AS A GOOD SAMARITAN EDUCATION (GSE) SCHOOL, MATER CHRISTI COLLEGE EMBRACES THE GSE SCHOOLS OF WELCOME STATEMENT AS AN INHERENT PART OF OUR COLLEGE CULTURE.
When our hearts are authentically open to universal communion, this sense of fraternity excludes nothing and no one. Pope Francis (Laudato Si 92)
As a community of faith, Good Samaritan Education understands that the universe is graced and all creation is inherently dignified and worthy of reverence. We are all enriched and strengthened in our diversity. We strive to become more fully human – to grow together, be more kind, more just, more flexible and more integrated. Joan Chittister (For Everything a Season) We are educational communities of welcome, inviting all into communion with God and with one another. We cherish all people and stand humbly in solidarity with those who have been excluded or are vulnerable, especially First Nations Australians, people of all genders and sexualities, people with disabilities, refugees, and those from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We share a vision of Catholic Education that is impelled by the parable of the Good Samaritan, guided by the Rule of Benedict and inspired by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. Seeking God together is the foundation of the Benedictine charism.
In our schools, we constantly strive to include everyone, listen to everyone, and respect the dignity of all. We grow communities that challenge and nurture – so arranged that the strong have something to yearn for and the weak have nothing to run from (RB 64:19).
The legacy of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan is one of radical inclusivity and of service without borders. With the mission of the Sisters as our inspiration, we aim to serve our communities with open hearts, recognising Christ in all.
The parable of the Good Samaritan impels us to reach out and honour the humanity of all. It shows us how a community can be rebuilt by men and women who identify with the vulnerability of others, who reject the creation of a society of exclusion, and act instead as neighbours (Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti 67). Service is at the heart of who we are. We commit to work tirelessly to include, lift and honour all in a spirit of service and responsiveness. We aim to embrace the needs of all in a spirit of care and closeness. In the person whose voice is not heard and whose needs are ignored, we see Christ.
Good Samaritan Education Statement
Our 2024 College theme—Kindness Transforms Community—is central to life at Mater Christi this year and always.
This theme acknowledges that even the smallest acts of kindness can have far-reaching effects, bringing hope and healing to others.
At the beginning of the year, our Principal, Maria Haggett, introduced the theme to students and explained why kindness is so important in everything we do, both at school and in our daily lives.
She challenged the notion that many of us are familiar with: that life is about survival of the fittest. Instead, she argued, the opposite may be true. Kindness may, in fact, be the key to human survival.
Some years ago, writer and psychologist Dacher Keltner argued that humans were, in fact, “born to be good” as a species and kindness comes more naturally than we might think. That humans were
born to be kind and generous. Why? Because giving and receiving kindness makes individuals happier and communities healthier.
Interestingly, Ms Haggett pointed out that, religions seem to have known this intuitively and taught it explicitly to their believers for millennia.
In Hinduism, it is said that we “should not behave towards others in a way that is disagreeable to ourselves.”
In Islam, Muhammad says, “Not one of you is a believer until you wish for another what you wish for yourself”. Similarly, in Judaism, the saying goes, “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour.”
A well-known prayer from a Buddhist monk says, “I pray that I may never create conditions which may lead others to harm”….“I will ask in the innermost place of my heart “is what I am about to do truly of use?.”
The foundation story of Mater Christi College is the story of the Good Samaritan. This story is fundamental to Jesus’ teachings about kindness. It is a very practical story about what radical kindness actually looked like in Jesus’ time, and at the end of the story, we are told to “go and do likewise.”
So, we were challenged this year to think about kindness as a part of who we are, like the clothes we wear each day. To say to ourselves, “I am a kind person.”
When confronted with situations in which we might be inclined to say or do something unkind, we were encouraged to stop and think, “What would a kind person do?” or even “What wouldn’t a kind person do?”
In this way, in 2024 and beyond, we remain committed to transforming our community with kindness.
“ Communities thrive when kindness abounds, and sadly, fall apart when it is forgotten.”
Here’s a fun fact—the average life span of all cells in the human body is seven to ten years. That means that on our most basic level, if we live to 80 years of age (hopefully more), we are regenerated 10 or 12 times. When you think of life that way, there’s no wonder we change so much. Of course, some periods of our lives bring more change than others. Take adolescence; our Year 12 students may look back and find it hard to recognise their Year 7 selves. I look back and barely recognise 20-something me—I mean, what was she wearing!
There’s wonder in this too. There’s wonder in knowing that nothing lasts forever; we are always in the process of becoming, or as I like to say, “God isn’t finished with me yet”. Thinking about this helps us to stop and appreciate the good times and provides perspective when we make mistakes or are going through things outside of our control. It also allows us to be kind to ourselves along the way.
My hope is that all of our students can appreciate the great gift they are to the world, and specifically to the MCC community. But I also pray that they begin to appreciate the beauty of the everregenerating self.
My thanks must go to all staff and students for their incredible work throughout the 2024 year. We have tried our very best to embody the Benedictine values we hold so dear, and our College values of being Informed, Compassionate and Creative. I would particularly like to recognise the work of the Board, the College Executive Team, staff with positions of leadership, and members of FOMA who have so generously given their time to make MCC the thriving community it is.
Maria Haggett, Educator, Principal
THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT MARIA
She loves to sing.
She is an “unapologetic feminist” who is passionate that young women should be given the freedom to be exactly who they want to be without societal expectations or limitations.
She loves cooking and 500 (the card game).
She has raised two strong women of her own.
She values community.
She believes wholeheartedly in the Good Samaritan Ethos and Benedictine values upon which our College was built 60 Years ago—caring for our world and caring for one another, particularly the vulnerable and marginalised.
She is passionate about the recognition and inclusion of First Nations People and the rich Indigenous culture they have to share.
She taught Mr Woodhouse (our Mission & Identity Leader) when he was in high school. Now they sing together.
She loves Collingwood FC, things that sparkle, and big colourful earrings!
There are many sides to Maria— she’s her own kind of girl!
Mater Christi College is a public company limited by guarantee. It is governed according to the Constitution of Good Samaritan Education.
The Directors, appointed by the Members of the Company in accordance with the Constitution, form the College Board, which provides the governance of the College and sets the strategic direction. All operational matters and internal administration are delegated to the Principal as Chief Executive Officer.
Members of the Company
Veronica Hoey SGS
Leonie Keaney – Chair
Eileen O’Leary – Deputy Chair
Gaynor Robson-Garth
Board Directors
Lyn Bayly
Trudi Bons (to May)
Christopher Cartwright (to May)
Sarah Denholm (from May)
Georgia Heffernan
Eugene Lynch – Deputy Chair
Cathy Mason
Dr Bern Nicholls – Chairperson (to May)
Kylie Oddy (from May)
Amy Whitehead
Company Secretary
Cherine Kenna
JULIE STEWART | Deputy Principal, Learning
I am proud to reflect on the remarkable academic achievements and endeavours of Mater Christi College students throughout 2024. We extend our congratulations to our Years 7 and 9 students for their outstanding NAPLAN results. The College achieved an average of “Strong” across all tests and year levels, a testament to the hard work and dedication of both students and staff.
Our Years 11 and 12 students embraced the full implementation of the revised One VCE Certificate, selecting from a broad and diverse range of subjects that cater to their needs and interests, while still enabling them to achieve this Senior School qualification. Further expansion of the elective options for Years 9 and 10 provided students with even more opportunities to explore subjects that engage their passions and support their academic growth.
This year also marked the introduction of our first-ever College Scholastica Captains for 2025. These student leaders will play a key role in shaping the College’s learning program by providing valuable input to ensure we continue to meet the needs of all learners. We look forward to their contributions as we continue to grow and innovate in our educational offerings.
As we conclude another successful year at Mater Christi College, I would like to wish all our families a safe and relaxing holiday. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for an exciting new school year in 2025.
SHAE MAYES | Deputy Principal,
Staff & Students
2024 has seen students get involved in all aspects of College life and show real determination and commitment towards their studies.
We have seen a number of positive changes this year. Students have adapted well to our five-period day. Our new assembly period has been packed full of guest speakers, iChooz activities, College, House and Year Level assemblies. Assemblies have provided the chance for us to hear from past students, as well as celebrate achievements and hear about all the happenings throughout each term.
We relaunched our Big Sister Little Sister program. Our Year 10 Big Sisters were well equipped to take care of the newest members of the Mater Christi College community, our 2024 Year 7s, after completing Peer Support training. Big Sisters supported the Year 7s from Day 1 and continued to run activities throughout the year allowing new friendships and connections to form.
We saw students demonstrate the Good Samaritan spirit through their generous support of Mater Day and other fundraising opportunities. Our Student Representative Council planned another successful Mater Day event, raising over $8000 for the Good Samaritan Foundation. Students participated respectfully in our Mater Day Mass and enjoyed the House Performing Arts Competition (HPAC) performances. Their energy was alive and well when we completed the Colour Run the following term.
In Term 3, we launched our brand-new student leadership structure and program. Years 10 and 11 embraced the change, with many students applying to be part of the new Senior Cabinet for 2025. I congratulate all the students on their attention to detail and enthusiasm throughout the speeches and application process.
Finally, to our Year 12s. Well done! You did it! We wish all of you well as you embark on this next exciting part of your journey.
COMPLETION OF OUR INDIGENOUS GARDEN
Our Indigenous Garden was completed just in time for National Reconciliation Week, thanks to the efforts of our Facilities Team.
The garden was born from a grant application submitted by a former Catholic Action Program (CAP) class and designed by the students in consultation with local Indigenous community members.
Its layout includes a series of rusty Corten steel planters and gravel, which, when seen from above, look like the dotted Australian desert landscape. Our Facilities team installed the planters, which were then filled with soil and planted out by CAP students with a range of edible plants, including lemon myrtle, warrigal greens, and midyim berries.
Our College Art Club, under the direction of Arts Learning Leader Melissa Mӥller, later created and glazed ceramic plaques identifying the various plants.
The Facilities Team completed the garden’s finishing touches, including installing upright poles at the entry made from recycled wood salvaged from around the College. They also installed a beautiful Corten steel statue of ancestral being Bunjil the Eagle and seating around the statue, from which the garden can be enjoyed.
7A was the first to make use of this special place, learning about Reconciliation Week during their RE class.
Mater Christi College
NAIDOC WEEK 2024
NAIDOC Week provides an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
This year’s theme was Keep The Fire Burning!—Blak, Loud & Proud!—honouring the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture. Mater Christi College is committed to our ongoing journey of Reconciliation.
One way in which we Keep The Fire Burning! is through our FIRE Carriers (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education).
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Being Fire Carrier Captains at Mater Christi this year has been an incredible opportunity. Reflecting on the past year, we are so proud of the small yet meaningful changes we’ve made, particularly in our journey of Reconciliation.
We are thankful to have been able to share this new experience with our teachers and each other.
Celebrating achievements and significant events in the Indigenous calendar has been a highlight, including adding the Bunjil the Eagle nest to our Indigenous Garden and using diverse Acknowledgements of Country during whole-school events.
Being FIRE Carrier Captains will be something we will never forget, as being a FIRE carrier lasts forever.”
Charlotte Beck and Ashlee Moulday
2024 FIRE Carrier Captains
This year, our FIRE Carriers reviewed our Welcome to Country & Acknowledgement of Land practices to ensure they are meaningful and relevant to respective occasions. For example, at the beginning of an assembly, one of our First Nations students led with her own personal Acknowledgement of Land, then our FIRE Carriers held an impromptu quiz, asking our student body if they recalled the different ways we had celebrated Reconciliation Week this year, with a roving microphone and a sweet treat delivered to those who had the correct answers!
About our FIRE CARRIERS
FIRE stands for Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education. Our FIRE Carriers are part of a network of Catholic schools across Victoria that are committed to walking alongside First Nations Peoples towards a better future for all Australians. This passionate group of students and staff work to further embed Indigenous history and culture into life at the College, organising a range of activities throughout the year.
RECONCILIATION IN OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE
Our first spiritual day of the year began with a visit from local elder, Uncle Perry, who shared his family’s story and offered a smoking ceremony for all in the College to participate in! A very special experience organised and led by our College FIRE Carriers, Charlotte and Ashlee.
This was followed by a whole College Mass with Father Cam, during which we welcomed the newest members of our Community, including our Year 7s, who entered the Hall to a round of applause, much to their surprise!
NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK
To mark the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, staff and student delegates joined together to represent the College in a flag-raising ceremony, symbolising our commitment to unity and deep respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture.
FIRE CARRIERS FOR LIFE
Early in the year, our FIRE Carriers enjoyed a visit from Miranda Koroknai, who shared her experiences of participating in the FIRE Carriers program while she was a student at Avila College from 2009 to 2014.
Miranda reminded us that we are FIRE Carriers for life and that the commitment to social justice that we make continues after we leave school.
Miranda encouraged all of us to continue taking small steps towards Reconciliation, such as calling out racism when we see it, engaging in conversations with our families and friends, and continuing to commit to actions such as making
Wellbeing includes physical, social, spiritual, and emotional development. We know that a safe and effective place to learn, with strong, supportive, and trusting relationships, are vital for students to be engaged and connected at school.
Our Wellbeing Program is central to the learning environment at Mater Christi College and encompasses child safety, the RULER Program, respectful relationships, and mutual support. Through this program, we work to ensure that all students are respected, treated with consideration, and find a place to belong.
ICHOOSE YOU!
The first IChoose activity of the year saw students choose from a range of activities from Sports, Dance, Art and Mindfulness—enjoying time with others, from all year levels, and fostering a sense of wellbeing and community.
IT’S A TOUGH LIFE!
Life as a Wellbeing Dog is tiring! Pippy was all tuckered out after the first assembly of the year! But she made sure to fall asleep in full view of Deputy Principal Julie Stewart’s office just in case Julie returned with some doggie biscuits.
CYBER SAFETY
In the last week of Term 3, our Year 7 & 8 students had a visit from Brainstorm Productions, who delivered their performance of Sticks and Stones—a dramatic exploration of Cybersafety and Digital Citizenship.
The performance covered issues of bullying, harassment, and aggression at school, at home, and online, promoting emotional regulation, positive relationships, assertiveness, help-seeking strategies, and tools for breaking the cycle of violence. It explored the influence of peers, family, social media, YouTube, and video games on attitudes and behaviour, and the importance of positive role models and providing space for all students to express their feelings in healthy and authentic ways.
This was an engaging and unique way to encourage discussion and consideration of some extremely topical and important social issues.
TEACHING TOOLS EARLY
In April, members of our College community engaged in a valuable program focused on managing worry and anxiety in young people during their formative years of secondary school.
This extensive program, delivered by Clinical Psychologists Drs Judith Locke and Danielle Einstein, began with a teachers’ afternoon session and parents’ evening. Over the following two days, Year 7 & 8 students learned helpful techniques to manage day-today challenges and avoid the pitfalls of unhelpful strategies that can worsen their worries.
RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS
Senior student leaders from Mater Christi and St Joseph’s College met in solidarity in May to discuss the issue of genderbased violence. They shared their experiences, observations, and ideas about what a world without gender-based violence would look like and how we can all work together to achieve it.
The fruit of this collaboration was a formal, joint statement upon which our Colleges can base future action towards this critical issue, which impacts our shared community!
As young leaders, we believe in challenging the attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate violence by building on mutual respect, consent, and understanding.
We are committed to shaping a future free from gender-based violence through education, advocacy, and action.
We strive to create safe spaces where individuals are empowered to speak out against gender-based violence, ensuring that everyone feels valued.
By promoting empathy, communication, and gender equity in all aspects of life, we aim to foster a world where gender equality is the norm and genderbased violence is eradicated.
Our thanks to the St Joseph’s Captains, Principal Cathy Livingstone and Deputy Principal Guido Piotti, for their support and commitment!
2024 College Captains
Alice Zhu and Disha Adeshara
2024 has been a rollercoaster filled with many ups and downs, many firsts and lasts. Despite the challenges that Year 12 has posed, the Class of 2024 has once again proved the power of perseverance, determination, and strength.
Our last first day, last first exam, last first 100 days of school. Our last House Athletics, last free-dress day, last bake sale, last Mater Day. Our last year. And what a year it has been.
The greatest honour of being the College Captains in 2024 has been the ability to give back to the community after it has given us so much over the past six years, turning us into Informed, Compassionate and students prepared to make the change we want to see in the world.
Our gratitude towards the Student Representative Council is immeasurable. We had the wonderful opportunity to work closely as a team, with enormous support from teachers, to build on our ideas and the voices of Mater students.
Some highlights from this year include our annual Mater Day; the Colour Run (the first in three years); the update of the Student Voice Box system, where all students can share their ideas or report any issues they have around the school; and of course, all the fundraising activities to support people in need as a Good Samaritan school.
Thank you to Mater Christi, the supportive teachers, and our amazing cohort for an unforgettable high school journey. We truly appreciate the knowledge and skills we have gained throughout these six years to prepare us for life beyond school. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours and continue Informed, Compassionate and
As Middle School Captains, we have embarked on a journey of development, not only for our community but also for ourselves. Throughout the year, we have been given many opportunities to contribute to our community and weave the voices of our cohort through the change that occurs in our school.
We have created a safe place for our peers to contribute their voices. As representatives of the student body and ambassadors for our school, we have taken every opportunity to extend ourselves and practise our communication.
Over the year, our communications skills and confidence have developed through many tours, assemblies, and representative campaigns, and we have thoroughly enjoyed the journey and getting involved.
We have had a variety of leadership opportunities, collaborating with the Student Representative Council (SRC) as well as the St Joseph’s College leadership team.
As members of the SRC and the Year 9 Council, we have contributed to our school community, working collaboratively with other members to implement considered, effective, and positive initiatives that encourage learning and participation.
Leadership has been a positive challenge, with many rewarding outcomes for our school and our personal growth. We feel honoured to have been given this amazing opportunity.
2024
Middle School Captains Lucy Rossely
College Wellbeing
Arts
Faith & Liturgy
Social Justice & Stewardship
Sport
STEM
House Spirit
Disha Adeshara & Alice Zhu
Sarah Barnett & Samantha Damon
Caitlyn de Ryk & Gemma Przychodzki
Emelia Kenna & Lara Talarico
Monique Enriquez & Milla Macallan
Sienna Kurdian & Georgia Langley
Priya Mora & Lilly Ziino
Georgia Bridgford & Amali Harrison
House Captain Acacia Semenow
Lyons House Captain Sienna O’Connor
Gibbons House Captain Brianna Sinclair
Chisholm House Captain Charlotte Sard
MacKillop
Middle School Arts
Wellbeing
Social Justice & Stewardship
Sport STEM
Mabel Gould & Lucy Rossely
Kaia Neilson & Sydney Powell
Grace Pierce & Neve Potter
Ruby Ross & Fatima Shahid
Camryn Rabie & Joni Wooden
Rebecca Gillett & Ruby Rattigan MacKillop
Neeve King
Mater Christi College
Year 10 Council
Amber Canning
MJ Drake
Maya Gutierrez
Emily Hill
Matilda Kitch
Eliane Patte
Skye Pires
Madeleine Vlek
Year 8 Council
Taylah Benson
Avery Ede
Tayla Kircos
Mataya Pickett
Tess Ramsey
Marissa Schleifer
Charlotte Smithells
Maya Mithen
Darcy Oldfield Quinn Thorn
Mila VanDerSay
Chantal Wanigasinghe Hannah Williams
College VCE Dux
Tess Grandia
College VCE-VM Dux
Vanessa Mills
VCE Baccalaureate
Emmie Hervet, Simone Martin, Elisa Morales
Astrid Renehan Chemistry Prize
Simone Martin
VIDA Goldstein Award for Excellence in History
Alice Findlay
Rebecca Jago Outdoor Education and Environmental Education Award
Year 11: Emelia Kenna, Cartier Bendix, Morgan Brace, Loti Davies, Georgia Langley, Pria Wilson, Claudia Winters.
JEN MACDONALD
WINS PREMIER'S VCE AWARD!
Congratulations to Jen MacDonald (Year 12), who was recognised with a Premier's VCE Award for outstanding academic results achieved in 2023.
Jen received this award for Health & Human Development, which puts her among the top VCE students in the state in 2023.
310 of Victoria’s top-performing students were acknowledged for their exceptional dedication, hard work, and results at this year’s Premier’s VCE Awards ceremony on 17 July 2024.
At the beginning of the year, we were proud to share some highlights of the outstanding VCE achievements from 2023, incorporating the VCE VM.
At Mater Christi College, we take pride in our approach to learning, which embraces diverse pathways and offers a wide range of opportunities to all students. We also acknowledge that not every student’s story is told by their ATAR score. We are particularly proud of our VCE VM students who have achieved great things in this first year of the new One VCE. For our students aspiring to pursue higher education, the ATAR continues to hold substantial importance in their Senior studies. We extend our congratulations to those students who have demonstrated unwavering dedication to their studies, leading them to achieve their desired ATAR and, subsequently, gain admission to their chosen tertiary courses. These results are a testament to the advantage of an all-girls education.
Congratulations to the Class of 2023, who demonstrated great resilience and whose commitment to each other and to the community is a true reflection of our Good Samaritan spirit.
We also wish to extend our gratitude to our teaching staff, whose dedication to providing the best learning opportunities for our young people is most evident in our Year 12 results and the outstanding achievements of our VCE VM Dux, Vanessa Mills and our College VCE Dux, Tess Grandia.
Vanessa demonstrated excellence in her VCE VM and strong leadership skills in all areas of the applied learning program.
Tess attained an ATAR of 98.4, including two perfect scores of 50 in Business Management and Outdoor Education.
We also congratulate our other high ATAR achievers, who attained ATARs over 90: Aly Jack Robinson, Emma Di Nardo, Alisha McGaffin, Alice Findlay, Willow Simandjuntak, Simone Martin, and Olivia Ward.
Jen MacDonald, Year 11, also attained a perfect score of 50 in Health & Human Development as an accelerated VCE study.
Even though the external results are important, it is the learning growth that so many of our young people achieve through perseverance and hard work that makes our hearts sing. Let us celebrate every young person’s commitment to their own growth and development within our supportive MCC community.
Maria Haggett, Educator Principal & Dr Bern Nicholls, Board Chair
HIGHLIGHTS IN SUMMARY:
• 10% of students attained an ATAR over 90.
• 36% of students attained an ATAR over 80.
• 38% of students achieved study scores of 35 and above.
• There were three perfect scores of 50!
Three students were awarded the VCE Baccalaureate, and all students who undertook the Vocational Major graduated and completed VET studies.
On International Women’s Day, we celebrated the achievements of two inspiring alumnae Cass Hillier (2014) & Ally Vardy (2016).
Cass is a Forensic Officer for Victoria Police, and Ally is a Marine Biologist for Pacific Bio.
Each shared memories of their time at Mater Christi and how it helped shape their futures and confidence to pursue their dreams.
They encouraged current students to travel and take up every opportunity offered to them, even if they are scared— particularly if they are scared—as these experiences are the most rewarding and provide the most growth.
We are extremely grateful to Cass and Ally for sharing their stories. It was wonderful to see current students, so keen to talk to them afterwards and hear more about their careers and experiences.
Mater Day is a long-standing tradition at the College! It is a day when we give thanks for and celebrate our wonderful Mater community through a whole-school Mass, our Annual House Performing Arts Competition (HPAC), a special lunch, and some fun together.
While we had to make the difficult decision to postpone our planned Colour Run, due to challenging weather, it didn’t stop us from enjoying this special day.
During Mass, we reflected on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, upon which our College spirit is built—the importance of not walking past those in need or ignoring difficult issues but instead
being part of the solution.
Principal Maria Haggett spoke of the impact we can all have by doing small things with great intention and kindness—that the most important thing is to “do something.”
HPAC was an absolute delight, with incredible individual, duo, and group performances. Our judges were so impressed! Even Mr Woodhouse, despite playing the villain judge for the day, was
Congratulations to Lyons House who took out the HPAC Cup! To Amber and Princess (Lyons House) for the winning performance.
And to each and every student who embraced the spirit of the day through performance and audience support!
Following HPAC, students spent the rest of the day watching movies, grabbing a delicious lunch from the food trucks, and getting their groove on at the disco, thanks to DJ Balderstone!
Mater Christi College 18
COLOUR RUN
After having to postpone on Mater Day due to a challenging weather forecast, our first Colour Run in three years finally came to fruition on 17 October! And it was certainly worth the wait!
Some of our Year 7 students gave personal acknowledgements to their own grandparents, and we shared a Mass and a lovely morning tea!
We celebrated Grandparents Day at the College for the first time this year, with Year 7 students, their grandparents, elderly friends, and families gathering to acknowledge and celebrate the gift of grandparents and the vital role they play in our lives.
Our Principal, Ms Haggett, gave a beautiful reflection of her own experience that many can relate to:
“I was lucky enough to have my grandparents in my life and into adulthood, and I can tell you I miss them every day. My mother’s parents provided a haven for me, a second home where there was unconditional acceptance and the warmest of hugs. This is where I learned how to play cards like a pro; this is where I learned about their life during the war and why I became a history teacher; this is where I fell in love with gardening, cooking, and making things. I learned about cooking while watching over Nan’s shoulder and the importance of having a sense of humour from my grandfather, who told ridiculous stories that I knew weren’t true, but I played along anyway. More importantly, I saw the humble lives they lived in service to others. I saw how they dealt with adversity and tragedy—which was always with grace and generosity.
Today we think about your great wisdom and experience, which is passed from generation to generation. Family history experts tell us that memories survive for three generations, so to the students here - make sure you listen to and retell the stories your grandparents tell you. This is part of who you are. Thank you for coming and for your guidance and encouragement.”
Our thanks to Mission Identity Leader Pete Woodhouse, for his vision and all who contributed to bringing this wonderful event to life!
THE ARRIVAL OF HOODIES!
The first of many special events for the Class of 2024 was the arrival of their Year 12 hoodie!
“The Year 12 cohort of 2024 has been a pleasure to work with and walk alongside. They should be proud of the efforts they have put into their schooling this year—be it academic, sports, or artistic performance. It is my hope that they go into the world with a desire to be the best they can be and to make the world a better place.”
James Bakker, Year 12 Learning Leader
“
Year 12 has been a big year for all of us. Throughout this year I have loved watching my peers grow into themselves and develop into mature young adults, far from who we were when we first met in Year 7. Together we have fostered an incredible sense of community and belonging, something which I believe is rare to find.
I’ve also discovered that the relationship you form with your teachers in Year 12 is special and something you should value greatly. It has been one of the highlights of my year. I have loved coming into any class and having a conversation about anything going on during the day or joking about things around the school; it truly is something special that I always looked forward to. Not to mention that everyone here is so supportive and reassuring, making me feel that throughout my time here at Mater, I have truly belonged.
This year has been a year to remember, the last year of school, a time to focus but also a time to celebrate. To me, this year has been an adventure where we all take those initial steps into the rest of our lives and the future that awaits while saying our goodbyes on the way. It’s been a tough year, but well worthwhile.”
Lilly Ziino, 12B & Emma Costello, 12D
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
The Year 12 Formal is undoubtedly a major highlight for students in their final year of secondary school. It is an opportunity for a bit of glamour and to connect with their peers on a social level before the business end of VCE sets in.
The students, partners, and staff had a ball, forming lasting memories and making the most of this special night.
“I absolutely loved formal! I loved spending a night out with my friends and getting to see everyone look so beautiful. The awards were my favourite part of the night; seeing people recognised for being themselves was wonderful. And I loved the music and dancing as well, of course!” Sarah Barnett, 12B
“It was great to see everyone dressed up and looking fabulous; it was a really great night!”
Samantha Damon, 12D
Our thanks to HM Photos for the
DRESS-UP RELIEF!
TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN!
When our Year 12s embarked on their Retreat at Lyrebird Park in Yellingbo at the end of June, it seemed hard to believe that they were nearly two-thirds of the way through their final year of secondary school at that point.
This annual Retreat allows Year 12 students time to reflect upon their achievements to date, prepare for the remainder of Year 12, and consider what lies beyond the gates of Mater Christi College.
The focus of activities at the Retreat centre around “Walking the path of the Good Samaritan”— asking students to consider how they can use their voices as Informed, Compassionate, and Creative members of society throughout their lives.
The students also received personalised messages from family members or close family friends, containing words of encouragement and positivity to carry them forward.
Not to mention, there was a surprise visit from musician and team builder Gen Bryant.
Year 12 Dress-Up days are a long-standing tradition at Mater Christi, offering a welcome opportunity for students to have some fun with friends and get creative amongst the busyness of the final year of high school and exam preparation.
The Class of 2024 may have started a new Year 12 tradition at the College, arriving on their last day with upcycled Mater uniforms! Great fun, super creative, and colourful!
“This year, I have discovered that I am a hands-on learner and doing the Vocational Major (VM) in VCE has allowed me to learn like this. It has taught me to believe in myself and just have fun. I have accomplished many things this year through my VM subjects, including holding a stall to raise awareness about breast cancer and its effects on women and participating in many fun excursions. This was a great experience to be part of, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me. I’ll always remember the cherished friendships I have made and the fond memories of all my teachers and their unwavering support throughout my journey at Mater.”
Emma Costello, 12D
FAREWELL TO THE CLASS OF 2024!
On Friday, 18 October, all members of our College community, along with Year 12 families, joined together to celebrate and bid farewell to the Class of 2024!
Staff members, as well as the Federal Member for Casey, Aaron Violi, and State Member for Monbulk, Daniela De Martino, expressed words of wisdom and heartfelt congratulations as they reflected on their own memories of finishing Year 12 and life beyond secondary school.
As is tradition, staff formed a guard of honour, which paved the way for the students to exit the Mater Christi Hall for the last time and begin their next chapter as Informed, Compassionate, and Creative members of society.
Classof 2024 you are ready! This is your time to shine. Go with confidence, go with compassion, and go knowing that you are always a Mater Girl.
VET HOSPITALITY
Our VET Hospitality students are so lucky to be able to complete their course on campus, gaining hands-on food and beverage preparation and service experience in our kitchen and Sunny Siesta Cafe.
In May, students practised and honed their skills, preparing and serving a delicious luncheon to 17 staff, led by our passionate Hospitality teachers, Mr Zito and Mrs Mugridge!
In June, our Year 12 VET Hospitality students visited the Yarra Valley to experience food from field to plate. This included picking and learning about seasonal fruits at Rayner’s Orchard, cheese tasting at Yarra Valley Dairy, a tour of St Huberts Winery, and learning about the process of chocolate making at The Chocolaterie (with a tasting of course)!
“What I love about VET Hospitality is that it combines practical skills with creativity, giving me hands-on experience in the industry. Through this subject, I’ve learned how to communicate effectively in a professional environment, gained a better understanding of food safety standards, and developed skills in menu planning, food preparation, and service techniques. It’s also helped me improve my ability to work under pressure, collaborate with others, and adapt to the fast-paced nature of hospitality work. I’ve really enjoyed the connection with my fellow students and teacher. Working together has created a supportive environment where we can share ideas, learn from each other, and grow as a team.”
VET MECHANICS AND VCEHand in Hand!
Year 12 student Christiana loves cars! She has always loved cars! Luckily, with opportunities provided through her studies at Mater Christi, Christiana has been able to delve deeper into her passion and position herself for a successful career in the automotive industry when she leaves school.
Christiana chose a VET Automotive course as part of her VCE studies. Despite being one of only a few girls in the course, she loved every minute of it.
“
I would like to say to other female students out there - don’t be afraid to explore this path. Practical skills are incredibly valuable and in high demand and can be a great alternative to traditional academic routes, with rewarding career opportunities.”
One day a week, Christiana stepped out of the classroom and into a real workshop at TAFE—a change of environment that she found refreshing. This hands-on experience, using her theoretical knowledge on real cars, made complex concepts like understanding an engine simpler and more enjoyable to learn.
While female uptake of trades and trade courses may be on the rise, Christiana recognises it is still uncommon for female students to consider these kinds of courses in VCE. She is keen to highlight the employment opportunities, competitive pay and job satisfaction that trades have to offer and to encourage more girls to consider them.
Christiana Nestor, 12A
Emily Gianfriddo, 12A
JOSIE has her sights set on being a carpenter and playing in the AFLW. She has a gruelling football training schedule playing for the Eastern Ranges, and was selected for the Under 18s Victorian Metro Team this year. She works a casual job and she has chosen to do VCE with a Vocational Major.
The vast array of flexible VCE pathway offerings at Mater Christi has allowed Josie to take full advantage of the new One VCE and create a combination of VCE and Vocational Major subjects that suit her interests and future goals.
Over the past two years, a major overhaul of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) has seen the previous model (where students chose between VCE and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL)) replaced by a much more flexible One VCE. Mater Christi has embraced the opportunity to implement One VCE to its full potential in our curriculum so as to ensure our students have access to as much choice as possible in Years 11 and 12. Our VCE pathway offerings allow students to choose a combination of VCE, Vocationl Major and VET subjects that best suit their interests and future goals.
In Year 11 Josie studied, VET Carpentry, VCE English, VCE Outdoor & Environmental Studies, VET Small Business, VCE Foundation Maths, and VCE-VM WorkRelated Skills.
IMOGEN My VCE subjects include VCE Psychology, VCE Health and Human Development, VCE General Mathematics, VCE-VM Literacy and Personal Development. By having a mix of both VCE and VM subjects I can interact with people across the whole year level who share similar interests to me. In previous years, the options were VCE or VCAL and VCAL students studied separately from other VCE students. Now students can learn more through the wide range of VCE subjects that Mater Christi offers.
CHARLIE discovered her calling while volunteering for local disability service provider Interchange Outer East (IOE). She has chosen to do VCE with a Vocational Major, with a combination of VCE and VM subjects, and works a casual job as a Junior Support Worker.
Charlie’s first experience with disability support work came through volunteering with Interchange Outer East (IOE). In September 2023, she was offered a position as a Junior Support Worker. After completing the required training courses, including first aid, manual handling, medication administration, and meal assistance via a feeding tube, she was ready to go.
My VCE studies also include a VET subject. I chose to do VET Allied Health Assistance at Box Hill Institute. Here, I participate in both practical and theoretical activities, including work health and safety, how to control the spread of infection, how to communicate with patients and work colleagues, and how to assist people with movement. Through my VET course, I have formed valuable friendships with people from schools around Melbourne, as well as relationships with teachers. Going to VET is my favourite part of my school week, and I have been able to develop and gain more independence and I am beyond grateful that I have the opportunity to learn what I am most passionate about. When I finish school, my goals include continuing with Nursing at Box Hill Institute and ultimately being in the Health Industry.”
In Year 11, Charlie chose a balanced mix of VCE and Vocational Major subjects. These included VCE English and Maths, VCE Psychology, VET Allied Health Assistance and VM Work-Related Skills and Personal Development. She says VET Allied Health is particularly useful for understanding the legal side of disability work, and Psychology helps her better understand how to support the emotional needs of the people she cares for. Charlie also says she enjoys her VM subjects because they offer a more hands-on approach, which suits her learning style.
“
When I started as a volunteer for IOE, I was invested right from the first activity; I knew this was something I’d like to do for a really long time. I love disability support work because there is always something different happening; I don’t think I’ve ever had one shift that is the same as another. I also really enjoy creating a safe and happy environment for all of the participants.”
Charlie Hyndman, 11D
JEWEL is keeping her options open when it comes to her future career. Her list includes the building industry, music, and photography. She has also always wanted to be a Police Officer—so you never know! In Year 11, Jewel chose subjects that she felt would benefit her when she left school, subjects she felt passionate about, and that were linked to her hobbies—to ensure she stayed engaged and enjoyed her studies. Jewel’s subjects included VCE Business Studies, VCE Foundation Maths, VCE Drama, VET Building & Construction, VET Small Business, and VCE-VM Literacy & Personal Development.
“I am filled with pride and admiration for every Year 11 student in 2024.
The year has been one of growth, challenges, and achievements. They have all demonstrated resilience, dedication, care for one another, and a commitment to their studies and courses.
2024 has been more than just about academic success. It’s been about discovering who they are, forging lifelong friendships, showing kindness to transform communities, and building the foundations for their futures. They have faced obstacles with courage, embraced new opportunities, and shown that they are capable of greatness.
During Home Group, the students embraced opportunities to understand themselves— their strengths, interests, and personalities. They have learnt how to strengthen their relationships with teachers, friends, family, and themselves.
To the Year 11s—“remember that the journey doesn’t end here. The lessons you’ve learned and the experiences you’ve shared will stay with you as you move forward. Continue to strive for excellence, stay curious, and always be true to you.
Watching you grow has been an absolute pleasure, and I am excited to see where life takes you next. Always remember that you have the support of your teachers, your friends, and your community behind you.
Congratulations on all you’ve achieved this year. Here’s to a bright future ahead!”
Janine Callahan, Year 11 Learning Leader
“Year 11 has been full of life and love. Each and every one of us has been on a journey of personal growth, looking towards the future unknown and although it has not always been easy, the support has been unmatched, like always here at Mater Christi.”
Annabella Tyquin, 11A “
LIVEFM
Year 11 VCE students spent two days working with Ralph Barba from LIVEFM— learning the ins and outs of live radio, as part of their Vocational Major Personal Development subject.
Thank you. It was a lovely experience, and the students were so poised, informed and curious. They conducted themselves so professionally which made the experience amazing for me as an interviewee.”
Zamantha Romero, Class of 2000
The students researched and designed interview questions for their guests and conducted the interviews themselves. Guests included staff, students, and some of our wonderful alumnae, who visited the College to talk about their jobs and how they relate to our 2024 College Kindness Transforms Community.
RETREAT DAY
As they draw nearer to their final year of secondary school, our Year 11 students participate in a Retreat Day. This is an opportunity to take some time out from the busyness of school and daily life, to consider the things that are important to them, get to know each other a little better, and see themselves in a positive light.
To kick things off Mr Woodhouse helped the students unpack our 2024 College theme—Kindness Transforms Community—and recognise the universal human need for connection. They were encouraged to consider the different layers that exist in every person and the experiences that can influence who we are and who we become.
Then, a series of games, including a rotating circle in which they spent a few minutes with different peers, sharing experiences and perspectives on everything from their favourite gelato flavour to their proudest achievement.
AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME
Our Year 11 Outdoor and Environmental Studies students spent four days and three nights canoeing down the Murray River. Covering 60km of the river, from The Gulf Campground to Barmah, the students were completely self-sufficient, camping along the way and organising their own food and shelter.
Blessed with some lovely warm weather, winter sun, and starry nights, the students developed a deeper understanding of the perspectives of the Yorta Yorta People and their relationship with the Dhungala (Murray River). They learnt about how they managed the land tens of thousands of years ago and their ideas on how to manage the area today.
Our thanks to Bindaree Outdoor Education and the expertise of their canoe instructors, who made sure the trip ran smoothly. And to Ms Fildes, Ms Johns and Ms Godfrey who enjoyed accompanying the students and sharing the experience with them.
“
Being vulnerable is the only way you will try new things, meet new people, see progress within yourself and experience the beautiful world.”
Imogen Edgar, 11E
A mini-Olympics encouraged team building with their peers, and then the day concluded with some self-reflection tasks and a closing prayer in our Chapel.
Throughout the day, every student had the opportunity to chat and have some fun with at least one or two people they don’t usually cross paths with and to appreciate the importance and benefits of being kind to others and themselves.
What a great way to lay the groundwork for Year 12—a year when they will likely rely on each other just that little bit more!
“I originally thought Year 11 would be scary, but this year was a new and fun experience. I made friends with people who I didn’t think I would be close to and found myself enjoying subjects I never thought I would, like Biology and Business management. Year 11 was a rollercoaster of emotions, but it’s definitely worth it”
Sruthi Ganesan, 11C
“The Year 10 students of 2024 have stepped up to the challenges of transitioning into the Senior School with determination and commitment, participating in all the opportunities on offer. They have strived to achieve their personal best and continued to develop their leadership skills, build resilience, and positively contribute to the community of the College. I am proud of their efforts and wish them all the best in 2025.”
Lisa
Costello, Year 10 Learning Leader
CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
We were all very envious of our Central Australia travellers as they waved goodbye, heading off to warmer weather at the beginning of the September school holidays.
Their trip was jam-packed with memorymaking experiences, including a tour of Alice Springs and a visit to Anzac Hill, which overlooks the township and the surrounding spectacular MacDonnell Ranges. They visited Standley Chasm to enjoy an exclusive Aboriginal cultural experience, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Alice Springs Reptile Park. They camped at Kings Canyon and went on an Aboriginal-presented cultural tour which included spear and boomerang displays, and learning about bush tucker, medicine, and the language of this community.
And, of course, no trip to Central Australia would be complete without visiting Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park to learn about the culture and Tjukurpa (Aboriginal Law) of the Anangun and the opportunity to experience the sunrise over Uluru from the camp lookout on the last day.
“Year 10 was a great year. It introduced us to life as Seniors and started preparing us for VCE. During the year, there were many programs and opportunities students could participate in, such as iChooze, where we could choose an activity to take a break with friends.”
Madeleine
Vlek, 10C
Among other things, this is what students said they learnt in Central Australia:
• Some people are not morning people.
• Playing tiggy in the dark hurts.
• Ms Trumino is really good at cup pong.
• Whistling with a mouth full of Saladas is hard, unless you are Audrey.
Mrs Onslow (Cherene) is super competitive.
• Eucalyptus trees GURGLE! You can survive with one working thong.
• Good mornings always come with a pineapple and a compliment. Some people are really scared of emus but are awesome at Charades.
Finding a pool to swim in is Ms Colyer’s superpower.
• Some people will always be stopped and searched like criminals at the airport.
• Mrs Overdyk is really good at Bananagrams.
• Some people are fearful of moths.
• Lizard kisses are fun, and nothing hugs you better than a snake.
• No one can tell you how beautiful Uluru is; you must experience it.
• Sleeping under the stars on the last night is magical
And lastly—eight days on an adventure to Central Australia will provide you with lifelong friends and a bunch of memories.
SAFE DRIVING SKILLS SAVE LIVES
Our Year 10 Personal Health students undertook a two-day course at METEC Driver Education & Training. The students participated in two educational sessions and two driving lessons—working towards a safer driving future!
“Going to METEC was a great experience. I drove an automatic car and learnt all about merging lanes, breaking, controlling my speed as well as maintaining overall control of the car.”
Isabella Lancaster, 10B
“I was told how beautiful it was, but I could never imagine the middle of the desert to be so. I was astounded by the natural colours of the landscape. Only then did I understand how beautiful the land could be. I observed through visiting the RFDS and the School of Air that tough times are bound to happen, but we can adapt and make a change, whatever that may be. I forged new connections with those around me, learnt about Indigenous culture and saw the world around me from a lighter perspective, as I understood that I could survive with less than I thought I needed. A great experience 10/10.”
Grace Colyer, 10D
“BIG SISTERS
The first day for Year 7 students was also the first time our new Year 10 Peer Support Mentors met their Little Sisters and had a chance to spend time with them! A big shout out to all the Big Sisters, who, despite having to start school a day earlier than their peers, volunteered to be part of the program and make a difference in the lives of the newest members of our community.
Year 10 at Mater has been a delightful blend of growth and excitement. From my inspiring week of work experience at a Local member of Parliament’s office, where paperwork became central to learning, to the inspiring experience of witnessing parliamentary proceedings at the Victorian Parliament. Each moment has been a stepping stone towards my future. Serving as a Peer Support Leader for my Year 7 Little Sisters and guiding them through the transition into high school has taught me the profound values of empathy and leadership. I’m excited to see where my future leads, and I’m so grateful I have the support of my teachers and family to help guide me through my subject selections and possible career pathways that are suited to me.”
Isabella Lancaster,
I wanted to make a product that was tangible and incorporated the natural imperfections reflected around the Yarra Ranges. I learnt woodworking and electrical techniques over several months, planning and building the speaker. The speaker incorporated an exciter using vibrations through the wood burl as a sound source.
Tying in a ‘musical theme’, I melted a vinyl record to enhance the asymmetrical appearance.
I loved the final look, bringing the outside inside and cannot wait to mount it on the wall.”
Evelyn Vale, 10A
My goal was to learn how to sew clothing. I wanted to challenge myself so I decided my product would be a wedding dress. I also wanted to prove that a piece of formal wear could be beautiful whilst being both sustainable and economical. All my materials came from the op shop and I only spent $27 in total. I committed to my goal and am happy with the knowledge and experience I have gained from my Personal Project.“
Diana Mattucci,
My goal was to make a dark, eerie painting, including the influence of flowers. I worked with acrylic paint, which I generally dislike using. Painting with this medium was a struggle as I had to learn new techniques, but it was worth it in the end.”
Charlie Drury, 10B
My goal was to learn how to design and weld a lamp from old car parts. Collecting the items was quite a challenge, even though my whole family loves cars. I already had some prior knowledge on how to weld as my dad is a registered panel beater and had taught me a few things in the past. I did a simple sketch before beginning the actual building process. I am proud of myself for committing to my goal and am happy with the skills and knowledge that I have gained from my Personal Project.”
Olivia Wakartschuk, 10B
I decided to make a Fantasy Map to express my love for the genre of Fantasy not just through words but through the language of art. I wanted to improve my ability to create fine-line art, and cartography was the perfect opportunity to do this. My devotion to Fantasy stemmed from the environment I was exposed to as a kid, an environment full of wonder, magic, and endless possibility. I wanted to show the people around me just a fragment of my wide and broad imagination.”
Shreya Vazirani, 10E
I wanted to explore my family’s military background as I want to join the Defence Force in the future. There were many conflicts while I worked on this project, but I am so proud of myself for uncovering and finding new information from real logbooks and Ancestry DNA. I learned about my great uncle, Cleveland Charles Watson and my Oma, Jacoba Eijkman, and about where we came from and stories that were passed down. Sadly, I couldn’t do my Mum’s side, but I still uncovered a lot of interesting information. I am very proud and happy with the outcome and would love to do something like this again.
John Watson, 10B
“
For my personal project, I wanted to learn jewellery-making skills and design and create my own jewellery. I love to wear jewellery and took inspiration from some of my favourite pieces. To learn the necessary skills I took a class with Sarah Munnings. This taught me what I needed to know to create my final product. I’m very happy with it!
Clara Garry, 10D
I upcycled and remodelled a doll’s house and gave it a spooky and haunted backstory. I’ve always been interested in horror, storytelling, and all things weird and unusual. As a child, I loved playing in dollhouses and making my own story. I wanted people to use their imagination and create a story in their heads about what they think happened in this doll house. I used cheap and recycled materials, and I am thrilled by the outcome.”
Maddie Elso, 10C
MIDDLE
“I am incredibly proud of every Year 9 student; your bright and bubbly personalities have truly made this year special and memorable. It has been a pleasure to see you all embrace new challenges, build lasting friendships, and support one another this year.
As you move into Senior School, I am excited to see you continue to shine as leaders and positive influences. Your resilience, kindness, and willingness to step up will undoubtedly inspire those around you.
Remember, the growth you’ve experienced this year is just the beginning. Keep striving for excellence, stay true to yourselves, and continue to spread your positivity and leadership throughout your Senior years.”
Eliza Johns Year 9 Learning Leader
COMMUNITY DAY
Mater Christi connects our students with their peers at St Joseph’s College through activities at various year levels. In October, Year 9s from both schools enjoyed a day of community.
Beginning with a combined mass at St Joseph’s, all students then had the opportunity to spend time together at Rush HQ, share a BBQ lunch, and engage in a teacher-led Trivia activity.
Everyone had a lot of fun making new friends or strengthening existing relationships.
WOW WHAT A WEEK!
Our Year 9 World of Work (WOW) Week delivers a huge range of crucial information and useful tools that students need as they prepare to enter the workplace.
This invaluable program includes Morrisby testing and interviews, career portfolio and enterprise skills development, career experiences, information about developing financial independence (understanding rights at work and how to manage superannuation and tax) with Talk Money (Ecstra Foundation), and mock job interviews.
And, for a bit of fun, a Dress for Success (what to wear and what not to wear for an interview) fashion parade, including a section on how to leave a lasting impression with the perfect handshake!
Our Year 9s sure felt prepared and ready to go after all of that!
“
Year 9 has been full of unforgettable moments that helped me grow, from enrichment weeks to bonding during school events. I’m so
SERVICE AS ACTION WEEK
The third enrichment week for Year 9 this year—Service as Action Week— provided an opportunity for the students to engage first-hand with a range of social justice issues in our community, including homelessness, food insecurity, and inclusion for people with disabilities. They visited Fare Share Schools Kitchen to learn about food waste and rescue and to prepare meals for those experiencing food insecurity. They took The Intersection City Walk experience to explore the issue of homelessness and factors that contribute to the lives of those experiencing it. They explored Laudato Si—Pope Francis’ critique of consumerism and irresponsible economic development, environmental degradation, and global warming and his call for swift and unified global action. They visited local disability recreational and day service, BridgeHaven. A busy and fulfilling week centred around human dignity, our shared challenges, hope, and our ability to act.
“I’ve enjoyed the chance to be a part of the leadership council of Year 9. I have loved improving my skills as a leader and being more comfortable in public speaking.”
Amelia Cunningham, 9C
VIRTUAL WORK EXPERIENCE
“I’m in Machu Pichu, where are you?’”
“I’m doing open heart surgery, what are you doing?”
“I’m giving someone a haircut.”
These were just some of the excited comments from around the room, when our Year 9s were able to try out different jobs via Virtual Reality, thanks to Mindflight7.
Some found a new and interesting potential career path, and others discovered what they definitely don’t want to do for a job—but everyone certainly had fun.
“What I’ve most enjoyed about Year 9 is that I have been introduced to wider elective freedom. This has enabled me to shape my learning around personal interests and aptitudes, as well as encouraging me to extend myself in other areas that spark interest.”
Lucy Rossely,
NETBALL ACTION
In early May, our sports courts were full of action with the annual Year 8 Netball Tournament. This tournament is a chance for Year 8 students to consolidate what they have been learning in their PE classes and enjoy some healthy competition and fun with their peers.
Congratulations to 8A, who shot their way to first place overall, and to all the Year 8 students for giving it a redhot go!
“
The best parts of Year 8 were participating in year-level sports tournaments and trying a range of new subjects such as Drama, Dance, and Food Technology. This allowed us to step out of our comfort zones and try new things. For some of us, this led to a new love of baking, and we have started regular baking at home now. We have been grateful to have had a voice and grown in confidence.”
Charlotte Smithells, 8B, Taylah Benson and Avery Ede, 8C
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
Our Year 8 students spent time working on their teamwork & collaboration skills through an interactive survivor program, thanks to Great Race Australia— Masters of Fun.
The program aims to foster positive relationships between peers as they work together as a team and recognise that everybody has something different to offer and contribute.
This is the first time the Survivor Program has been run for Year 8 students at the College, and by all reports, it was a great success!
“It was a very different experience with new things to try!! All the teams were very excited!
Sasha Gruber and Sophia Gigliotti, 8C
“I loved cheering other people on, and the memory game was definitely my favourite activity.”
Avery Ede, 8C
“I really enjoyed cheering people on today in the survivor challenges. I sacrificed myself for my group and ate the vegemite tim-tams, but they were gross. My favourite activity was the stick tower building challenge.” Charlotte Fogel, 8C
“
Year 8 students of 2024 have shown a great willingness to experience a year of firsts. From forging new friendships and experiencing Survivor games to trying out sports that they would never have considered, such as dance and badminton. And for some, the SLAM poetry was their first public speaking event.
It has been a pleasure to see the growth in the students who took on every opportunity to make new connections and develop new skills, even when all these seemed out of their reach.
They have shown resilience, respect, and a willingness to come together for others, showing support for each other in year-level events and support for the wider community.”
Margherita Magagna, Year
8 Learning Leader
“As Year 8 Homegroup Representatives, we have had opportunities to work together and develop skills such as public speaking and leading activities and assemblies. We have been able to bring ideas to life, such as the fundraising stalls for Vinnies. We enjoyed cooking and selling together to make a difference for others. This gave us the opportunity to have fun whilst connecting more with each other and seeing others in the school enjoy our edible delights.
We also really enjoyed joining together as a year-level in the Survivor Games, board games, sports tournaments, wellbeing activities and for Medieval Day. The inter-school sports and the College production were also highlights.
We had so much fun interacting with different people and exploring new and different friendships.”
Tayla Kircos, 8D and Mataya Pickett, 8A
WELLBEING DAY
Loving ourselves and each other ensures everyone in our community is included and has the opportunity to participate and be the best they can be.
Our Year 8 Wellbeing Day was reimagined this year with a full day of workshops, and activities centred around body positivity and embracing our differences and the differences in others.
Students worked in small groups on personal and outward reflection activities. Then, in the afternoon, they enjoyed writing, design, art, or performance-based activities to creatively express what they had learnt over the course of the day.
BAKING WITH LOVE
Our Year 8 Home Groups baked up a storm all throughout Term 2, with each class holding a bake sale to raise money for our Vinnies Winter Appeal.
Together, the year level raised an impressive $1359 to support people experiencing homelessness in our community.
Nice work, Year 8!
“To my inaugural Year 7 group of 2024: you were the spark that lifted my spirits, and I enjoyed every moment of being your Learning Leader. Your enthusiasm, curiosity, and unique personalities have made every day an adventure. Beginning to walk and guide you on your path to 2029 is something I will treasure for a lifetime.”
Julie Colyer, Year 7 Learning Leader
DAY 1
“I already love this school!” said one Year 7 student on the first day. It certainly was a great day, full of many firsts!
It was the first day of secondary school for our 2024 Year 7s (who rocked it, by the way!). They enjoyed getting-to-know-you activities, school tours and locker set-up, and a newspaper costume-making and fashion parade.
It was the first official school day for our new Year 7 Learning Leader, Ms Colyer. She kindly dressed in blue, like all our Year 7s, so they could easily recognise her.
It was also the first time we were able to see students wearing our brand-new uniform! It’s definitely a winner!
Other year 7s said:
“I loved that there were lots of different ways to make new friends through all the different activities and the time with our Big Sisters.”
“It was a great day! Everyone was really inclusive and looked out for each other. My favourite thing was the Learning Commons—it’s just a really nice place to be.”
“ The highlight of my year was when we went to the Belgrave Pool way back in Term One. This is one of my favourite memories because it’s when I met most of my friends. They have helped me grow my confidence by a landslide”
Zoe Eleftheriou, 7E
SETTLING IN
Our Year 7 program aims to give students as many opportunities as possible to get to know each other and make new friends.
During Week 1, the year level spent some time together, playing games and exploring all the Learning Commons has to offer.
Even Ms Colyer got in on the fun!
HOW WAS CAMP?
We’re pretty sure our Year 7s had fun at camp!!!!
“Thank you for organising that amazing camp, Ms Colyer; it was the best! My highlight was the giant swing.”
Hannah Connallon, 7A
“I really enjoyed having time to hang out with my friends and build our bond even more. My favourite part was the Penguin Parade, seeing all those little Fairy Penguins just made my night.” Jazz Giardini, 7D
“I really enjoyed doing the high ropes. It was fun to dangle in the air and do obstacles with a harness. It was super fun and a little bit scary. I would do it again.”
Jade McCulloch, 7A
“
Camp was my favourite activity of Year 7 because I loved building friendships and the activities were so much fun. Camp helped me come out of my comfort zone, and I tried lots of new things. I developed my risk-taking attributes by going all the way to the top of the giant swing, and I enjoyed the experience of taking on the challenge”.
Hope Powell, 7D
“My favourite thing was the team rescue because we had to use a lot of leadership and teamwork. It was super fun when we completed the course as we all felt that we had achieved something.” Quinn Thorn, 7A
OFF TO THE POOL
Ms Colyer may have been a little over-prepared, but nevertheless, we sent her off to lead the charge down to Belgrave Pool for the first Year 7 excursion of the year.
The students enjoyed a splash and time with their new friends, and perfect weather to top it all off! We were very happy to see them settling in so well and feeling a great sense of togetherness so early in the year!
Zenith is a select entry program that runs alongside our Middle School curriculum. It encourages students to think of solutions to real-world problems through a project-based approach to learning.
ZENITH DAYS
Students from Years 7 – 9 worked around a hypothetical Mission to Mars this year, covering topics including who should be sent, what form of governance would be most suitable, and climate and liveability challenges. Students then worked in groups of four, identifying a problem and designing a solution, following the design-thinking process.
The group also spent time off-campus at KIOSC: Mission to Mars Challenge, where they programmed drone helicopters, undertook experimental housing design challenges, and experienced being on Mars using virtual reality.
STEM MAD
“ I have really enjoyed the Zenith Program, especially the preparation for STEMMAD. I learnt heaps while doing my project, about plants and the environment on Mars. STEM MAD was fun, and I enjoyed having a day off in the city.”
Maya Mithen, 7C
“We had a fantastic group of students this year who rose to the challenge of designing their own project to solve a problem they identified in space exploration or living on Mars. These were varied and highly creative. We were very impressed with their application and ability to be selfdriven.”
Every year, students from Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) around Victoria gather at STEM MAD to showcase projects they have been working on throughout the year. This event celebrates and promotes STEM learning initiatives in Catholic schools and encourages students to make a difference (MAD) in the world by acting for justice and the common good.
MACS selected three Zenith teams to attend for their projects: Plants 4 Mars, Planet Press, and Mars Soil Regeneration
The teams set a new benchmark by achieving our best overall results to date at the annual showcase. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of these students and the commitment and expertise of our Zenith teachers, Dr Gavin and Mr Balderstone.
This event includes the STEM MAD Competition, and a winner and two finalists are announced for each project category.
Dr Rhoda Gavin, Zenith Teacher
RESULTS
• WINNERS in the Maths in Context (Secondary schools) – Plants 4 Mars
• FINALISTS for the Communications Award (Secondary schools): Planet Press
• FINALISTS for the STEM MAD Award (Secondary schools) - Mars Soil Regeneration Project
• FINALISTS for the Best Engineered Project (Secondary schools) - Planet Press
• FINALISTS for the STEM in Space (Secondary schools) - Mars Soil Regeneration Project.
LEARNING
Studying The Arts allows students to express themselves in a myriad of ways and ensures an holistic and well-rounded education.
Mater Christi has a rich and diverse Arts culture and curriculum, and students can engage in related subjects and extracurricular activities from Year 7 through to Year 12.
Studies can be undertaken in Drama, Musical Theatre, Dance, Instrumental Music, Visual Arts and Technology. Students can also take part in our College production, annual House Performing Arts Competition (HPAC), Arts and Technology Exhibition and much more.
SENIOR DRAMA PERFORMANCE EVENING
Our Senior Drama Performance Evening is an opportunity for VCE Drama students to perform their devised ensembles for an audience. Their participation in the collaborative process and the performance itself form part of their final assessment. This event proved very popular this year as the students showcased their skills to a full house at the Burrinja Cultural Centre’s Lyre Room in May.
Drama teacher Libbie Rogers congratulated the students on their fabulous performances, describing their talent and creativity as inspirational!
YEAR 9 & 10 MAKE A MUSICAL
Our Middle School Make A Musical elective class performed Bottom’s Dream by Kristen Doherty at Burrinja Cultural Centre’s Lyre Room in May.
In this play, a group of wayward teenagers venture into a forest to rehearse A Midsummer Night’s Dream in an authentic setting. Little do they know that the forest is enchanted, and they are about to be caught up in the magic of the Dream.
Parents and friends were thrilled with the performance and offered a welcome and supportive audience.
Mater Christi College
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC SOIREE
Our 2024 Music Soirée was bigger and better than ever, with over 40 students performing to an audience of 120 music enthusiasts.
Students across all year levels shared their musical and vocal talents on piano, guitar, vocals, flute and violin, and we were thrilled to see and hear our newly formed Jazz Band Academy perform after practising so hard in the lead-up to this, their debut performance.
Highlights from the night included Princess Van Der Burght’s own composition on piano, Jade Hayman’s vocal rendition of Halo, and DaniRose Oliver’s performance of ‘The Approaching Night’ on piano.
Every performance was wonderful and an absolute treat for the audience.
Congratulations to Helen Metcalfe, Head of Music, and her team for providing such a wonderful opportunity for our students to shine!
My favourite subject was VCE Dance. I have always had a passion for dance, ever since I was two years old. I unfortunately had to quit it outside of school, because in the older years school does get a lot, but I’m so grateful that I was able to continue it throughout school. It’s been absolutely amazing. We have a beautiful dance studio here at Mater – we are so lucky!”
Gemma Przychodski, Year 12
Ella Decorrado (Class of 2023) – VCA acceptance
The Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) is internationally known as a leading tertiary institution for artistic invention. Many in the artistic community covet the opportunity to study at the VCA, and the entry process is extremely rigorous— only the best of the best secure a place.
Thus, it was with great pride that we were able to extend our congratulations to Class of 2023 alumna Ella Decorrado, who was been accepted into the VCA for 2024!
Ella is a huge talent and incredibly deserving of her place at the VCA. We know it is only a matter of time before we see her on a professional stage!
Our 2024 co-production with St Joseph’s College took us back to the roaring twenties for some old-fashioned razzle-dazzle.
Mater Christi College
“Such a fantastic show! The cast was amazing.”
It was Mater Christi’s year to host, and our staff and students took on the opportunity with enthusiasm and excitement as always.
Held at Burrinja Cultural Centre from 1 – 3 August, Chicago Teen Edition was a delight for audiences, both young and old. Its captivating tale of two murderesses, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly (played by sisters Holly and Milla Macallan), focused on the women navigating fame, fortune, and the justice system.
Musically, the audience was transported to the decadent world of prohibition-era Chicago, with the syncopated jazz beats and soulful vaudeville melodies.
Through brilliant choreography, song and performance, we enjoyed the raw energy and infectious spirit of the 1920s.
Yet, amidst ‘all that jazz’ and showmanship, we were also challenged to consider the timeless questions of justice, morality, and the true nature of fame.
MACS CREATIVE ARTS EXHIBITION
Five talented students—Jacinta, Sasha, Charlotte, Lara, and Stella—were chosen to have their artwork displayed in the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Creative Arts Exhibition—an achievement that carries significant prestige.
Each year, students from Catholic schools around Victoria are selected to display their work at the exhibition that runs in conjunction with Catholic Education Week.
Jacinta’s stunning photo was further recognised, receiving a Highly Commended Archbishop of Melbourne Award. Congratulations to all five students!
ART CLUB MURAL
In March, our Art Club students worked with local artist Kyle from Brightside Studios on a very special mural project designed to add exquisite colour and vibrancy to our Main Courtyard.
As a warm-up exercise, Kyle introduced the students to using stencils and spray paint to create a skateboard design, and the results were outstanding!
The brief given to Kyle for the mural was to create a design that represented our College theme—Informed, Compassionate, Creative—while incorporating the Australian flora and fauna from our local area of Belgrave on Wurundjeri Land.
The students then worked with Kyle over a number of sessions to discuss and communicate their visual ideas that would help inform the final design.
The animals in the mural represent different worlds—the echidna is informed, the possum is compassionate, and the monarch butterfly is creative. Each animal was considered for its manner, resourcefulness, and personality.
Thanks also to our wonderful Art teachers, Ms Mӥller, Ms Nash, and Ms Towse, for making this possible.
ARTS & TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION
Our annual Arts & Technology Exhibition showcases and celebrates student work across our Visual Arts and Product Design Technology subjects.
In November, students, families, and friends of Mater Christi were invited to spend an evening at the College to view the diverse array of 2024 student work from Creative Art, Photography, Media, Visual Communication Design, and Product Design Technology classes across all year levels.
“I designed and created a warm wool jacket that utilises Welsh Wool tapestry fabric and represents my Welsh background. I made use of the double woven cloth by showcasing the inverted side as accentuating features for the rest of the jacket. The timeless shape design is inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s winter jacket styles. The jacket was carefully constructed so that the pattern of the Welsh wool matches vertically and horizontally. The natural fibre— lamb’s wool—is sustainable and woven in Wales. This jacket is made to last for many generations to come, and I look forward to wearing it when I visit my family in Wales.”
Loti Davies, 12D
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR IVY
Young filmmaker Ivy (Year 11) and her Media Teacher, Ms Mӥller, were invited to tour the ABC in recognition of Ivy’s incredible film work to date. Ivy has received numerous awards for her short films, two of which were made as part of her Unit 1 and 2 Media studies at Mater Christi. The invitation to ABC Studios is a privilege indeed and a testament to Ivy’s talent, as the station does not offer school tours. Ivy and Ms Mӥller had the opportunity to see News Breakfast, learn how live crosses work around the country, and visit the Hard Quiz set and Triple J. Keep an eye out for Ivy’s next short film, ‘Man or Bear?’
“Year 7 Art was a great opportunity to relax and experiment with a wide range of mediums. My top pick is clay making as it is both satisfying and challenging. Art is like a distraction, letting me slow down and focus on creating the one thing.”
“I really enjoyed Visual Arts this year as I had so much more freedom to develop my own ideas from a theme. It was also good to work together with my class to create a cohesive presentation of work as it was nice getting to know everyone and their styles of art.”
Ruby Clair, 11C
Hannah Connallon, 7A
BriannaZull,Year12-VCD
Ruby Stafford, 11B - Media
Mia Xie, 8A - Art
Larissa Ornelas, 8B - Art
Lily McQuillan, 12E - Media
Tahlia Reichl, 9C - Art
Claire Van Elmpt, 10C - Art
Olivia Wakartschuk, 10B - Art
WrenGroeneveld,11A-Art
Mater Christi College
AleishaDaly,11C-Media
Kai Elbanna Yr 11 Art
Aleisha Foot, 11B - Art
Mitali De Zoysa, 12E - VCD Allora Cumming, 7E - Art
Lj Feehan, 9B - Art
Sally Loader, 10D - Photography Pippa Lee, 11B - Art
Charlotte Smithells, 8B - Art
Milly Kay, 10B - VCD
Viola Turchini, 11D - Art
WillowBakker,Year12-Art
HUMANITIES
Humanities subjects explore human culture, expression, and values while allowing students to develop analytical skills and critical methods of thinking. The Humanities encompass a broad range of subjects, including History, Geography, Legal Studies, Business Management, Politics and more.
“In Humanities this year, I have loved exploring how much people do to make my local areas as liveable as possible, as well as discovering how different liveability can look in other parts of the world.”
Neve Sutton, 7D
“Year 11 History was a highly informative class all year round. It taught me so much about the past, leading me to understand the present. History opens up students’ minds to see past events from multiple perspectives, whether within their classroom or from Nelson Mandela.”
Laura Morabito, 11D
YEAR 8 MEDIEVAL DAY
Medieval clothing, music, games, and battles were all part of the experience for Year 8 students during their Medieval Day in Term 3! This was an opportunity for the students to immerse themselves in the culture and lifestyle of Medieval times, which they have been learning about in their Humanities unit this Semester!
A special shout-out to all the students who honoured the spirit of the day with their own creative costumes—you all looked amazing!
And our thanks to History Up Close for delivering an engaging and spirited program as always!
THE PITCH!
Year 11 Business Management students put their Marketing theory skills to the test, when they were given 10 minutes to pitch a new product or service to an audience.
Students were asked to tap into their creativity, think critically, and apply the Marketing theory they had been learning to a real-world scenario.
Their brief involved consideration and delivery of the 7 Ps:
PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY – rationale for strategies used.
• PEOPLE
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
• PROCESS
Everyone did a fantastic job! Well done,
“Year 8 Humanities this year has not only been educational; it has been fun! From learning about the impact of natural disasters and sustainably to the history of the Middle Ages; it’s allowed me to develop as a Mater Christi student.
One of the biggest highlights was Medieval Day, as I was able to make unforgettable memories with friends while acquiring knowledge about life during the Middle Ages. I’ve learned so much this year, and Humanities has helped me find what I’m most passionate about and interested in. For this, I know we can thank all the wonderful and lovely teachers.
Dominique Smyth, 8C
“In Year 7 Humanities, we looked through the past to ancient China. It was very enjoyable to find out new things that I never knew about. I love getting the opportunity to find out new things.”
Amelia Hobson, 7D
TEENAGERS & THE LAW
In our Year 10 Teenagers and the Law elective, students develop an understanding of the reasons why laws exist, the idea of rights and responsibilities, specific laws that affect them as teenagers, the role of the courts, and the powers of the police.
Throughout the unit, students keep a close eye on the news and newspapers, collecting articles that relate to the topics they are exploring. They also visit the Ringwood Magistrates Court to support their learning about the function of local courts, the application of justice, and court etiquette.
The iconic words of Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody—“From Little Things Big Things Grow”—perfectly encapsulate this story of a Year 10 student, an Indigenous Australian boxer, and the set of boxing gloves that brought them together.
The seed was planted when Mater Christi student Charlotte decided to create a beautiful set of boxing gloves using Aboriginal artwork as part of an inquiry project in her Indigenous Perspectives elective last year.
“The boxing gloves symbolise the fight that Indigenous people endure every day in society to work towards achieving the rights that they deserve. The snake in the artwork represents the strength and progression of my great uncle, Graham Dicker, pushing through
discrimination and the difficult parts of his career and inspiring my family and the Indigenous community around him.”
Melbourne Koorie Heritage Trust to hand over the gloves and meet with Marissa personally.
Charlotte’s teacher, Naomi Trumino, later encouraged her to submit the gloves to the Koorie Heritage Trust’s Youth Art Expo, in December 2023. Although Charlotte didn’t receive an award, a remarkable opportunity unfolded from this simple act.
Indigenous Australian boxer Marissa Williamson Pohlman, the first Aboriginal woman to qualify for the Olympics in the sport of boxing, admired the gloves on social media. Charlotte generously offered them to Marissa to take on her journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics as a way of promoting Aboriginal culture abroad. And Marissa happily agreed. So Charlotte took a trip to the
VISIT TO KOORIE HERITAGE TRUST
Year 9 and 10 students visited the Koorie Heritage Trust and Ian Potter Gallery in August as part of their Indigenous Perspectives elective.
“On the walking tour, we learned more about Birrarung Marr, how it used to be a wetland, and the misconception of the name Yarra. Our tour Koorie Heritage Trust tour guide showed us some of the traditional weapons and what they were used for. The Ian Potter Gallery had some amazing artwork by Aboriginal people, which showed more depth about the history we were learning about on the day.”
Saanvi Palliyil, 10E
A truly beautiful story of the connection made by two proud Aboriginal women, each on a journey to raise awareness of Aboriginal culture and their community’s ongoing fight for equitable rights and inclusion.
Charlotte is also Co-Captain of Mater Christi’s FIRE Carriers, a group of students dedicated to raising awareness about Reconciliation and further incorporating Indigenous culture and perspectives into our College life.
“We went on an excursion to the Koorie Heritage Trust to learn more about Wurundjeri culture and the history of Narrm (Melbourne). We then explored the Ian Potter gallery and saw many amazing and interesting artworks, all with different stories.”
Chloe Kelly, 10E
“ It
was an amazing experience showing China’s unique and diverse cultural practices!”
Persephone Kuhn, 9B
LANGUAGES
“
Today was a fun experience being able to see all the different aspects of Chinese culture, especially watching the dances. Thank you to Ms Yao and Ms Hacking for taking us.”
SPEAKING OF CHINESE
Five students—Lucy, Mabel, Joni, Julia (Year 9) and Princess (Year 10)—spent a weekend in February, competing in the Good Talk (Global Village) International Children and Youth Bilingual Speech Competition at RMIT.
In the face of fierce competition, including a number of students from Year 11 Unit 1 classes, all five of our students walked away with medals. Princess, Lucy, Mabel and Joni won Bronze and Julia won Silver.
A fantastic effort and reward for all their hard work over the summer holidays and in the days leading up to the event. Congratulations to all!
CHINESE CULTURAL DAY
Studying Chinese involves more than learning the language! Years 9 and 10 Chinese Language students had the chance to immerse themselves in the rich Chinese culture by participating in Chinese Cultural Day at Box Hill Town Hall.
Attendees were warmly welcomed with some inspiring speeches, followed by a vibrant cultural show. They then had the opportunity to engage in various cultural activities, including tea ceremonies, calligraphy, mask-making, and fan crafting. They played traditional games and enjoyed delicious snacks from Northwest China.
The day concluded with the chance to dress up in beautiful Chinese costumes
“
France was a dream come true for all of us. Not only was it an amazing opportunity to experience the way of life across France, it enabled us to learn more about ourselves as individuals. It taught us life skills that can’t be taught in a classroom—skills and memories we will remember and cherish forever.”
Keely O’Brien, 11B
FRANCE TRIP
24 lucky students spent 14 unforgettable days in September/October this year soaking up the culture and beauty of France and practising their French.
Their itinerary included Paris, Nice, Monaco and Èze, Provence, Carcassone, Toulouse and Bordeaux, St Emilion and Archchon, the Vendee Region, the Loire Valley, St Malo, Normandy, and Rouen.
While in the Vendee Region, they explored the stunning canals of Marais Poitevin, which proved a highlight, as they enjoyed beautiful scenery and made unforgettable memories.
Fun Fact: Marais Poitevin has over 250 bird species, 40 fish species, 60 species of dragonflies and 80 butterfly species!
“We were so unbelievably lucky to be able to go on this trip! I can’t believe that I have been blessed with my dream trip at the age of 17—how could it get better? I not only went to France with my best friends, but I made so many more through this trip. I learned so much about my teachers, peers, and myself through this experience and will never forget this time in my life.
“My trip to France was an unforgettable experience that created many memories for me. I enjoyed gaining a deeper understanding of French culture and expanded my language skills. A highlight for me was seeing the Eiffel Tower and exploring the various villages and cities of France. While visiting Carcassonne, I learned that it is the best-preserved medieval city in Europe, built between the 12th and 14th centuries.”
Eliza Stephenson, 9B
Annabella Tyquin, 11A
MATHEMATICS
Throughout secondary school, students acquire an increasingly sophisticated and refined understanding of mathematical concepts and are encouraged to recognise connections between Mathematics and other disciplines. Many students enjoy the challenge offered by Mathematics, the routine of problemsolving, and the feeling of achievement after finishing a question they have struggled to solve.
THE TRUE VALUE OF PI
Did you know there is an International Pi Day?
Pi Day is an annual celebration of the mathematical constant pi (π). Pi is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. Since this ratio, no matter the size of the circle, always approximates 3.14, pi is one of the most important and interesting mathematical facts, which is why it has its own day on 3.14 (14 March).
Other fun facts include:
• Pi Day also falls on Albert Einstein’s birthday.
• Calculating record digits of pi has been a pastime of mathematicians for millennia.
• The current world record for memorising and reciting the most digits of pi was established by Suresh Kumar Sharma of India in 2015 when he recited a mind-boggling 70,030 digits in 17 hours and 14 minutes.
In recognition of Pi Day, our Year 9 students engaged in various creative, hands-on activities to try to measure the value of the famous irrational number.
“It was great to see the students utilising their creativity and numeracy skills as they honed into the true value of pi. Through highly sophisticated and accurate experiments, we are proud to announce that the new value of pi is 3.39! We will have to rewrite the textbooks!” Sean Duguid, Learning Support Officer.
“I love problems! There are times I’m faced with a question I don’t understand, which can be discouraging, but stepping back and believing I will get there helps because then, with practice, I understand it, and it’s the most fulfilling feeling. My magic formula has got me through all my challenges: Problem: Mindset + Practice = Solution.”
Kyra Ghalay, 12B
“Maths is difficult, but it’s very rewarding when you get something right, which is what I like about it. Maths is a very important thing to know for the future, and I am proud of myself for achieving high marks in topics that I previously couldn’t understand.”
Maya Mithen, 7C
HANDS ON MATHS!
“
I really enjoyed the challenge of doing Enhanced Maths this year. It was fun learning new topics and expanding my knowledge. My favourite part was trigonometry. I had never learned it before, and I found it really enjoyable.”
Hands-on Mathematics activities are a great way to engage students and allow them to apply Math concepts to realworld scenarios. Here, our Year 7 students were learning about perimeter and volume, measuring the path or length around different shapes, Year 11s were exploring networks, and Year 12s were gathering statistics.
MATHS OLYMPICS
Our Year 9 Maths Olympics showed us just how much fun Maths is!
Ruby Rattigan, 9E
Students raced through problem-solving stations, tackling tricky challenges based on Pythagoras’ theorem and trigonometry. They practised problem-solving, communication skills, and critical and creative thinking while each team raced to complete the tasks within a set time limit. The energy and excitement were high as students moved from station to station, proving that learning Mathematics can be fun, engaging, and challenging.
“I have most enjoyed learning how to apply classroom Mathematics to the real world, as this has enabled me to see the purpose of Maths in daily life. I enjoyed practising this through our Trigonometry unit - where we applied trig formulas to measure the length of buildings.”
“
What I love about Maths is that I am learning so many new things.”
Lucy Rossely, 9D
“
I think it was good to be with the other classes and working in groups, and I liked the challenge.”
Annabelle Walsh, 7C
Sydney Powell, 9E
SCIENCE
Studying Science fosters critical thinking and curiosity and helps us understand the natural world. It also helps us find solutions to problems and create new ways of dealing with changes that will happen in the future. Our students begin their secondary school journey learning the basics of Science: laboratory skills, conducting experiments, the study of living organisms and biodiversity, and physical and chemical processes. As they progress through Middle School and into their Senior years, their options and opportunities to engage in electives and specific areas of passion increase every year.
NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
National Science Week ran from 12 to 16 August. This year, the aim was to highlight the importance of Science and Innovation in ensuring the survival and ability to thrive of different species in an everchanging world.
“I have really enjoyed Science this year because we have been given the opportunity to learn new things and have fun with it. We got to use a Bunsen Burner for the first time, which was really fun.”
Hobson, 7D
Thanks to our dedicated Science teaching team, our students enjoyed loads of animal-related, sciencebased activities and challenges, including a scavenger hunt, guess the species, animal eye spy, preserved animal displays and using microscopes to explore animal fur and wool and different plant species.
Not to mention, Mr Duguid ran a lunchtime astronomy session, just for fun!
““
I loved Science this year, especially the Natural Disaster topic. It was enjoyable because my friends and I made a building out of pasta to learn about earthquake-resistant buildings.”
I love Science as it shows a greater meaning behind the world we live in. You see the world in a new light and understand how everything around you works. You learn extremely interesting facts and also ideas that will help you in the future.
Some of my favourite classes are Biology and Chemistry. In Biology we uncover how our
Amelia
Sophia Gigliotti, 8C
“The Biomedical Day at GTAC provided us with valuable insights into attending and studying at Melbourne University. We had the chance to engage in a VR experience that allowed us to explore the heart, and we participated in a scavenger hunt at the Brookes Allen Museum. We concluded the day by talking with university students who have been conducting their own research. Overall, the day was very informative and offered us a great understanding of both GTAC and Melbourne University.
Dihara Gandolahage, 10C
“
GTAC was an amazing opportunity that gave us an insight into the studies of Biomedicine at The University of Melbourne. We were able to explore the campus, learn new topics and experience the future of biomedicine while also engaging in scientist’s current research.”
Coral Kratzman, 10D
EXPLORING BIOMEDICINE
During Science Week, 15 lucky Year 10 & 11 students visited the Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC) and the University of Melbourne. We’re not sure who was more excited, Ms Colyer or the students, but they all had the opportunity to explore anatomy and photograph specimens through different microscopes.
They worked alongside young scientists to learn about their research and use light, fluorescence, or electron microscopes to capture images that highlight their discoveries. They explored the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology, which has one of Australia’s largest collections of real human tissue specimens and historical anatomical models. They held a virtual heart in their hands to learn about its anatomy at the Biomedical Sciences Digital Learning Hub. They learnt about the various departments within the School of Biomedical Sciences at The University of Melbourne, as well as study pathways and courses, student life, and the special entry program for underrepresented students offered by the University.
MOONLIT SANCTUARY
Students from Unit 1 & 2 Biology enhanced their understanding of interspecific relationships by attending an interactive session at the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park in Pearcedale.
After an hour’s drive, they were warmly welcomed with an intimate session with lizards and amphibians, which was followed by a guided walk around the sanctuary. The students looked at the importance of genetic diversity, especially as it relates to conservation breeding programs such as our Orange-bellied parrot and the Tasmanian Devil. They wrapped up the day interacting and hand-feeding the resident wallabies, kangaroos, and cheeky ducks!
YEAR 10 FORENSICS
At our International Women’s Day breakfast in early March, many of our students were fascinated to hear from alumna Cass Hillier (2014), a Forensics Officer for the Victorian Police. Cass spoke about some of the scientific processes she uses in her job and how much she enjoys the challenge, variation, and teamwork her role offers.
It looks like we had some budding Forensic Scientists in our Year 10 Forensics class who were working on some of the skills involved in this line of work.
They tested fake blood to determine the blood group, making conclusions about which suspect committed the crime.
They also learnt about casts and impressions, including bite marks, tyre tracks, tyre treads, and footprints. They investigated footprints in the sand and then worked in groups to create a crime scene out of playdough, toy cars, and Lego for others to figure out what happened.
STEM ENRICHMENT
During STEM Enrichment Week, our Year 9 students undertook a week-long program of challenging and informative STEM-based activities, both on and off campus. These experiences were derived from the Science, Technology (Digital, Food and Textiles) and Maths Domains. There were five excursions and 45 sessions available in which to “choose their own STEM adventure.”
In Spies and Secrets, students embraced the roles of secret code breakers and makers, exploring encryption and decryption techniques to unravel concealed messages.
In Code Challenge, participants put on their thinking caps to tackle a series of puzzles and activities requiring problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication to solve successfully.
In Astronomy, led by the Mount Burnett Observatory, students took a fascinating journey, discovering the universe from their own backyard and marvelled at the Sun through the Observatory’s solar telescopes.
Other activities included 3D printing, drones, Science photography, food technology, Minecraft, and visits to Mission on Mars, the YRTS, and the Melbourne Zoo.
It was a jam-packed week that left the students feeling positive and excited by all that the world of STEM has to offer.
“This year’s STEM Enrichment week was one of my favourite weeks of the entire year. I really loved all of the activities that Ms Raven planned, and all of the excursions were really fun and exciting; I learnt so much from each of them.
STEM
Ruby Rattigan, 9E
“STEM Enrichment Week was a great experience, even if you hadn’t been involved with STEM previously. I enjoyed the Yarra Tech School the most because they had lots of toys and gadgets to play with.”
I enjoyed the Mission to Mars excursion as it was fun to be able to get a grasp of how Mars feels and works through completing activities.”
Annali Grigoriu, 9E
“
Maya Brandys, 9E
“The STEM Cup this year was fun and memorable. There were a variety of activities in the Race that I enjoyed with my friends: cup stacking, circuits, and building a tower with clay and toothpicks! The Race challenged our teamwork skills as well as our STEM skills while still allowing us to have a good time.”
STEM CUP
Meredith Chiong, 12B
“STEM Cup was a great experience and lots of fun. Some of the highlights for me was helping around with the amazing race, since that was such a bit hit, and watching everyone complete the activities and just generally enjoying the day.”
Rebecca Gillett, 9A
It was enjoyable to walk around and take photos of all the activities and see people having fun and making memories with friends. It was lovely seeing students and staff getting involved and excited, and there was a large range of activities available so that there was something for everybody to find and enjoy. When compared with past STEM Cups, this year allowed students to participate with friends rather than just their house.”
Anila Van Reenan, 12B
It seems impossible that so many activities and this much fun could be jammed into one school day—but it sure was!
Our annual STEM Cup is designed to promote the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics and demonstrate to students how broad and interesting this area of study can be, in the hope that it may ignite or further foster their passion for a future in STEM.
On 15 May, all students in the College had the chance to try out STEM Sticker Design using Cricut, an Escape Room activity, 3D Printing, Minecraft, a Spherotacular, a Light Up the World experience, Lego Masters, STEM Trivia, and an Amazing Race! PHEW!
A huge shout out to Ms Raven for organising the day and to Lyons House who took out the STEM Cup.
I really enjoyed the chance to get involved with the STEM Cup this year. It was fun coming up with new activities and trivia questions for the different events. I loved getting the chance to help plan, run and coordinate activities on the day, and I thought it was the best STEM Cup yet!
Ruby Rattigan, 9E
Our Health and Physical Education program aims to further develop students’ movement and physical activity capabilities and their understanding of important general health issues, including lifestyle, wellbeing, and safety.
“Learning about health at Mater Christi has truly taught me not only how to maintain a healthy mindset in life and sports but also how to look after our bodies through physical health and the food that fuels them.
Going on active walks around our area of Belgrave was a big highlight for our PE classes. We’ve been snorkelling, hiking and on outdoor camps that have taught us resilience and how to look after ourselves in the wild. We have been challenged with the Beep Test but have also been able to play our favourite games like dodgeball.”
Holly Macallan, 10A
YEAR 7 SKILLS ENHANCEMENT
At the completion of Health & PE Units in Years 7 & 8, students have the chance to put into practice what they have learnt through games and tournaments with their peers. Our Year 7s displayed their impressive skills, energy, and enthusiasm in a Basketball
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
In March, our Year 11 Outdoor and Environmental Studies students enjoyed their first camp for 2024, exploring the coastal and forest biomes, the uses of this environment, and the practical skills of hiking and camping in the outdoors.
“PE at Mater Christi is so much fun; I love how engaging the lessons are, and there are opportunities for everyone to find a sport they like doing. The teachers are so supportive and accepting of all skill levels, which adds to the comfortable space in class. I love the teamwork aspect of the practical classes and how I get to branch off and work with people I wouldn’t usually.”
Neeve King, 9B
“YEAR 10 INVASION GAMES
Our Year 10 Health & PE program includes a unit on Invasion Games. This unit focuses on tactics and gameplay to improve student understanding of attack and defence strategies that can be applied across a variety of team sports. It helps students understand how, why, and when to apply different skills within a game setting.
In Term 3, the class had the opportunity to create their own game and teach it to the rest of the class.
Total Health and Wellbeing has been really enjoyable. Learning about the food needed to stay healthy has been very interesting and useful. Megan, the nutritionist, was very insightful and gave us lots of information about our daily nutrition and how to properly fuel ourselves for sports.”
Abi Craig, 10C
TOTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING
Let’s face it: nutrition isn’t often on the teenage radar, so getting some advice from a professional nutritionist can help young people understand why what they eat is so important.
Local Nutritionist Megan Bourke gave a presentation to our Year 10 Total Health and Wellbeing students on healthy eating for teenage girls.
After spending the term studying macro and micronutrients, the students were guided through healthy food choices with Megan. They looked at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options, as well as eating well before and after sports. Megan provided several easy recipes and great food options for students at school.
HANGING AROUND IN THE HILLS
Thanks to our College location, set in the hills, our Year 11 Outdoor and Environmental Studies (OES) students barely needed to leave our front doorstep to experience a forest canopy outdoor adventure.
The students had a blast at Treetops Adventure Belgrave, learning about the harnesses and systems used to allow us to be in the trees safely and with minimal impact on the trees themselves. They also learnt about risk while challenging their physical skills across different obstacles.
“The fundamental concept of Health and PE is to understand the life we live through our active and social practices. These subjects assist with strategies for being confident, competent, and capable of living in today’s world.”
Emaan Heidary
10C
Sports are a big part of life at Mater Christi because we all know the positive effects being physically active can have on individual health and wellbeing. In addition to sporting subjects, students can choose from up to 26 different sporting teams to get involved in. There is literally something for everyone!
“
What I love about the sport at Mater is the wide variety that you can choose from. If you don’t see yourself playing something like netball or football, there is something like table tennis or softball. So, no matter what sports you like, there will be something for you to try.”
Ashlyn Cartledge, 7B
INDOOR CRICKET
In Term 1, Mater Christi took three teams to compete in the Division 1 CGSAV Indoor Cricket competition.
Our Intermediates and Seniors both made it to the Semi-Finals, but despite fantastic effort from all the players, they placed 3rd overall.
Our Juniors made it all the way to the grand final and took out 1st place. Isabelle Gillespie (Year 8) was nominated the Best Player in the Junior Grand Final.
MATER DOVES CHEER
Our Mater Doves continued their annual Cheerleading competition winning streak, taking home the 1st place trophy at the AASCF State Championships!
After showing what it takes to be the state’s top team in September, they went on to take out 2nd place at the Nationals in late October.
We are super proud of every single one of them for their incredible athleticism, teamwork, resilience, and support of each other!
Hats off also to coach and PE teacher Vicki Godfrey for her ongoing commitment to making sure the Mater Doves are the very best they can be!
ACC MIXED NETBALL
10 Mater Christi students joined boys from St Joseph’s College to compete in the ACC Mixed Netball Tournament. It was great to see the students collaborating and having fun with the other schools in the ACC competition.
The Division A team placed 4th, while Division B won its final—an amazing effort given that the teams hadn’t had a chance to meet or train prior to the competition.
ISG GYMNASTICS
HOCKEY
BASKETBALL
From the first buzzer to the last, our united group of 36 Basketballers brought heart and hustle to every game at the CGSAV competition.
Our Junior B and Senior teams shot their way to the Grand Final, taking out 2nd place overall!
Meanwhile, our Junior As went headto-head against Sacred Heart Geelong in a thrilling Semi-Final, finishing 3rd overall.
Our Intermediate team showed unwavering resilience, concluding the day in 6th place.
Great strength, spirit, and skill from every player—truly fantastic!
It was an action-packed GGSAV Hockey Competition in May!
Hats off to our Seniors, who clinched the trophy in an intense Grand Final, and to Georgia Langley (Year 12), who was named Best Player.
Also, a big shout out to our Juniors— who were 4th in place but 1st in spirit and learned lots about Hockey along the way!
We had a huge team of 20 students compete in the IGS Gymnastic Competition in August. It was a great day overall, with wonderful results for Mater (including multiple firsts and all-rounder awards). All the students thoroughly enjoyed presenting the routines they had created, and everyone did a wonderful job!
Senior Division C - 1st overall (shout outs to Kate Vanderwolde & Tayla Kircos, who placed 3rd and 4th (respectively) as all-rounder Athletes, and Chloe Seamons for placing 1st in beam and vault).
Junior Division B - 1st overall (shout out to Emily Hudson, who placed 1st in bars and floor and 1st for the All-Rounder Athlete, and Keira Bradley, Lara Thorn and Michaela Hudson, who placed 3rd, 4th, and 5th (respectively) in the All-Rounder Athlete section.
Junior Division E - 5th overall (shout out to Madeline Agjee for placing 2nd in Vault)
Senior Division B - 5th overall (shout out to Lila Radley, who placed 5th and 6th in vault and floor, and Lilly Matthews, who placed 5th in the floor)
“I love that at Mater, I get the opportunity to participate in and play sports that I wouldn’t get to participate in otherwise, like Hockey or Futsal. My highlight of the year has to be Indoor Cricket because we were the overall winners of Juniors, and the team was a really good mix of Year 7s and 8s who all got along really well.”
SPORTS AWARDS EVENING
In October, we welcomed students who participated in competitive sports throughout the year, along with their families, to celebrate their collective efforts at our annual Sports Awards Evening!
Para-cyclist Emma Mickle opened the evening, sharing her insights on the importance of resilience in sports. She said learning how to bounce back from setbacks and celebrate the small milestones are important factors in long-term sporting success.
Our Sports Captains presented highlights from 2024, and awards were delivered for outstanding achievements across CGSAV, inter-school, and College competitions.
The evening culminated in the announcement of our Sports Women of the Year.
Congratulations to Isabelle Gillespie (Junior), Amber Canning (Intermediate) and Breanna Carter (Senior).
Isabelle Gillespie, 8B
Technology encompasses a wide range of disciplines that go beyond digital skills. Fields like food technology and textile product design demonstrate how technology intersects with everyday life and sustainability. Students learn to apply design principles creatively, balancing innovation with the need to consider cultural, ethical, environmental, and economic impacts. This holistic approach fosters technical proficiency and encourages critical thinking about how technology can improve lives while being mindful of broader implications. It’s all about creating solutions that are not just effective but also responsible and inclusive!
MATER CHEF
Product design involves technical skills as well as creativity. The creative element is critical for adapting products and producing effective systems.
Our Year 10 Mater Chef students were required to imagine they had been put in charge of the creative department at the food magazine Gourmet Traveller and asked to dedicate their next issue to one country and its cuisine. Students could select any country and focus on its cuisine, and they were asked to consider what was seasonally available in their choice of ingredients. “ I made sure my magazine was readable and eye-catching and that there was a good amount of wording. In my practical task, I used my time wisely and tried to make things as efficient as possible.”
Maria Wang, 10B
YEAR 7 DIGI TECH
In Year 7 Digital Technologies, students are introduced to the technology design cycle by identifying a potential user’s need or challenge and providing a relevant solution. They also gain skills in App creation and design.
In Semester 2, students had an opportunity to learn about robotics through a “Plants on Mars” unit developed in conjunction with LaTrobe University. They practised coding skills by navigating Sphero’s around a challenging circular maze.
“This year in Bon Appetite, we have cooked many dishes ranging from sweet to savoury, including apple flan, savoury muffins, chicken penne bake, and choc chip muffins. I have learnt about baking and frying. Our assessment task was to plan, cook, and evaluate an appropriate school camp menu, catering for all dietary requirements. Towards the end of the year, we cooked our selected dinner option to understand what it might be like to cook for lots of people. Overall, middle school Bon Appetite has been a great class to learn and develop new skills to use when cooking meals for yourselves and others later in life.”
HIGH TEA
Students who choose our Year 9 & 10 elective— High Tea, develop baking and cake decorating skills, including the theory behind baking and the creative skills used to produce and decorate a range of afternoon tea items.
As part of Food Technology studies, this elective is helpful for students who are considering a career in Hospitality and for those who are looking for a creative leisure outlet for now and into the future. These sausage rolls looked delicious and were made just in time for lunch!
ROBOT FRIENDS
In our Year 9 & 10 Technology elective—Hello World, students explore and gain experience using various electronic technology, programming, and problem-solving skills to find solutions for issues around them.
Students work with 3D printing technology, computer-assisted design technology, and the Raspberry Pi computing platform.
In Term 3, the class built mini-robots that could play simple games like paperscissors rock. They looked pretty cute, too!
DRESSED TO IMPRESS
WOW! All our Product Design Technology students worked hard and demonstrated their incredible creativity this year by creating some fantastic textile/garment designs.
Our Learning Commons was the perfect place to set up a visual display for visitors and other students to enjoy. The beautiful work included backpacks and satchels from Year 9 (To Dye For), stunning dresses from Year 10 (On the Runway), and Year 11 (Product Design & Technology) students.
Mater Christi College
FROM BIN TO BEAUTY!
These embroidery hoops were made by students from 7D & 7E as part of their Product Design Technology class in Semester One.
This project aimed to use recycled materials to create an embroidered artwork, promoting sustainability and the idea that everyday items that would generally go in the bin can be used to create something beautiful! Mission accomplished!
Many people may be surprised by the breadth and diversity of modern Religious Education. At Mater Christi, we are very proud of our progressive approach, which is not only relevant to the lives of our students but also deeply rooted in our Benedictine values of compassion and stewardship towards others and the environment.
“This year, in Religion & Society, we have learnt how we can look at our world through different lenses. It has shown us how our individual perspectives, experiences, beliefs, and ideas are a fundamental part of how our society continues to develop. We spent the year debating theories of evolution, conversing about the nature and purpose of religion in our own lives, and discussing the religious affiliations in Australia. RE this year has taught us to learn and judge with open minds and hearts to create a more compassionate society for us all.”
Keely O’Brien, 11B
“In Years 7 and 8, students explore what it means to be part of the Mater Christi community—the parable of the Good Samaritan, the history of the Good Sam Sisters who established our College over 60 years ago, how we implement our Benedictine values in our everyday lives, and what life was like in Jesus’ time.
RE in Year 9 expands further into what we call ‘Big Picture’ studies, covering Big Issues, Big Voices, Big Changes and Big Questions. These units cover topics such as religious art, the role of prophets as agents of change (including the difference between a prophet and an influencer), and key social justice issues. Next year, we will see the introduction of RE electives for Year 9 students, which will encourage active engagement and personal growth.
Year 10 RE electives include the role of bold women in scripture and the history of the church, the influence of Religion in law and decisionmaking, popular culture, language or education and healthcare. Alternatively, Year 10 students can choose to join Youth Ministry. Through this subject, students have the opportunity to engage their peers in the experiences of meaningful prayer and reflection. They are involved in and lead events such as liturgies, masses, and year-level Reflection Days.
Senior students in Years 11 and 12 complete the VCE subject Religion and Society. This course explores the influence of religion in law, ethical decision-making, and the influence of various religious traditions and denominations in multicultural contexts, examining how different individuals and communities experience and practice these beliefs. The study promotes open and unbiased inquiry, encouraging respect for diversity and tolerance in line with our school's commitment to inclusivity.
Alternatively, students have the option to apply to participate in our Catholic Action Program (CAP) during Year 11 or Year 12. This program looks at the foundations of Catholic Social Teaching and aims to foster “faith in action” by addressing key issues of social inequality, including poverty, disadvantage, gender inequality, homelessness, First Nations rights, and climate action within the community.
Prophetic Voices was an incredible experience where we were able to develop connections with like-minded people and work towards lasting change as young people in our world.”
Annabella Tyquin, 11A
PROPHETIC VOICES
A group of four Year 11 students— Ashlee, Layla, Annabella, and Ava—attended the Good Samaritan Education (GSE) Prophetic Voices Conference in Sydney.
“Prophetic Voices was an engaging experience where I was able to connect with various people to focus on important issues and topics in our society.”
The program runs throughout Terms 1 - 3, providing a valuable opportunity for students across all 10 GSE schools to explore and discuss causes, projects, and issues that they are passionate about.
“We made some great friends from other Good Samaritan schools at Prophetic Voices. One of my favourite and most memorable activities was the Bush Dancing on the first night, which helped us build connections with each other.”
Gould, 11A
The cohort chooses the issues they would like to consider at a deeper level. Experts then present at online gatherings each term to provide context and guidance for the students to reflect upon and explore their chosen issues. The program culminates in a three-day, in-person gathering where the students create a position statement based on what they have learnt and discussed.
The topics chosen this year included Ecology— Sustainability in a Culture of Consumerism, Towards a Culture of Non-Violence (Family and Domestic Violence), and Reconciliation Beyond the No Vote.
Ava Jackson, 11D
Our thanks to Ms Trumino and Ms Tsikouris for accompanying the group!
Layla
CATHOLIC ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)
In Year 11 or 12, our students can apply to participate in our Catholic Action Program (CAP) as an alternative to more traditional RE subjects. Through this program, students explore issues such as global poverty and disadvantage, gender inequality, homelessness, climate action, and food insecurity and take positive action to address them.
In May, our CAP class spent the day at FareShare as part of the Schools in the Kitchen Program, making meals and providing nourishment to community members in need. The group assembled and prepared 804 pork curry and rice meals, 55 trays of chicken, 70 trays of boneless chicken, and 108kg of mushrooms, cleaning and resetting the kitchen ready for the next group of volunteers.
This was a valuable and practical way for the students to make a tangible difference in the lives of those experiencing food insecurity. It also ties in beautifully with our 2024 College Theme—Kindness Transforms Community— reminding us that small acts of kindness can have farreaching effects, bringing hope and healing to those in need.
Religious Education at Mater Christi centres on the story of our Catholic tradition, with a particular focus on our Good Samaritan Benedictine heritage. Learning focuses on church, community, God, religion, life, morality, and justice. This quote from alumna Georgina Day (Class of 1988) sums it up beautifully:
“RE at Mater Christi was delivered in a way that instilled values in our everyday lives. We explored what it meant to be human, what it meant to go through hard times, and what it took to be a good friend.”
“In the Catholic Action Program this year, we have had the opportunity to lend a hand and give back to our community while learning about pressing issues faced by those in our wider world. At FareShare, we learnt about the reality of food insecurity in our community as we assembled meals for struggling Victorians. Additionally, we worked with ‘Aussies knitting for war-affected kids’, crocheting items and making cards to be distributed to children living in situations affected by war and conflict, especially Ukraine. These are just a few of the many opportunities we have had working towards human dignity for all.” and
GSE PHILIPPINES IMMERSION
This year, Year 11 students had the opportunity to apply to attend the annual Good Samaritan Education (GSE) Philippines Immersion. Two students, Ashlee and Sarah, travelled to the Philippines to learn about and experience the incredible work undertaken by the Good Samaritan Sisters, who support women and children experiencing poverty in the country. They visited the Good Samaritan Kindergarten, Outreach, and Community Centres in Bacolod and then travelled to Manila to tour the city and visit the Missionary Benedictine Tutzing Sisters. This was an unforgettable and lifechanging experience for both students, and our thanks to Teacher, Ms Kutt who accompanied them on the journey.
“In the 2024 CAP class, we have achieved many things, not only for ourselves but for our community. We have been lucky enough to work with several organisations outside of school, including FareShare, where we cooked meals for people in need, and the Australian Crafters Network, with whom we worked throughout the year to create gifts and care packages for those in war-torn countries. This allowed us to feel that we are truly making a difference in our world.”
Claire Pierce and Annabella Tyquin
I am truly grateful for the Philippines Immersion opportunity. This trip allowed me to experience a completely new culture and witness the impactful work of the Good Samaritan Sisters firsthand. Helping at the Sister’s Outreach Centre through cooking, candle making, and cleaning deepened my appreciation for community. Visiting The Good Samaritan Kinder School and playing with the children added to the overall experience. We all gained valuable insights and learnt something about ourselves.”
Ashlee Moulday, 11A
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The people of Bacolod are so resourceful, kind, appreciative, and selfless. If they see someone who needs food, even though they might not have eaten that day, they will give theirs away to them. I think Australia could learn so much from the way they live, and the impact that each individual person has on their community. Bacolod is known as the City of Smiles, and I don’t think anything could be more true.”
Sarah Christensen, 11D “
Our College Social Justice and Stewardship activities are inspired by the legacy of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, which is one of radical inclusivity, serving all in our community with open hearts. We also draw from the Benedictine values of community, stewardship, and justice—care and compassion for our neighbour and walking gently on the earth.
With our Social Justice Captains leading the way, we hold awareness and fundraising events that contribute to Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion, Vinnies Winter and Christmas Appeals, as well as the incredible work of the Good Samaritan Sisters, who continue to support vulnerable women and children in Australia and overseas.
HARMONY WEEK
Being able to help organise social justice activities and see so many students keen to get involved, has been amazing. Taking action on important issues is a focus at our school, and there have been many opportunities this year.”
Monique Enriquez, 2024 Social Justice Captain
On 25 March, we celebrated the cultural diversity within Australia and our College community, inviting students to wear a splash of orange or traditional clothing from their personal cultural background, to acknowledge their commitment to multiculturalism.
At lunchtime, Mrs Bolton gave an Irish dancing demonstration and invited everyone in the audience to have a go.
The values represented by Harmony Week— Justice, Equality, Fairness, and Friendship— align beautifully with the Benedictine values upon which our College was built.
As a Good Samaritan Education (GSE) school, we are fully committed to the inclusion of everyone in our community and to providing a safe, welcoming place for all to belong. “
Social justice at Mater is about more than raising money. It’s about raising awareness around issues that are close to our hearts.”
Milla Macallan, 2024 Social Justice Captain
The Vinnies School Sleep-out provides students with an opportunity to experience what it is like to be homeless by ‘sleeping rough’ for one night. By providing participants with an example of what it feels like to sleep out for the night, we’re encouraging them to understand the problem they’re helping to solve acutely. This is especially relevant to schools since, in addition to giving something back to the community, the School Sleep-out can also be used as an educational tool.”
VINNIES SCHOOL SLEEPOUT
In June, our SoJuSt Group and Year 11 & 12 Catholic Action Program (CAP) class participated in the Vinnies School Sleepout, which raises awareness of the challenges of homelessness.
Taking part in this important initiative hasn’t been possible at the College for the last few years due to the pandemic, so we were grateful and excited to be able to offer this opportunity once again.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
BAKE SALES FOR PROJECT COMPASSION
Throughout Term 1, each of our Year 7 Home Groups had their first experience running a Bake Sale at Mater Christi. All funds raised went to Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion Appeal.
Every year, through fundraising efforts, our College supports Caritas in their incredible work to end poverty, promote justice, and uphold dignity within local communities around the world and in Australia.
The students sought sponsorship from friends and family in the form of donations of warm clothing and hygiene products to be distributed to The Good Samaritan Inn (a refuge for women and children escaping gender-based violence) and the Vinnies City Soup Van. They slept in sleeping bags on the floor in the Hall to symbolise the experience of what it would be like to sleep rough.
Thanks to Mr Sarris for supporting this event and to the other teachers who joined the students for this event.
SOCIAL JUSTICE & STEWARDSHIP (SOJUST) WEEK
During SoJuSt Week, our Learning Commons hosted a Staff vs Student debate. The topic? ‘If Australia is serious about climate action, it’s time to go nuclear!’
Mr Bakker, Mr Woodhouse and Mr Duguid put up a valiant fight for the affirmative (though Mr Bakker lost us a bit with his reference to The Simpsons and Godzilla). However, the students (including some of our youngest) proved too good to beat! Better luck next time, teachers!
ENGLISH
“
I have loved debating this year, it has helped me find my confidence in public speaking and the ability to think quickly on my feet. I have expanded my vocabulary and my mind (understanding different points of view across a variety of topics) and made new friends.”
Chloe
Patterson, 9D
The study of English is so much more than reading and writing. It helps young people develop the knowledge and skills needed for education, training, and the workplace. These include listening, speaking, critical thinking, analysis, understanding of context, and how to structure information and formulate an argument. English can also be a creative outlet, allowing students to express their opinions, beliefs, and ideas through poetry, prose and debate.
“DEBATING
Learning the art of debating offers many benefits for young people, including improved critical thinking, public speaking, and speech delivery skills. It exercises listening and note-taking skills, increases self-confidence, and enhances students’ ability to work as part of a team and collaborate with peers.
This year, Mater Christi was represented by two teams of enthusiastic debaters from Years 9 and 10 at the Debating Association of Victoria’s inter-school competition.
Our Year 9 students addressed topics including whether schools should ban contact sports and whether Australia should implement a four-day school week. The team won three out of their four debates.
While Year 10s tackled topics including whether electric cars do more harm than good and whether social media platforms should limit the number of posts people can make. Two of their debates involved the extra challenge of a Secret Topic, with only 50 minutes to prepare. The team won two out of four debates.
Debating is for anyone who wants to challenge their comfort zone level and their own ideas. Debating is commonly associated with public speaking enhancement, but I believe the most beneficial takeaway is the ability to interpret ideas holistically. Debating gives you a stance on a topic, but the key to success is to understand the other side. This forms the crucial keys to communication, and provides you with the ability to consider other perspectives.”
Lucy Roselly, 9D
“I loved debating, and I got so much out of it. Debating taught me to differentiate an opinion from a person and that having different opinions is great. Having to debate questionable topics and some I just didn’t agree with taught me that everyone has opinions, but it’s important to see things from all sides.”
Princess Van Der Burght, 10E
Mater Christi College
“The best thing in English this year for me has been reading Crow Country and writing essay paragraphs about it, because I enjoyed learning how to write a different style of text. I like English because it’s fun reading different types of writing, and this assessment task included that.”
Mithen, 7C
YEAR 8 SLAM POETRY
You can’t help but fall in love with the energy and passion behind SLAM poetry. Representatives from each of our Year 8 Home Groups bravely performed their poems to a lunchtime audience, laying bare their thoughts, feelings and ideas about issues that are important to them. What stood out on the day was not only the incredible creativity and writing skills of our Year 8 cohort but also the support and kindness offered to friends who were doing something challenging. Well done Year 8—you truly lived out our College theme that Transforms Community.
“Literature allows me to see a whole new world within the book. It is as if I’m discovering a hidden story that lies within the simplest of words. It gives a whole new meaning to the English language and how we interpret it, forming a new understanding of the texts at our fingertips.”
Lilly Ziino, 12B
YEAR 12 LITERATURE
As they near the end of the academic year, the atmosphere amongst Year 12 students is often quiet and reflective. In September, the Literature class were busy preparing for their upcoming SAC and final exam.
Students analysed three passages from the novel ‘The Remains of the Day’ by Kazuo Ishiguro - annotating in detail prior to writing 1000-1200 words focusing on the language used in the passages.
“I find Literature offers a lot of room for my own expressive voice and personal interpretation of texts. It’s definitely a lot of hard work, and there are important criteria to consider in assignments. However, I find that I am genuinely invested in the texts that we study and
Maya
Every Tuesday lunchtime throughout the year, a group of passionate student writers meets with English Teacher Jennifer McAdam to brainstorm ideas and further develop their writing skills. Write Club not only provides an opportunity to write on topics and in styles that may not be included in the students’ current curriculum, but it is also fun to spend time with peers and students from other year levels who have a similar passion for writing.
A selection of excerpts
“
I like my writing to be pretty and to envelop the reader in the worlds I dream up, sure, but sometimes I want my words to leap from the page and attack. Either way, I am not afraid to be remarkable.”
Rigel Maloney, 12D
by Rigel Maloney, 12D
When people speak of me, they speak in hushed tones. They instinctively glance around to confirm that I am not there, as though I may uncloak from the shadows at any given second.
They cup their hands over their mouths in hopes that perhaps I will not hear what they whisper about me.
“There’s blood on your hands,” people tell me.
Like it stops there, at my wrists, like a glove.
But you cannot do what I have done without being absolutely covered in the stuff.
Clement knew the forest near their home like the back of their hand. Well, maybe near their home was a stretch, but when you could run like they could, most things were never more than a few minutes away. They always found comfort in running. So much of the world was harsh and unfamiliar, but not running. Their feet pounded against the damp earth, almost sinking in with each heavy step. The familiar jolt of the impact and the snapping of sticks and leaves under foot could ground them in the way comforting words or soft touches never could. Good, evil, in between… they knew nothing about that. It wasn’t their place, they thought. But running? They’d been doing that since day one. The feeling of the wind in their hair was as familiar as the feeling of their tongue in their mouth.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––
Calling me “lazy” for the way my brain has developed hurts me. It used to cut me deeper than any blade ever could.
The blade has grown blunt over time, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt to be bludgeoned with a blunt object.
Excerpt from: The Journal of a Happy Finnish
Girl, by Persephone Dupanloup, 8D
The insult has grown stale, more frustrating than hurtful. I know they don’t understand, and that they never will. I don’t blame them for that.
But that doesn’t make it hurt
Something bad is going to happen, I can tell. I don’t know when or why but I just know, the air is tight and thick. I can’t breathe. When the morning comes, the sun does not rise, fog does, but it never comes alone. I smell smoke. I can hear things very faintly, all the time, in the back of my head. Days with no sun is normal here, but not to this extent.
When I was walking to school today, something felt off. It was more quiet than usual, and it seemed…hotter? I walked under the stone arch that sits in the middle of our town. Dark green ivy sprouts up from the ground and twists around the cold grey pillars, fading as they get higher up. Stones are littered around the ancient archway from the last storm, and you can see glimpses of elegant carvings and statues that have been chipped away at or covered in moss.
A big gust of wind suddenly hits my face, knocking my hat off and sending me stumbling backwards. I regain my balance and lean down to pick up my red beret, putting it back on my head before continuing to push through the headwind. I reach the street where my school sits, the familiar rotting fence of one of my friend’s neighbours has a sleek black bird perching on it, following me with its gaze before letting out a loud caw, flying off into the dark grey sky, and vanishing.
HOUSE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
There is so much going on at our annual House Athletics Carnival!
Obviously, there’s the Athletics! And some pretty amazing athletes too!
There’s the spectators.
There’s Fashions on the Field.
There’s the House Spirit Chants. There’s Mr Woodhouse’s commentary (always funny)
And his jokes (not always so funny but appreciated nonetheless!)
Congratulations to Lyons House, who took out the overall win, and , who won the House Spirit Cup!
Throughout the year, our Houses—Lyons, Chisholm, Mackillop, and Gibbons—compete in activities to earn points towards the House Cup, which is awarded at the end of the Year.
House activities cater to a wide variety of interests so that all students can participate, gain team-building skills, explore their strengths, try something new, and spend time with peers and students from other year levels engaging in some healthy competition.
This year’s activities included a wholeschool Athletics Carnival, Middle School Cross Country, the House Performing Arts Competition (HPAC), the STEM Cup, fundraisers, food drives, sporting competitions, and more.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CROSS-COUNTRY
Our 2024 Middle School Cross Country results were a testament to the fact that participation is what matters most! With only two points between the winning house, Lyons, and second place, Chisholm, every single student who took part counted for their team!
A special shout out to Amedee (Year 9), who was the very first over the line, and to the Top 10 place-getters for each year level.
It was a great effort from all the students who took part. Aren’t we lucky to have such a beautiful cross-country track setting right in our own backyard?
Chisholm
Lyons House 33pts
Gibbons House 27pts
MacKillop House 21pts
At Mater Christi, our Learning Commons is so much more than a library. It is home to a huge array of lunchtime activities, staff vs student debates, Book Week fashion parades, and Just Dance competitions. It is a place of connection and relaxation, a place to study, read, and seek information, a place of belonging.
Our amazing Learning Commons team is always on hand to welcome students and staff with a friendly smile and assist them with finding the resources they need. They run two Book Clubs, Fuse Cup, Minecraft Club, Crochet Club, and Makerspace. They teach students how to use technology such as drones, the 3D printer, and Sphero Balls. They run all sorts of creative and knowledge-based lunchtime activities. They live and breathe books! And they love a good dress-up day!
YEAR 7 DROP EVERYTHING & READ
Ready, Set, Go! In Term 3, Year 7 students embarked on our annual Drop Everything and Read Challenge. Over a five-week period, students are invited to read for as much time as possible each day, with whole-class and individual prizes and incentives up for grabs. Even staff get in on the fun!
An initiative from our Learning Commons staff, Drop Everything and Read, aims to foster a more positive attitude toward reading for those who tend to put it last on their list and to provide an opportunity for avid readers to do more of what they love.
Congratulations to 7C, who took out the title for most minutes read. Congratulations also to individual students who received awards as follows:
Highest number of minutes read: Mia Kupiec 7A, Elisa Harris 7B, Isabelle Lant 7C, Jazz Giardini 7D, Ada Macleod 7E.
Most consistent reader: Makayla Heffernan 7A, Allison Spooner 7B, Kamryn Hobbs 7C, Molly Drury 7D, Hannah Williams 7E.
With thanks to Ms Nettleton for coordinating the DEAR Challenge.
“
...a good place to relax and finish off homework. It has a large selection of books to choose from. Even if you don’t enjoy reading, there will be something for you. The staff are so helpful.”
...amazing and interactive. From Just Dance to Book Club, and not to mention the amazing staff. I just love it!”
Niamh NiCoileain, 7B
“
Abby Harris, 7B Mater Christi College
GOOD READS
Our Learning Commons is proud to stock an increasing number of tiles by First Nations authors. A new batch, with topics related to RE, English, and Humanities, was added to the collection early this year.
Our Learning Commons staff were especially excited to share the shiny new set of First Nations Classics, which celebrates writing in fiction, poetry, short stories, and memoirs!
All titles with First Nations authors are marked with the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flag, so they are easily identified by interested students—an initiative brought about by our FIRE Carriers last year.
“...a warm and fun space. It has lovely staff and a wonderful environment.”
BOOK WEEK
The Learning Commons is the hub for our Book Week celebrations. This year, we were extremely lucky to have Youth Author Melissa Keil visit the College. Melissa offered tips and words of encouragement to our budding student writers.
...the heart of the school. It has such a warm and welcoming environment and infinite activities. I adore the large selection of books and lunchtime opportunities.”
Our Annual Book Week Fashion Parade was also a huge hit, with both students and staff enjoying the opportunity to dress up and showcase their creative side. From Maleficent to Picnic at Hanging Rock and everything in between, our students and staff all had a ball showing off their amazing costumes.
“
...warm, especially during winter. Ms Nettleton, Ms Ryan, and Ms Isma are so sweet, they make sure you can find a great book, and they are always getting new ones.”
Indya Thomas, 9C “
Aria Martin, 9C
Leni Clarke, 9E
Our Careers Program supports students to have a greater understanding of their career options and pathways and to feel positive about the world of work and their place in it. While some students have a very clear idea of the career they want to pursue, many do not, and in reality, most will work across a number of industries in their lifetime. Thus, we encourage students to keep an open mind and take opportunities to learn about and explore their options extensively. We also support them with essential job seeker skills, including resume building and interview experience, as well as assisting our Year 12 students with the
A SWEET CLASS
Demystifying university pathways using chocolates. Now, that’s not a sentence you hear all the time!
But Ms Sien did exactly that when she delivered an extremely informative (and tasty) session to our Year 11 students, explaining all they need to know about pathways into university and what can be achieved via Certificate, Diploma, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate Courses!
MORRISBY TESTING
As part of their Careers program, our Year 9 students undertake Morrisby Testing—an internationally recognised career-matching tool that helps young people discover their strengths, ambitions, and goals. Through the Morrisby Program process, students also investigate the best routes to achieve their goals and explore similar careers and courses.
Mater Christi College
WORK EXPERIENCE
In Year 10, students can opt to undertake work experience in areas of interest. This is a chance to test their interest in a particular industry or career, or to get some experience in a field they already know they want to pursue. For some, this may be their first venture into the world of work, which helps build confidence, independence and work-related skills.
AMBER CANNING, 10C
“I completed my work experience at Rise Health Group. Over the past couple of years, I have been going to Rise for my injuries and have taken a real interest in how Physiotherapists can identify injuries and help them recover. During my week of work experience, I shadowed both Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists to learn about what they do. I travelled between the two clinics and helped run water recovery sessions in aged care homes.
Completing my work experience has confirmed to me that when I leave school, I want to become a physiotherapist.”
ELIANE PATTE, 10D
“For my work experience, I went to Lysterfield Primary School. I’ve wanted to be a primary school teacher for a few years now and hoped to get a taste of what that might be like. I loved the week that I spent there, and it was fun getting to know so many students and teachers. I was able to talk to the teachers about the pathways they took to get where they are and some of the experiences they’ve had in teaching. It was a very enlightening experience and really helped to reaffirm the career path I hope to take.”
KEIRA HARRIS, 10A
“I had the opportunity to spend three days in the life of work at Mulgrave Private Hospital. I saw behind the scenes of radiology, theatre, physiotherapy, wards, and dietetics. I chose to do work experience at a hospital because I know I want to have a career in medicine.
I learnt a lot about the different careers in medicine and how everyone works together to help people in need. This opportunity confirmed my passion for helping others and my desire to work in this field. I hope to study nursing so that I can help people in their time of need.”
EVE CUMMING, 10D
“I was lucky enough to complete my work experience at BP in the IT department. I learned how to use different tools such as “Power BI” and Teams; however, learning how a corporate office workplace operates was the most helpful for me. I attended meetings, discussions, and out-of-office gatherings and visited BP-owned sites. My favourite part was the interactions I had with people in the office, where I gained an understanding of everyone’s role in the company and how everyone supports each other.
I chose to complete my work experience at BP because I plan to pursue a career in IT and programming, and I was able to understand more of the tasks, people, and places involved in this kind of work.”
One of our goals this year has been to ensure that the College operates sustainably and that we are positively contributing to the wider world.
As part of our commitment to the Good Samaritan Benedictine charism, Café Bene has embarked on a journey towards sustainability. From our in-house food production to the products we carry, we are adopting a carbon-neutral approach in a quest for a greener future.
The Café Bene team, Erica and Jacqui, are both passionate about healthy food and sustainability.
The café is also now using paper packaging that composts domestically and other low-emission packaging products. The cups are made of plant fibre, and utensils are made from materials that break down easily. Even our fruit jelly cups, which are our Principal’s favourite, are in cups made of cornstarch.
This is our way of doing our bit to make the world a better place for generations to come.
“Our focus is to produce sustainable, good quality nutritious food for developing young minds and bodies, served with gusto and enthusiasm. We aim to provide a rotating seasonal menu using the best fresh produce available.”
Erica and Jacqui
There are no plastic bottles in stock; only cans, which are taken to the container deposit scheme to raise money for the Good Samaritan Foundation.
Mater Christi College 84
FOMA
Our Friends of Mater Association (FOMA) provides an opportunity for interested parents, carers, alumnae, staff, and friends of Mater Christi to contribute ideas and support the continued development of a sense of community at and beyond our College.
This year, we thanked Wendy Clair, who stepped down as co-Chairperson after two years of service and dedicated support. We also welcomed new co-Chairs, Emma Kratzmann and Helen Cumming, who will join Cliff Wheatley, who has chosen to continue on in his role.
FOMA held several successful community-building events in 2024, including a Year 7 Parent Information Evening, a parents’ breakfast, and an 80s-themed Trivia Night. They finished off with an inaugural Twilight Christmas Market, which proved enormously popular with stallholders and visitors alike.
Our sincere thanks to all 2024 FOMA members and to those joining us for 2025—your contributions, ideas, and feedback are invaluable, and truly help us build our community.
FOMA meets 9 - 11 times per year, at the College, and new members are always welcome. If you are interested in becoming involved, please email: mcc@materchristi.edu.au.
Our Facilities Team has been working hard all year to keep our College beautiful and functional.
Facilities Manager Dan has overseen the demolition of our old Boarding House, to make way for an exciting new development and worked alongside plumbing contractors to create better drainage around the school grounds and buildings following issues created by severe weather events this year. Dan has also been completing a Diploma in Project Management.
Together, Dan, Colin and Matt have organised and installed new outdoor co-mingle and general waste rubbish bins to ensure we continue to develop our sustainability goals. They have relocated our ceramic kiln for the Art Department and created a safety barrier around it. They assisted with building props for our College production, installed Corten steel screens in the outdoor learning space in F building, built and installed a yarning circle and entry posts for our Indigenous garden, and designed and installed a new pathway for students outside Café Bene. Not to mention, they got some spiffy new uniforms!
Mater Christi College
Madeline Broadhurst
Allora Cumming
Lili Denovan
Mae Alsop Sasha Boothroyd Ella Chalmers
Maebh Deffely
Marlee Bamber Georgia Brougham
Jemima Arnott
Keira
Bradley
Jade
Cheetham-Lyons
Lilly Dempsey
Indi Beach
Madeleine Bucci
Olivia Dalman
Luly Dona
Fagan
Mia Gough Hayley
Larwood-Bielawski
Jazzi Robson
Macnaughtan
Niamh
Ella Sarweh
Grace Sceney
Mia Ting
Allison Spooner
Ivy Walsh
Chloe Seamons
Lillee
Tope
Thanushri Srinivasan
Chantal Wanigasinghe
Quinn Simpson
Amelia Trofimiuk
Neve Sutton
Charlotte Williams
Maaike
Slim
Mila
VanDerSay
Lara Thorn
Hannah Williams
Madison Spencer
Annabelle
Walsh Quinn
Thorn
Olivia Barrett
Olivia Carmichael
Persephone Dupanloup
Charlotte Fogel
Gloster
Gruber
Mullinder
Juliette Guillet
Hridaya
O’Connor
Gabriela Hall
Tayla Kircos Hannah Matthews Dani-Rose
Madeline Goodall
Imani
Ava
MacPherson Claire McPeake
Zara Herridge Isabel Kladakis
Maisy Maudsley
Larissa Ornelas
Maddison Greensill Erin Jenner
Mia Muhlnickel
Brooke Hiho
Eira Krishnan
Lola Phillips
Mataya Pickett
Ruby Silvester
Jess Vaughan
Noa Ryan
Ava Stackpole
Liv Wood
Amelia Quinn
Asha Sipthorpe
Hannah Vogel
Marissa Schleifer
Ashlee Taylor
Tess Ramsey
Marlo Smith Kiera
vom Bruch
Isabella Scott
Evelina Toneatto
Holly Zavattiero
Saskia Rogers
Charlotte Smithells
Evie Wells
Violet Scott
Erica Van Elmpt
Anisha Romana
Dominique Smyth
Ellie White
Naiima Sellar
Kate Vanderwolde
Absent from Photos
Milly Bartlett
Madeline Agjee
Mackenzie Horne
Chiara
Annali Grigoriu Evie Bellamy
Gracie
Loralei
Orme
Tahlia Reichl
Neeve
Fatima Shahid
Georgina Whyman
Imilla Schmidt
Callisto Simandjuntak
Airlie Taylor
Eliza Stephenson
Layla Wilson
Malaya Schofield
Vivian Singh
Indya Thomas Yana Sharma
Evie Sundstrom
Yvette Windsor Lucy Rossely
Meisha Sellar
Sheahan
Eloise Sutton
Joni Wooden
Abigail Wheatley
Absent from Photos Tamieka Gill
Alana De Hoyos Salazar
Kate Edmanson
Eliza
Trinnley Bunting Caitlin
Zara Cuthbert
Samara
Anna Ingaliso
Isabella Lancaster
Zahra Gehling
Jaime Hiho Chloe Kelly Sally Loader
Kylie Frattura
Bridget Haley
Tanysha Jackson
Ava Lankester TJ Godfrey
Emily Hill
Ella Kershaw
Holly Macallan
Dihara Gandolahage
Keira
Harris
Sophie Johnson
Shae’Lee Laplanche
Jess Goodman
Mikayla
Hobson
Stella Kilderry
Clara Garry
Indianah Hayes
Poppy Katsaras
Lucy Larkin
Amelie Gowan
Phoebe
Hugo-Kohler
Matilda Kitch
Maddy Fletcher
Charlotte Gaynor
Emaan Heidary
Milly Kay
Ruby Leonard
Nethya Gunasekera
Bailey Ibbotson
Coral Kratzmann
Savannah Foti
Cami Higgins
Diana Mattucci
Saanvi
Palliyil
Sarah Sammut
Audrey Thomas
Maddison
Myatt
Abigail Pither
Evie Smith
Claire Van Elmpt
Annie McDonnell
Eliane Patte
Olivia Sarweh
Matilda Thomas
Charlotte Nicholls
Bella Raw
Gabby
Stammberger
Shreya Vazirani
Lee McGarraghy
Lindsay Petkoff
Jacinta Schleifer Lily Ure Layla O’Sullivan
Zara Menon Jess Piesley
Shambavi Sivasankar
Telling
Ruby Molloy
Skye Pires Izzy Skillern Princess Van Der Burght
Evie Oswald
Aaliiyah Rooke
Isobel Thomas-Orth
Kasey Maloney Jen Martin
Lily-Marie Massey
Maria Wang
Emma Whitfield
John Watson
Sarah Winters
Madeleine Webster
Naomi Woods
Stevie Vella
Amelia Wells
Miranda Wright
Madeleine
Vlek
Emma White
Grace Zidek
Olivia Wakartschuk
Absent from Photos
Caley Baker
Aleisha Foot
Sruthi Ganesan
Josie Bamford
Breanna Carter
Mackenzie Davis
Elayna Boys
Chantel Connelly
Ashlee Moulday
Johannah Griffiths Caitlin
Sienna Punturere
Ruby Stafford
Annabella Tyquin
Tegan Rogers
Indigo Thomson
Shinali Weerawardena
Ellis Quinn
Lily Sweeney
Suhani
Vazirani
Lucy Ross-Gilder
Jessica WiedermannPhengpan
Giorgia Ratcliffe
Isobel Tate
Hollie Wallace
Indiana Ross
Ivy Tucker
Ava Wooden
Zoe Reeves
Emily Thompson
Sophie Watson
Jessica Sidhu
Viola Turchini
Molly Ritchie
Ruby Thompson
Ella Webster
Ava Somers
Eloise Tyler
Absent from Photos
Sammy Tymkin
Lolita Quinn
Ella Todd
Kate Portelli
Zali Przychodzki
Claire Pierce
Hannah Eidelson Kyra Ghalay
Mannat Kaur
Jen MacDonald
Lainey Flynn
Sienna Hayman
McQuillan
Acacia Semenow
College Staff
Michael Abbott Business Manager
Tara Baker
VCE Learning Leader
James Bakker
Year 12 Learning Leader
Graham Balderstone Zenith Coordinator
Fiona Birchall VET Learning Leader
Amanda Bischof-Foster Wellbeing for Learning Leader
Colleen Bolton R.E. Learning Leader
Tricia Bourke Teacher
Samantha Brouwers Learning Support Officer
Nicole Brown People, Culture & Risk Leader
Janine Callahan Year 11 Learning Leader
Jessica Callanan College Psychologist
Annie Chaichuchote Food Technolgoy Assistant
Rosin Chirgwin Learning Support Officer
Catherine Close Teacher
Julie Colyer Year 7 Learning Leader
Brooke Cooke College Psychologist
Lisa Costello Year 10 Learning Leader
Rachel Coupland-Evans Café Bene
Elissa Day Learning Support Officer
Shane Dias ICT Support Officer
Deepika Dissanayake Teacher
Andy Donnelly Careers Coordinator
Jasmin Donner AFL Trainee
Evelyn Dousett Daily Organiser, VASS, VCAA
Jessica Ducat College Psychologist
Sean Duguid Learning Support Officer
Kayla Durling Mathematics Learning Leader
Justine Edwards Learning Diversity Leader
Claire Ferguson Administration Assistant
Eliza Fildes Teacher
Michelle Flintoff Teacher
Mieke Florisson Instrumental Music Teacher
Cecilia Ford Laboratory Technician
Matt Galvin Maintenance Officer
Rhoda Gavin Zenith Coordinator
Tim Glover Timetable & Operations Leader
Dan Godfrey Facilities Manager
Vicki Godfrey Health & Physical Education Learning Leader
Debby Gould Learning Support Officer
Nicole Hacking Languages Learning Leader
Maria Haggett Educator, Principal
Linda Hamill
Administration Assistant
Shona Hardwick Personal Assistant - Deputy Principals
Jacqueline Hayman Café Bene
Kate Hazeldine Teacher
Caitlin Hedge Teacher
Melanie Hunt Instrumental Music Teacher
Amy Isma Learning Commons Leader
Kate Jay
English Learning Leader
Eliza Johns
Year 9 Learning Leader
Tegan Joiner Instrumental Music Teacher
Peter Kadar Teacher
Monica Kutt Student Leadership Coordinator
Vanessa Leaver Humanities Learning Leader
Tania Leonard Finance Officer
Chris Lynch ICT Support Officer
Anthea Mafrici Assistant Business Manager
Margherita Magagna Year 8 Learning Leader
Cara Manion Tutor
Sally Marsh Teacher
Simone Martin AFL Trainee
Rachel Mattille Teacher
Shae Mayes Deputy Principal - Staff & Students
Jennifer McAdam Teacher
Andrea McKay Marketing & Communications Officer
Elizabeth McKenna Teacher
Annette McKernan College Nurse
Lisa McLean MYP Learning Leader
Siobhan Merritt Teacher
Helen Metcalfe Head of Music
Abby Milesi Science Learning Leader
Amanda Morris Sports Coordinator
Sara Mugridge Technology (Design & Digital) Leader
Melissa Mӥller Arts Learning Leader
Julie Mushet Finance Officer
Natalie Nash Teacher
Rebecca Nettleton Teacher Librarian
Sharon Olive Teacher
Cherene Onslow College Nurse
Elle Osborne Instrumental Music Teacher
Laura Overdyk Learning Technology & Systems Leader
Narrelle Paige Director of Marketing & Communications
Denise Raven Professional Growth Leader
Michaela Read Principal’s Assistant
Michelle Ring Registrar
Gregoria Rivaloro Teacher
Libbie Rogers Teacher
Orazio Rossello Learning Support Officer
Joanne Ryan Learning Commons Assistant
Kate Saleeba Teacher Con Sarris Social Justice & Outreach Program Coordinator
Ingrid Schmidt Teacher
Rama Shiriram Teacher
Jasmine Sien Teacher
Olivia Spadea Learning Support Officer
Brooke Stafford Administration Assistant
Julie Stewart Deputy PrincipalLearning
Simon Templin Teacher
Grace Tobin Teacher
Colin Thomson Maintenance Officer
Linda Tilson Teacher
Erica Tomiolo Cafe Bene
Ewa Toomey Teacher
Lisa Towse Teacher
Naomi Trumino Teacher
Andriana Tsikouris R.E. Learning Leader
Rosie Van Kempen Teacher
Cathy Wentworth Administration Assistant
Jana Woodhouse Teacher
Pete Woodhouse Mission Identity Leader
Arinka Yao Teacher
Ren Zhou Teacher
Leonardo Zito Teacher
Abbott
Janine
Callahan
Deepika Dissanayake
Amanda Bischof-Foster
Brooke Cooke
Sean Duguid
Tara Baker
Jessica Callanan
Andy Donnelly
Colleen Bolton
Lisa Costello
Kayla Durling
James Bakker
Annie Chaichuchote
Jasmin Donner
Michelle Flintoff
Tricia Bourke
Rachel Coupland-Evans
Justine Edwards
Graham Balderstone
Catherine Close
Evelyn Dousset
Matt Galvin
Samantha Brouwers
Shane Dias
Claire Ferguson
Fiona Birchall
Julie Colyer
Jessica Ducat
Rhoda Gavin
Nicole Brown
Elissa Day
Eliza Fildes
Cecilia Ford
Mieke Florisson
Roisin
Chirgwin
Eliza
Johns
Simone Martin
Abby Milesi
Jacqueline Hayman
Chris Lynch
Elizabeth McKenna
Nicole Hacking
Peter Kadar
Rachel Mattille Amanda Morris
Kate Hazeldine
Anthea Mafrici
Annette McKernan
Maria Haggett
Monica Kutt
Shae Mayes Sara Mugridge
Caitlin Hedge
Margherita Magagna
McLean Tim Glover Linda Hamill Vanessa Leaver
Shona Hardwick
Helen Metcalfe
Vicki Godfrey
Melanie Hunt
Natalie Nash
Julie Mushet
Rama Shriram Lisa Towse
Libbie Rogers
Simon Templin
Jana Woodhouse
Denise Raven
Narrelle Paige
Jasmine Sien
Naomi Trumino
Joanne Ryan Colin Thomson Pete Woodhouse
Michaela Read
Olivia Spadea
Andriana Tsikouris
Kate Saleeba
Linda Tilson
Arinka Yao
Michelle Ring
Brooke Stafford
Rosie van Kempen
Con Sarris
Erica Tomiolo
Gregoria Rivaloro
Julie Stewart
Cathy Wentworth
Ingrid
Cherene
Grace Tobin
Orazio Rossello
Laura Overdyk
Rebecca Nettleton
ALWAYS A MATER GIRL
Our #AlwaysAMaterGirl series highlights the many and varied journeys of our alumnae after they have left Mater Christi. Some have taken linear paths, having known exactly what they wanted to do, while others have landed in careers they would never have thought of when they were at school. Whatever their pathway and experience, they are all connected as Mater Girls, and all look back fondly on their time at the College and the people who helped to shape them.
ALUMNAE
This year, we asked some of our alumnae what our 2024 College Theme—Kindness Transforms Community—means to them. Here’s what they had to say.
Zamantha Romero Class of 2000
Social Worker, Child Protection & Family Violence Anglicare
Zamantha and her family came to Australia from El Salvador as political refugees when she was two years old. Having left a life where her father studied Engineering at university and her mother was a teacher, Zamantha witnessed the struggles her parents experienced as new Australians, with a language barrier and working in factories to make ends meet.
When she had her own children, Zamantha was keen to keep her heritage and native language alive in them, so she took over the running of a notfor-profit Spanish Language school for five years when her children were young, while also working as a manager in the retail industry. However, deep down, Zamantha knew she had another calling. After her own experience with family violence, which had affected her for a long time, she felt motivated to become a Social Worker.
“One day, I thought, ‘Well, it didn’t break me—I’m still here, so maybe I can help others’. The kindness I experienced from the people who helped me out of my situation is something I try to pass on to others.”.
Zamantha admits being a Social Worker is not an easy job— walking alongside others who are experiencing family violence and abuse is challenging, but seeing people’s lives transformed is what keeps her doing what she does.
“Seeing positive results for a family is so rewarding. I have had families come back to see me months later and say, ‘Thank you. If you hadn’t stepped in, I wouldn’t be where I am now.’ That makes it all worthwhile.”
Ashvina De Zoysa Class of 2016
Community Lead, WeWork
Founder & President of COOK4CALD—a local and free meal support program for migrant families and international students
Ashvina’s favourite subject at Mater Christi was Health & Human Development, and her teacher, Ms Lawson, greatly impacted the person she has become.
“Ms Lawson was a fierce feminist, and she talked about the importance of supporting other communities, not just those you are from.”
Ashvina completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences at Deakin University, majoring in Family and Societal Health, and Disability and Inclusion.
“My degree taught me about the complexities of our society and how things like socioeconomic status, location, and race can impact generations of families. It highlighted the gaps in social support for those in the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.”
During the COVID pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, Ashvina wondered what she could do to help members of the CALD community who were struggling. Thus, COOK4CALD was born.
After a lot of research and planning, and with support from invested family and friends who volunteered their time, COOK4CALD prepared and delivered multicultural meals for ten weeks throughout the summer of 2020/2021. It began with 15 meals in the first week and averaged 85 plus towards the end, entirely funded by community donations.
COOK4CALD went on to become an incorporated association. It is now an ACNC registered charity with an Executive Committee, all under the age of 30. COOK4CALD now provides 200 plus meals every week, in Summer to the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne and currently has 75 young volunteers preparing and delivering the meals to families in need.
Ashvina’s passion for supporting marginalised members of the community also extends to accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. So, alongside COOK4CALD, she has worked full-time as a NDIS Support Coordinator, helping people with disabilities make the most of their NDIS packages.
She is currently the Community Lead at WeWork, a flexible office space solution for people and companies looking to customise their use of office space, in line with their business needs.
“The power of kindness takes you everywhere—it’s the most important value anyone can have. My education opened my eyes to the injustices women and marginalised people in the community experience, and as an empathetic person, I felt I had to do something.”
Shelley Ligtermoet Class of 2002
Youth Pastor, Head of Ministry, CityLife Church
Shelley says her time at Mater Christi helped shape the person she is today.
“I had the freedom to be who I wanted to be. It wasn’t just about your studies at Mater; it was about belonging to a Good Samaritan school. It helped me understand that there are more important things than IQ—it is how you relate to people and how you make other people feel that’s most important.”
When she was 15 years old, Shelley joined a local Youth Group and ‘found her church’, where she later began volunteering.
“I wasn’t raised in a religious family, my parents started coming to church when I was in Primary School. And I didn’t always believe in God. The message given to young people at the Youth Group was that God loves them. We all mess up, but we are all a family. Through that message, I found my love of God.”
Shelley wanted to start working at the Church straight out of secondary school, but her mum was keen for her to get a degree, which she did! In fact, she got a Science degree from Monash with a double major in Immunology and Molecular and Microbiology. Shortly after that she began working part-time at the church.
Today, as a Youth Pastor and Head of Ministry at CityLife Church, Shelley says every day is different. One day, she will present to a group of over 60-year-olds about the purpose and meaning of life; the next, she will be at a youth camp. Her role as Head of Ministry is less pastoral and more about budgets, overseeing staff and leaders, and administration. However, she still keeps her foot in the church community doing weddings, funerals, preaching, teaching, running weekly services, and mental health awareness days.
“We definitely need more kindness in the world! Young people are struggling these days. You never truly know what someone else is going through. Ultimately, asking someone what we can do for them takes nothing away from us. I’d like to see everyone in the community take a step back and be more mindful of others.”
Read more Alumnae stories here:
Tricia Malowney (née Haggarty) Class of 1969
Chief Accessibility Advocate, Department of Transport
Tricia attended Mater Christi from 1965 – 1969—a time she recalls fondly.
“I had a lovely group of friends and was treated the same as everyone else in the Mater Christi community.”
In the 1960s, people with disability were expected to work basic jobs, if they worked at all. But when Tricia finished school, her father saw no reason why she should not set her sights on a career, so he spoke to the local Bank Manager and got her a job in a bank.
Tricia went on to work as a radio operator in a remote town in the Northern Territory, in a factory, and later the public service.
In her mid-40s, Tricia went to university, completing a degree in Anthropology and Criminology while working for the Victorian Police.
“I had always wanted to be an anthropologist, to study people and culture and examine how different cultures operate.”
Today, at 70, Tricia is the Chief Accessibility Advocate for the Department of Transport and Planning. She runs a successful business providing training to people with disabilities who want to run their own businesses and advises government and non-government agencies and organisations. Tricia also sits on the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS) Independent Advisory Council, advising the government on how to improve the NDIS.
“I was brought upon the concept of kindness and the idea that through kindness, you empower others and that kindness follows on.
I’m a lucky person. I have a loving family, a kind and caring husband, a home, and a meaningful job—but many others don’t. Despite advancements in this space, people with disability are still excluded from society in different ways. I gained access to a good education, I have developed a lot of skills in my life so far, and I am comfortable talking to people at high levels, so I use those skills to improve the lives of others.”
