2023 Yearbook by Mater Christi College

Mater Christi College

YEARS

28 Bayview Road Belgrave Victoria 3160 materchristi.edu.au

1963-2023

YEARBOOK 2023

CRICOS No. 00589K

60TH ANNIVERSARY

YEARBOOK 2023

‘Seek peace and pursue it’ - Ps 34:14

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.

e m o c l e W

statement

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.

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

Seeking God together is the foundation of the Benedictine charism. In our schools,

Be Your Own Kind of Girl

In the

beginning . . .

Sixty years ago, The Sisters of the Good Samaritan responded to the needs of the Belgrave community, building a school for girls on the hill. Over the past 60 years, that small school has grown far beyond what was initially envisaged by the Sisters and attracts students from well beyond the Dandenong Ranges. Our Good Samaritan heritage has empowered a learning community to evolve and change with the times. Yet, from generation to generation, while events and the world have shifted, there remains a constant theme of people committed to educating girls to “become informed, compassionate and creative”. So why is it so important to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Mater Christi College?

Mater Christi is here today because we are part of a story that has been told, retold, heard, and passed down through the centuries. It is incredible and wonderful that this story is still alive and that we are part of it. College learning began in 1963 with students attending St Thomas More and St John the Baptist in Ferntree Gully and officially opened on this site once the building was completed in 1964. But our history stands on a story of 166 years since Archbishop John Bede Polding and Mother Scholastica Gibbons established the Good Samaritan Sisters. Even more, we stand on the 1500-year-old Rule of Benedict and, of course, the parable that gives us our compass – the Good Samaritan. In 2023, we celebrate all Mater Christi College has been, continues and strives to be.

YEARBOOK 2023 3

COLLEGE 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 23 24 25 26

In the Beginning Contents From our Principal Board of Governance Deputy Principals Our continued journey to Reconciliation Leadership Building College Captains Senior School Leadership Middle School Leadership Student Leadership 2022 Awards presented in 2023 Highlights from the Class of 2022 Celebrating 60 Years of Mater Christi Japanese Exchange Students International Women’s Day Mater Day Celebrations Celebrating our Cultural Diversity

SENIOR SCHOOL 28 29 30 32 36 38 40

VCE VM Vocational Education Training Year 12 Who’s Who Year 11 Year 10 Personal Projects

MIDDLE SCHOOL 42 44 46 48

Year 9 Year 8 Year 7 Zenith Program

MATER LEARNING 50 52 54 56 58 59 60 62 64 66 68 69 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 85 86 88 90 92

Mater Arts Art & Technology Exhibition Visual Arts Production - Shrek The Musical English Slam Poetry Health & Physical Education Humanities Languages Mathematics Religious Education Youth Ministry & CAP Sport Cheerleading Champions Science STEM Technology Product Design Social Justice & Stewardship Wellbeing Careers Learning Commons Friends of Mater Association (FOMA) House Activities Facilities & Maintenance

COLLEGE PHOTOS

Contents 4 Mater Christi College

94 99 104 110 115 120

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12

126 Staff 133 #ALWAYSAMATERGIRL 138 Moving forward - our vision for the future

r u o m o r F

Principal I am delighted to present to you the 2023 Yearbook. As you will see in these pages, 2023 has been a year filled with exciting achievements, important initiatives and memorable experiences. One of the standout moments of the year was undoubtedly our 60th Anniversary celebrations, beginning with our College Mass on the Feast of St Scholastica, continuing with a staff function in May and culminating in our alumnae reunion in October. It was a time of reflection on our rich history and a celebration of the vibrant community that has thrived for six decades. The year has been a testament to the strong bonds forged over the years with the Good Sam Sisters, alumnae and staff. 2023 also saw the introduction of a more choicebased curriculum in Year 9. New electives offered our students an even wider range of choices. This expansion of options empowers students to explore their interests and talents, fostering a more diverse and enriching learning experience. Our commitment to emotional intelligence and wellbeing was exemplified by the continued rollout of the RULER program. This has played a pivotal role in nurturing the skills of our students by promoting self-awareness, empathy and enhancing their overall social skills. Our dedication to social justice, so important to our Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition, was evident through a series of impactful activities such as fundraising, awareness campaigns and community projects. Our students have demonstrated their compassion and commitment to making the world a better place. Once again, we joined with St Joseph’s College for the production in August and Variety Night in September. These events showcase the incredible talent and teamwork of our students, and we look forward to many more collaborations. Finally, the Central Australia trip was a transformative experience for our students, exposing them to the rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscape of our beautiful country. Once again, I must thank the College Board for their support and hard work during 2023, particularly our Board Chair, Dr Bern Nicholls. Thank you also to the immense work of the College Executive in a year of great change. I wish all families the blessing of the Christmas period and a safe summer. Maria Haggett, Educator, Principal

YEARBOOK 2023

Mater Christi College is a public company limited by guarantee. It is governed according to the Constitution of Good Samaritan Education.

Members of the Company: • Leonie Keaney – Chair • Gaynor Robson-Garth - Deputy Chair • Eileen O’Leary • Veronica Hoey SGS

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.

Board Directors: • Bern Nicholls – Board Chair • Eugene Lynch – Deputy Chair (from May 2023) • Lynette Bayly • Trudi Bons • Fiona Bygraves (to May 2023) • Christopher Cartwright (to November 2023) • Georgia Heffernan • Cathy Mason • Amy Whitehead • Maria Haggett – CEO & Executive Director Non-director Committee Members: • Anthony Chapman – Finance Committee (to September 2023) • Philip Thomas – Risk, Compliance & Governance Committee (to May 2023)

Board of

Ex Officio: • Tatum Mitchell – Business Manager Company Secretary:

Governance

66 6 Mater Christi College

• Cherine Kenna

Deputy

Principals We were appreciative of a more predictable school year throughout 2023, which enabled a renewed focus on the College’s academic and co-curricular learning programs. As you will see in this Yearbook, students engaged in a range of applied learning experiences, both in and out of school and across all Domain learning areas.

contemporary learning opportunities that empower students to personalise their Senior secondary pathway and beyond. We look forward to what 2024 promises in this area.

A highlight of 2023 has been the inaugural Year 9 Enrichment learning program and the broad learning opportunities available to students during each of these weeks. Throughout the year, students have been able to explore the Melbourne CBD, engage in social justice activities, explore future vocational pathways, problem-solve in STEM-based learning activities, and develop survival skills during Adventure Week.

I’d like to wish all families and students a safe and relaxing holiday break, and we look forward to welcoming all students back in 2024 for an exciting year of learning growth.

The new Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) commenced in 2023, with full implementation on track for 2024. The new “one VCE” is the biggest reform to the VCE since its inception and has provided an opportunity for the College to explore

Julie Stewart, Deputy Principal – Learning

It has been another action-packed year at Mater Christi. Students have demonstrated a willingness to have a go and get involved in all aspects of College life.

items in bathrooms with the installation of period product dispensers. Congratulations to all students who voiced opinions, concerns, and ideas and a huge thanks to all of our student leaders for 2023.

Our Student Representative Council (SRC) worked hard to plan the biggest Mater Day to date, with carnival rides, year-level stalls, live music, and food stalls. It was a day full of fun, laughter, and community spirit.

This year in our Pastoral Program we continued to promote social-emotional learning across all year levels and had structured activities in morning Home Group to assist with organisation and wellbeing.

Student representatives have been active in being the voice of all students. They have discussed ideas and concerns at year-level council meetings, SRC General and SRC Executive meetings. Our College Captains were active in bringing attention to suggestions in our Student Voice Boxes placed around the school. One of their achievements has been more easy access to sanitary

RULER was introduced across Years 7-9, and students have started to think about how they are feeling, why they are feeling that way, and how they might shift any negative thinking. Years 10-12 continued to develop skills needed in the Senior school, such as time management, careers, and study, as well as a focus on respectful relationships with various guest speakers and groups. Wellbeing days and activities addressed being safe online, health and positive body image. Bob and Pip, our wellbeing dogs, made appearances across the year, bringing cheer to many. The year came to an end with a fun day for all at Luna Park and a Christmas Market, where students were able to show off their skills and sell products they had made themselves. Shae Mayes, Deputy Principal – Staff and Students

YEARBOOK 2023 7

o t y e n r u o j d e Our continu

Reconciliation

”

For Watta Watnanda Day we visited the Aborigines Advancement League in Thornbury. We were able to connect with the local mob and do some cultural activities like playing Jumpinpin (a game that originates around Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island near Brisbane). We also had a yarn with one of the Richmond Football Club psychologists. It was a day to remember.” Olivia Ward, Year 12

Mater Christi’s commitment to reconciliation has been further embedded into our College life and curriculum this year through several new initiatives. Our Year 9 and 10 students were offered an elective subject called Indigenous Perspectives for the first time this year, which incorporates an introduction to Indigenous history, language groups, the history of colonisation, The Voice to Parliament, the Uluru Statement from the Heart, Indigenous guest speakers, and an excursion to the Koorie Heritage Trust and First Nations exhibition at the Ian Potter Gallery. In addition to this specific subject offering, Indigenous perspectives are being incorporated into an increasing number of broader subjects

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Mural visited on Watta Watnanda Day.

across the curriculum, including VCE Pscyhology, Health & Human Development, Dance, and English. Our Learning Commons serves as a fantastic source of information and wider reading on Indigenous themes, with a wide variety of First Nations authors and topics available. Following consultation with our First Nations students this year, it was decided that an Aboriginal flag sticker would mark the spines of these books. Finally, as part of our 2023 Social Justice & Stewardship activities, funds have been raised for the ‘Opening the Doors Foundation’ – an First Peoples-led community organisation that supports educational opportunities for Indigenous children.

FIRE CARRIERS COMMISSIONING

A NEW FLAG

Nine students and staff attended Sienna College in March to be commissioned into the FIRE Carriers group (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education). The group meets weekly, working to create opportunities to embed the richness of our country’s ancient culture into the life of our College and welcomes any new participants.

We were thrilled to welcome Member for Monbulk, Daniela De Martino, to present our College with a new Indigenous flag at assembly in July.

”

We embrace this flag as a reminder to cherish and respect the diverse histories and traditions that shape our nation and our ongoing commitment to reconciliation with First Nations people.

WATTA WATNANDA DAY

oining the FIRE Carriers has ignited my passion towards J reconciliation in Australia. Being a part of this amazing group of likeminded people gives me the opportunity to speak up and to share and discuss my opinions in our valuable weekly meetings in the Deadly Den.” Isabella Lancaster 9B

This vibrant symbol holds tremendous significance, representing the rich culture and heritage of Australia’s First Nations people.

Our First Nations students attended Watta Watnanda Cultural Day in August. This is an opportunity for students across the Archdiocese to reflect on their shared identity through discussions, presentations, and activities. The students toured local murals, paying tribute to significant members of their community and visited the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry.

RECONCILIATION WEEK

OUR INDIGENOUS GARDEN

Our College FIRE Carriers responded to National Reconciliation Week 2023’s call to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives where we live, work and socialise.

Our Indigenous Garden, which was established thanks to a grant application by previous Catholic Action Program (CAP) students, has been coming along nicely this year.

Students began the day with Indigenous-themed chalk art and giving out reconciliation ribbons to those entering the College. They later held yarning lessons in the Learning Commons at lunchtimes, and invited students to lay their painted handprint on a College banner calling for Yes to Reconciliation.

The students filled them with soil and planted a range of edible plants, including lemon myrtle, warrigal greens, and Midyim berries.

Its layout has been finalised with the placement of a series of rusty corten steel planters and gravel, which, when seen from above, look like the dotted Australian desert landscape.

Our College Art Club, under the direction of Art Teacher, Melissa Müller, created glazed, ceramic plaques, identifying the various plants.

YEARBOOK 2023 9

One of the benefits of an all-girls education is that all leadership positions within the College are held by girls. Younger students can look to Seniors as mentors and examples of the sort of leader they hope to become themselves. Skills for leadership and growth are fostered through external workshops and networking opportunities with peers, and our Middle School and Senior leadership groups are given the responsibility and opportunity to run a number of College community events throughout the year.

p i h s r e d a e L

Building

PEER NETWORKING The sharing of knowledge and ideas is an important part of any leadership journey. In May, our Middle School leaders attended Whitefriars College to work with peers from other Catholic Colleges in the Eastern and Northern areas. The students prepared their leadership goals for 2023, which were shared throughout the day, to gain ideas and strategies from other participants, further develop their own leadership roles and establish networks within our communities.

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MAXIMISING THE BADGE – WITH YLEAD Early in the year, our Senior School and Middle School Captains took part in a full-day workshop run by youth engagement and leadership specialists - yLead. This hands-on leadership development experience - ‘Maximising the Badge’ combined team building with essential skill development. The students worked together in a range of practical challenges, developing a greater understanding of each other and creating a shared vision for the year ahead. Our thanks to the team from yLead for an inspirational and empowering day!

Meet our 2023 College Captains in this video.

College

Captains It has been our honour and privilege to serve the community that has given us so much, and to work with and hear the unique stories of so many Mater Christi students and staff this year. We wish to express how incredibly proud we are to be graduating from Mater Christi College and how honoured we are to have been your College Captains. It was particularly special to fulfil this role during the 60th Anniversary year. 2023 has been filled with so many firsts and lasts - especially for the Year 12s - from Formal to Pop Culture Day to House sports and, of course, our bigger-than-ever Mater Day. Each and every ‘last ever’ has brought us closer to our final day of school. We are thrilled to have been able to work with the talented members of the Student Representative Council and dedicated teachers, and to have had the unique opportunity to listen to the authentic voice of the student body. As such, we have been part of so many important initiatives for positive change at Mater Christi, about which we have felt incredibly passionate. These have included supporting and standing alongside members of the LGBTQIA+ community, raising much-needed funds for the Good Samaritan Foundation at Mater Day, a period product dispenser initiative, as well as our first-ever Model UN simulation. All have truly showcased the passion of our students and community who made these events and initiatives so successful. After being part of such a close-knit cohort of Year 12s that was so well supported by caring teachers - we feel sad to be stepping out from under the wing of Mater Christi. However, thanks to our time here, we are prepared and ready to face what lies ahead of us beyond the hill. Emily Tyquin, 12A & Martha Box, 12D YEARBOOK 2023 11

l o o h c S Senior

Leadership College Captains Wellbeing Captains

Student Representative Council

Arts Captain Assistant Arts Captains Faith & Liturgy Captains Social Justice & Stewardship Captans Assistant Social Justice & Stewardship Captains Sport Captains STEM Captains

Emily Tyquin Martha Box Raquel Pospischil Sashri De Alwis Alicia Petersen Charlotte Hiosan Milla Macallan Varina Meina Kiara D’Sylva Maria Girgis Hannah Koolstra Jen MacDonald Elida Licciardi Jessica Pacevski Sami Lane Willow Simandjuntak Simone Martin

MacKillop House Captains

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Charli Petersen & Ava Zidek

Lyons House Captains

Elisa Morales & Aly-Jack Robinson

Gibbons House Captains

Olivia Ward & Ashleigh Thomson

Chisholm House Captains

Jasmin Donner & Mollie Keene

l o o h c S e l d d i M

Leadership Middle School Captains Arts Captains

Faith & Liturgy Captains Social Justice & Stewardship Captains Sport Captains STEM Captains Wellbeing Captains

MacKillop House Captains Lyons House Captains

Eliane Patte Ashley Koolstra Princess Van Der Burght Rhyme Corbett Tegan Allen Bridget Haley Maya Gutierrez Anna Davis Lettie Reed Coral Kratzman Amber Canning Emily Hill Kiara Enriquez Madeleine Vlek Charlotte Gaynor

Middle School Captains

Saanvi Palliyil & Lindsay Petkoff Matilda Kitch & Dihara Gandolahage

Gibbons House Captains

Anna Ingaliso & Emma Whitfield

Chisholm House Captains

Mel Donald & Isabella Lancaster

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S tudent

Leadership Year 11 Council Disha Adeshara Sarah Barnett Chelsea Boce Georgia Bridgford Paige Bromfield Samantha Damon Alexander Dillon Monique Enriquez Amali Harrison Emelia Kenna Gayana Kulatunge Georgia Langley Elida Licciardi

Year 8 Council Jen MacDonald Priya Mora Sabrina Morales Sasha Neilson Gemma Przychodzki Charlotte Sard Madeline Scott Acacia Semenow Gemma Smits Anlia Van Reenen

Year 10 Council Charlotte Connell Lucy Crouch Ava Di Bartolomeo Layla Gould Ava Jackson Hannah Mafrici

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Laura Morabito Claire Pierce Indigo Thomson Ava Wooden

Lucy Rossely Ruby Ross Aria Martin Joni Wooden Sydney Powell

Fatima Shahid Grace Pierce Annali Grigoriu Persephone Kuhn Eloise Sutton

Year 7 Home Group Representatives Jill McDonnell Indi Williamson Grace Allen Marissa Schleifer

Charlotte Smithells Mataya Pickett Asha Sipthorpe Sasha Gruber

2022 AWARDS n i d e t n e s pre 2023 College Dux Madison-Rae Zapanta

Monash Scholars Program Award Jen MacDonald, Priya Mora, Sasha Neilson.

VCAL Dux Viveca Kleinert

ADF Long Tan Leadership Award Year 12 Seinna Cross

VCE Baccalaureate Indigo Keating, Daisy Pritchard, Bronya Robinson, Alana Spiteri.

ADF Long Tan Leadership Award Year 10 Gemma Przychodzki

Astrid Renehan Chemistry Award Madison-Rae Zapanta VIDA Goldstein Award for Excellence in History Alana Spiteri Rebecca Jago Outdoor Education and Environmental Education Award Maudie Paterson Hannah Kinross Social Justice Award Allanah Major Ampol Best All-Rounder Award Madison-Rae Zapanta Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program Disha Adeshara

ADF Future Innovator Award Year 12 Bronya Robinson ADF Future Innovator Award Year 10 Alice Zhu Enterprise and Innovation Award Anna Lindhaus Maureen Keating Stewardship Award Rachel Webb Principal’s Art Award Emily Tyquin Principal’s Technology Award Loti Davies

YEARBOOK 2023 15

The Good Sam Awards Years 7 - 11 Mabel Gould, Isabella Lancaster, Ava Wooden, Jen MacDonald, Martha Box. VCAL Intermediate Award Vanessa Mills VCE High Achievers - ATAR 90+ Madison-Rae Zapanta, Talia Laurence, Jasmine Andrews, Bronya Robinson, Susoen Hellier, Alana Spiteri, Daisy Pritchard, Matlida Kennedy, Jessie Thomas, Madeline Attalla, Ava Grimes, Catalina Macfarlane. Study Scores 40+ - Year 12 Madison-Rae Zapanta, Talia Laurence, Jasmine Andrews, Susoen Hellier, Alana Spiteri, Matilda Kennedy, Madeline Attalla, Ava Grimes, Catalina MacFarlane, Caitlin Falovic, Maudie Paterson, Niamh Hunter-Clear, Madyson Merrett, Jade Hendy, Indigo Keating, Grace Henry, Allanah Major, Brianna Wilcox. Study Scores 40+ - Year 11 Tess Grandia, Hannah Koolstra, Simone Martin, Mera Pringle, Sami Lane, Chloe Yeoman.

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2022 AWARDS presented in 2023

JASMINE ANDREWS WINS PREMIER’S VCE AWARD! Congratulations to our 2022 College Co-Captain, Jasmine Andrews, who was recognised with a Premiers VCE Award for outstanding academic results in 2022. Jas received a Study Award for Agricultural & Horticultural Studies, which she completed via Virtual School Victoria. The annual Premier’s VCE Awards recognise the top-performing students in the state. This year, 300 students across 88 subjects were recognised with awards for their outstanding results. During 2023, Jas has been studying Wildlife and Conservation Biology at Deakin University and hopes to become an Ecologist who provides advice and collaborates with farmers and organisations to improve biodiversity.

YEARBOOK 2023 17

e h t m o r f s t h g i l h g i H

Class of 2022 ” 2022 saw another year of outstanding VCE and VCAL achievements for students at Mater Christi.

As a College, we recognise that not every student’s story is told by the ATAR, and we are proud that our pathways approach to learning provides a breadth of opportunities for everyone. At the same time, we know that for students who aim to attend university, the ATAR remains a significant part of their Senior studies. We, therefore, congratulate those students whose commitment to their studies resulted in them reaching their goal ATAR and, ultimately, the tertiary course of their choice. These results are a testament to the commitment of students and their families during COVID-impacted learning, showing remarkable resilience, perseverance, and determination.

ongratulations to the Class of C 2022 - an exceptional group of young people who worked incredibly hard and who were known for the kindness and support they showed one another throughout secondary school. We are extremely proud of each and every one for completing their VCE and VCAL qualifications and look forward to hearing about their journeys beyond Mater.

We also acknowledge the part our dedicated teachers played in providing learning opportunities and wellbeing support to our Senior students during their final year of study. We know these results don’t come about in one year, so we recognise all teachers from Years 7 to 11 who assisted the students in their learning journeys. We congratulate College Dux, Madison Zapanta, who attained an ATAR of 98.05, including scores of 47 in Biology and 41 in English Language. We also acknowledge our other high ATAR achievers, who all attained ATAR results over 90: Talia Laurence, Jasmine Andrews, Bronya Robinson, Susoen Hellier, Alana Spiteri, Daisy Pritchard, Matilda Kennedy, Jessie Thomas, Madeline Attalla, Ava Grimes and Catalina Macfarlane. As well as our 2022 VCAL Dux, Viveca Kleinert.

”

I have made so many new friends and the opportunities have been amazing! Eve Calder (7C)

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g n i t a r b e l e C

60 Years of Mater Christi CELEBRATORY MASS Our 60th Anniversary celebrations kicked off at the beginning of the school year with a Celebratory Mass for staff and current students. We were also extremely pleased to have special guests Loretta Gamley, her daughter Antoinette, and granddaughters attend. Loretta was the first appointed College Captain at Mater Christi and among 60 students in Years 7, 8 and 9 who commenced at the College in 1964. All had begun their high school education at surrounding schools while they and their families awaited the finalisation of the Mater Christi buildings on the hill in Belgrave.

PRINCIPAL’S ART PRIZE

A NEW PLACE OF PEACE

Our Principal, Maria Haggett announced a new Art Prize, inviting students to produce digital or analogue artworks that explore our College Motto: Informed. Compassionate, Creative.

As a lasting visual and physical reminder of our 60th anniversary, a Peace Garden has been established at the front of the College.

Entries were open to all current Mater Christi students with $300 worth of Art supplies up for grabs for the winning student.

The garden commemorates the work of the Good Samaritan Sisters in Japan following the Second World War. The sisters responded to an invitation to minister in the Archdiocese of Nagasaki after atomic bombs destroyed Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

Congratulations to Tahlia Reichl (Year 8), who was the winner for her beautiful work where three students are depicted, representing the diversity of the Mater Christi community, and wings representing the future for all at the College. Congratulations also to Year 9 student Maria Wang, who came a very close second. Both artworks have been framed and will become a permanent part of our College collection. Thank you to all the students who worked hard to create submissions – all the entries were truly excellent!

A Japanese garden was established here in the 1980’s, but had become overgrown. It is now, once again, a beautiful and peaceful space for visitors and our community to enjoy. Thanks to our Facilities and Maintenance crew, who worked hard to rejuvenate the space.

YEARBOOK 2023 19

On Sunday, 22 October, past students, families, and staff were invited to join us for a reunion – and what a very special day it was! Over 250 guests enjoyed a liturgy, followed by afternoon tea, College tours, and photo and memorabilia displays - soaking in the spirit, history, and progress of Mater Christi. Our student tour guides loved hearing all the stories of how life at Mater Christi has changed across the decades, and visitors were struck by how much the College has progressed and grown. Yet, woven throughout the comments and memories of past students and staff was the sure feeling that the Good Samaritan spirit, and legacy of the Sisters who established Mater Christi in 1963, lives on in the heart of the College community.

View a video of our 60th Anniversary Reunion

Our guest book was filled with beautiful and heartfelt comments from those who attended – a testament to the emotional connection and fondness that is felt for the College and the memories created within its walls.

”

hank you for putting on a T lovely celebration. It was wonderful to walk down memory lane and exciting to see all the new changes.” Anya

” 60th Anniversary I have made so many new friends and the opportunities have been amazing!

Reunion

Eve Calder (7C)

66 20 Mater Christi College

”

What a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that MCC has to offer over the last 60 years. Great memories!” Mascha

”

andering the halls again after so W many years has been surreal. So much has changed, but much is still the same. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Happy 60th.” Zamantha

“ So much has chan

ged in 25

years. Great memo

ries that will be with

Jil ys.” a w l us a

lian

YEARBOOK 2023 21

View Spirit & Progress - 60 years of Mater Christi No. 1

In collaboration with The Jasper Picture Company, we proudly produced a series of three videos commemorating 60 years of excellence in all-girls education. Each is a celebration and a lasting record of this significant time in the history of our College. The first video reflects on the experiences of Mater Christi students across the decades, from our very first School Captain to current students. It highlights ways in which our College has progressed over time, as well as the enduring spirit and values of the Good Samaritan Sisters, who established a school for girls on the hill in Belgrave back in 1963. The second dives into the heartfelt reflections of past students and our current College Captains, who share the profound impact Mater Christi has had on their lives. From building their confidence to instilling values such as empathy and genuine care for others and leaving a lasting mark on each of them. This video speaks to the benefits of an all-girls education that empowers young people and fosters personal growth and achievement.

View Spirit & Progress - 60 years of Mater Christi No. 2

View Spirit & Progress - 60 years of Mater Christi No. 3

Our third and final video is a joyful collection of the fondest memories of some of our alumnae and a trip down memory lane.

s s e r g o r pirit and P

60 Years of Mater Christi 22 Mater Christi College

Japanese

Exchange Students In keeping with the Benedictine tradition of Hospitality, we welcomed five Japanese homestay students - Ayaka, Kana, Maaya, Nozomi, Yuriko, and Lisa - to the College for Term 3. The group embraced life in Australia, and at Mater Christi College, with such positivity and enthusiasm, lighting up the room wherever they went. Having them join us was a wonderful way for both the girls and our own students to learn more about each other’s culture and ways of doing things. When the Japanese students spoke at our end-of-term College Assembly, our student body was surprised to hear that in Japanese schools, there is no talking in class, no group work, and students are expected to clean their own classroom at the end of the day. The girls thoroughly enjoyed their learning here and being part of the Mater Christi community, as well as many special activities and outings with their host families on the weekends. They loved being part of Mater Day, Ayaka celebrated her birthday, and they have all made lifelong memories and friendships. Teacher Jennifer McAdam mentored the group throughout their stay, ensuring their exchange experience was the best it could be. As a parting gift, the students wrote their names in Japanese on a wooden plaque that has been lacquered and displayed in our new Peace Garden at the front of the College.

ank nd homes and showed y ou t their hearts a p the u d o e n e a p l o l our host families, who stud ents su ch incredible hospitality. YEARBOOK 2023 23

#Embrace Equity

l a n o i t a n Inter

Women’s Day We were thrilled to welcome so many members of the Mater Christi community to our International Women’s Day breakfast in March and to hear from special guest speaker Kate Sherburn. Kate is Head of Legal at the well-known, profit for purpose organisation, Who Gives A Crap. She is also a Mater Christi alumna (2002) and a mum. Kate spoke of her exciting career journey and the challenges she has faced to fulfil her desire to combine raising a family with a career as a lawyer. Now, in her dream job, Kate can use her years of legal experience to make a difference in the world while working in an environment where having a career and a family is valued and embraced.

portant da this im y! e t a br ha e l e c taw onderful way to As part of our International Women’s Day celebrations, we proudly launched a very special video! Being a community that educates and supports young women, we are deeply committed to creating a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination, a world where everyone feels safe, included and equal. View our International Women’s Day video here:

24 Mater Christi College

MaterebrDay ations Cel

Mater Day is one of our biggest celebrations of the year, and in 2023, it was bigger and better than ever. On this day, we come together to celebrate our community and raise money for people in need, supporting the important work of the Good Sams Foundation. Festivities began with a whole College Mass - joining together in prayer and song, led by Father Confidence. Next, our House Performing Arts Competition (HPAC) saw some incredible group and individual talents on show. The students enjoyed performing together, and our judges, Ms Jay, Ms McLean and past student Emma Schmidt, were blown away by the talent and creativity of each group. Chisholm House took out the trophy for best overall performance. We then wrapped up with a two-hour carnival including teacher dunking, face painting, food trucks, games, rides, and so much more.

”

Ma te presentatives organised and ra a Ch r Day was m Home Group Re n y most memorable day this year. The Year 8 oc-0k together, and show initiative. r o block s Ma w , e t u b i r t on te tall, allowing us to fully engage and c erness of the College and will be a memory I cherish even r Day real ly emphasi eth g o after t d n a y t i s n e u d the comm leaving in years to come.” Lucy Rossely, 8B

YEARBOOK 2023 25

Harmony Week aims to celebrate the diversity of our Australian community and bring together people from all different backgrounds in celebration of an inclusive Australia. It is about respect and a sense of belonging for all. On Harmony Day at Mater Christi, students and staff were invited to wear the traditional dress from their personal heritage or to wear orange – a colour that represents social communication, freedom of ideas and mutual respect. It was wonderful to see our community embrace the invitation and the pride our students and staff have in their individual heritage. There were so many beautiful, traditional garments, making for a very colourful day acknowledging unity, harmony and inclusiveness in our College and the broader community.

r u o g n i t Celebra

Cultural Diversity

26 Mater Christi College

Senior

school YEARBOOK 2023 27

VCE

2023 marked the first year of the VCE VM, enabling students to study a two-year vocational and applied learning program within the VCE. Through the VCEVM, students can develop personal and practical life skills that prepare them for life beyond secondary school. Our Year 11 and 12 students who chose this pathway thoroughly enjoyed the format and the opportunities for personal and practical skills-based growth and development.

SOCIAL ISSUE AWARENESS RAISING

DISABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION Year 11 and 12 students spent an afternoon learning more about the importance of inclusion for people with disability, as part of their Personal Development Unit. Presenter Peter from Wheel Talk shared his experiences growing up in Nigeria without adequate supports and equipment. He also spoke of the impact that a lack of community understanding and acceptance of his disability had on him. Through hard work and determination, Peter qualified for the Paralympics, and with this came new opportunities for employment, equipment, and eventually, a move to Australia.

Year 12 student Maya delivered a presentation and workshop to our Year 8s on the realities and dangers of vaping. This formed part of Maya’s Year 12 Senior Project, where students are required to connect with the community on a topic they feel passionate about and implement a project relating to that issue. Maya felt there was a lot of misunderstanding and incorrect information about vaping and wanted students to be aware of its impact on health and know that it is okay to say no.

This was a fantastic message about treating all in our community with respect and the importance of access and participation in community activities for all. The students then had the opportunity to try wheelchair basketball with Peter, which they thoroughly enjoyed!

SMALL BUSINESS & FUND RAISING As part of their Senior Project, Year 12 students Vanessa and Hanna ran a range of activities amongst our College community - from cooking, our coffee cart, a bake sale, a smoothie stall, a blanket drive, and a raffle - all raising money for animal rescue programs Dogs 4 Jobs and Animal Aid. Vanessa and Hannah also ran a Year 8 cooking class, mentoring their younger peers as the group cooked up sweet treats for the bake sale, adding an extra layer of leadership experience to the project. Congratulations to both students on their hard work in organising the activities, as well as their classmates who supported and assisted them with all the preparation and manning the stalls, contributing greatly to the project’s overall success. 28

Mater Christi College

”

CE VM has given me the opportunity to explore the practical V side of Child Care in my placement, and I have really enjoyed my VET studies in Child Care at Box Hill. I have been able to be involved in lots of events and work in the community, especially in VET Small Business and Personal Development, and this type of learning has kept me motivated and engaged.” Maria Girgis, Year 12 VET student

BARISTA & CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS

ALL THE SKILLS OF THE TRADE It was a win-win situation in early October when our 2023 Student Representative Council enjoyed a luncheon to thank them for their service to the Mater Christi community this year, while VET Hospitality students had the opportunity to get some valuable, practical service experience. Not to mention - the lunch looked amazing!

Our VET Hospitality students are lucky to be able to gain practical service experience right here on campus in Sunny Siesta Café while our staff enjoy the opportunity for an afternoon coffee and delicious snack. Fun 60th Anniversary fact: Sunny Siesta is named after the original house/convent built for the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, who established Mater Christi College in 1963 in Belgrave.

” l a n o i t a c o V

education training Incorporating VET in their Senior secondary program enables students to develop industry-specific knowledge and skills, as well as general capabilities needed for success in future employment, training, and further education. In addition to a huge variety of external VET courses that are available to choose from, Mater Christi students can elect to complete a VET Certificate II in Hospitality or VET Certificate II in Small Business, delivered on campus.

he VCE VM students shine the most T when they are undertaking practical, hands-on tasks. From assisting at Fareshare to make food for the less fortunate to managing events and recording data on a Primary School Athletics day to making Christmas gift packs for children as part of St Vincent’s Christmas appeal, these are just a few of the activities in which the students displayed their great community spirit and willingness to give their all and to do their very best.” Monica Kutt, VCE Vocational Major and Pathways Leader

”

ven before graduating, I could E pursue my aspirations thanks to my VET education. My courses in Equine and Animal Studies have given me knowledge that will help me succeed after secondary school. I’m grateful for VET as it has provided me with practical training and enabled me to jumpstart my chosen career path.” Hanna Rush, Year 12 VET student

YEARBOOK 2023 29

”

The Class of 2023 has been very cohesive and supportive of each other. I have been impressed with their overall approach, their maturity, and their willingness to step up and take ownership of their learning and their actions.”

James Bakker, Year 12 Learning Leader

r a e Y

HOODIES ARRIVE Best first day ever! Year 12 hoodies arrived right on time, so there was some extra excitement on the first day!

”

I thoroughly enjoyed my time

at Mater and couldn’t believe it when it was over! Highlights for me include the Central Australia trip, winning team sports and the Year 12 Formal. I will miss school but also cannot wait to see where my mates and I end up (I hope one of us ends up famous)!” Olivia Ward, 12D

24 Mater Christi College

FAREWELL TO THE CLASS OF 2023

On 16 October, all members of our College community, along with Year 12 families, joined together for the Class of 2023’s final liturgy and assembly. The overwhelming sentiment expressed by College staff was what a wonderful group of young people this cohort is and what a privilege it has been to be involved in their secondary school journey. Staff formed a heartfelt guard of honour, which paved the way for their exit from the Mater Christi Hall for the last time to begin their next chapter as Informed, Compassionate and Creative members of society.

!W G o w el l Year 12s

l miss you! e wil

”

Mater Christi has been a place of many happy memories.

A place that has guided, nurtured, and prepared me for life after school. My time at Mater has shaped the person I am today and helped me find out who I still want to become.” Hanna Rush, 12C

”

he beginning of Term 1, 2023, marked the ‘last first day’ T of secondary school for me and all the other Year 12s. At that point, the end seemed to be almost unattainable. Yet, over the course of the year, we began to, more and more often, comment on how many months, weeks, and days were left. The sense of community we found as a year level throughout this time was unrivalled by any other experiences I’ve had up until this point, and it is something I’ll wholly miss about Mater Christi following graduation.” Alice Findlay, 12B

DRESS UP DAYS Year 12 dress-up days are another highlight each year and an opportunity to break the seriousness of studies. It’s always fun to see the students wearing their primary school uniforms and the fantastic and creative outfits on PopCulture Day.

”

My Year 12 experience was made up of

Nurofen, coffee, and a rollercoaster of experiences. From sports to the production, I have enjoyed spending the last remaining year of secondary school with my amazing cohort. Although I shall not miss the endless amounts of SACS, I will miss the wacky, wonderful experiences, along with the people, that came out of being a part of the school productions.” Ella Decorrado, 12C

THE FORMAL The Year 12 Formal is the first of many big events in the final year of secondary school at Mater, and a true highlight. It is a night of glamour, dancing, camaraderie, and great fun ahead of what will be the busiest year of all.

YEARBOOK 2023 31

Year

4 7

8 12

22 23

32 Mater Christi College

1. Evie Bamford, 2. Jessica Brown, 3. Elise Bardsley, 4. Ashleigh Thomson, 5. Piper Wilson, 6. Scarlett Stephens, 7. Chloe Yeoman, 8. Benadi Ranaweera, 9. Madelyn Bowden, 10. Holly Gaul, 11. Ariella Berton, 12. Gemma O’Grady, 13. Georgia Birch , 14. Mera Pringle, 15. Danielle Cooke, 16. Ruby Gilson, 17. Jessica Pacevski, 18. Zoe Christensen, 19. Mollie Keene, 20. Paige Casey, 21. Hannah Rush, 22. Emily Tyquin, 23. Alicia Petersen, 24. Polly Payne, 25. Jaya Kumar.

1 2

WHO’S WHO

4 3

6 9 8

12 13

16 22

1. Lucy Clair, 2. Ava Thompson, 3. Phoenix Whitty, 4. Willow Simandjuntak, 5. Nina Price, 6. Bella Kropman, 7. Maria Girgis, 8. Emily Portelli, 9. Kaitlyn Briginshaw, 10. Martha Box, 11. Emily Copelin, 12. Leo Surridge, 13. Alex Brown, 14. Raquel Pospischil, 15. Maya Johannes, 16. Georgia Parker, 17. Ava Zidek, 18. Paige Wemyss, 19. Chloe Telling, 20. Rachel Bumbak, 21. Charli Petersen, 22. Olivia Ward, 23. Ella Jonker. YEARBOOK 2023 33

Year

4 8

9 13

16 17

23 24

1. Charli Hart, 2. Ebony Davine, 3. Samantha Harris, 4. Simone Martin, 5. Aly-Jack Robinson, 6. Monique Doherty, 7. Sisley Huang, 8. Charlotte Rickards, 9. Jasmin Donner, 10. Maggie Long, 11. Rosemary Roberts, 12. Charithi Fernando, 13. Amy Cunliffe, 14. Ali Sanna, 15. Charlotte Link-Freeman, 16. Keiley Crook, 17. Emmie Hervet, 18. Jemma Mason, 19. Sashri De Alwis, 20. Ella Kimberley, 21. Natalie Tsagazones, 22. Bethany Koster, 23. Alice Findlay, 24. Lily King, 25. Vanessa Bateman, 26. Sami Lane. 34 Mater Christi College

1 2

WHO’S WHO

4 3

16 17

18 22

1. Tess Grandia, 2. Lily Ryan, 3. Emily Dahlborg, 4. Ella Decorrado, 5. Alli De Hoogd, 6. Vanessa Mills, 7. Charli Gardiner, 8. Paityn Horne, 9. Emma Di Nardo, 10. Sienna Ross, 11. Epreet Hothi, 12. Hannah Koolstra, 13. Alisha McGaffin, 14. Taylah Robinson, 15. Shelby Edgar, 16. Freya Nixon, 17. Kiara D’Sylva, 18. Eva McNamara, 19. Harper Guerin, 20. Varina Rami Meina, 21. Tharinsa Rathnayake, 22. Elissa Morales, 23. Asha Day, 24. Dakota Jackson.

YEARBOOK 2023 35

OUTDOOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES Our Year 11 Outdoor and Environmental Studies (OES) students enjoyed exploring the alpine environment with a trip to Lake Mountain. While there was minimal snow, they had the opportunity to try some cross-country skiing and tobogganing and enjoy a walk to the summit on a beautiful blue-sky day. Through VCE OES, students gain the skills and knowledge to participate safely and sustainably in a range of outdoor experiences and environments and learn to respect and value these landscapes and their living cultural history.

”

Year 11 is always a big step up - workloads increase, study timetables become a necessity, there are two rounds of exams and work placements, and Year 12 is just around the corner! The cohort has embraced these new challenges, and I have watched them become more connected over the year; their loyalty to each other is admirable. I look forward to seeing their continued growth as they prepare to wear the infamous Mater hoodie.” Janine Callahan, Year 11 Learning Leader

36 Mater Christi College

”

Year 11 has proved an integral year for many students, as the introduction to VCE prompted us to quickly adapt to the workload and demands of the curriculum and develop important, lifelong skills to achieve our goals. For many of us, Units 1 and 2 of VCE posed a challenging and rewarding experience as time management skills and growth mindsets were further developed, enabling each and every one of us to achieve our goals and develop to our full potential alongside our peers.

The curriculum was largely complimented by the Year 11 Reflection and Wellbeing Days. Throughout Wellbeing Day, students learnt about the importance of self-confidence and adopting a positive body image, fostering a greater sense of self-esteem and kindness towards oneself and each other.” Jen MacDonald, 11E

r a e Y

FORMATION DAY Musician Gen Bryant and her team spent the day with our 2024 Year 12 students in late November, working on team building, confidence, and positivity ahead of their final year of secondary school! Off to a great start, the group are sure to have a wonderful year next year!

THE PERKS OF YEAR 12 Year 11 students enjoyed the first of what will be many lunchtimes spent in the Polding Centre during their Formation Day! Just one of the perks of being in our new Year 12s!

”

This year, I have learned that

I am a hands-on learner, and doing VCE VM has taught me to believe in myself and have fun. I have accomplished many things this year through VCE VM, including a fundraiser for children who have nothing at Christmas time. This was a great experience to be part of, and I’m looking forward to seeing what next year brings.” Emma Costello 11C

”

Year 11 was a self-discovery journey

for me. A journey that involved reflecting on my strengths and weaknesses and navigating the art of procrastination. I learnt when to push harder, embrace guilt-free breaks, and, most importantly, have faith in myself while taking pride in my achievements.” Sam Abdul-Rahim, 11A

LOCAL SCHOOLS CONVENTION Year 11 Student Representative Council members organised the Local School Convention, inviting schools from around the hills to join them for a discussion, debate and voting on the topic of ‘Are High Schools teaching the skills necessary for modern life?’ The convention forms part of the Victorian Students’ Parliamentary Program (VSPP), which provides opportunities for students and schools to engage in immersive Civics and Citizenship activities that enhance students’ understanding of the parliamentary process. Having four other schools involved not only strengthened the diversity of perspectives on the day; it also allowed more students to share in the benefits of the exercise and allowed for community connection.

YEARBOOK 2023 37

WELCOMING OUR YEAR 7 STUDENTS Our Year 10 students play a significant role in welcoming Year 7s at the beginning of each year and provide ongoing support and mentoring through our Big Sister/ Little Sister program. As always, the Year 10s did a great job ensuring a seamless start for the newest members of our Mater Christi community this year.

”

The Year 10s of 2023 have embraced all opportunities to further develop their life skills and to become more independent learners. The cohort has demonstrated dedication and perseverance as they have stepped up to the academic challenge of being part of the Senior school. They have continued to strengthen and develop their leadership skills, positively contribute to the College community and to grow in their personal development.”

Lisa Costello, Year 10 Learning Leader

10 Year

38 Mater Christi College

”

Year 10 was an experience I will never forget, one that has helped build numerous great relationships with friends and teachers. The variety of classes that I have undertaken this year has made me feel more confident about choosing my classes for Year 11/12, and how I am going to shape my own future.”

Indigo Thomson, 10A

”

Year 10 has been filled with so many opportunities and experiences. The wide range of subject choices has allowed me to find my interests so I can be as excited for my subjects in Years 11 and 12 as I can be. I’ll definitely miss the leniency of Year 10 as I get into the years where my scores matter the most and studying becomes more intense.”

Ava Di Bartolomeo, 10E

WELLBEING DAY In a combined Wellbeing Day with Year 11, our Year 10 students enjoyed connecting with their peers, playing games and engaging in group activities. They also took part in an important and valuable presentation from author, campaigner and founder of Collective Shout, Melinda Tankard Reist, on the issues of sexualisation, exploitation, and violence against women.

CENTRAL AUSTRALIA CAMP It was a great day to be waving goodbye to Melbourne weather on 8 September when our Central Australia travellers set off, leaving behind torrential downpours and gale-force winds. They arrived safely to warmth and sunshine, setting up camp and enjoying a beautiful sunset at Anzac Hill. Despite the challenges of illness for some students and staff, the trip included many memorable highlights, including climbing an ancient rock at Simpson’s Gap, meeting Zeus the python, learning about Indigenous symbols featured in artwork at Standley Chasm, visiting Flynn’s grave, camel rides and a glow stick dance party back at camp!

YEARBOOK 2023 39

Lily Matthews is a circus performer outside of school. She wanted to learn to sew and make a garment, so she created a costume for stilt walking. Ruby Clair wanted to learn how to make recycled paper that can be bound into a book. She made a picture storybook with handmade recycled paper and a hardcover for it. She bound it by hand and illustrated it herself. Keely Petersen was looking for a new hobby to fill her spare time and wanted to learn how to create her own products. She decided to learn how to crochet, as this was something she had wanted to do for a while. She crocheted a top, with lots of intricate stitching to create patterns, which she says pushed her to practice and improve along the way. Ava Wooden is a budding writer. Ava was keen to further develop her poetry writing skills and learn how to write powerful pieces, as she hopes to publish her own book. She researched her favourite poets and the literary techniques they use and created fitting and aesthetically pleasing illustrations. Her final product was a book of poems. Wren Groeneveld was keen to learn more about the invasive weeds that are harming the Dandenong Ranges environment, and find appropriate ways to treat them and prevent further devastation. She produced a ‘Guide to weeds of the Dandenongs’ book, to educate herself and others on the various invasive species found in the area.

l a n o s r e P

Projects

”

My Personal Project was a

tutu and bodice inspired by the ballet Swan Lake and the character Odette. The tutu was all handmade. I started with a plain tutu and added a fluffy base for the bodice and hand-sewed feathers, lace appliqué and gems. This experience helped me understand my potential.” Ciara Lodsman, 10B

40 Mater Christi College

e l d d i M

school YEARBOOK 2023 41

ADVENTURE ENRICHMENT WEEK CAMP

READY, SET, GO! Year 9 students prepared for their Term 4 Adventure Camp by learning how to put up their tents, conduct basic first aid, read and interpret maps, and minimise their environmental impact whilst on camp.

es com t i n e Prep aration is vital wh ! outdo or adventuring

All their ground work paid off! Fun times and lifelong memories were made by all at the Year 9 Adventure Camp, where students had the opportunity to challenge themselves and build independence and resilience skills.

r a e Y ”

I’ve had so much fun exploring my electives and learning many new things, such as orienteering in Explore the Outdoors and all the different ways to personalise and dye fabrics in To Dye For. The elective classes have been a great opportunity to make connections with like-minded people and discover more about my own interests. Eliane Patte, Year 9

24 Mater Christi College

”

The Year 9 program has been a great

experience because I’ve been able to choose what I am interested in and try lots of new things! I have really enjoyed my Make a Musical elective, and I’m super proud of my entire class for directing and putting on a musical. I’ve loved getting to try new subjects and make lots of more interactive final products for practical classes.” Ashley Koolstra, Year 9

MAKE-A-MUSICAL Year 9 and 10 students learnt the art of theatrical make-up as part of their Make-a-Musical elective. They were taught how to create an elderly face and the look of bruising - then had the opportunity to try out their own design ideas.

TO DYE FOR In the Year 9 and 10 elective, To Dye For, students participate in a number of fabric surface decoration activities, learning new techniques that are easy to develop later in their own time. These include embroidery, transfer painting and drawing, bleach painting, tie-dye, permanent pen and isopropyl special effects, and eco printing/dying. The samples are later used in the production of a bag of their choice – a satchel, tote or beach bag. Skills and techniques learnt in this elective can be utilised in Senior subjects, including VCE Product Design Technology.

YEARBOOK 2023 43

SLAM POETRY Year 8 students delivered some incredibly impressive and thought-provoking pieces of slam poetry in Term 4, to a lunchtime audience in the Learning Commons. This annual poetry slam-off is a highlight each year and always draws a crowd.

After careful deliberation, judges Ms Haggett, Ms Jay, and Ms Magagna awarded first place to Lucy Rossely, with runners-up Bella Ferraro and Rebecca Gillett.

Year

RE & ENGLISH INTERDISCIPLINARY UNIT Inter-disciplinary Units (IDUs) allow for the merging of concepts and skills across two different subject areas. This enables students to recognise and combine elements of both subjects that they enjoy. In Year 8 Art and RE, students used Art Elements and Art Principles to create an artwork that explores our Benedictine Values. 44 Mater Christi College

”

The Year 8 students showed that they have community and competitive spirit by embarking on many opportunities throughout the year, from being stewards of the College when they donned their role as Mater Monks to reflect the Benedictine value of “Ora et Labora”, to showcasing their talents in the College Production and singing at assemblies. Many Year 8s welcomed the opportunity to participate in extra–curricular activities, representing the Year level in competitions, including the Beep Test and STEM Mad competitions.” Margherita Magagna, Year 8 Learning Leader

”

I am proud of my learning achievements in Year 8 and how I have improved since Year 7. I have also been able to take on more school activities, such as Production and Cross Country. I am also proud of myself for putting myself out there in my role on the Year 8 Council.” Sydney Powell, 8C

”

I have enjoyed Dance the most because I love to dance, and I loved the curriculum. I am most proud of my maths tests - I studied and revised a lot and am proud of my results this year. I have also achieved my personal learning goals in English with my essay and poem writing and performances.” Eve Calder, 8D

YEAR 8 DANCE OFF

”

Coming into Year 8, I was determined to set my focus on becoming a well-rounded student by going above and beyond in my studies, setting goals and embracing questions. I particularly enjoyed the poetry topic in English, where we wrote and performed a slam poem, bringing together two of my favourite things – public speaking and writing.”

Every year, our Year 8 students round off their calendar with an annual Dance Off between the Home Groups. Each group writes and choreographs their own dance, organises costumes and competes for the best overall performance. As always, our Year 8s embraced this task with full participation and enthusiasm and our judges were blown away by their creativity and skill. 8D walked away with the award for Best Performance, but everyone walked away with a smile!

Lucy Rossely, 8B

YEARBOOK 2023 45

MAKING A SPLASH A day at Belgrave Pool was the perfect way to finish the first full week of secondary school. Our Year 7s settled into the College community beautifully, making the most of new friendships and experiences.

”

In Year 7, my favourite day was going to Belgrave Pools because it was a great way to cool off and have a great time hanging out with my friends and making new friends.” Grace Allan, 7B

”

We have enjoyed watching our Year 7 students make new friendships, take up new opportunities and challenge themselves. We are proud of the way they have settled into the MCC community!” Melinda Lovat and Torie Gordon, Year 7 Learning Leaders

Year

”

I enjoyed Year 7 because at Mater Christi, there is something for everyone. I could easily find many things I was interested in and enjoyed doing.” Marissa Schleifer, 7B

AFRICAN DRUMMING What better way for our Year 7 students to gain an understanding of African music than to be immersed in a 2-hour African music and drumming workshop?

CAMPERS Our Year 7 campers settled in quickly and made the most of every opportunity! With zip lining, swimming, mini golf, bush walks, water fights and more… there were some tired yet happy faces disembarking the bus on the last day!

”

I am most proud of representing the school in sports teams, having the opportunity to be a leader, and getting to help with big events such as Mater Day.” Mataya Pickett, 7C

”

I really enjoyed all the fun and exciting new experiences in Year 7. I was able to make a lot of new friends and meet new people.” Charlotte Smithells, 7C YEARBOOK 2023 47

ZENITH DAYS

STEM MAD SHOWCASE

Among the many Zenith activities this year, students spent time at Yarra Ranges Tech school, investigating and creating energy-efficient buildings and at Healesville Sanctuary, learning about endangered species. Students also worked through engineering challenges like creating the highest and most stable newspaper tower.

Five teams of Zenith students recently attended the Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools (MACS) Victorian STEM MAD Showcase.

Back on campus, they applied their learnings to designing a unique habitat to protect an endangered species of their choice.

”

This event focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) and making a difference (MAD). Participant projects are judged on their design process, the innovative application of scientific and mathematical principles, the use of engineering and communication principles, and the goal of making a difference to others and the environment. Congratulations to team members Mabel, Joni, Julia and Emily, whose ‘Saving the Leadbeater Possum’ project came second in the Secondary School Category. The girls were later interviewed on LIVE FM, which broadcast throughout the day from the event. Further congratulations to Amber and MJ, who drew for first in “The Amazing Chase”, which involved a series of problems to overcome.

The Zenith Program has opened my eyes to different career pathways in STEM and showed me how powerful, creative, and impactful people in STEM can be. The opportunity to present our creation at STEM MAD 2023 was a highlight. My team and I loved presenting our nesting box. Our prototype was very successful and attracted interest from Australia Zoo, who suggested we show it to Healesville Sanctuary. We also placed second overall. We were beyond proud and thrilled at that achievement.” Mabel Gould, 8B

”

This year in the Zenith Program, I have gained the experience of working with people, building sustainable and useful habitats for endangered animals, and even participating in the STEM MAD showcase. I have enjoyed every bit of Zenith, but my favourites were the excursions to Yarra Ranges Tech School and Healesville Sanctuary. My overall favourite was participating in the STEM MAD showcase along with Tahlia. Juliana Salamat, 7D

Zenith rogram P

48 Mater Christi College

Zenith is an extension program that runs alongside our Middle School curriculum to encourage students to think of solutions for real-world problems through small group, project-based work.

r e t a M

learning YEARBOOK 2023 49

The Arts are a significant feature of life at Mater Christi, with students offered a broad range of Arts subjects in the curriculum, as well as having the opportunity to be involved in extracurricular activities. These include our Performing Arts Evening, co-college productions with St Joseph’s College, our annual House Performing Arts Competition (HPAC), as well as Visual Arts and Technology exhibitions and competitions.

r e t a M

“

ARTS

Pe Th e s

g Arts at Mater has h rformin elped

ea tag

me he real world.” Milla Maca nd in t llan, 11B

”

The environment created in drama class is very supportive, and it has made me feel very comfortable in expressing myself and completing all tasks. Drama is such a fun subject, and I have made many bonds in class. Drama has allowed me to become a more creative and supportive person, not just in class but outside of class too.” Ariella Berton, 12B

50 Mater Christi College

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC SOIREE We were buzzing for days after our first Instrumental Music Soiree since 2019, which was held at the College in September! Students from our Instrumental Music Program delivered 12 beautiful solo performances, and our school choir, Voices of Mater, sang two songs. From guitar to piano, vocal, flute and violins - it was truly a showcase of musical diversity and skill. Our thanks to Year 11 student Charlotte Hiosan for taking some lovely photos on the night.

becom em

ore co nfident in who I am on

DEVISED ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCES In May, our VCE and Year 10 Drama students performed their devised ensembles to an audience of family and friends at Burrinja’s Lyrebird Theatre. The ensembles were work the students developed themselves, from initial research to performance, covering all production design elements. Year 11 & 12 students presented a performance based on real and fictional stars of the Silent Film Era, who were attempting to convince the Mariner Group in Melbourne that they should make a comeback by featuring themselves in a modern musical about themselves. While the performance from Year 10 Drama Studies students commented on a Modern Social Sickness in the style of Epic Theatre.

PERFORMING ARTS EVENING Our Performing Arts Evening at Burrinja Cultural Centre showcased the skills and talent of students across a selection of our performing arts subjects, including VCE Drama and VCE Dance, as well as our College Jazz Team.

YEARBOOK 2023 51

”

I love expressing my creativity in Visual Communication Design. When I first started, I was unsure of how I was going to go with it, but I found my own passion throughout the subject, and my teacher was always very encouraging. I am most proud of my Tea Packaging design; I loved experimenting with different colours and using paint to create that texturised look.” Samantha Damon, 11B

ar Brianna Zull, Ye

ARTS & n o i t i b i h x hnology E

Tec

Our Arts & Technology Exhibition was back this year, with students, families, and friends invited to attend an opening afternoon on 9 November. We had the pleasure of hearing from alumna Kerry Armstrong about her time as a student at Mater Christi and her career as an artist. Three students were awarded prizes for their outstanding work. Congratulations to Middle School Artist of the Year – Stella Kilderry, Senior School Artist of the Year – Ruby Clair, and Principal’s Acquisition Award recipient – Sascha Neilson.

”

ar 11

tor, Ye

a Nes

In Creative Arts, I enjoyed exploring different religions in Unit 2. We learned how different ideology is expressed through symbolism and how much meaning can be communicated to an audience from one artwork.” Pippa Lee, 10E

52 Mater Christi College

ian Christ

”

I have enjoyed experimenting with a variety of art styles and materials, as well as developing my skills. I’m really proud of my Alice in Wonderland concertina book, as it incorporates my two favourite things, art and reading.” Aria Martin, 8E

Sascha Neilson, Year 11

” ”

I enjoyed Creative Arts this year. The flora unit was my favourite because I liked how we explored different mediums in depth. I was really proud of my final for that unit because I used materials that I wasn’t too familiar with.” Ruby Clair, 10C

h sa S Alys

This year in Art, I have appreciated learning about historical artworks through my research and how they can be interpreted in varied ways through different audiences. I am proud of the way I have expanded my ability to use symbolism in my artwork through colours, symbols, mediums and more.” Wren Groeneveld, 10C

, Yea

ottle

YEARBOOK 2023 53

Paige Bromfield, Year 11

Sienna

Aleisha Foot, Year 10

Ross, Ye

Mia Golding, Year 10

ar 12 Mia Golding, Year 10

Imogen Boyd, Year 9

Jessica Wiedermann Phengpan, Year 10

s t r A VISUAL Ava Lankester, Year 9

Jess Piesley, Year 9

Pippa Lee, Year 10

Ruby Clair, Year 10

Sally Loader, Year 9

Maddi Lewis, Year 10

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Jacinta Schleifer, Year 9

Monique Enriquez, Year 11

Ruby Clair, Year 10

Sophia Brig

gs, Year 7

Saanvi Palliyil, Year 9

Kiara Enriquez, Year 9 Gemma Goldsztein, Year 7

Pippa Lee, Year 10

Stella Kilderry, Year 9 Charlotte Nicholls, Year 9

Indigo Thomson, Year 10

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One of the activities we share with St Joseph’s College is our annual production. Each school hosts and produces the show in alternate years. Students involved in these co-productions remember the experience as one of the highlights of their secondary school years – forming lifelong memories and friendships. This year, it was St Joseph’s turn to host, and we were all very excited to present – Shrek the Musical. A joyous and quirky production with beautifully eccentric characters at its heart – Shrek the Musical is a delight for audiences of all ages, and the Mater Christi and St Joseph’s cast and crew more than did it justice. Audiences absolutely loved the performances - with some returning for a second show! Our sincere thanks to the staff and students of St Joseph’s College, in particular, Director Jacqui Cooke, Musical Director Bronwyn Dean, and Principal Cathy Livingstone for their collaboration and hospitality.

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YEARBOOK 2023 57

English

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, an understanding of context, and how to structure information.

STUDENTS vs STAFF DEBATE Our Learning Commons was a slightly ironic location for our Students vs Staff Debate today, given the topic - ‘That reading is more detrimental than beneficial’. Luckily, students - Ashley, Bridget and Maria, who argued the negative - made a strong argument for the benefits of reading and won the debate in a landslide victory, 52 to 37.

”

I found it interesting studying the play, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and learning the Shakespearean language.” Coral Kratzmann, 9C

BOOK WEEK We’re not sure who has more fun dressing up for Book Week - our Staff or Students! It was a fabulous turnout for our Book Week Character Fashion Parade, with exceptional creativity and enthusiasm from the students and our Learning Commons staff. Students were also invited to create edible books. And...lo and behold...up popped some incredibly talented cake decorators among our book lovers!

”

I enjoyed doing the creative writing the most; the work we did on the Holocaust was really interesting but a bit disturbing.” Miranda Wright, 9C

22 Mater Christi College

Blank ceiling stare. White walls, Grey carpet. A bed floats centreline in the room. Emptiness. But in my head, A traffic jam of thoughts, A river stream of ideas, A train wreck of worries, And a landslide of fears, But still. Each chime of the clock, Grounding me in the moment, For sleep is yet to be found. Tussling under the covers, I can’t seem to find peace, Of what was, what is, and what will be. For life is a huge, heaving rock, It skids and slides down a mountain of snow, Where breaks don’t exist and all harness lets go, And now safety has perished, Along with control, So all I can do is watch, worry and wait. So each second counts by. Turns into minutes turn into hours, And while my body lies limp in my bed, I am awake. Overcome with stress, Emotions I can’t suppress, I cannot rest.

YEAR 8 SLAM POETRY WINNER Lucy Rossely, 8B

Blank ceiling stare. A heart that pounds in my ears, Like a drum with no rhythm, And no sheet music to guide, It is erratic, electric, eccentric. Much like the lives we lead. To the earth I turn my back, And facing the moon she snarls. I can’t exist within the warmth of the day, Nor the cool of the night, So here I will lie, And here I will hide, from the sun, And the crushing pressures of our world. Suffocated. I am by the fears of what if. Obligated. I am to perfectly execute. Stressed. I am. S.O.S But now, The sun will wake. Another night of sleep to take, More energy to fake, Added worries to make, My world starts to shake, For goodness sake, Please can I retake, Hold back this outbreak. And again, Blank ceiling stare. White walls, Grey carpet, A bed floats centreline in the room. Chaos.

Slam

Poetry YEARBOOK 2023 59

Our Health & Physical Education program aims to further develop students’ movement and physical activity capabilities, as well as their understanding of important general health issues, including lifestyle, wellbeing, and safety.

Health &

physical education

”

Health and PE have opened up a wide range of learning opportunities for me this year and helped me discover new and exciting career opportunities for the future. Through various sports and Year 12 PE, I’ve been able to really develop my love for this domain and expand my abilities outside of traditional school subjects. The day spent at St Kilda Football Club was definitely a highlight.” Jessica Ashton-Smith, 11D

”

I think that PE allows students to explore a range of activities whilst being active. I look forward to my PE classes every week as a time in which I can do the things I love, like playing cricket, basketball and many more sports. PE has given me the opportunity to have fun and build new friendships.” Mel Donald, 9C

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ADVENTURES IN THE OUTDOORS VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies allows students to understand the ecological, historical, economic, and social factors that affect outdoor environments over time. Through a blend of practical experience in outdoor environments and theory-based study, students can challenge themselves in outdoor pursuits and test their skills and knowledge in reallife situations. During Term 1 and Term 2 alone, experiences included visits to Urban Surf and Cranbourne Botanical Gardens, as well as a camp in Wilson’s Promontory.

NUTRITION SESSIONS WITH ST KILDA FOOTBALL CLUB As part of our partnership with St Kilda Football Club, our VCE Health and Human Development students participated in a nutrition education session at RSEA Park delivered by AFLW players Hannah Priest and Georgia Patrikios. The students also had the opportunity to tour the Danny Frawley Centre and hear about how the centre works to promote health and wellbeing within the greater community.

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Humanities subjects explore human culture, expression, and values while allowing students to develop analytical skills and critical methods of enquiry. The Humanities encompass a broad range of subjects from history to geography, legal studies, economics, politics and more. At Mater Christi College, students begin studying broader humanities subjects in Years 7 and 8, with more specific electives to choose from as they progress into the later years of secondary school.

Humanities ts

Subjec

HUMANITIES WEEK What a fab, 60s-themed Humanities Week it was this year, with students and staff really diggin’ the various activities on offer! We enjoyed postcard & groovy badge making, 1960s Kahoots, a screening of Hairspray the movie, a 1960s Fashion Parade and go-go dancing.

”

I have greatly enjoyed learning about what you need in your life to survive, and I am most proud of my slide show about liveability in my local area. I put in a lot of effort to make it pleasing and humorous while still remaining formal. I love how exciting and educational, as well as reasonable, learning Humanities is!” Sophia Colussi, 7C

THE VOTING SYSTEM This year’s referendum on The Voice to Parliament provided a relatable opportunity for Year 8 students to understand our country’s voting system in their Humanities class. Students registered to vote, attended a voting station, and cast their confidential vote in the same way much of Australia did on 14 October. 62 Mater Christi College

YEAR 8 MEDIEVAL DAY Hear ye! Hear ye! Monks, peasants, knights, sword fights, medieval games, and music on Year 8 Medieval Day. Immersing themselves in Medieval society through role play and games, our Year 8 students gained a new appreciation for modern-day comforts. “Medieval Day helped us to think more like people did in the 13th and 14th centuries. We were able to contribute and have fun while learning. I enjoyed the sword fighting because we learnt about how the battles would happen in the Medieval period.” Sydney Powell, 8C

”

Whether it be Legal Studies or History, engaging with a humanities subject teaches you valuable knowledge to use in the future. I also like that it can give you a different perspective or understanding of the world we live in. Legal Studies, for instance, educates us to have a deeper understanding of how the legal system operates and our legal rights.”

”

Legal Studies has taught me new perspectives on how our society works and where my place is in it. I have found it a valuable subject for learning exam tips that I have applied across all of my classes, and I enjoy learning new skills that are relevant to everything whilst deliberating over the ins and outs of a fascinating criminal case.”

Brianna Sinclair, 11C

Monique Enriquez, 11C

INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVES ELECTIVE YEARS 9 & 10

“Throughout our Indigenous Perspectives elective, we had the wonderful opportunity to hear from three guest speakers and their personal links to Indigenous Australia. Each unique story provided a chance for us to learn about Australian history and to develop a deeper understanding of our First Nations People.

As part of the Middle School Indigenous Perspectives elective, Emmy Webber, an indigenous Gunai/Kurnai descendant of the land, visited the College with her baby to share their personal stories and experiences with the class. “We were lucky to hear about Emmy’s deep passion for her culture and country. She created a safe space for all of us to openly ask questions and discover more about the culture of First Nations People - their knowledge, histories, and deep spiritual connections to the land we stand on today.” Keely O’Brien, 10D

From a non-Indigenous person whose views were challenged to a mum raising a family in a culture that she did not have the opportunity to live in as a young child herself. We were given the opportunity to ask questions and to see authentic cultural pieces, including artwork, possum skin balls (Marngrook), and a shield. We challenged our own points of view and found this a wonderful experience.” Ashlee Moulday, 10A

”

Humanities has been very interesting; learning about Ancient China and its inventions, liveability, and geography. I am very proud of how much I have improved my knowledge of my area and the places around it!” Mikayla Bui, 7C YEARBOOK 2023 63

CHINESE TOUR GUIDES FOR A DAY In Term 3, Senior students studying VET Chinese spent a day in the city, exploring various tourist destinations, including Melbourne Central and the Queen Victoria Market. This activity ties in with a requirement within their Certificate III studies: to film a video about a chosen tourist attraction while taking the role of a tour guide. They later enjoyed some delicious Chinese cuisine for lunch in Chinatown. Yum!

Mater

Languages CELEBRATING BASTILLE DAY Students and staff came together to honour the spirit of Bastille Day! Many dressed up in French attire, embracing the vibrant colours and styles. There were berets and stripes, elegant dresses, French flags and plenty of delicious French food. The French culture was truly embraced. Even our Cafe Bene staff got into the spirit with some French-themed cupcakes. Vive la France! 64 Mater Christi College

Mater Christi students study French or Chinese from Year 7 to Year 10, with some continuing through to Years 11 and 12 and beyond. In addition to learning their chosen language, students gain a greater understanding of the country’s culture, traditions, and way of life.

journey “My French learning mie Em has just begun!”

Learning a language offers many benefits that extend beyond being able to communicate in another tongue. It can enhance your cognitive abilities, stimulate brain function, and improve memory, problem-solving skills, and multitasking abilities. Here Kyra, Year 11 and Emmie Year 12, tell us what they love about their second language and why they have chosen to continue it in their Senior secondary years.

More than a language It’s undeniable, that as humans, we all seek connection, and learning another language can open up opportunities to communicate with a broader range of people from different backgrounds. “Learning Chinese has made me have a deeper connection with others from a different background.” – Kyra “By learning French in VCE, I have been able to communicate and connect more with my family, who are of Mauritian heritage.” - Emmie For both Kyra and Emmie however, choosing to study a second language isn’t just about learning to communicate, but about gaining a deeper understanding of another culture. “Ultimately, I feel studying Chinese broadens my outlook on life. Learning a language is not just about learning how to speak; you can also immerse yourself in the food, culture, traditions, and ways of life. I think understanding and respecting diversity is vital.” – Kyra “I believe the French language is filled with a rich poetic culture. I enjoy learning and collaborating with my teachers and friends in ways to deepen our French knowledge and nourish our passion for the language.” - Emmie While both students admit that their language subject can be challenging at times, they recognise inherent benefits in that challenge that broadens their minds and provides a sense of achievement and pride.

“Although learning Chinese can be difficult, which deters many students, it’s this challenge that I enjoy because it allows me to look back and feel proud of how much I have accomplished. It allows me to see the potential I have within myself, broaden my perspectives, boost my creativity, and gain mental resilience through the challenges it brings.” - Kyra Looking to the future, both students also see advantages in learning their language that stretch well beyond secondary school into tertiary studies and workplace opportunities. “Mandarin is emerging as a language that is largely spoken throughout the world, making it useful for many situations. As I’m looking to study International Law in university, my Mandarin speaking skills will be invaluable in the future!” Kyra “I personally think learning a language in secondary school gives you more opportunities for further tertiary education and future employment. Not to mention, doing French as a VCE subject scales up your study score quite nicely. I plan on pursuing French at university as I believe there is more to explore about the language. I also believe VCE French will open many doors in the workplace, considering it is a world language with over 300 million speakers.” - Emmie

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MATHS IN THE OUTDOORS Year 9 students enjoyed getting out and about during their Maths classes, using a clinometer to measure the angles to certain objects. During this activity, they also used either rulers or trundle wheels (which is basically a ruler on a wheel) to measure distances. All part of a topic that applied the Sin, Cos, and Tan ratios.

Through the study of Mathematics, our students develop important mathematical ideas, knowledge, and skills that they will draw on in their personal and future work lives. Throughout secondary school, they acquire an increasingly sophisticated and refined understanding of mathematical concepts and are encouraged to recognise connections between Mathematics and other disciplines.

Mater

Mathematics

”

I enjoy the challenge of Maths classes, the work tends to be a lot harder in Maths Methods, in particular. I’ve had to develop really good organisational skills just to stay up to date with all the content. I most enjoyed Probability in Maths Methods and Matrices in General Maths. I’m proud of being able to stay on top of the work and motivate myself to push through. Everyone in my Methods class had a positive attitude and worked together. We used a group Instagram chat to stay in touch. I’m planning on doing a Business or Commerce course, so maths is definitely involved. I might specialise in Management so that will include statistics work too.” Ava Zidek, 12D I really look forward to my Maths classes because I enjoy learning about the different ways that maths can link to the real world. I’ve really enjoyed Trigonometry because I never thought right-angled triangles would be useful. I’m proud of the new maths skills I’ve learnt this year and I’ve developed more confidence in the subject. I’d like to be a physiotherapist, which involves Physics which in turn in heavily maths-based.” Madeleine Vlek, 9A

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Why Maths?

According to an article in The Age this year, a growing number of Victorian students are shying away from advanced Mathematics subjects, with enrolments in VCE Specialist Mathematics – the most advanced maths stream – dropping more than 15 per cent in the past six years. While passionate teachers of the subject will lament this trend, it also has the potential to impact the growing skills shortage in fields such as engineering and leave Australia languishing in vital expertise in technology. Class of 2023 student Simone was the only student at Mater Christi taking Specialist Maths this year, completing it via distance education. Given the subject is not a course requirement for entry into most science degrees, we spoke to Simone about what prompted her to take on this challenge in her final year of secondary school.

Maths has been Simone’s favourite subject since primary school. From a young age, she enjoyed the routine of practising maths and doing maths homework. “Over the years, I’ve grown comfortable in my maths routine, which has made motivation to study it a lot easier and fun. Maths has become more of a hobby for me than an academic demand or way to get good marks”. Simone sees maths as a universal language of numbers and identities. She enjoys the ways in which it can be applied and used throughout everything in life - from art to medicine - and the way it makes the universe easier to understand and interpret. “It has always interested me how the Fibonacci spiral is seen in the natural world and quite a lot through art and design as well. Basic analytical thinking and problem-solving skills are used in every career and are initially learnt through maths subjects.” Despite her love of the subject, Simone doesn’t always find it easy and says she has had her ‘own struggles with maths over the years’. However, the rewarding feeling of solving a complex problem is a motivating factor for her.

“I love the challenging aspect of maths and the feeling of achievement after finishing a question you struggle to solve. I also love the maths jokes my friends and I have made over time, like – ‘What is a log which dances? A log-a-rhythm’. They are always fun.” While Specialist Maths is recommended but not required for most science-based university degrees, Simone feels the concepts learnt in the subject will make the transition into university maths much easier and more enjoyable. “While I’m not currently sure about my career plans or even the degree I want to do, I have thought about pursuing Actuarial Science and will apply for an Actuarial Science course at this stage. Specialist Maths is not a requirement – but it does open up pathways into future STEM careers. I also know that Maths skills are used in many jobs, and no matter what career I end up doing, I know there will be some form of maths involved, so I can keep learning and practising.”

YEARBOOK 2023 67

”

Throughout the year we have learnt about the different religious landscapes within Australia, which allowed us to open our perspectives to differing beliefs. We explored spirituality and the depth of religion in the past. We discovered the three-dimensional nature of religion and how multiple factors contribute to its practice. We have learnt how various influential people have shaped their identity around religion to make a positive impact on society.” Paige Bromfield, Sarah Barnett, Lilly Ziino and Anlia Van Reenen

YEAR 7 RE AND ENGLISH INTER-DISCIPLINARY UNIT Throughout Semester 2, Year 7 students worked on an RE and English Interdisciplinary Unit, Working to Create a Better World. Students combined their learning of persuasive techniques and their text “A Long Walk to Water” in English with their understanding of Social Justice from Religious Education to develop a charity. They researched their chosen topic, taken from the Sustainable Development Goals, and pitched a solution to their peers.

DIGNITY FOR ALL Our Year 12 VCE-VM Religious Education students visited a local disability support business, Bridge Haven, to learn about the ways in which they foster a commitment to the dignity of each individual they work with. Bridge Haven, in Belgrave, was founded by past student and past staff member Lia Reyerse.

Religious ion

Educat

THE BENEDICTINE WAY OF LIFE Benedictine values are woven throughout our Religious Education program, as well as College life and activities. This enables students to explore ways in which these ancient and intrinsic values can be applied to the modern world. In Year 8, students learn about the simple lifestyle of Benedictine Monks and have the opportunity to put this into practice through some gardening, prayerful times and periods of silence! 68 66 Mater Christi College

In Religious Education at Mater Christi, students explore topics relating to five key topics: • scripture and Jesus • church and community • God, religion, and life • prayer, liturgy and sacrament • morality and justice. Students reflect upon the way they and others encounter beliefs and the practices of faith communities. In the Senior years, this includes the study of religion in general, different religions and traditions, and the interaction between society and religion.

TINNIES FOR VINNIES In the Good Samaritan tradition of looking out for our neighbour, our annual Tinnies for Vinnies campaign supports local community members experiencing hardship. Students and families are asked to donate at least one item to the appeal. House points are earned for each donation, with the winning house receiving the Vinnies House Cup, along with loads of points towards the end-of-year House Cup. In a final push to raise funds and support for the campaign, our CAP students held a bake sale and casual dress-for-a-cause day. Throughout the campaign that ran during Term 2, the students managed to collect a huge number of nonperishable foods, personal care items, and winter woollies, as well as purchase $1,520 worth of Woolworths vouchers - all of which went towards supporting members of our community experiencing hardship in winter.

CAP FAMILY TRIVIA EVENING Our annual MCC Family Trivia Evening was a shining example of the caring, generous Hills community in which we live - raising over $5,000 for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. Our CAP students took the reins and organised the entire event this year - showing incredible initiative, maturity, and leadership. A great night was had by all, and we felt so grateful to be surrounded by such a wonderful community.

y tr s i n i Youth M

& CAP

Our Catholic Action Program (CAP) students study the issues of poverty and disadvantage, gender inequalities, homelessness, the plight of refugees and asylum seekers, food insecurity, First Nations history and rights, and climate action. They take action within the College community to address these issues through fundraising, awareness raising and outreach projects. In Year 10, students can choose our Youth Ministry elective as an alternative to traditional Religious Education. The aim of Youth Ministry is to foster the faith and formation of young people. 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. YEARBOOK 2023 69

NETBALL All three teams had a fantastic day at the Victorian Netball School Championships and gave it their all on the court. Our Junior and Intermediate squads clinched the top spots, securing their places in the state finals, where they came across some strong schools from all over Victoria, playing well throughout the day. At the CGSAV competitions, all teams made their grand finals, with the Senior A, Intermediate A and Junior C teams all taking home the title!

In addition to our Sport curriculum, students at Mater Christi can participate in up to 26 different competitive sports, from basketball to swimming, horse-riding to lacrosse. There is, literally, something for everyone. We are extremely proud of all the students who represented the College during 2023. We were also pleased to acknowledge and celebrate a number of outstanding outcomes this year. Here are just a few!

Mater

Sport ”

I really love sports at Mater Christi because it gives me the chance to participate in sports that I don’t have time to do outside of school. It allows me to be active and connect with people from different year levels, as well as do something I love - competing against other schools and doing it all with my friends.” Amber Canning, 9C

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SPORTS AWARDS EVENING Students who participated in competitive sports throughout the year, along with their families, came together to celebrate their collective effort and achievement at our annual Sports Awards Evening in October! Thank you to Australian Long Jump record holder Brooke Buschkuehl, for speaking about her drive as an athlete, what keeps her motivated, and the setbacks and hardships she has endured throughout her career. The evening followed with our Sports Captains delivering highlights from 2023 and awards presented for outstanding achievements across CGSAV, inter-school, and Mater Christi competitions, as well as the highly coveted Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Sports Woman of the Year trophies. Congratulations to Izzy Gillespie (Junior), Amber Canning (Intermediate) and Olivia Ward (Senior).

GYMNASTICS We saw two huge days at the Interschool Gymnastics in September, with all of the Mater Christi teams showing incredible spirit and commitment! Our Junior B2 Team placed 1st, C Team - 3rd, and D Team - 6th, while the Senior A2 Team came 5th, B2 Team - 6th, E Teams - 3rd & 6th Congratulations also to the following students who placed in the individual category: Emily Hudson - 1st, Zoe Christensen 2nd, Sophie Pagnin – 2nd, Chloe Robinson – 5th, Hannah Vogel 6th.

SWIMMING AND DIVING Our swimmers and divers were both overall winners at the CGSAV competition! The swim team were ultimately rewarded for their perseverance and participation, coming 1st overall with some huge team efforts in the relays at the end of the competition. Our Juniors placed 2nd, Intermediates - 1st, and Seniors - 3rd. Our diving team also came 1st overall! Juniors and Intermediates placed 2nd and Seniors - 1st.

A big day! A massive effort! Well done to all!

”

I love participating in the variety of school sports Mater offers because it provides me with opportunities to try new sports and have fun with my friends. I have formed new relationships with people from the other year levels and the teachers. Sport days are always filled with lots of laughter and fun.” Jasmine Donner, 12B YEARBOOK 2023 71

Cheerleading ons Champi

Our Cheer Team travelled to the Exhibition Centre in December to defend their National High School Champions title. Despite some earlier setbacks due to injury and tough competition on the day, the team took out both the National and Grand Champion titles - making them the best high school in Australia for three years running! Amazing! Congratulations to all the students involved and to super coaches - Ms Godfrey and Ms Lovat!

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Cha m

pion s for th

t! i d i d Th e y !

e third year in a

row

YEARBOOK 2023 73

2ND IN RACI VICTORIAN TITRATION COMPETITION Year 11 and 12 Chemistry students competed in the Victorian RACI (Royal Australian Chemical Institute) Titration Competition. Titration is a process of chemical analysis that is used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution. A successful titration requires considerable skill, accuracy and precision. The RACI competition provides an opportunity for students to practice their Science investigation skills by performing two series of acid-base titrations to determine the concentration of a solution of diluted vinegar. Each team member analyses one of three vinegar solutions by performing a total of eight sets of titrations and all calculations within a set time limit. Teams are ranked on the accuracy and precision of their determined concentrations of the three vinegar solutions. One of our teams came 2nd – achieving Platinum Level. Congratulations to Hannah Koolstra, Alicia Petersen and Piper Wilson on this highly esteemed achievement, as well as all the other students who participated!

”

I love Science because it adds a whole other level to the world, highlighting all its intricate parts, which most people miss. For example, I have learned about wave-particle duality and the photoelectric effect in Physics, showing how something so seemingly simple as light has so much depth and information to uncover.” Lilly Ziino, 11E

Science is an essential part of our daily lives that provides us with the ability to understand and explain the natural world around us. In Middle School, the Science curriculum is designed to support the development of critical thinking skills and nurture a natural curiosity about the world. While in Senior School, students have the opportunity to specialise in particular areas of Science, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology. 74 Mater Christi College

Mater

Science

SPECTROSCOPY Year 12 Chemistry students spent a day at Monash University to take part in the Monash Organic Spectroscopy Symposium, to enhance their understanding of a range of spectroscopy techniques used to analyse organic molecules. Spectroscopy involves the investigation and measurement of spectra produced when matter interacts with or emits electromagnetic radiation!

”

The thing I most enjoy about Science would be coming up with new experiments and adventuring into the knowledge of Chemistry and Biology. I have enjoyed learning about Biology and learning what animals eat and how they live. I’m also proud of how well I have achieved my goals in Science class.” Maddy Goodall, 7B

TOOT TOOT! It was full steam ahead for Year 11 & 12 Physics students on their visit to the Puffing Billy Museum to learn about the countless uses of steam and heat energy. The day was topped off with a tranquil ride on Puffing Billy back to the College through our beautiful and historic bushland. Sincere thanks to the Puffing Billy Railway team for their hospitality and expertise.

THE LIZARD WIZARD It was great to see past student Monique Bast (Class of 2019) back amongst the MCC community for the third year in a row, presenting to our Year 7s. Monique and Ryan from The Lizard Wizard aim to promote the preservation and welfare of our precious wildlife through interactive and educational presentations. The students enjoyed some close encounters with reptiles while learning about their place in the ecosystem, how they adapt to their environment, what they need to survive and why it is so important to look after the world we share with them.

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r e t a M

STEM

STEM emphasises the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. It supports the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, creativity, adaptability, curiosity, and perseverance.

STEM CUP Our STEM Captains promised a revamp of our annual STEM Cup this year, and they delivered well beyond expectations. During the STEM Cup, students across the College were able to choose from a vast array of activities according to their personal interests. From Rocketeering, an Escape Room, Robotics, Coding, 3D Printing, and Spheros. To presentations and Q&As with our visiting STEM Superstars. There was something for everyone to enjoy and get involved in. The presentations entitled - HERstory in STEM: Conversations with Women Leaders and Innovators - included a Roboticist, Optometrist, Clinical Biostatistician, Chemical Engineer, Scientific Advisor, Penguin Expert, Conservation Scientist, and Physics and Engineering Career Researchers. As part of these presentations, attending students conducted interviews or participated in small group discussions. They then wrote a series of stories to appear in a special STEM Magazine.

Thanks to Science Learning Leader Denise Raven for her fantastic ideas, organisation, and support of our STEM Captains. A great team effort that led to a valuable and engaging experience for all our students.

YEAR 9 STEM ENRICHMENT Our Year 9 students were thoroughly immersed in the world of STEM as part of their enrichment program. Over the course of a week, students participated in a huge range of hands-on, STEM-related activities to enhance their problem-solving, teamwork and collaboration skills, and demonstrate how STEM concepts relate to the real world. Activities included a visit to the Yarra Ranges Tech School for jewellery making and calico bag design using a Cricut machine, a BRAINstem lego challenge, the application of design thinking skills with an animal enrichment simulation using Melbourne Zoo, and a visit to the Melbourne Museum and IMAX theatre. It was a fantastic and engaging week for the students, and STEM sparks were well and truly ignited for many!

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STEM d l r o w l a e r

& the

Gone are the days when STEM subjects and careers were primarily for men. Mater Christi students are exposed to a wide range of STEM-related subjects from Year 7 through to Year 12, and many have their sights set on a career in the field. Here, our 2023 STEM Captains share their passion for this area of study, their plans for the future and their desire to help others appreciate and enjoy all that STEM has to offer.

Simone, Willow, Emily, and Kiara all enjoy solving problems and the way that STEM concepts and theories help them understand the world around them. “STEM became one of my passions because I enjoy the challenge of solving problems and the satisfaction you get when you find solutions. STEM explains the world in such interesting ways” – Emily. “I like the satisfaction of getting hard problems right. STEM subjects are hard, so doing well is even more rewarding” – Willow. All agree that the problem-solving element of STEM subjects means they are relevant for all students, regardless of their future career plans. “STEM subjects are very applicable to life. If you do Science and Maths in your later years of secondary school, you can go into almost any field of work” – Kiara. “The main skill gained from STEM is problemsolving which is useful in any career or life path - whether you are a performer, a politician or a rocket scientist” – Simone. Despite the enjoyment all four students get from their STEM subjects, success doesn’t always come easily for them, and each works hard to see results. “I’m good at STEM, but that doesn’t mean I find it easy. To get good results takes hard work and study” – Emily. “Being passionate about a subject makes the learning curve a little easier, but you certainly have to work for good grades” – Willow. Each Captain has established their own ways of approaching STEM subjects to ensure they can grasp new concepts.

“STEM is like a series of puzzles; some are hard and confusing. I try to approach each puzzle, being prepared that I might get it wrong at first, and with the patience to persevere and learn” Emily. “Approaching problems logically and applying multiple methods can make them easier to understand. There are often several ways to find a solution – which also makes STEM subjects fun” – Simone. Looking to the future, all four students are aiming for STEM-related tertiary study and careers. Kiara is interested in mechanical and electrical engineering. Emily would like to study Biology at university and possibly become a Zoologist. Simone hasn’t settled on her end goal but took Chemistry and Specialist Maths in Year 12 to keep her options for tertiary courses open and ensure she has the subjects she needs for a possible career in Engineering or Physics. While Willow knows she wants to study Medicine and become a Surgeon. Together our Captains shared a common goal for 2023; to get more students involved and to make STEM both fun and challenging for students of various skill levels.

”

Simone

Kiara

We created some new and exciting STEM activities for students, which involve depth and creative thinking”

We refreshed the STEM Cup this year to make it more exciting and to cater for different interests and abilities”

YEARBOOK 2023 77

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY The world moves fast these days, which means today’s Year 7s could be tomorrow’s next big App developers. In the meantime, our Year 7 students learnt the basics of App design in Term 4, creating screens and focusing on User Interface and User Centred Design. They used an app builder for most of their work and created one-off activities that can be shared on mobile phones.

”

Emma Briggs, 7C

Siena Fay, 9A

I love Digital Technology and all the different opportunities you get in this subject. I loved the code.org activities. I had no idea how to code or anything about it before we started, and now I have even created my own app with others from my class. Digi Tech has really helped me step out of my comfort zone and work with my peers.”

YEAR 9 & 10 – BON APPETIT! In our Year 9 & 10 Technology elective – Bon Appetit - students learn more about the food they eat, where it comes from, and why we need it daily. They become familiar with current food trends while enjoying a variety of dishes they prepare themselves, developing skills for their future. In Term 3, Japanese exchange student Nozomi chose a selection of Japanese recipes for the class to prepare and eat, including Nikujaga (meat and potato stew), Horenso no Goma Ae (spinach with sesame dressing) and Hiyayakko (chilled tofu). The students enjoyed tasting the Japanese dishes, and Nozomi said the food tasted as good as her family cooked at home! YUM!

High Tea has been a really fun subject where I have learnt how to pipe buttercream and create decorations with fondant for cupcakes and cookies. I learned to make many different recipes and about the origins of High Tea. I love that at the end of the unit, we receive a recipe book with all the recipes we made in school so we can make them at home.”

”

ood Technology has F brought out the creative side in my cooking. I loved being able to design my own pizza. I always enjoy the scrumptious smells in the Food Tech rooms, working with my classmates and learning amazing new recipes.” Abigail Wheatley, 8B

Technology Technology studies encompass more than you would think! While most of us would assume technology relates solely to digital skills and equipment, it also includes food technology and textile product design. All related subjects require students to use design principles to create new models, products, software, systems, and tools to benefit people while considering their impact on cultural, ethical, environmental, and economic conditions.

”

I have enjoyed making a variety of foods to explore different cuisines, learning new cooking methods, and enhancing my skills which allows me to know how to cook at home. I loved being able to eat the food and cook with friends. It was a really nice insight into Japanese culture when we had our exchange student.” Coral Kratzman, 9C

YEAR 8 FOOD TECHNOLOGY By the 1st of November, Christmas was already on our minds! Year 8 students made these delicious apple pastry wreaths in their Food Technology class!

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” Product Design

What I loved in Product Design Technology was making the shorts and learning how to sew. I have enjoyed learning about how to fill and load the bobbin up the sewing machine and how to do different patterns. I’m proud that I finished my shorts and learnt something new.” Caitlin Holt, 7B

Through the investigation of textile fibres and fabrics in Product Design Technology, Year 7s were introduced to the Technology design cycle. They learnt about fashion design and illustration techniques, garment construction, and the process of evaluating the product they made – pyjama shorts or pants.

”

This year in Product Design Technology my class and I have been working on designing and creating a bag. I decided to do the tote bag. I really enjoyed learning about the design and creation process, choosing my fabrics, cutting out the bag and the patches and pockets, and finally sewing all the pieces together to create my final product. I am looking forward to continuing this subject in Year 11.” Olivia Wakartschuk, 9E

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”

I loved learning how to use a sewing machine and thread up and use pattern pieces because these are all simple skills I can use throughout my life. I’m very proud of myself for being able to create pyjama shorts that are durable and look professionally made.” Mia Xie, 7B

I have loved Product Design Technology because it provides a dynamic and hands-on approach to creating a unique product. It is a great way to express your creativity and develop valuable skills. I have been able to express myself in different ways and learn ways to incorporate my own creations into a final product. I have also learnt how to be sustainable while creating and how to reuse as much as possible.”

I really enjoyed the freedom of this subject, being able to make whatever I dream of and getting help when I needed it. I have really enjoyed learning how to secure patches down, and I am very proud of my bag.” Lindsay Petkoff, 9D

Ashlee Moulday, 10A Dakota Jackson, Year 12

Elise Licciardi, Year 10

Hanna Rush, Year 12 Ava Somers, Year 10

” Polly Payne, Year 12

Raquel Pospischil, Year 12

In my Product Design Technology elective, On the Runway, I learnt how to make a dress. The process has given me more skills to make the specific ideas I get in my head and just have to make”. Ava Somers, 10B YEARBOOK 2023 81

SOJUST WEEK Our annual Social Justice and Stewardship (SoJuSt) Week is a wonderful example and expression of our focus on Stewardship (the protection) of the precious environment we all share. Our dedicated SoJuSt Team created a range of events and activities for students to get involved in, to remind us all of the importance of sustainability and the things we can all do to support and promote it.

”

It has been immensely rewarding to work alongside such passionate students as an Assistant Social Justice Captain, to bring to life some of the College’s most anticipated SoJuSt events of the year – the Caritas Trivia Night, Shrove Tuesday pancake sales, and SoJuSt week!”

Lunchtimes throughout the week saw a new Street Library unveiled in Cafe Bene (so students can take and exchange books), screenings of The Lorax and the 2040 documentary, environmentally themed chalk art, a clothes swap and a best-thrifted outfit competition.

Elida Licciardi, 11B

& e c i t s u J l a i c o S

Stewardship College life at Mater Christi is inspired by the ethos of the Good Samaritan Sisters and Benedictine values of community, stewardship and justice. Thus, care and compassion for our neighbour and walking gently on the earth are woven through many of our community-based activities.

82 Mater Christi College

”

SoJuSt is a central aspect of our College community. Not only does it support vulnerable community members and a range of social and environmental issues, but it also teaches students to extend their perspectives beyond themselves, broadening their worldview and fostering informed, compassionate, and creative young people.” Jen MacDonald, 11E

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY This dedicated group of students got into the spirit of Clean Up Australia Day in March by cleaning up our College grounds demonstrating we can all play a part in looking after our environment, whether it’s avoiding single-use plastics, opting for reusable shopping bags and coffee cups or arranging a monthly community clean up.

VINNIES SCHOOL SLEEPOUT In the spirit of the Good Samaritan ethos of caring for our neighbour - our SoJuSt Captains and Catholic Action Program (CAP) class participated in the Vinnies School Sleepout in August. The group learnt more about the realities of homelessness experienced by so many Victorians - including its causes and consequences and the importance of support services, community understanding, and outreach. The students also put together care packages for the Good Samaritan Inn in Preston, which provides crisis accommodation to women and children facing adversity.

”

Mater provides so many chances for everyone to get involved and learn how to help each other and our environment. I believe these Social Justice values are important for everyone to learn and interact with, and I feel very privileged for the opportunity I was given this year to be so involved with this integral part of Mater Christi.” Hannah Koolstra, 12D YEARBOOK 2023 83

RULER PROGRAM Wellbeing for learning is at the heart of a wholistic education at Mater Christi. As part of this mission, we commenced the RULER Program with our Year 7 - 9 students this year, following significant staff training. Developed by Yale University, the RULER program teaches skills in emotional intelligence, supporting students to recognise, understand, label, express and regulate their emotions. Its premise is based on decades of research showing these skills are essential to effective teaching and learning, sound decisionmaking, physical and mental health, and success in school and beyond. There is strong evidence that schools that incorporate the RULER program see a positive shift in school climate, experience enhanced academic achievement, report better quality relationships and experience less bullying and/or aggressive behaviours. Our Wellbeing for Learning Leader, Amanda Bischof-Foster worked closely with teaching staff to implement the RULER into our Home Groups, and we have already seen very positive results. The program will continue to be rolled out in 2024.

84 Mater Christi College

Mater

Wellbeing

Our Careers Program supports students to have a greater understanding of their career options and pathways and feel positive about the world of work and their place in it. We emphasise that their future as young adults will involve a ‘career journey’ rather than one destination.

Careers m Progra

WOW! WHAT A WEEK Our Year 9 World of Work (WOW) program delivers a huge range of valuable information, activities, and tools for students as they prepare to enter the job market. From Morrisby testing and guest speakers to practical, activity-based instruction on careers portfolios, the job application process, phone etiquette, Tax File numbers and a Dress for Success (what to wear and what not to wear for an interview) fashion parade. There was even a section on how to leave a lasting impression with the perfect handshake! Our Year 9s are sure to feel like they’ve got it covered and are ready to go!

OPTIONS, OPTIONS During Careers Week, our Senior students enjoyed a series of lunchtime presentations from tertiary bodies, including Australian Catholic University, Holmesglen Tafe, and Monash University. A great opportunity to hear about different courses on offer and to ask all the burning questions!

”

I thought the Morrisby testing was a great thing to do. The test was long but very worthwhile in the end. It was exciting to see my results and to reflect back on them within the Feedback Interview. It was very, very helpful and made me less nervous about my subject selection for Year 11”

”

Dihara Gandolahage, 9D

Jewel McDermott, 10C

I liked how we could find things that interest us at the Careers Expo and think about a job or jobs that we could go into in the future.”

VICTORIAN CAREERS SHOW As part of Careers Week, Year 10 students visited the Victorian Careers Show at the Melbourne Showgrounds. This was a fantastic opportunity to explore a vast range of future options, including tertiary courses, apprenticeships, international exchanges, and cadetships, as well as find out more about tutoring services, study skills programs and much more. Students could also attend seminars on topics including VCE subjects, subject selection, tertiary courses, employment opportunities, study advice and Gap Year options.

YEARBOOK 2023 85

A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF THE LEARNING COMMONS In the space of only one week in late March, our Learning Commons hosted a huge range of poetry and storytelling activities - including Slam Poetry, MakerSpace, Blackout Poetry, book displays, a poetry wall, and features of writing works in progress from Write Club students.

Our Learning Commons is so much more than a library. In many ways, it is the heart of the College. It is home to a huge array of lunchtime activities and a place to connect with peers. It is a place to study, read, and seek assistance from our Learning Commons staff on how to access all kinds of information. It is a place of belonging. 86 Mater Christi College

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Commons

”

I like spending time in the Learning Commons because there are so many activities that you can do, such as MakerSpace, mindfulness colouring, and Crochet Club. It’s also a library, so you can read and borrow any book you like. It’s a nice space to hang out with your friends, and there are also three amazing librarians to talk to.” Alyssa Shottle, 8E

”

The Learning Commons is such a welcoming space to read, learn and catch up with friends. The staff are extremely friendly and welcoming and offer us lots of opportunities to learn new skills. The clubs, especially Book Club, provide an opportunity to create new connections and form friendships.” Sarah Barnett, 11D

DROP EVERYTHING AND READ Year 7 students embarked on an exciting challenge to ‘Drop Everything and Read’ for as much time as possible each day for all of Term 3. This challenge - an initiative from the Learning Commons - 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. There were group and individual prizes and incentives, with a weekly tally published to spur everyone on. Even staff got in on the fun! Congratulations to the Home Group winners – 7C, and the student with the highest number of minutes read - Catie McGarraghy, 7A

ENTREPRENEUR’S MARKET It was all business on 23 May - with our annual Entrepreneur’s Market! As part of Knowledge Week, this event gives students an opportunity to make and sell handmade products and exhibit their talents while building valuable customer service, marketing, and cash-handling skills. The market always draws a large crowd, and this year was no exception, with lots of different products on sale - from artwork, jewellery, scrunchies, macrame, handmade cards, and much more.

YEARBOOK 2023 87

Established in 2022, the Friends of Mater Association (FOMA) is an enthusiastic and dedicated group committed to supporting a sense of community amongst our parents and carers. Along with monthly meetings to discuss ideas, FOMA held two events, a Parents and Carers Breakfast and an 80s Trivia Night – both were a great success.

r e t a M f Friends o

Association (FOMA)

80S TRIVIA NIGHT MCC families and students were invited to attend the FOMA 80s-themed trivia night in mid-November. In what turned out to be a laughter-filled evening in excellent company, $4,673 was raised for the Kallista/The Patch CFA, who keep our Hills community safe and well. Our thanks to major sponsors, Ranges First National Real Estate and all the fantastic local businesses who donated prizes to make the evening such a success.

PARENTS & CARERS BREAKFAST In June, the FOMA Parents & Carers Breakfast and Guest Speaker Morning gave attendees the opportunity to hear from guest panellists about the ever-present issues of online security, data breaches and social media, while connecting with others from the MCC community and enjoying a delicious start to the day.

Th ank insights and La Collina Belg you rave haring their s d to Victo n for a g n i ria Police Belgrave for attend prov iding a fabulous door prize. 88 Mater Christi College

YEARBOOK 2023 89

Throughout the year, our four Houses - Lyons, Chisholm, Mackillop, and Gibbons - compete in activities to earn points towards the House Cup that is awarded at the end of the year. The competitions cater to various skills and interests to ensure everyone can participate and contribute. Some of the activities include Chalk Art, House Performing Arts, the STEM Cup, fundraisers and food drives for those in need, sporting competitions and more.

HOUSE s Activitie

HOUSE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL What a day! As always, our House Athletics Carnival was full of colour, house spirit, fun, and friendly competition. The sportsmanship and encouragement shown throughout the day were outstanding. Congratulations to Lyons, who went home with the Overall Win, to Chisholm, who took out the Team Spirit Award, and to all who competed, joined in, and had a go!

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MIDDLE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY It can be easy to take the beautiful surroundings of our College for granted...until a day like the Middle School Cross Country competition when students were able to enjoy this annual event at Grants Picnic Ground – only walking distance from our doorstep! Congratulations to the winning house - Lyons, and a special shout out to the fastest overall runner, Coral Kratzman!

MIDDLE SCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL One of the most colourful events on the Mater Christi calendar is our Middle School Swimming Carnival! The students got right into the spirit of the day with their dress-ups and cheering, and there was outstanding participation from all! Thanks to our Senior School helpers and to DJ Balderstone for the tunes! Congratulations to Lyons House for Best Overall Swim and to Chisholm for the Team Spirit award.

YEARBOOK 2023 91

MEET DAN GODFREY

BENCH SEATS ARE LOOKING GOOD!

Our Facilities Manager - Dan Godfrey joined the Mater Christi early in the year and has already become an integral part of our community.

Making the old new again in the spirit of sustainability, our Facilities Team gave the bench seats in our Main Courtyard a facelift!

Dan has spent the last 26 years working in facilities, maintenance, and security roles in various organisations, including the Indian Consulate and Ernst & Young & Ericsson (telecommunications). With a Diploma in Facilities Management, Dan has also worked at M-City in Clayton, the largest mixed-use development in Melbourne consisting of three residential towers, a Park Royal Hotel and a retail precinct. “I managed the 664 apartments at M-City – it was like running a small town.” No job is too big or small for Dan, and he is known at Mater Christi for his friendly, easygoing approach and ‘can do’ attitude.

A NEW BBQ! THANKS BUNNINGS!

& s e i t i l i c a F

Maintenance Our Facilities and Maintenance trio - Dave, Colin, and Matt - work tirelessly in and behind the scenes all year to ensure our grounds and buildings are well maintained and safe for our community. As a team, they have made significant landscaping improvements this year, rejuvenated our Peace Garden space, organised our new College fencing, gates, and security door system, installed new branded and padded basketball stands on the sports courts, and updated our Drama building - alongside many other daily and longer-term projects.

Our students and staff can now enjoy some summer BBQs thanks to a generous donation from Bunnings Scoresby. Our Facilities Manager, Dan, picked up the Jumbuck Delta 4 Burner BBQ in late August. A big thank you to the team at Bunnings Scoresby!

NATIONAL TREE DAY We could all breathe a little easier after this enthusiastic group of students got out in the fresh air at lunchtime to plant trees to celebrate National Tree Day. A big thank you to all the students who participated and Colin and Matt for setting up. And a special shout out to our Facilities Manager, Dan, for a great idea and for making it happen!

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INDIGENOUS GARDEN Dan, Matt, and Colin were busy all year with many landscaping improvements around the College, including working with our Catholic Action Program students to bring our new Indigenous Garden to fruition.

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photos YEARBOOK 2023 93

Year

Grace Allan

Mahli Allwood

Yularne Anson

Lucy Barnett

Madeline Barrett

Olivia Barrett

Marley Bellamy

Nivedya Benoy

Taylah Benson

Zoe Biggelaar

Chloe Booth

Emma Briggs

Sophia Briggs

Mikayla Bui

Lillea Callow

Olivia Carmichael

Izzy Coia

Sophia Colussi

Skye Connelly

Maggie Conroy

Grace Cooke

Anabella De Hoyos Salazar

94 Mater Christi College

Ella Devlin

Isabelle Duncan

Persephone Dupanloup

Avery Ede

Esther Eidelson

Willow Fanning

Chelsea Ferguson

Alicia Ferrier

Laura Fitzpatrick

Olivia Fletcher

Charlotte Fogel

Lior Ford

Tahlia Gehling

Sophia Gigliotti

Isabelle Gillespie

Emma Gloster

Chi Golding

Gemma Goldsztein

Madeline Goodall

Maddison Greensill

Sasha Gruber

Juliette Guillet

Gabriela Hall

Zara Herridge

Year

67 YEARBOOK 2023 95

Caitlin Holt

Anna Hu

Molly Hutt

Tina Imani

Erin Jenner

Zoe Kalc

Hridaya Khairnar

Tayla Kircos

Isabel Kladakis

Issy Koster

Eira Krishnan

Sophie Lancaster

Izzy Lennox

Audrey Lowry

Ava MacPherson

Ella Martin

Hannah Martin

Hannah Matthews

Maisy Maudsley

Jill McDonnell

Catie McGarraghy

Addy McIntosh

Claire McPeake

Rachel Melia-Taylor

96 Mater Christi College

Mia Muhlnickel

Stevie Mullinder

Lydia O'Connor

Dani-Rose Olive

Larissa Ornelas

Lola Phillips

Mataya Pickett

Amelia Quinn

Tess Ramsey

Lulu Rayner

Saskia Rogers

Anisha Romana

Noa Ryan

Juliana Salamat

Marissa Schleifer

Isabella Scott

Violet Scott

Naiima Sellar

Ruby Silvester

Asha Sipthorpe

Marlo Smith

Charlotte Smithells

Dominique Smyth

Ava Stackpole

Year

67 YEARBOOK 2023 97

Evelina Toneatto

Emily Van Tol

Kate Vanderwolde

Jess Vaughan

Hannah Vogel

Kiera vom Bruch

Evie Wells

Ellie White

Indi Williamson

Liv Wood

Mia Xie

Sienna Yeomans

Holly Zavattiero

Year 98 Mater Christi College

Year

Madeline Agjee

Ella Arendse

Freya Bakker

Madison Beach

Evie Bellamy

Caitlin Blackett

Lucy Boyer

Mia Bradshaw

Maya Brandys

Eve Calder

Kayleigh Carroll

Leni Clark

Amelia Cunningham

Chiara Dell

Jordana Dhondee

Lauren Dodd

Olivia Doherty

Chloe Edwards

Evie Edwards

Tilly Faux

Ebonie Ferdinands

Arali Fernando

YEARBOOK 2023 99

Deyana Fernando

Bella Ferraro

Gracie Flynn

Erin Germano

Bee Giles

Tamieka Gill

Rebecca Gillett

Mabel Gould

Annali Grigoriu

Megan Hardie

Emily Hardman

Jade Hayman

Alyssa Hepburn

Mackenzie Horne

Emily Hudson

Lexi Hunkin

Olivia Ingaliso

Sienna Ingaliso

Neeve King

Persephone Kuhn

Audrey Larkin

Ella Larter

Charlise Le Gall

Georgia Leitch

100 Mater Christi College

Julia Lindhaus

Nikkita Loupetis

Kinga Macknamara

Taya Marsden

Aria Martin

Eliza McConnell

Grace McInerney

Jayde McNamara

Alara Mears

Emma Merlino

Aria Nalty

Kaia Neilson

Isabelle Nsair

Loralei Orme

Sophie Pagnin

Chloe Patterson

Chantelle Perry

Grace Pierce

Astrid Popa Luminosu

Neve Potter

Mia Powell

Sydney Powell

Camryn Rabie

Lila Radley

Year

YEARBOOK 2023 101

Ruby Rattigan

Amalia Rayeroux-Flack

Tahlia Reichl

Amedee Renshaw

Keira Rizio

Ashlee Robinson

Holly Ross

Ruby Ross

Lucy Rossely

Abbey Rossi

Aliyah Rout

Lily Salomons

Rylie Sampson

Gayathry Santhosh

Imilla Schmidt

Malaya Schofield

Meisha Sellar

Nawini Senanayake

Fatima Shahid

Akira Sharma

Yana Sharma

Sally Sheahan

Alyssa Shottle

Emma Silvey

102 Mater Christi College

Callisto Simandjuntak

Vivian Singh

Sarah Smith

Bonnie Spencer

Macy Stack

Eliza Stephenson

Marlene Stribling

Evie Sundstrom

Eloise Sutton

Stella Sweeney

Evie Talbot

Airlie Taylor

Indya Thomas

Isabella Thompson

Zoe Wellard

Abigail Wheatley

Georgina Whyman

Layla Wilson

Yvette Windsor

Joni Wooden

Ava Xenophontos

Year

YEARBOOK 2023 103

Year

Zoe Adshead

Tegan Allen

Chelsea Allison

Isabel Arthurson

Eliza Baird

Caley Baker

Charlotte Beck

Tarali Bendix

Caitlin Boce

Lexie Booth

Imogen Boyd

Trinnley Bunting

Holly Burrage

Amber Canning

Hannah Clarke

Jaye Considine

Rhyme Corbett

Jessica Course

Eve Cumming

Cadence Cummings

Caitlin Czaja

Beau Davies

104 Mater Christi College

Anna Davis

Kai Day

Alana De Hoyos Salazar

Danica De Silva

Mel Donald

Mo Dowling

MJ Drake

Charlotte Drury

Charlotte Duncan

Liesel Edlinger

Kate Edmanson

Kiara Enriquez

Zoe Evans

Siena Fay

Maddy Fletcher

Kylie Frattura

Dihara Gandolahage

Clara Garry

Charlotte Gaynor

Zahra Gehling

TJ Godfrey

Jess Goodman

Nethya Gunasekera

Maya Gutierrez

Year

67 YEARBOOK 2023 105

Bridget Haley

Keira Harris

Indianah Hayes

Emaan Heidary

Emily Hill

Mikayla Hobson

Phoebe Hugo-Kohler

Bailey Ibbotson

Anna Ingaliso

Tanysha Jackson

Poppy Katsaras

Milly Kay

Chloe Kelly

Ella Kershaw

Stella Kilderry

Matilda Kitch

Ashley Koolstra

Coral Kratzmann

Isabella Lancaster

Ava Lankester

Shae'Lee Laplanche

Lucy Larkin

Ruby Leonard

Sally Loader

106 Mater Christi College

Hayleen Maan

Holly Macallan

Kasey Maloney

Jen Martin

Lily-Marie Massey

Diana Mattucci

Annie McDonnell

Lee McGarraghy

Lottie McLachlan

Zara Menon

Ruby Molloy

Maddison Myatt

Charlotte Nicholls

Antonia Osipova

Layla O’Sullivan

Evie Oswald

Saanvi Palliyil

Eliane Patte

Lindsay Petkoff

Jess Piesley

Skye Pires

Abigail Pither

Sebby Price

Bella Raw

Year

67 YEARBOOK 2023 107

Lettie Reed

Jess Robinson

Aaliiyah Rooke

Sarah Sammut

Olivia Sarweh

Jacinta Schleifer

Shambavi Sivasankar

Izzy Skillern

Evie Smith

Gabby Stammberger

Tully Stow

Clara Telling

Audrey Thomas

Matilda Thomas

Isobel Thomas-Orth

Lily Ure

Evelyn Vale

Princess Van Der Burght

Shreya Vazirani

Stevie Vella

Madeleine Vlek

Olivia Wakartschuk

Maria Wang

John Watson

108 Mater Christi College

Madeleine Webster

Naomi Woods

Amelia Wells

Miranda Wright

Emma White

Emma Whitfield

Sarah Winters

Grace Zidek

Year

67 YEARBOOK 2023 109

10 Year

Prachee Adeshara

Kathleen Andrews

Indyana Arundell

Rachel Askham

Emily Ballingall

Josie Bamford

Charlotte Bellamy

Amelia Bianco

Gracey Bird

Ella Blackburn

Maddie Block

Ashley Breen

Lauren Briginshaw

Trista Campbell

Gisele Carrubba

Breanna Carter

Sarah Christensen

Ruby Clair

Celia Clarke

Charlotte Connell

Chantel Connelly

110 Mater Christi College

Tilly Constantinou

Clover Corbett

Lucy Crouch

Jessica Cunliffe

Aleisha Daly

Mackenzie Davis

Ava Di Bartolomeo

Imogen Edgar

Emilie Edgerton

Kai Elbanna

Bridget Ellinger

Indiana Faux

Theruni Fernando

Tabitha Ferrier

Aleisha Foot

Maya Forster

Sruthi Ganesan

Lara Gniatkiewicz

Mia Golding

Layla Gould

Billie Griffiths

Johannah Griffiths

Stella Grimes

Wren Groeneveld

10 Year

67 YEARBOOK 2023 111

Maddison Harris

Lily Huggan

Taylah Hunkin

Topsy Hutt

Charlie Hyndman

Ava Jackson

Isabelle James

Madeleine Kaiserman

Bel King

Olivia Kladakis

Caitlin Kupiec

Pippa Lee

Isabella Leo

Maddi Lewis

Elise Licciardi

Anna Lindhaus

Lara Lintott

Lilly List

Ciara Lodsman

Hannah Mafrici

Lily Matthews

Hannah McCarthy

Amelia McClellan

Bridie McDermott

112 Mater Christi College

Jewel McDermott

Rose McDonald

Carys McKay-Major

Sophie Merlino

Laura Morabito

Ashlee Moulday

Keely O'Brien

Sascha O’Grady

Grace Parsisson

Aanya Patel

Tanvi Patel

Lily Peters

Keely Petersen

Claire Pierce

Kate Portelli

Zali Przychodzki

Sienna Punturere

Ellis Quinn

Lolita Quinn

Giorgia Ratcliffe

Zoe Reeves

Molly Ritchie

Tegan Rogers

Indiana Ross

10 Year

67 YEARBOOK 2023 113

Lucy Ross-Gilder

Jessica Sidhu

Ava Somers

Ruby Stafford

Lily Sweeney

Isobel Tate

Emily Thompson

Ruby Thompson

Indigo Thomson

Ella Todd

Ivy Tucker

Viola Turchini

Eloise Tyler

Sammy Tymkin

Annabella Tyquin

Suhani Vazirani

Hollie Wallace

Sophie Watson

Ella Webster

Shinali Weerawardena

Jessica Wiedermann Phengpan

Ava Wooden

10 Year

114 Mater Christi College

Year

Sam Abdul Rahim

Disha Adeshara

Sienna Aldons

Emily Armitage

Jasnoor Arora

Jess Ashton-Smith

Willow Bakker

Sarah Barnett

Michailey Barton-Smith

Cartier Bendix

Chelsea Boce

Morgan Brace

Georgia Bridgford

Mia Briggs

Indiana Bright

Paige Bromfield

Aria Bryant

Rhiannon Carroll

Allegra Castro

Anna Chauhan

Meredith Chiong

YEARBOOK 2023 115

India Christie

Kaesha Christie

Hannah Coady

Isabella Colussi

Mikaela Corrie

Emma Costello

Lillee Dalton

Samantha Damon

Tamaya Dando-Martinez

Loti Davies

Lucy Day

Caitlyn De Ryk

Mitali De Zoysa

Alexander Dillon

Ellie Dimitriadis

Suhani Dogra

Faith Downard

Ella Edwards

Hannah Eidelson

Monique Enriquez

Zara Feltham

Caitlin Ferdinands

Charlotte Flynn

116 Mater Christi College

Mikayla Forbes

Eloisa Foti

Gracie Gay

Audrey Gearon

Kyra Ghalay

Emily Gianfriddo

Diane Gill

Ellie Godbehere

Amali Harrison

Sienna Hayman

Charlotte Hiosan

Charlie Hobbs

Anna Hughson

Tiahna Johnston

Mannat Kaur

Emelia Kenna

Natasha Kindler

Gayana Kulatunge

Sienna Kurdian

Georgia Langley

Sienna Larter

Alana Lepp

Elida Licciardi

Milla Macallan

Year

YEARBOOK 2023 117

Jen MacDonald

Keeley Maloney

Julia Mazzone

Liana McNamara

Taya McNamara

Lily McQuillan

Priya Mora

Sabrina Morales

Sasha Neilson

Christiana Nestor

Sienna O’Connor

Isabella Palandri

Ria Patel

Nieve Paterson

Abby Pires

Zoe Powell

Gemma Przychodzki

Holly Quinton

Ava Ray

Holly Rennie

Erin Rizio

Chloe Robinson

Amaya Roszczyk

Ruby Salems

118 66 Mater Christi College

Charlotte Sard

Madeline Scott

Phoenix Selvon

Acacia Semenow

Brianna Sinclair

Gemma Smits

Lara Talarico

Arlia Tourian

Tasita Tropea

Anlia Van Reenen

Elizabeth Vogel

Abner Walters

Alyshia Walton

Sienna Wentworth

Alice Zhu

Lilly Ziino

Pria Wilson

Claudia Winters

Erin Woods

Brianna Zull

Year

YEARBOOK 2023 119

12 Year

Evie Bamford

Elise Bardsley

Vanessa Bateman

Ariella Berton

Georgia Birch

Madelyn Bowden

Martha Box

Kaitlyn Briginshaw

Alex Brown

Jessica Brown

Rachel Bumbak

Paige Casey

Zoe Christensen

Lucy Clair

Danielle Cooke

Emily Copelin

Keiley Crook

Amy Cunliffe

Emily Dahlborg

Ebony Davine

Asha Day

120 Mater Christi College

Sashri De Alwis

Alli De Hoogd

Ella Decorrado

Emma Di Nardo

Monique Doherty

Jasmin Donner

Kiara D'Sylva

Shelby Edgar

Charithi Fernando

Alice Findlay

Charli Gardiner

Holly Gaul

Ruby Gilson

Maria Girgis

Tess Grandia

Harper Guerin

Samantha Harris

Charli Hart

Emmie Hervet

Paityn Horne

Epreet Hothi

Sisley Huang

Dakota Jackson

Maya Johannes

12 Year

67 YEARBOOK 2023 121

Ella Jonker

Mollie Keene

Ella Kimberley

Lily King

Hannah Koolstra

Bethany Koster

Bella Kropman

Jaya Kumar

Sami Lane

Charlotte Link-Freeman

Maggie Long

Simone Martin

Jemma Mason

Alisha McGaffin

Eva McNamara

Varina Rami Meina

Vanessa Mills

Elisa Morales

Freya Nixon

Gemma O’Grady

Jessica Pacevski

Georgia Parker

Polly Payne

Alicia Petersen

122 Mater Christi College

Charli Petersen

Emily Portelli

Raquel Pospischil

Nina Price

Mera Pringle

Benadi Ranaweera

Tharinsa Rathnayake

Charlotte Rickards

Rosemary Roberts

Aly-Jack Robinson

Taylah Robinson

Sienna Ross

Hanna Rush

Lily Ryan

Ali Sanna

Willow Simandjuntak

Scarlett Stephens

Leo Surridge

Chloe Telling

Ava Thompson

Ashleigh Thomson

Natalie Tsagazones

Emily Tyquin

Olivia Ward

12 Year

67 YEARBOOK 2023 123

Paige Wemyss

Phoenix Whitty

Piper Wilson

Chloe Yeoman

Ava Zidek

12 Year

124 Mater Christi College

YEARBOOK 2023 125

College Staff Sarah Adolf Teacher Tara Baker VCE Learning Leader James Bakker Year 12 Learning Leader Graham Balderstone Zenith Coordinator Cat Bedford College Psychologist Fiona Birchall Teacher Amanda Bischof-Foster Wellbeing for Learning Leader

Andy Donnelly Careers Coordinator

Maria Haggett Educator, Principal

Cloe Douglas AFL Trainee

Shona Hardwick Personal Assistant - Deputy Principals

Evelyn Dousset Daily Organiser, VASS, VCAA Sean Duguid Teacher Justine Edwards Learning Diversity Leader Claire Ferguson Administration Assistant Eliza Fildes Teacher Michelle Flintoff Teacher

Colleen Bolton R.E. Learning Leader

Mieke Florisson Instrumental Music Teacher

Tricia Bourke Teacher

Cecilia Ford Laboratory Technican

Samantha Brouwers Learning Support Officer

Matt Galvin Maintenance Officer

Nicole Brown People, Culture & Risk Leader

Prashan Gamage ICT Support Officer

Janine Callahan Year 11 Learning Leader Jessica Callanan College Psychologist

Stewart Garrett Instrumental Music Teacher Rhoda Gavin Zenith Coordinator

Annie Chaichuchote Food Technology Assistant

Tim Glover Timetable & Operations Leader

Catherine Close Teacher

Dan Godfrey Facilities Manager

Brooke Cooke College Psychologist

Vicki Godfrey Health & Physical Education Learning Leader

Lisa Costello Year 10 Learning Leader Rachel Coupland-Evans Café Bene Staff Deepika Dissanayake Teacher Beth Dixon Learning Support Officer

126 Mater Christi College

Jacqueline Hayman Café Bene Staff Kate Hazeldine Teacher Caitlin Hedge Learning Support Officer Melanie Hunt Instrumental Music Teacher Kirstie Irish 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 Caz King Teacher Monica Kutt VCE Vocational Major & Pathways Learning Leader Vanessa Leaver Humanities Learning Leader Tania Leonard Finance Officer Melinda Lovat Year 7 Learning Leader

Torie Gordon Year 7 Learning Leader

Chris Lynch ICT Support Officer

Jenny Got Teacher

Anthea Mafrici Assistant Business Manager

Debby Gould Learning Support Officer

Margherita Magagna Year 8 Learning Leader

Nicole Hacking Languages Learning Leader

Genevieve Mallia Teacher Cara Manion Tutor Shae Mayes Deputy Principal - Staff & Students Jennifer McAdam Teacher & Tutor Andrea McKay Communications Officer Annette McKernan College Nurse Lisa McLean MYP Learning Leader Siobhan Merritt Teacher Paul Miller Maths Learning Leader & Data Coach Tatum Mitchell Business Manager Michael Moheb ICT Support Officer Amanda Morris Sports Coordinator Sara Mugridge Technologies & VET Learning Leader Melissa Müller Teacher Julie Mushet Finance Officer Natalie Nash Teacher Rebecca Nettleton Teacher Librarian Benjamin Nicholson Instrumental Music Teacher Sharon Olive Teacher Cherene Onslow College Nurse

Laura Overdyk Professional Learning, Pedagogy & Technologies Leader Narrelle Paige Community Engagement & Marketing Manager Maudie Paterson AFL Trainee Tahnee Raaymakers Teacher Karlene Rainbow Teacher Denise Raven Science Learning Leader Michaela Read Principal’s Assistant Michelle Ring Registrar Gregoria Rivaloro Teacher Libbie Rogers Arts Learning Leader Joanne Ryan Learning Commons Assistant

Linda Tilson Teacher Grace Tobin VCE Vocational Major Learning Leader Erica Tomiolo Café Bene Staff Ewa Toomey Teacher Naomi Trumino Teacher Andriana Tsikouris R.E. Learning Leader Angie Wei Teacher Christy Weller Teacher Cathy Wentworth Administration Assistant Pete Woodhouse Mission Identity Leader Ren Zhou Teacher Leonardo Zito Teacher

Kate Saleeba Teacher Con Sarris Social Justice & Outreach Program Coordinator Ingrid Schmidt Teacher Jasmine Sien Teacher Brooke Stafford Administration Assistant Julie Stewart Deputy Principal - Learning Simon Templin Teacher Colin Thomson Maintenance Officer

Staff

Mater

YEARBOOK 2023 127

Staff

Mater

Sarah Adolf

Tara Baker

James Bakker

Graham Balderstone

Cat Bedford

Fiona Birchall

Amanda Bischof–Foster

Colleen Bolton

Tricia Bourke

Samantha Brouwers

Nicole Brown

Janine Callahan

Jessica Callanan

Annie Chaichuchote

Catherine Close

Brooke Cooke

Lisa Costello

Rachel Coupland-Evans

128 Mater Christi College

Deepika Dissanayake

Beth Dixon

Andy Donnelly

Cloe Douglas

Eveyn Dousset

Sean Duguid

Justine Edwards

Claire Ferguson

Eliza Fildes

Michelle Flintoff

Mieke Florisson

Cecilia Ford

Matt Galvin

Prashan Gamage

Stewart Garrett

Rhoda Gavin

Tim Glover

Dan Godfrey

Vicki Godfrey

Torie Gordon

Jenny Got

Debby Gould

Nicole Hacking

Maria Haggett

Staff

Mater

67 YEARBOOK 2023 129

Shona Hardwick

Jacqueline Hayman

Kate Hazeldine

Caitlin Hedge

Melanie Hunt

Kirstie Irish

Amy Isma

Kate Jay

Teagan Joiner

Eliza Johns

Peter Kadar

Caz King

Monica Kutt

Vanessa Leaver

Tania Leonard

Melinda Lovat

Chris Lynch

Anthea Mafrici

Margherita Magagna

Genevieve Mallia

Cara Manion

Sally Marsh

Rachel Mattille

Jennifer McAdam

130 Mater Christi College

Andrea McKay

Annette McKernan

Lisa McLean

Siobhan Merritt

Shae Mayes

Paul Miller

Tatum Mitchell

Michael Moheb

Amanda Morris

Sara Mugridge

Melissa Muller

Julie Mushet

Natalie Nash

Rebecca Nettleton

Benjamin Nicholson

Sharon Olive

Cherene Onslow

Laura Overdyk

Narrelle Paige

Maudie Paterson

Tahnee Raaymakers

Karlene Rainbow

Denise Raven

Michaela Read

Staff

Mater

67 YEARBOOK 2023 131

Michelle Ring

Gregoria Rivaloro

Libbie Rogers

Joanne Ryan

Kate Saleeba

Con Sarris

Ingrid Schmidt

Jasmine Sien

Brooke Stafford

Julie Stewart

Simon Templin

Colin Thomson

Linda Tilson

Grace Tobin

Erica Tomiolo

Ewa Toomey

Naomi Trumino

Andriana Tsikouris

Angie Wei

Christy Weller

Cathy Wentworth

Pete Woodhouse

Ren Zhou

Leonardo Zito

132 Mater Christi College

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.

#ALWAYS AMATERGIRL

YEARBOOK 2023 133

Mascha Florisson MCC Alumna - Class of 1989 When Mascha’s family immigrated to Australia from the Netherlands in 1981, they moved to the Dandenong Ranges. It was here that Mascha’s love of the natural world began - setting the scene for her studies and lifelong career. After graduating from Mater Christi, Mascha returned to the Netherlands to intern in a zoo aquarium – at this point, she says she was ‘hooked’. She went on to study a Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology and Zoology) at James Cook University in Townsville, working weekends as a ranger at Billabong Sanctuary. She later became a zookeeper at Healesville Sanctuary. After having her daughter, Mascha took some time off from zookeeping and discovered her second passion, horticulture. She began reflecting on how humans impact the environment and decided to live a more sustainable life. Her backyard became an organic vegetable and fruit garden, and she enjoyed keeping chickens, bees, and goats. Later completing a Diploma in Horticulture, Mascha has since worked in various horticulture jobs, using her knowledge of insect lifecycles and chemistry to enhance her work. “My hope for the future is for young people to be inspired to study and work in the Sciences. To find solutions to the many problems the world is currently facing with climate change and how this is affecting food security, our wildlife and natural ecosystems.”

#ALWAYSA 134 Mater Christi College

Angela Ballard

Simone Cook

MCC Alumna - Class of 1979

MCC Alumna - Class of 2013

As a social and diligent student, Angela enjoyed her time at Mater Christi but struggled with English and writing. After leaving school in Year 11, she was accepted into the Women’s Royal Australian Navy and became a trailblazer in her field. Angela was Dux of her recruit training class, studied as an Electronics Technician in Communications, and became the first female to undertake the ‘Fremantle Class’ patrol boat training. After 15 years in her trade, Angela moved to more people-focused roles in the Navy, initially working in organisational reform. She later dealt with unacceptable behaviour, bullying and harassment, discrimination, and sexual offences within the force, receiving two Commendations for her work. Awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study ‘Sexual Assault Prevention and Intervention in a Military Environment’ Angela also contributed to significant Federal Government reviews into Defence. In 2010, Angela established her own HR Consultancy and Coaching practice as a workplace investigator, mediator, restorative practice convenor, auditor, consultant, and coach. She now specialises in Communication and Relationship Management.

Simone decided she wanted to become an Embryologist in Year 9 and worked hard during secondary school towards this goal. However, despite achieving a high ATAR, Simone missed out on her first and second preferences and was instead accepted into a Bachelor of Science at Monash University. Initially disappointed, Simone soon discovered this course was the perfect fit. Simone went on to complete a Graduate Diploma in Reproductive Science and a Master in Clinical Embryology and was offered an exciting job in the United States. However, the COVID pandemic saw the offer withdrawn, and Simone found herself floundering. In October 2020, the stars finally aligned, and Simone was offered a position at Monash IVF on the Gold Coast. This position gave her invaluable experience in a busy environment, setting her up for her current role, working solo and managing a rural IVF laboratory in Wagga Wagga. “The biggest thing I have learnt is that everything happens for a reason, and there is always something to learn from unexpected changes to the plan you have mapped out in your head”.

“I hope my story may inspire those non-academic students so they may know that hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, that success sometimes comes from failure and that resilience is built on life lessons.”

MATERGIRL YEARBOOK 2023 135

Mieke Florisson MCC Alumna - Class of 2019 Mieke has always known what she wanted to do. From a young age, she had her heart set on studying music performance and composition at university and becoming a professional performer. When she started at Mater Christi, Mieke joined the Music department immediately, making friends with older music students who guided and inspired her. She was involved in the College Rock Band, Jazz Band, orchestra, productions, and music camp and says her music teacher was her most significant influence. “Mr Balderstone was an amazing mentor to me. He always made things enjoyable. We connected through music, and he guided and supported me in my journey.” Now an Honours student at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music with a Degree in Classical Music Composition, Mieke plays piano, clarinet, saxophone, and bassoon. She has also taught piano for several years to students of all ages and skill levels and has recently returned to Mater Christi as a piano tutor. “I enjoy helping students to find their niche in music and have fun playing and learning.”

#ALWAYSA 136 Mater Christi College

Louise Mugridge MCC Alumna - Class of 2016 Louise’s pursuit of a career in Medicine stems from a deep desire to give back to her community and make a difference in other people’s lives, which was fostered during her time at Mater Christi. Louise describes her time at the College as “a period of immense learning and character development”. She was heavily involved in College productions, enjoying the sense of community, and is still friends with many she shared the experience with. Thanks to her ‘incredibly passionate and dedicated teacher’, Lauren Faragher, Louise fell in love with Science in Year 10 and settled on a career in Medicine. From Year 12, Louise studied Science, majoring in Immunology, followed by Medicine at Monash University. Having graduated in the top 1% of medical students at Monash and as the Arthur Clark Prize in Paediatrics recipient, Louise hopes to become a Rheumatologist and ‘provide the best patient-centred care possible’. “It’s okay to be unsure of who you are, where you want to be, and what you want to do. Secondary school is the time to explore, try new things, fail, succeed, and grow.”

Loretta Gamley (Peterson) MCC Alumna - Class of 1966 As the first appointed College Captain of Mater Christi College, Loretta Gamley (Peterson) commenced in 1964. Transferring across from St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully, Loretta, like many others, had been eagerly awaiting the finalisation of construction of the first Mater Christi school buildings on Belgrave hill. After completing Year 11, Loretta was accepted into General Nursing. She trained at Box Hill Hospital and became a Midwife. She later married and began working in her family business, volunteering at her local church for many years. At the age of 50, Loretta obtained a Graduate Certificate in Counselling and went on to work with the Family Care sisters, caring for women in need of respite. Just as Mater prides itself on its sense of community today, Loretta remembers the same feeling in the early years of the school’s establishment. “Everyone knew everyone. We were cared for and taught the importance of education, and the nuns had a great sense of fun.”

MATERGIRL YEARBOOK 2023 137

With our 60th year now at a close, we are prompted to look ahead, to think about what Mater Christi College will look like 10 years from now - what our vision and goals are and what we want to create. As Principal, I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved this year. We will continue to strive to be a community that meets the diverse needs of our students and offers a place for our staff to find professional fulfilment. The Board and College Executive envision a dynamic future for Mater Christi College. In early 2024, we begin the process of master planning, where we will seek the input of a range of community members to help us plan improvements to our physical site and facilities. We commit to doing this sustainably, making the most of our current resources and protecting our beautiful surroundings. At the heart of our planning is our desire to continue to improve Mater Christi’s learning, wellbeing and enrichment programs. We are committed to being a middle-sized school, to ensure that every student is seen and known, and at the same time, strive to be a secondary school of choice for girls. We know what the research says about the positive impact of an all-girls education, but we see it in action every day. The world needs our informed, compassionate, and creative students living the Good Samaritan spirit more than ever.

Moving forward ture u f e h t r o f ...our vision

138 Mater Christi College

‘Seek peace and pursue it’ - Ps 34:14

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.

e m o c l e W

statement

When our hearts are authentically open to universal communion, this sense of fraternity excludes nothing and no one. Pope Francis (Laudato Si 92)

Seeking God together is the foundation of the Benedictine charism. In our schools,

Be Your Own Kind of Girl

Mater Christi College

YEARS

28 Bayview Road Belgrave Victoria 3160 materchristi.edu.au

1963-2023

YEARBOOK 2023

CRICOS No. 00589K

60TH ANNIVERSARY

YEARBOOK 2023