St Mary's Cathedral College Newsletter: Term 2, Week 10

From the College Principal

There were two significant moments I had on the pilgrimage where I had had the opportunity to pause and reflect. As I walked through the gardens of the Hermitage of St Francis overlooking Assisi and in the Garden of Gethsemane.  We don’t often have moments of stillness in our lives, opportunities to contemplate and pay attention to the beauty of the world around us. Opportunities to reflect upon and be grateful for our faith, our families and the joy that our community brings us.  I hope that all in our community have the time to pause and reflect, this holiday break, looking for the light that shines through the darkness and gives us hope.

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we come to the end of another successful term, we wanted to take this opportunity to share with you key highlights and achievements throughout Term 2. As we approach  the end of term our students have been immersed in week long activities that engage with and celebrate NAIDOC Week.

NAIDOC Week is an annual week-long celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements in the first week of July every year (Sunday to Sunday). In 2023, NAIDOC Week is 2 - 9 July.

Annual Music Concert
It was a privilege to be witness to the outstanding performances at the St Mary’s Annual Concert.  Again I want to acknowledge and thank our remarkable Music staff for all they did to ensure the success of the night. A special vote of thanks to Ms Alison Hunter, our concert Director and Leader of Learning Music,  Dr Evan Hopkins and Dr Stefan Roberts for your dedication to Music and the Arts at St Mary’s. 

Music is part of the fabric of this College and below is an extract from my speech outlining its significance.

Parent Engagement Evening

It was great to see so many of our College parents join us at our first collaborative Parent Engagement evening for 2023, hosted by renowned guest speaker and Clinical Psychologist, Dr Judith Locke. This is the event which took place on Wednesday, 14 June from 5.30pm to 7.30pm in partnership with St Clare’s College. This will be the first of many engagement evenings as we continue to engage parents in as many ways as possible, socially, educationally and informatively.

Farewell

We farewell Mr Paul Vessalas, our Science and Mathematics teacher. Paul has been a valued member of the College since 2018. His wisdom and passion for education are integral to his approach to teaching and he will be missed by all those who have had the privilege of working with him or have been taught by him. We wish him every success in the future. 

We also farewell our Library Technician, Ms Ebony Halliday who joined us in 2022. We thank her for her time and the College. 

Finally…

I would like to wish the College Community a safe and wonderful break. Take this time to reflect upon all that has been achieved and get some well deserved down time, in the lead up to Semester 2.

Kerrie McDiarmid, College Principal

From the Dean of Senior Years

Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students,

Last Friday night we were entertained by the talented musicians of this College. The annual concert is a long standing tradition at this school, and this year’s performances were exceptional. It was wonderful to see and hear the broad repertoire that our students undertake with their performances. I would like to thank all the students for their involvement as well as our tremendous music staff for their tireless efforts to put on such a fine show.

Each student in Year 9-10 will receive their semester one academic report. It is now timely for students in collaboration with their parents/carers to review their results and begin to set plans for continued growth in semester two. Parent collaboration will be key with our upcoming parent/teacher/student conferences. These will be held via zoom in week 1 of next term. These meetings are important in the feedback and feedforward cycle that underpins effective student learning and growth. It is important for families to reflect with their son on these meetings and set some goals for semester two. 

Recently, we engaged the community in the Tell them From Me Partners in Learning surveys. The College Leadership Team will review the results from these surveys and use the data to inform our planning into the future and how we can best support students and their families in the learning journey. We thank those members of the community who engaged with this survey.

Earlier this term, members of our Wellbeing Team attended a professional learning session with the staff at St Clare’s Waverley. The workshop was facilitated by Dr Judith Locke, clinical psychologist and author of the books The Bonsai Child and The Bonsai Student. The content of her talk covered the balance between parenting at home as well as the role of teacher and school in building a resilient child. She covered some of the false roads that aim to build self-esteem but often have the opposite effect. Extreme responsiveness at the home combined with the “nurture trap” and attempts to make the child always happy are barriers to building the resilience the child needs to navigate the world. Accepting the structures and consequences from school are critical to allowing a child to build the essential skills they need to be successful into the future. Dr Locke highlighted the five essential skills children need:

1. Resilience - primarily to cope with difficulty and disappointment;
2. Self-regulation - forgoing current pleasure or gratification for future gain;
3. Resourcefulness - the ability to take initiative to improve their situation;
4. Respect - for authority and for others;
5. Responsibility - to contribute to the greater good and not just focus on themselves.

Some strategies to assist parents in working with the college in developing these essential skills include:

• Supporting the College when consequences are given for breaches in College policy or procedures;
• Avoiding writing notes for students to excuse them for being late, not completing homework, not having their PDHPE gear;
• Avoiding assisting students with assignment and assessment work, and, not requesting extensions for tasks on their behalf;
• Avoiding dropping off forgotten items (eg. lunch, instruments or laptops).

School works in partnership with home and parental support for the initiatives and processes the college has in place will allow for structure, consistency and developing respect for self and others.

We thank our community for your ongoing support with the measures we have in place to develop the young men in our care.

I wish everyone an enjoyable and restful winter break and look forward to a positive Term 3.

Chris Maoudis, Dean of Senior Years

From the Dean of Middle Years

It has been a very busy but fulfilling term for the boys in years 3-8. There has been excellent, engaged classwork occurring, many formal assessment tasks as well involvement in the many varied co-curricular activities throughout this vibrant community. The commitment the boys have made to  Wednesday morning Mass,  representative sport, debating, the musical, rehearsal for our annual concert, Edmund Rice Day and many other events has been stellar.

A huge congratulations to our Junior Football teams who represented the College with passion and were true sportsmen every week. Our Junior B team finished an admirable 3rd in a tough competition after being eliminated in the semi finals. Our Junior A team won a thrilling grand final on penalties against a very, very good team from CBHS Lewisham to be crowned Conference 1 Champions for 2023. They now take on the other Conference winners from across SCS.

Reports and bookings for parent teacher conferences will be available this week. I encourage all families to make time to meet with their child’s teachers to converse about their progress thus far in 2023 and work out some goals for second semester.

A reminder to all students in particular about their grooming upon return to school. A letter was sent out recently that clearly outlines the College’s expectations.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday break. 

 Be Faithful. Be Kind. Be Engaged.

David Timillero, Dean of Middle Years

From the Dean of Liberal Arts

As we bid farewell to another eventful term, it is time to reflect on the wonderful experiences and remarkable achievements that have taken place within our school community. Term 2 has been filled with a myriad of activities, ranging from captivating performances to intellectual competitions and character-building adventures. Here's a roundup of the notable events that have made this term truly memorable.

Debating: Exchanging Ideas and Engaging Minds Debating has flourished this term, as students honed their persuasive skills and critical thinking abilities. Competing against other schools, our debaters exhibited their talent and determination in spirited debates on a wide range of topics. Their eloquence and ability to construct compelling arguments were commendable, and they represented our college with pride.

Assessments: Showcasing Academic Excellence, Term 2 witnessed a period of assessments where students displayed their knowledge and skills across various subjects. It was inspiring to see the commitment and effort our students put into their studies. They tackled assignments, exams, and projects with diligence and resilience, demonstrating their pursuit of academic excellence.

Ethics Olympiad: Ethical Dilemmas and Thoughtful Solutions, our college participated in the Ethics Olympiad for the first time, where students engaged in thought-provoking discussions about ethical dilemmas. This competition tested their ethical reasoning, collaboration, and ability to articulate their perspectives. We are proud of our students for engaging in these intellectually stimulating conversations and upholding ethical values.

Excursions: Learning Beyond the Classroom Throughout the term, our students embarked on exciting excursions that expanded their horizons and brought their learning to life. They explored museums, cultural sites, and natural wonders, immersing themselves in new knowledge and experiences. These excursions provided invaluable opportunities for personal growth and enriched their understanding of the world.

Duke of Edinburgh Hikes: Nurturing Resilience and Adventure, our students embraced adventure and challenge through the Duke of Edinburgh program's hiking expeditions. They trekked various walking tracks, pushing their physical and mental boundaries. These experiences fostered resilience, teamwork, and a sense of accomplishment, empowering our students to overcome obstacles and embrace new adventures.

Edmund Rice Celebrations: Embracing Our Ethos marked the celebration of our college's patron, Edmund Rice. We honoured his legacy through Feast Day Mass, staff vs students Dodgeball competition and the amazing, Cathedral’s Got Talent.

Year 7 & 9 Camps: Building Relationships and Resilience, our Year 7 and 9 students embarked on memorable camps that fostered friendships, teamwork, and personal growth. These camps provided an opportunity to develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and independence while participating in exciting outdoor activities. Students returned with lasting memories and strengthened bonds, ready to take on new challenges.

And finally, the Annual College Concert: Made in Australia. The Annual College Concert, a highly anticipated event, showcased the incredible talents of our students. This year's theme, "Made in Australia," celebrated the rich cultural heritage and artistic achievements of our nation. The audience was enthralled by the incredible talent on display by our many musicians. Our students demonstrated their creativity and dedication, leaving everyone in awe.

We look forward to what Term 3 brings! 

Belinda VanderGert, Dean of Liberal Arts

From the Dean of Mission

COMMUNITY, CHARACTER AND CHRIST

God’s love for us, the love of Jesus Christ, calls all Christians to be people for others. Our Catholic faith is not an invitation to a private club where we seek out personal benefits. Rather, it is a Church – a term we get from the Greek word ecclēsia, meaning a public gathering for an important purpose. We were reminded of this when our Cathedral parish hosted the Walk with Christ event on the Feast of Corpus Christi. Our faith, our Church, is not confined to the four walls of a Church building, but is something to be lived as a public witness of love and respect.

For many reasons it is a real joy to again be a member of a primary school community. This includes the privilege of helping coordinate the sacramental program for our College and Cathedral parish. The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, para, 1324-1327). While receiving communion is seemingly a very personal act between self and God, it is intended to be the “source” of our communion with all others. Because our students were preparing to make their First Holy Communion, we had more opportunities to discuss and live our faith together as the one community of students, families, friends, teachers and pastors. We are very proud of Jordan Chiang, Joseph Birkner, Henry Gillam, Harrison Boxall and Ethan Barnes who demonstrated mature faith and understanding as they prepared for their First Holy Communion. We particularly thank their families and Fr Don for making this possible by the support they gave. May these students continue to grow in their faith as people for others. 

Just as our faith needs to move beyond the four walls of church buildings, our understanding of learning needs to move beyond the four walls of the College classrooms. At our last staff professional learning day we discussed the important ways we are and can further support our students by building community, character and a faith in the teachings of Christ as a catalyst for showing greater love and respect for all. While there are always more opportunities to find and improve for our students, some ways they are already forming their characters within various communities, as seen in their volunteering at the Matthew Talbott Men’s Hostel (Years 11 and 12), their weekly visits to Plunkett Street Public School to teach primary school students the faith (Years 10 and 11), and by participating in the Pope Francis Service Award program (Years 6 and 7). More opportunities for all our students are coming as we seek to implement a College wide Mission and Character formation program. This will explicitly connect our Religious Education curriculum to social outreach and spiritual experiences. The success of programs like this is usually determined by how well these guide students to make their own consistent connections between the curriculum, contemporary social issues, and their own personal and spiritual development over time. We look forward to developing this Mission and Character formation program with all members of our College community as we seek to flourish and “live life to the full” (John 10:10).

UPCOMING DIOCESAN EVENTS

Every year, on the first Sunday in July, Catholics come together to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday. It is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the gifts of Australia’s First Peoples to our Church, our country and our communities. All are welcome to join Archbishop Anthony Fisher at Mass and for light refreshments at the Reconciliation Church, Phillip Bay, on Sunday, 2 July.

Thomas Hunter, Dean of Mission

From the Leader of Curriculum

YEARS 3-10 SEMESTER ONE ACADEMIC REPORTS

The College is in the final stages of the reporting process for Semester One. We are currently verifying marks and aligning students' overall performance with the NSW Education Standards Authority Common Grade Scale. We are pleased to inform you that all Year 3-10 Reports will be accessible online through Compass by the end of the week.

If you encounter difficulties accessing the Parent Portal, please contact our dedicated student services team at the College. They will be happy to assist you with any issues you may encounter.

Please note that the reports will only be visible on the desktop version of Compass. We encourage all students to take this opportunity to thoroughly review their reports and engage in meaningful discussions with their parents. This process will enable them to identify areas of strength and weakness and develop effective strategies to progress confidently in Semester Two.

Thank you for your attention, and we wish all students continued success in their educational journey.

YEARS 3-10 PARENT / TEACHER / STUDENT CONFERENCES

Parents and their sons are invited to participate in the Primary, and Years 8, 9, and 10 Parent and Teacher Interview Day, which will be conducted via Zoom on Monday, 17 July. This event is an opportunity for parents to engage in meaningful discussions regarding the information provided in the reports, as well as address any other matters they may wish to discuss.

Further details about this event were shared with you in a letter last week. We encourage all parents to mark their calendars and actively participate in this important event, as it allows for open communication and collaboration between parents, teachers, and students.

We look forward to your active involvement in this event as we work together to support our students' ongoing growth and development.

YEAR 11 2024 SUBJECT SELECTION

This week students are required to finalise their subject choices on the Edval Portal, which closes at 9 am on Friday, 30 June. Students will print their final selections and have their parent/guardian sign this slip. Signed receipts of submission selections and the green Leader of Learning Approval sheets need to be put in the boxes in the curriculum office by the end of the week. 

Course-selection interviews will take place in Term 3, Week 5, on 16 August (3:30 pm-6:00 pm). Information on how to book these interviews will come in early Term Three.

These interviews will provide an opportunity to discuss initial course preferences and subject recommendations/suitability and determine final preferences.

Course lines and offerings will be finalised by the end of Term 3.

YEAR 12 TRIAL EXAMINATION AND HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS

Year 12 students are encouraged to attend holiday workshops during the July Holidays in readiness for the Trial HSC.

Karen Fahey, Acting Leader of Learning - Curriculum

From the Leader of Diverse Learing

On Wednesday, 14 June, 4 Year 12 students attended a Post School EXPO at Mascot with a family member. The purpose of the EXPO was to provide students and their families information on supports available post school. This included representatives from TAFE, work readiness and employment agencies as well as those offering a variety of social activities including overseas holidays. Students spoke with the relevant representatives and gathered information to further discuss with their families in preparation for their EXIT meeting in Term 3 as well as transition to post school.

Steven Foulger, Leader of Diverse Learning 

Annual College Concert

The annual College Concert was held at Sydney Town Hall last Friday evening with the whole College community in attendance. It was a fantastic night showcasing the musical life and talents of many of the boys who are a part of the college bands, ensembles and choirs. St Mary's Cathedral College has a proud and distinct heritage of having quality ensembles as part of the music curriculum and an increasing number of students taking up music within the college. From rock bands to chamber orchestras, from Primary students to HSC students, there is something for every boy to get involved in and be a part of music at St Mary's. The theme of 'Australian Made' this year celebrated by a moving 'Acknowledgement to Country' and a variety of songs by top Australian composers over the decades, many that were written and arranged for the concert in particular, hits that ranged from INXS and Midnight Oil to compositions like 'The Last Frontier'. We are fortunate to have at St Mary's, high quality music teachers engaged in instrumental lessons, ensembles and the classroom who want to pass on the beauty of music to the next generation and having concerts like this touches the heart and soul each in different ways. This year we have been privileged to have every year 7 boy experience learning an instrument and as they gather a taste for music, it would be great to see more boys think about continuing or starting to play in one of our ensembles. There are also opportunities for boys to also enrol in private tuition via the forms below and for further enquiries, please contact Miss Alison Hunter, Leader of Learning, Music.

MUSIC ENSEMBLE APPLICATION 2023

2023 INSTRUMENT TUITION APPLICATION FORM

2023 MUSICAL INSTRUMENT LOAN AGREEMENT

2023 PRIMARY INSTRUMENT TUITION APPLICATION FORM - Mandatory Program & Elective opportunities 

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Alison Hunter, Leader of Learning - Music

Ethics Olympiad

On Tuesday, 30 May, a team of senior students from the College participated in the Ethics Olympiad. The team included Billy Giannoukas and Dylan Bittar from Year 12, as well as Seamus Giveen, Riley Carslaw-Harkins and Kenzo Wang from Year 11. It was the first time Cathedral entered the tournament, joining schools from across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. 

Unlike debate competitions, the Ethics Olympiad scores teams on their ability to demonstrate skills in respectful discussion, as well as the way they take on board alternative points presented by the opposition. Cathedral took part in four discussions over the course of the day, coming up against St Ignatius Riverview, St Ursula's Kingsgrove and St Patrick’s Strathfield. Each of the discussions considered two ethical cases, ranging from the morality of bullfighting to the consequences of neurotechnology on human nature. The cases challenged team members to think deeply and collaboratively under time constraints in order to establish an ethical position towards each problem. Team members utilised their communication and critical thinking skills in order to withstand the interrogation of the opposing team and expert judge.

While the team unfortunately did not place, it was an overwhelmingly positive experience for all involved, improving our public speaking and critical thinking skills. We would like to express our gratitude to Mr Mastrobatistia for all the assistance he provided to us throughout the competition, and for giving us the opportunity to take part.

Seamus Giveen, Year 11

Year 11 & 12 Chemistry

TITRATION COMPETITION

On Saturday, 17 June, 4 teams of 3 students from Year 11 and 12 Chemistry classes attended the NSW State Titration competition at St Aquinas College in Menai. Students were able to demonstrate their chemistry skills in a practical investigation competing against schools from across the state, while also having a fun break from their studies.

Titration is a chemical analysis technique where the concentration of an unknown solution can be determined by reacting it with a known solution. It is an entirely manual process with no automated components, so a high level of precision is required, as simple errors can have a major impact on the final result. Our school finished well on the day, with the Year 11 team of Zac Sastradjaja, Charlie Abbey, and Kenzo Wang placing third overall, a particularly impressive result considering they had only completed two practice titrations in the week before the competition. Hopefully next year they will improve their result further and be invited to the national level of the competition.

Special mentions go to Callum Webster and Rei Wong who achieved errors of less than 0.4% in their final calculated concentrations, enough to land them in the top 5 competitors on the day.

Thanks to Ms Ung and Ms van der Meer for organising the day and giving the students an opportunity to test their practical chemistry skills in a fun environment.

William Kerin, Year 12 Chemistry 

Year 9 Camp

Year 9 attended a 3-day camp from Monday, 29 May to Wednesday, 31 May 2023, hosted by The Great Aussie Bush Camp at Tea Gardens. This was an opportunity for the boys to come together to further build on relationships within the cohort and to challenge themselves with a variety of activities. 

THE POWER OF THE FAN

The Power Fan consists of a 13 metre vertical log pole with a ladder on both sides of the pole. At the top is a platform on each side so two people can go at the same time. There is a rope that gets attached to a harness. When you climb to the top, cross your arms and  jump off. The fan catches you and you slowly decant to the ground. It's always a challenge to jump off a 15 metre platform, but once you do it you feel like you're on top of the world. Overtaking this challenge gives you the best feeling. While you're falling it is 10 seconds of pure joy. The Power Fan was a mental but also physical challenge; it challenged the mind. The first step was to climb up the ladder with only a harness, helmet and a rope attached to you, next you needed to climb onto the platform and walk off the platform that was 15 metres in the air, this was by far the most mentally challenging part of the experience. Overall the activity was very challenging and fun, there were many scared and nervous faces. 

Tyler New, Declan Beattie, Harrison Bristow and Max Economou

TAKING A ‘BOW’ IN ARCHERY 

Archery was a great activity on camp, teaching how to use a bow and arrow to hit a target. Most of our results were pretty mixed, but as a grade, we learned how to effectively and safely use these tools. Archery was challenging, as we had to learn how to aim with the bow, and what was the best way to move the bow to attempt to hit the target. However, we mostly managed to overcome these challenges, and ended up playing some fun archery games to gain points for our teams. Archery allowed us to use a bow to feel the satisfaction of firing an arrow, of watching it thwack, and the satisfaction of our friends watching us hit that bullseye!

Ryan Gunardi, Samuel Nixon, Lewis Crispin and Devansh Bhatta

FLIGHT OF THE FOX: SOARING ACROSS THE GULLY

Gully crossing was an inspirational experience that our cohort enthusiastically participated in while on the T-Gardens, Great Aussie Bush Camp. Gully crossing tested our problem-solving skills and helped improve our gross motor skills as we had to collaborate with our peers to make a suitable flying fox to get from one side of the gully to the other. This improved our skills in communication as we learned to get outside of our comfort zones and socialise with those we wouldn’t normally interact with. Our activity was split in two, and we were determined to work to the best of our abilities while also keeping our competitive edge. The activity posed an element of challenge which we encountered throughout,  such as the strict boundaries around the number of materials in which we could utilise to craft our flying foxes, boundaries surrounding the positioning of people and elements, the overall strain of the competition between the two teams, the physical and mental toll forcing us to think critically and the time pressure as we were given developing our skill in time management and manner. Furthermore, these challenges obtained multiple morals and lessons helping us to overcome everyday struggles which adolescents face. The activity was also immensely enjoyable as there were numerous interactive skills throughout the amazing experience. There was a rush of adrenaline we felt as we rushed through the flying fox through the breeze, feeling like we were on top of the world. Gully crossing was also a unique activity, forcing students to utilise critical thinking skills, though can only be won through a coordinated group effort. The activity brought the best out of students, allowing different skill sets to correlate with a combined setting, more or less bringing students closer together, forming strengthened bonds as students learn to act quickly and persevere in times of stress and anger and lack of communication. Students were able to organise themselves in order to achieve the best outcome possible, incorporating real-time important changes, to accomplish an efficient, smooth-functioning flying fox. Ultimately, gully-crossing was an amazing experience, one of many, in the Year 9 Camp.

Nathan Azzi, Felix Dang, Daniel Russo and Benjamin Hanna

THIS HAPPENED AT HIGH ROPES

High ropes was an activity at “The Great Aussie Bush Camp” at Tea Gardens where we had to complete an obstacle course with a variety of obstacles in the way. I’ve had a lot of experience with high ropes course in the past and this version was no different to what I have seen before at other places like treetops, but this high ropes course at “The Great Aussie Bush Camp” puts forward some great new ideas and has the concept and template for a good course but, falls short with very little variety in terms of types of obstacles and the ending flying fox, which could use some more height off the ground and a bit more speed. The satisfaction of the high ropes was the thrill of the zipline at the end of it. The high ropes course had a moderate amount of challenge to it, with an obstacle requiring you to put your 2 legs between 2 extremely small tight ropes. Overall, I would recommend “The Great Aussie Bush Camp” high ropes course at Tea Gardens for somewhat experienced beginners who want a solid challenge. 

Dominic Gattellari, Andre Wong and Nelson Pears

NAVIGATING THE WATERS: UNLEASHING YOUR CREATIVITY IN RAFT BUILDING

Raft building was an interesting experience. We had to use a combination of our creativity as well as our ability to bargain, which was quite unique. There were three main materials that were used, those being wood, rope, and tyres. These materials were actually split between three separate teams. Of course, building a boat is impossible with only one kind of material, therefore, the activity required us to plan and design our raft as a team as well as to obtain other materials through the skill of bargaining. This activity provided an opportunity to connect with others and build relationships. When we finished building our rafts, we rode them and raced against others to an island called Snake Island, which gave a sort of competitive nature to the activity. This activity was great! Many rafts capsized and many were unfortunate enough to fall into the freezing water. It surely created many unforgettable memories.

Darryl Corcega, Edmund Li, Francis Neely and Angus Gray

PULLING OUT THE OARS: THRASHING THROUGH THE LAKE

The Great Aussie Bush Camp was no stranger to fun activities and a good day’s adventure, but one that really shined out was canoeing through the campsite’s lake. Each activity group had an opportunity to hop on a canoe with 3 friends and to compete against their fellow mates in an array of different games varying from racing each other to trying to capsize another peer’s canoe. The activity had a competitive nature, whilst being a satisfying rarity for us to break the hustle and bustle of schoolwork, which made it a great activity to partake in. 

Marcus Estrada, Oscar Carralero, Cristiano Epifania and Johann Batac

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Lisa Towson, Year 9 Leader of Wellbeing

Primary News

ROOSTERS VISIT

On Wednesday, 14 June, we had 2 of the Roosters players come to our class. This was great as they taught us lots about gratitude, resilience and much more. We also played a fun game at the end. I personally liked the Q and A because we got to know the players and what they did and what position they played. The best part however was that at the end, we got to take photos and we got signed posters! We are even doing a raffle for the other signed items. We had a great morning with the Roosters.

ARCHIBALD PRIZE

The Archibald Prize had a range of wonderful artworks. We also walked around the Art Gallery, my favourite artwork was a statue of wood. This artwork had many vibrant colours which really caught my eye. I also loved and learnt about how many different styles of artwork there were and how even the simplest artworks can win. It was a great day.

Rocky-Dimitri Holt

STATE PARLIAMENT HOUSE

On Tuesday, 20 June, we went on an excursion to State Parliament House. We learnt about upper and lower houses, visiting both chambers. We also spent lots of time learning about how it works, and we also did two different roleplays, one from each chamber.

The first chamber was green, (lower house) but the second chamber was red, (upper House). Overall it was great!! It was old, and had a grand feel to it. 

Lower house is in the District. And the upper house is the State. Since not too long ago we had a State election, this excursion was definitely valid. It was highly protected with massive guards, but overall I think I can say this on the behalf of Primary, it was a very fun, and interesting excursion.

Odin Williams

AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM - YEAR 3, 4 AND 5

We went to the Australian Museum to learn more about NAIDOC week and the indigenous culture and ways. 

In the First Nations gallery we had a scavenger hunt. We found many tools, instruments , weapons and artworks. Some of which included the spear, woomera and the fishing net. 

We then moved to the next exhibit which was based on the land and Indigenous seasonal calendar. We enjoyed playing with the interactive seasonal calendar and seeing how the land has changed over time.

The final exhibit was full of First Nations artworks, some even talked to us using these little phone things. The last room was much more about the culture and animals. 

Overall, I think everyone really enjoyed going to the Australian Museum because we learnt about NAIDOC Week, indigenous tools and Aboriginal culture.

Jaiyden Barnes

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Sport

SCS FOOTBALL & RUGBY LEAGUE

Round 6 

Round 7 

Semi Finals 

Grand Finals 

Congratulations to the Junior A Football team that won an incredibly tense match against Lewisham at Lambert Park. Our team displayed great passion and skill, but so too did the opposition, to leave the scores tied 0-0 at full time. This resulted in a nail-biting penalty shootout, with our keeper, Hunter Hart making a fantastic first save which gave Cathedral the early lead and control. Our boys followed by slotting through some impressive penalties to win the match! Both the Junior A and Intermediate team will compete in the SCS Championships next week and we wish them the best of luck.

NSWCCC CROSS COUNTRY

The NSWCCC Cross Country Championships were held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre on Tuesday, 13 June. Cathedral had seven students competing against the top runners from Catholic schools in the state.

Congratulations to Jacob Sousa (5th place U12) and Ethan McKenzie (2nd place 18+), who now qualify for the NSW All Schools Cross Country in July.

SCS TABLE TENNIS

The SCS Table Tennis Championships were held on Friday, 9 June at the Sports Hall in Olympic Park. Cathedral had four boys representing the College at this tournament as part of two teams, and both teams placed second, winning the silver medal.

Congratulations to:
Junior: Ronald Gunawan, Vivan Shetty
Senior: Liam Lagahino, Zhijie Yang

CONFERENCE 1 CHESS

The Conference 1 Chess Championships were held at Holy Cross College on Friday, 16 June. Cathedral entered a total of 9 teams across three age divisions. The competition was hotly contested, with the rankings shifting after each round. Congratulations to the following teams, which placed third in their age division and qualify for the SCS Championships in Week 10:

Junior:             Matthew Angelopoulos, Lincoln Sharwood, Jeffrey Wang
Intermediate:  Aidan Adler, Ryan Dao, Sebastian Ong
Senior:             Ethan Caruso, Byron Jeffrey Pacia, Edmond Yang

Simon Shaw, Sport Coordinator

Library News

PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE

Students at the College have participated in the Premier's Reading Challenge for many years, improving their vocabulary, their comprehension, and their general understanding while also satiating their competitive instincts. All students from Years 3-9 have a username and login (unchanged for students who participated in the past); any issues or problems should be referred to Mr Edward Hawkins. 

From Parents & Friends (P&F)

ANNUAL CONCERT RAFFLE

The P&F and community at St Mary’s Cathedral College would like to thank you for your donation towards our 2023 Concert fundraiser. Your generosity helped make this year’s raffle our most successful yet, allowing the P&F to raise funds which will go towards supporting the college and its projects. We greatly appreciate your contribution and support. 

Yours sincerely, 
St Mary’s Cathedral College P&F 

2023 SMCC P&F RAFFLE FUND RAISING WINNERS

Congratulations to  the following winners:

Community News

FREE FAMILY FUN WITH THE PARLIAMENT OF NSW

The Parliament of NSW will run FREE Family Fun activities from 3 July - 7 July 2023 which are perfect for children up to 12 years old, with storytelling, sessions on Aboriginal culture and virtual guided tours through the chambers.

When: Monday 3 July – Friday 7 July 2023
Time: Various sessions
Where: Online via Zoom
Book now to reserve your place.

Term 3 Upcoming Events