St Mary's Cathedral College Newsletter: Term 3, Week 6

From the College Principal

Dear Parents and carers,

It has been a busy yet wonderful start to Term 3, highlighted by several significant events. Our Class of 2025 completed their HSC Trial Examinations, while we have also welcomed the announcement of our 2025 Prefect group, who participated in their Prefect Retreat. I was privileged to join Mr Hunter and Mr Ashdown as they shared their insights into what St Mary’s and leadership at the College means to them. They are an outstanding group who will make the College proud. Their official leadership roles, including the new College Captain, will be revealed later this term

Book Week
Last week was bursting with colour, characters, and creativity as we celebrated Book Week! From story lovers to superheroes, students and staff embraced the joy of reading through a range of activities. A highlight was our K–6 Book Parade on Thursday, 21 August, where imagination leapt off the pages as students transformed into their favourite characters in the most creative and vibrant costumes!

PCC Update
We have commenced an exciting new chapter in the partnership between families and St Mary’s Cathedral College with the establishment of our Parent Consultative Committee (PCC) — formerly known as the Parents & Friends Association. 

The PCC meets at the commencement of each term to discuss upcoming school initiatives, key events, as well as community news and feedback, with a summary shared in the newsletter. Please see Term 3 update below:

• William Street Campus:
  Building works in progress and currently on track to open Term 1, 2026
  

• Main Campus:
  Music spaces being upgraded
  New bathrooms
  

• Parent Communication processes:
  The PCC discussed parents/ carers understanding of protocols for effective respectful, communication
  Following the PCC meeting a letter was shared, via Compass,  outlining the parent charter and respectful communication processes

The PCC meeting also provides an opportunity to raise and discuss any questions, input and concerns from the community that are shared with the relevant panel members (as below), ahead of the PCC  meeting.  

2025/2026 Parent Consultative Committee: 

• Junior School:
  Ms Spooner (son Kindergarten) and Mrs Ivanac (daughter Yr 3 and Yr 7)
• Middle School:
  Mr Wong (son Yr 7 and Yr 8), Ms Hull (son yr 7) and Mrs Ly (daughter Yr 5 and son yr 8)
• Senior School:
  Ms Zukauskas (son Yr 8 and Yr 10) and Mr Graham (son Yr 9 and Yr 11)

The mission of the Parent Consultative Committee is to:

• Promote cooperation, communication, and collaboration between families and the College
• Foster a strong, supportive community in which parents and educators work together to enrich students' academic, social, and spiritual development.
• Provide a platform for meaningful parent input into College initiatives and activities.
• Strengthen links with the parish and wider community to support holistic student growth.
  

Youth Community Service Award
Congratulations to Year 11 student Jamie Naffah for being awarded the prestigious Youth Community Service Award, conducted annually by the NSW Branch of The Order of Australia Association, on Friday, 22 August at NSW Government House.

This award recognises Jamie's inspiring leadership, initiative,  commitment and commendable service to his community. 

Kerrie McDiarmid,  College Principal

From the College Chaplain

Dear SMCC Community,

Last week I preached about Superman. Why? Isn’t he fake? Not at all! We as Catholics do believe in Superman. His name is Jesus. He is our Superman. And thank God for that! But what does that have to do with anything? Well, we know the phrase, “Behind every great man is a great woman”. This also applies to Our Lord.

Last Friday on the 15th of August, our College came together to celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast recognises that because Mary was pre-destined by God to be the Mother of Jesus, hence the Mother of God (Theotokos in Greek), and so because she would indeed give flesh to the Son of God, she would also be preserved from the decay of her flesh post-death. So, what happened to her body when she fell asleep? She was assumed into heaven, body and soul.

So, what does this mean for us? That we too, one day, can also look forward to sharing in her glory, the glory of heaven, the glory of God, provided that we are attentive to the things that are above. What things? Heavenly things. How can we be attentive to them? By being men and women of prayer.

Brothers and sisters, we have a duty to be friends of God, men and women of prayer. Prayer opens up our minds to God who is above, and opens ourselves up to doing His will here on earth. Our Lord made it abundantly clear that those who go to heaven are not those who necessarily called out to Him, “Lord, Lord!” but those who did the Father’s will (c.f. Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”)

May we all, brothers and sisters, be anxious to do the Father’s will all the days of our life, and at the end, with our Lady’s help, come safely into the presence of Almighty God.

God bless you all, dear brothers and sisters.

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

From the Assistant Principal: Mission

Vinnies Winter Sleepout
This time last week, Year 12 students participated in the Vinnies Winter Sleepout. They attended a special Mass celebrated late in the evening by College Chaplain Fr Roberto, with the magnificent Cathedral all to themselves. Mission Prefect Tiernan Cargill and Instructional Leader of Wellbeing - Year 12, Mr Ben Lynch, delivered a powerful talk on homelessness, deeply moving the students and fostering a true demonstration of empathy. 

The night culminated in a sleepout in the College yard, where students braved the cold to truly understand and experience a small part of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness. Thank you to everyone who supported our Winter Sleepout for the Vinnies NSW Winter Appeal.

Sacrament of Confirmation 
The College celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday,  17 August.  It was a great occasion for the students of St Mary's Cathedral College who made their Confirmation with Archbishop Fisher and the Auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese. They had been preparing for this day over several weeks with our Family Educator, Mrs Angela Mills, and College Chaplain, Fr Roberto Keryakos, and were supported on the day by family, friends and staff of the College.

Faith, Fun and Celebration in the Junior School
It has been a great start to Term 3 with faith and fun coming together for learning in our Junior School at St Mary's Cathedral College. John Burland and Cheryl Fernandez visited for the Faith, Fun and Celebration Pilgrims of Hope, Singing Jubilee. Fr Roberto has visited Years 5 and Kindergarten to explain the Mass and visit the Cathedral statue of Mary Mackillop on her feast day. Great work Junior School!

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Year 9 Reflection Day

Prefect Retreat 
St Mary's Cathedral College's newly appointed 2025/26 Prefects recently participated in a leadership retreat at St Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney. This event aimed to prepare them for their roles by grounding their leadership in faith and virtue.

The retreat was a time for reflection and camaraderie, with input and guidance from College staff and College Chaplain Fr Roberto. The purpose was to help these future leaders connect their upcoming responsibilities with strong character, emphasising the importance of leading with integrity and compassion in the spirit of our great College.

A key part of the retreat involved the prefects' presentations, where they shared their visions for the various roles. The retreat allowed the prefects to move beyond the superficial aspects of their roles and truly grasp the weight of their responsibilities. They explored the concept that true leadership is about serving others (Matthew 20:26-28), and not seeking recognition. This focus on virtue ensures their leadership will be authentic and impactful, setting a strong foundation for the next four Terms. The retreat concluded with a sense of shared purpose and renewed energy, with the prefects ready to embody the spirit of service as expressed in the theme for 2026. 

Thomas Hunter, Assistant Principal: Mission

From the Family Educator

Who Carries You When You Are The One Carrying Everyone Else?
As parents, we often carry so much. Some of it visible, much of it hidden. I created a short video as a space to pause, breathe, and reflect on the weight we hold each day and the importance of allowing ourselves to be carried too. Take a moment for yourself. You might just hear something you need today. Click here to watch. 

Wrap with Love at SMCC
Our new Wrap With Love knitting club has begun and what a start! In just our second week, over 30 students came together with needles and yarn in hand, eager to learn and create. Each student is working on squares that will eventually be stitched into blankets, offering warmth and care to those who need it most.

A special thank you to the teachers who are generously sharing their time and skills to guide our students! 

Keeping Confirmation Alive at Home
On Sunday we celebrated with our young people as they received the Sacrament of Confirmation: a milestone in their faith journey that we are so proud to share with them and their families.

For those whose children received this sacrament some time ago, this celebration can be a little reminder to revisit your own child’s Confirmation moment. One lovely way of keeping that connection alive is by remembering the saint your child chose and marking their feast day each year. Saints give our children real examples of courage, hope, faith, and human excellence, something we all need in our lives.

Celebrating a saint’s feast day can be as simple as relearning about their story, saying a prayer together, or even marking the day with a cake. These small traditions not only honour the saint but also strengthen family faith in fun and meaningful ways, linking us back to those special moments of celebration that continue to inspire us.

Trials Are Done!
Well done to our Year 12 boys on finishing their Trial exams! This is such a significant milestone as they move towards the end of their school years. It is a time that can bring pride, relief, excitement, and even a little sadness for both students and parents. As we step into these final months, may we take time to look back with gratitude, to notice the joy along the way, and to celebrate both the growth and the friendships that have carried our boys through the years.

Angela Mills, Family Educator

From the Assistant Principal: Senior School

Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students,

It has been a busy start to the term in the Senior School thus far. We congratulated all our students who achieved academic awards for semester one. It was most pleasing to see so many students achieve an award for the first time.

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, Visual Arts 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 2026 as part of the student leadership group: Aidan Adler, Daniel Andrews, Nathan Azzi, Oscar Barnett, Enzo Calabria, Lewis Crispin, Oliver Ghantous, Owen Kara, David Merodio, Jamie Naffah, Riley Power, Frederick Reskakis and Daniel Russo.

The boys have now attended a leadership retreat. This was held earlier this week at Mary Mackillop Place and the boys engaged in planning for 2026. The next stage for these students involves 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. 

Year 8 and Year 9 will now engage in selection for their 2026 electives. We look forward to engaging with the students as they continue to navigate important decisions for their learning pathways.

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, Assistant Principal: Senior School

From the Assistant Principal: Middle School

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 Reconciliation, Communion and Confirmation! These sacred milestones mark a significant step in their spiritual journey, and we celebrate the commitment and faith they have demonstrated 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 to be safe and 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, including the College Bag
• 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 and daughters to comply with these. Parents/Guardians are once again asked to sign their child's College Diary each week. Your child's Homeroom teacher will closely monitor their organisation for school.

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 and daughters of these points.

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

David Timillero, Assistant Principal: Middle School

From the Assistant Principal: Junior School

What's Happening in the Junior School!
This half of Term 3 has been incredibly busy and engaging for our Junior School students! We've seen so much exciting learning and exploration taking place and we're thrilled to share some of the highlights with you.

Book an Adventure!
What a fantastic Book Week we've had! The energy and enthusiasm from all our students, from Kindergarten all the way up to Year 12, was wonderful to see.

This year's theme, "Book an Adventure," truly came to life with a week of exciting activities. A huge highlight was the Book Parade, where our K-6 students showcased their amazing costumes. We also loved seeing the creative entries for the Extreme Reading Competition.

Thank you to everyone who participated and made our K-12 Book Week a memorable and adventurous success.

Kindergarten: Painting with Patience
Kindergarten have started a new art project inspired by Australian Aboriginal art, using cotton buds to create beautiful dot paintings. The students have been showing great patience and focus as they carefully make patterns with their dots. We can't wait to see their amazing and vibrant artworks once they are finished!

Stage One: An Australian Road Trip
This term, Stage One has been on a fantastic journey exploring Australia using the books 'Under the Southern Cross' by Frané Lessac and ‘An Amazing Australian Road Trip’ by Jackie Hosking.

After reading the books, we discussed why people visit various places. Each student chose a special place in Australia and located it on a map. To celebrate our learning, we published our very own class book! Each student wrote a sentence about their chosen place and drew a beautiful picture. The book includes places from all over Australia, helping us to see how diverse our country is and where states and territories are located.

It was a great way to combine our geography, writing, and art skills. We are so proud of our book and the amazing places we've learned about!

Year 3: A 'Book in a Box' Bonanza
Over the recent holidays, our Year 3 students embarked on a fantastic creative project, turning their favorite books into incredible dioramas. The task was to create a "Book in a Box" to share with the junior school students, bringing their chosen stories to life inside a shoebox.

We were absolutely blown away by the creativity and effort they poured into these projects. From meticulously crafted scenes to hand-drawn characters, it was clear how much they love reading. It was a joy to see them share their boxes and their stories with their peers.

A huge congratulations to all our Year 3 students for their excellent work and a wonderful start to Book Week.

Year 3 & Year 4: A Blast of a Science Incursion
Stage 2 students kicked off the term with a thrilling science incursion that ended in an explosive finale, sending plastic balls flying into the air with a bang. 

Throughout the day, they launched chemical rockets, created their own non-Newtonian fluid (slime) and explored pressure and reactions through hands-on experiments. 

It was an engaging experience that sparked curiosity and excitement for more great learning throughout the term!

We can't wait to see what the second half of the term holds for our amazing students in the Junior School.

Suzanne Georgiou, Assistant Principal: Junior School

From the Assistant Principal: Liberal Arts

Semester 1 was a huge success, and we are incredibly proud of all our students. We started this semester by celebrating the academic achievements of students in the Junior, Middle, and Senior Schools. It was a wonderful way to acknowledge their hard work and dedication, and it set the stage for continued growth in Semester 2.

Engaging Learning Experiences
Our students were able to take their learning beyond the classroom this semester with a variety of engaging incursions and excursions:

• Year 8 students had a fantastic time at their Italian Incursion day, where they dove into Italian culture and put their language skills to the test.
• Year 7 students became scientists and engineers for a day at their STEM workshop. They collaborated to solve problems and designed structures, applying skills they'd learned in their Science, Mathematics, and TAS classes.
• Year 8 & 9 Geography classes went on a real-world field trip to apply their classroom knowledge in a practical setting.
• Year 10 & 11 Visual Arts students participated in hands-on workshops with professional artists, learning new techniques to enhance their creative skills.

Showcasing Student Talent
Students also had some incredible opportunities to showcase their talents:

• Year 11 Drama students wowed parents with their collaborative performances with the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP), taking the stage at the Rebel Theatre for a live audience.
• Our Model United Nations Team made us incredibly proud by placing 3rd in Australia at the National MUNA competition in Canberra.

Throughout all these activities, our students consistently demonstrated the virtues of our Phronesis program. They embraced challenges with courage and resilience, showed open-mindedness and creativity in problem-solving, and worked with strong collaboration and communication. It's clear that their commitment to learning is alive and thriving!

Belinda VanderGert, Assistant Principal: Liberal Arts

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
• Gradeo
• ATAR Notes

In addition, each year NESA works with Fairfax Media to publish the HSC Study Guide, now available at: HSC Study Guide 2025 | The Sydney Morning Herald 

Stage 5 Subject Selection

Year 8 
Year 8 students are now entering an important phase in their academic journey as they begin selecting elective subjects for Years 9 and 10. 

To support informed decision-making, students and parents have access to the Stage 5 Course Selection Handbook, which provides detailed information about the Record of School Achievement (RoSA), College requirements, and all elective courses available. This handbook is a valuable resource for understanding course content, expectations, and pathways.

An Information Session for students was held earlier this week, giving them the opportunity to ask questions and explore their options with teachers. Additionally, the Parent Information Evening took place on Wednesday, 20 August, helping families guide their children in choosing subjects that align with their interests, strengths, and future goals.

Students are now in the final stage of the process: entering their subject preferences online via Edval. All selections must be submitted by Friday, 29 August. We encourage parents to review the handbook with their children and discuss potential choices together.

Year 9
Current Year 9 students have received a letter regarding their 100-Hour Elective for 2026. They have been provided with a handbook and are required to submit their preferences by Friday 29th August. 

We look forward to supporting all students as they make thoughtful and informed decisions about their learning pathways.

Anne Ung, Leader of Learning, Curriculum & Assessment

From the Leader of Pathways & Partnerships

CSIRO STEM Professional in Schools
This term, some of our Year 3 and 4 students are getting a unique and exciting opportunity to explore the world of financial mathematics with a real-life expert. As part of the STEM Professional in Schools Program, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Keith Carpenter to our classrooms every Tuesday.

Dr. Carpenter, a distinguished professional in the field, isn't just teaching our students how to count money; he's igniting their curiosity and encouraging a new way of thinking. He’s showing them how STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) principles can be applied to real-world scenarios, making concepts like budgeting and saving fun and engaging.

Each Tuesday, Dr. Carpenter guides the students through hands-on activities and interactive problem-solving. It's a fantastic chance for our young learners to develop critical thinking skills, a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts, and an appreciation for how math shapes our world. They are learning to become smart financial thinkers, all while having fun.

We extend a huge thank you to Dr. Carpenter for his time and dedication. His passion and expertise are truly inspiring our students, helping them see that a strong foundation in STEM can lead to endless possibilities.

Cyber Security Comes Alive with Waterstons Experts
Every Tuesday, students from Year 9 to Year 11 are getting a hands-on and thrilling education in the world of cybersecurity, thanks to two dedicated professionals from Waterstons. We are delighted to welcome Oliver Baverstock and Craig Archdeacon, who are volunteering their time as part of a fantastic new initiative.

Oliver and Craig aren’t just talking about cybersecurity; they’re bringing it to life. They have been working with students in a variety of classes, using interactive and engaging methods to make complex topics accessible and exciting. The students have been incredibly engaged, getting a unique look at how cyber threats work and, more importantly, how to defend against them.

This program was the brainchild of our very own Mr. Adam McNamara, whose vision has provided a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn directly from industry professionals. His efforts have created a bridge between the classroom and the professional world, giving our students a head start in a rapidly growing and critical field.

A huge thank you to Oliver Baverstock and Craig Archdeacon for their time, expertise, and passion. Their dedication is helping to inspire the next generation of cybersecurity professionals right here in our school.

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 Leader of Wellbeing

Dear Parents, 

Having taught teenagers for many years, discussion around sleep patterns and the need for more, and quality, sleep is a regular conversation. Creating an effective bedtime routine and practicing good sleep hygiene are important for improving your teens sleep quality. Some small changes can make a big difference to how well your son/daughter will rest.

Here are some helpful tips for your teens in establishing healthy sleep habits. Bringing these to your daughter’s/son’s attention may begin a family conversation about routines, behaviour and patterns - encouraging the whole family to introduce some small changes in the evening routine: 

What's Unique About Teen Sleep?
Unlike younger children and adults, teenagers' sleep schedules are often irregular. On school nights, you may have a hard time going to bed early because of homework or other activities, but on weekends you might stay up much later and then sleep in. This inconsistency can make it hard to get enough sleep, especially on school nights when you have to wake up early. You should aim for at least 8 hours of sleep per night.

What Causes Irregular Sleep?
Several factors contribute to irregular sleep patterns in teens.

• Biological Changes: Your body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm, naturally shifts during your teenage years. This can make you feel sleepy later at night and want to wake up later in the morning.
• Lifestyle Choices: Staying up late to use a phone, play video games, do homework, or work a job can also push your bedtime back. On weekends, sleeping in too much can further disrupt your body clock.

How Common Are Irregular Sleep Patterns?
It is very common for teenagers to have irregular sleep schedules. About 90% of teens go to bed later and sleep in on weekends. While a small change of one or two hours is manageable, about 40% of teens shift their sleep schedule by two or more hours on weekends. This can make it difficult to get the recommended 8 hours of sleep on school nights.

How Do Sleep Patterns Affect Teens?
While many teenagers can handle these sleep changes, some may not. Signs that you're not getting enough sleep include:

• Feeling tired or sleepy during the day.
• Being moody or grumpy.
• Being late for school.
• Struggling with grades.

What Can You Do to Help?
There are several things you can do to get your sleep schedule back on track.

• Establish an evening routine: Try to put away technology earlier, dim the lights, and start relaxing at a set time each night. Going to bed at the same time on school nights can be a big help.
• Limit weekend sleep-ins: On weekends, try not to sleep in for too long. When you wake up, get some outdoor light and get moving a bit earlier by getting dressed and eating breakfast.

When Should You Seek Help?
If you consistently struggle to fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning, or if it is impacting your school attendance or grades, it might be time to talk to a doctor. They may recommend consulting a sleep specialist.

How Are Irregular Sleep Patterns Treated?
If your bedtime has been gradually moving later, the solution often involves reversing that process. A doctor might suggest a gradual approach where you go to bed and wake up 30 minutes earlier each day. A key part of this is Bright Light Therapy, which involves getting enough bright light in the morning (like outdoor light) and keeping lights very dim at night. These actions can help reset your internal body clock, making you feel sleepy earlier at night and more awake in the morning.

What Else Could Be Causing Your Symptoms?
Irregular sleep and getting less than 8 hours of sleep can also be a symptom of depression. In some cases, getting your sleep on a more regular schedule can improve your mood. However, if your mood doesn't improve, or if you're experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, it is important to see your family doctor.

Kathleen McGrath, Leader of Wellbeing

From CAPA

Year 10 Visual Arts Students Explore Colour and Place in Workshop with Natalie O’Connor
Year 10 Visual Arts students recently took part in a dynamic, hands-on workshop led by Sydney-based artist and researcher Natalie O’Connor. Known for her innovative practice that bridges art and science, Natalie guided students through a series of landscape-inspired activities designed to deepen their understanding of colour, materials, and place-based artmaking.

Throughout the workshop, students explored the unique properties of pigments and how colour transforms over time. They partook in a range of informative practices, such as colour analysis, wash painting and developing layers through a range of mediums. Natalie’s approach encouraged experimentation and curiosity, offering students the opportunity to engage with natural materials and artistic processes in new and meaningful ways. 

Lilly Rowan, Visual Arts Teacher

From LOTE

Year 8 Italian Incursion
On Friday in Week One, our Year 8 students had the opportunity to participate in an Italian Incursion to learn about some of the traditions and customs 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 followed this up with our first activity for the day. In this activity, our students had the chance to appreciate the linguistic talents of some of our teachers. Mr Puiu, Ms Zanuttini, Mr Corpus, Ms Regaya, Mrs Getley, Mrs Mavrakis, Mrs Mills, Mrs Attia, Mr Spaccucci and Ms Williams all provided recordings of themselves speaking other languages (ranging from Cantonese and Tagalog to Dutch, Arabic, German and Greek!) and the students had to guess which teacher was speaking and also which language they were speaking in. This was a fantastic way to start the day and allowed us to appreciate the variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds in our school community.

The students then set off in their homerooms to participate in the rotation of activities for the day. Ms VanderGert gave the students a brief history of Carnevale and its famous masks. The students learnt about the origins of this festival 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 and some of our Year 9 students 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, competing for prizes in their groups!

Our Year 11 and 9 students 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, Mrs Crino taught the students about the wide world of hand gestures in Italy and taught the students a dance incorporating a range of these gestures.

Ms Williams gave each of the students the opportunity to make their own pizza or tiramisù. Some delectable creations were made and enjoyed in each session! 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 also given the opportunity to order some traditional Italian gelato from the gelato cart.

All in all, the Year 8 students had a fantastic day engaging with the Italian language and culture. It deepened their appreciation for the Italian language and opened doors to cross-cultural communication and understanding. I thank the students for their wonderful participation throughout the day.

Elyse Williams, Instructional Leader of Learning - Languages

From HSIE

Year 8 Geography Excursion - Fieldwork Site Study of White Bay Precinct
As part of their study of  the “Place and Liveability” unit, Year 8 attended a field trip to the Harold Park/White Bay precinct run by the Observatory Hill Environmental Education Centre. The purpose of this field trip is to study the changes over time that have occurred to this precinct and develop a stronger and more authentic understanding of urban design and assess different features and characteristics of what makes a place liveable. Year 8 needed to also factor elements that enhance  people’s wellbeing. They assessed the precinct’s community identity, the environmental quality and its greens spaces, along with access to services and facilities. Students also enjoyed the hands-on opportunities of urban design and town planning which provided a great foundation for achieving success in their upcoming assessment task. This experience was crucial in effectively preparing students as they will be designing and justifying their own unique urban redevelopment and vision of the precinct informed by the knowledge and skills they acquired. A huge thank you to the Year 8 team - Ms Tafeuni, Ms Tan, Mr Garry, Mr Nomikos and Mr Aleksov, along with Ms Hassey for supervising the students.

Mosh Mavrakis, Instructional Leader of Learning: Humanities (Years 5-8)

Year 8’s impressions of the day:

Exploring Liveability: Year 8's Geography Excursion to the Tramsheds and Beyond

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From Science

2025 National Science Week
Term Three, Week Four was National Science Week, which ran from 11 to 15 August. Under the theme of "Decoding the Universe – Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language", the Science department organised a series of activities to engage students with the world around them. The theme looks into the mysteries of the Universe by exploring the fundamental languages of nature, including mathematics and the groundbreaking field of quantum science. 

The week included activities during recess and lunch breaks. Students participated in a range of challenges that tested their problem-solving skills, teamwork, and scientific thinking. Activities included ‘Laser Interference’, where students measured the thickness of a hair with light; ‘Edible DNA’, where students created models of DNA with edible lollies; and ‘Fibonacci Flowers’, where students looked at the Fibonacci sequence in nature. There was even an escape room and a Science Kahoot competition.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the Science staff and students who helped make this week a success. Let's continue to nurture students’ wonder and awe of the Universe.

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

Cocurricular Activities

Model UN
Our incredible Model UN team have placed 3rd in Australia at the National Model UN held from 15 to 17 August. The team consisted of Jamie Naffah, Xavier Smith and Matthew Davies.  Our students were fantastic the entire weekend and were well supported by 3 students from Year 12, Peter Davies, Evan Zafiropoulos and Micheal Donnellan. Their generosity and support were recognised with a special award from the Rotarian organisers - the first time this has happened in the assembly's history! For more in formation on Model UN, please click  HERE and HERE.

Charlotte Claxton-Fante
Instructional Leader: Religious Education 7-12
Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator 

Music News

Term 3 is well underway with the sounds of music lessons, ensemble rehearsals, student practice, and classroom music emanating from studios, music rooms and halls. 

There are a number of forthcoming events which the College community is warmly invited to come and support our student musicians: 

• Keyboard Festival Concert - 29 August, 5pm, Chapter Hall 
• Year 12 Music Showcase - 3 September, 5pm, Chapter Hall
  

A few reminders for all as we move through the rest of the year. 

Ensemble attendance - The expectation is that students are consistently attending and are on time to all rehearsals. Ensembles are a big team effort and the success of these are dependent on all students attending on time. If your son/daughter is sick, an email to that effect to the ensemble leader and smccsydney-music@syd.catholic.edu.au is expected. 

Instrumental tuition - It is the parents'/carers' responsibility to notify music tutors if their son/daughter is sick or unable to attend a scheduled lesson. This notification needs to be provided as soon as possible, with a minimum of 24 hours notice. It is at the discretion of the tutor if the missed lesson will be made-up or forfeited. It is imperative that all invoices for music tuition are paid within the first two weeks of term or as soon as tutors have issued these. Tutors have been instructed not to continue teaching students where payment has not been forthcoming within this timeframe. 

Hall of Fame 
Congratulations to the recent outstanding musical achievements of four of our Middle School students Elijah Alkhair, Olivia Beaumont, Arabella Soden-Smith and Franklin Xie who performed in solo sections at the SCS Eisteddfod during the holidays. Franklin (Year 6) was awarded two First places in the Contemporary Piano Solo (Grades 7-8) and Jazz Piano Solo (Grades 7-8) sections playing ‘Tears in Heaven’ and ‘Over the Bass’. He also was presented with Third place in the Woodwind section (Grade 4) playing flute. Olivia (Year 5) and Arabella (Year 6) achieved First and Second prizes respectively in Musical Theatre vocal solo sections (10-12 girls division). Olivia sang ‘Popular’ from Wicked and Arabella sang ‘Part of Your World’ from The Little Mermaid. Elijah gained three First prizes singing in the Classical, Musical Theatre and Contemporary vocal solo sections. Fantastic efforts Franklin, Elijah, Arabella and Olivia! 

Best wishes and happy music making in Term 3.

Dr Stefanovych Roberts, Acting Leader of Music 

External Music Performance Opportunities
Some up-and-coming performance opportunities. Closing dates coming up very soon! 

Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO)
Applications for AYO’s 2026 programs close early NEXT WEEK. AYO offers exceptional opportunities for young musicians across Australia. AYO supports musicians aged 12 and up. Former SMCC students who have taken part in the AYO programs have spoken most highly of these programs and expressed the  wonderful experiences that they have had. For more information and details on the application process, please click on this link. 

Bring it On! - St Clare’s College musical 2026
St Clare’s College Waverley is looking for students to be part of their 2026 musical ‘Bring it On!’ to be performed at the Seymour Centre in May 2026. Students interested in auditioning for lead roles or being part of the dance ensemble are invited to submit an application form and audition video by Friday 29 August, 3pm. Application and audition details can be found here. Students who wish to be considered for places in the SMCC Finale Concert Orchestra in 2026 will not be able to be part of the St Clare’s musical as rehearsals for both will take place during Thursday afternoon sport time. 

Music e-form links
Information regarding the instrumental and ensemble programs at SMCC is available in the e-forms links below:

Instrumental Music Tuition Form
Music Ensemble Application Form
Musical Instrument Loan Agreement
Music Locker Hire Form
Change of Enrolment Form

Sports News

Cathedral Athletics Championships
The Cathedral Athletics Championships were held on Friday, 4 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. 

Congratulations to Vaughan House for winning the Athletics Championships. The final results were:

Vaughan       806
Moran          675
Kelly            663
Polding        650

Congratulation to our 2025 Age Champions:

Secondary Conference 1 Athletics Championships
The Secondary Conference 1 Athletics Championships were held at Sydney Olympic Park on Tuesday, 19  August. Despite the rain dampening our athletics carnival and forcing the cancellation of all field events, the day was still a success. We forged ahead with the track program, and it was fantastic to see everyone in such good spirits despite the weather. A real highlight was being able to enter a girls’ team for the very first time, making this carnival a memorable and positive step forward for our school.

Congratulations to the following students who finished on the podium:

Primary Conference 1 Athletics Championships
On Monday, 11 August 2025, 28 students from Years 3-6 represented St. Mary's Cathedral College at the PC1 Athletics Championships held at Sydney Olympic Park. Students participated in a range of field events throughout the day which included long jump, shot put and high jump. While on the track, students participated with determination in the 100m, 200m, 800m and relay finals. Each event showcased the talent and sportsmanship of the participants.

Congratulations to Arabella Soden-Smith in Year 6 who placed 2nd overall in the 100m Dash with a time of 14.73. In addition, she placed 3rd in the 200m event with a time of 30.73. Arabella will now represent St. Mary's Cathedral College in the Sydney (Diocesan) Trials. A fantastic achievement! 

The competition at this event was extremely high with a few of our students just missing out on positions to qualify for the next round. A special mention to Amaranta Quintero placing 9th overall in the 11 Year Old 100m Dash, Benjamin Nanic winning his heat and placing 15th overall and Joseph Saulo who placed 6th overall in the Junior High Jump event. 

Congratulations to all students on a memorable day and thank you to all of the staff, parents, carers and students who supported athletes on the day and prior to the event.

Gala Day
Students in Year 5 and 6 participated in an OzTag Gala Day in Lane Cove on Wednesday, 13 August 2025. A fun and enjoyable day was had by all teams. A big thank you to the Sydney Catholic Schools staff for organising an action-packed day and to St Mary's Cathedral College students, staff, parents and carers for their support. 

Beverley Lynch, PDHPE Teacher / K-6 Sports Co-Ordinator

From SMCC Staff Social Committee

The Great Cathedral Bake Off: A Second Helping!
The smell of sugar and friendly competition once again filled the air as staff members battled it out for the coveted title of Star Baker in our second annual "Great Cathedral Bake Off." This year's theme, "Book an Adventure," inspired a truly incredible display of edible artistry for Book Week.

The creativity on display was truly a sight to behold. Cakes transported us to fantastical worlds, from the whimsical lands of "Puff the Magic Dragon" to the treacherous terrain of "We're Going on a Bear Hunt." We even saw a meticulously detailed cake inspired by the imaginative world of "Animalia," among many others.

While every entry was a work of art, a special congratulations goes to Ms. Elyse Williams, who took home the All-Rounder Award for her cake based on "All Quiet on the Western Front." 

But let's be honest, everyone was a winner. The competition was a perfect excuse to come together for a delightful morning tea of laughter, camaraderie, and, of course, delicious cake. It was a wonderful way to celebrate Book Week and showcase the hidden talents of our amazing staff. We're already counting down the days until next year's bake-off!

 Ivan Greguric & Monica Zanuttini, SMCC Staff Social Committee

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From the Community

Family Space Day
Discover a world beyond the stars right here on earth! The International Astronautical Congress Space Day is taking place at ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour, on 3 October 2025. To register please click HERE.

GERRIC Student Programs For Gifted Students: Expand your mind in a fun and challenging setting.
GERRIC for Gifted Students program is offered to gifted and talented students in Years 3-10 at Australian primary, middle or secondary school. This is a school holiday program that expands the minds of bright, inquisitive individuals looking for an intellectual challenge over the holidays. For more information, please click HERE.

Upcoming Dates