportunity is open to all musicians at the College. 

All Elective music students should perform twice a Semester and are strongly encouraged to secure their performance opportunity via the form below. 

Please sign up using the Lunchtime Concert Sign Up form 2024

2024/25 STUDENT LEADERS FOR MUSIC
We are delighted to announce our Student Leaders for our 2024/25 Ensembles. These leaders were recently elected by the  Ensemble members and the music staff. We congratulate those successful candidates from Year 10 as they represent the student musician voice for the respective ensembles and lead initiatives with staff as we move into 2025.

Student Leader of Bands Oscar Carralero
Student Leader of Contemporary Music Oscar Barnett
Student Leader of Keyboard Samuel Nixon
Student Leader of Strings Andre Wong
Student Leader of Vocal Ensembles Santiago Zurita Honig

Our new student leaders will be presented with their acknowledgement certificates by the Principal,  at an Assembly later in Term 3.

Please stay informed through our Music Notes bulletin communication which is featured in the Weekly Correspondence shared by the College each week. Music Notes includes details of upcoming concerts, affordable student tickets for concerts and other extension opportunities that may be of interest. This is our main music communication at the College for parents, carers and students.

MUSIC FORMS 
All relevant links enclosed for 2024 

Change of Enrolment - FROM LESSONS, ENSEMBLES, INSTRUMENT RETURN, LOCKER KEY RETURN 
Instrumental Music Tuition Application
Music Ensemble Application
Music Instrument Loan Agreement
Music Locker Hire

MUSIC DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

TERM 3

Week 6 - Wednesday, 28 August 2024
Year 10 Elective Music - Church St Studio recording session
Day excursion - Composition
Camperdown

Week 6 - Friday, 30 August 2024
HSC Music 1 Recital Night 5pm - 7pm 
Chapter Hall

Week 8/9, HSC Music 1 Performance examinations
HSC Music 1 - date TBC by NESA
Chapter Hall

TERM 4

Week 1 - Tuesday,  15 October 2024
Ensemble rehearsals & Individual music tuition commence 

Week 1 - Wednesday, 16 October 2024
HSC Music 1 Aural Skills written examination 1:55pm - 3:00pm
Venue at the College TBC

Week 5 - Friday, 15 November 2024
Year 10 Elective Music Recital Night 5pm - 7pm 
Chapter Hall

Week 7 -  Friday, 29 November 2024
Last day to withdraw from individual music tuition & Ensembles for 2025
Form for change of enrolment is provided in the Form links 

Week 8 - Tuesday, 2 December  2024
SMCC Contemporary Music Night 5pm - 7pm 
Chapter Hall

Week 8 - Friday, 6 December 2024
SMCC Band & Strings Night 5pm - 7pm 
College Hall

Week 9 & 10 - Monday, 9 December - Friday, 20 December 2024
SMCC No Ensemble rehearsals
Individual lessons are finalised for the year

Alison Hunter, Leader of Music

Sport News

SCS AFL, RUGBY 7’S & TENNIS

 Round 1

CATHEDRAL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Cathedral Athletics Championships were held on Friday, 5 July at ES Marks, Kensington. It was a fun-filled day of competition, with all students participating in a wide range of competitive and social events. 

PRIMARY CONFERENCE 1 ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Primary Conference Athletics Championships were held at SOPAC on Monday, 5 August. Cathedral had four students compete in thirteen events on the day, and although the boys didn’t reach the podium, they had a lot of fun competing against the other top athletes in our conference. Congratulations to Jaiyden Barnes, Lucas Bradley, Pierson Fragias and Matthew Xiao for representing our College with great pride.

SCHOOL SPORT AUSTRALIA CHAMPIONSHIPS

In Week 2, Cathedral had two students representing NSW All Schools at the School Sports Australia Championships on the Gold Coast. This competition is essentially the National level of competition, where our boys competed against Australia's other states and territories.

Aleister Low (right) competed in the Under 13 50m Backstroke at the swimming competition, where he placed 7th in the country for his event!

Sebastian Mok (left) Competed in the Under 15 Australian Football competition, where his team placed fourth overall!  Congratulations to both boys on a remarkable achievement.

Simon Shaw, Instructional Leader Co-curricular/Sport

Community News

TWO CENTURIES IN THE MAKING: St Mary’s Cathedral College Bicentenary Ball
Friday, 2 August 2024 marked the St Mary’s Cathedral College Bicentenary Ball, a milestone event held at the prestigious Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Sydney, with the breathtaking backdrop of Darling Harbour. The event marked 200 years of the College’s history, bringing together a distinguished gathering of current and former staff, students, and alumni.

The celebration began with a warm welcome from our very own College Principal, Kerrie McDiarmid, who expressed her gratitude to all who have been part of the College's journey. Kerrie’s words set the tone for a night filled with reflection, celebration, and a shared vision for the future.

Among the evening's highlights was the participation of the College's alumni, the Reynolds Brothers as Masters of Ceremonies, with Dallas McInerney, a former student and now CEO of Catholic Schools NSW, delivering an inspiring keynote address. His words captured the spirit of the College's past achievements while looking forward to a promising future.

Entertainment for the night was provided by a vibrant 6-piece band, complemented by a roaming saxophonist who added a dynamic touch to the evening. The celebration began with an Acknowledgement of Country, delivered by two talented students, setting a respectful and inclusive tone. Fr Don then led the guests in Grace before the commencement of dinner, deepening the sense of community and tradition.

A nostalgic slideshow of the College's archives transported guests through two centuries of rich history, sparking conversations and fond memories. The event also featured a silent auction and a lucky door prize, adding an element of excitement and engagement for the attendees. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who participated in the silent auction. The funds raised will support Bicentenary events, including the College Museum—a collaborative student-led project in partnership with the Australian Museum, set to launch on 25 October 2024. [Link to project intro video HERE]

The night culminated with many guests taking to the dance floor, rounding off the celebration on a joyful note. The Bicentenary Ball was a fitting tribute to the College’s storied past, a celebration of its present, and a hopeful look towards the future.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible sponsors* whose generous support made the evening even more special. Thank you to AdvancedLife for photographing so many memorable moments of the evening, and to Grainger Films for beautifully capturing the atmosphere and our cherished guests [Link to highlights reel HERE]

*Bicentenary event sponsors: Renascent, Cowyn Building Group, Charmax Facility Management, AdvancedLife School Photography, Rainer Schoolwear, Total Canteen Solutions, Box of Books, Shepson Printing and Robbie Chapman Jewellery.

Upcoming Dates