Mater Maria New Life Magazine - Autumn 2011

NEW LIFE

AUTUMN 2011

MATER MARIA CATHOLIC COLLEGE

WALK IN NEW LIFE

A BIANNUAL MAGAZINE FOR PAST STUDENTS AND FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE 5 FOREST ROAD WARRIEWOOD NSW 2102 AUSTRALIA TELEPHONE 02 9997 7044 FACSIMILE 02 9997 6042 WEBSITE www.matermaria.nsw.edu.au

SISTER THERESE MARIE’S GOLDEN JUBILEE It was one of those special opportunities when family, friends and colleagues could gather together in celebration to acknowledge a remarkable gift of faith and service at the Golden Jubilee of the Profession of Sister Therese Marie Fleming sgs.

On January 6, 2011, fifty years since Sister Therese Marie had formally committed herself to the service of God as a Sister of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict, friends and family assembled at St Mary Immaculate Church to offer their support and gratitude. The mass was celebrated by Fr John Ford.

Past, present and former staff along with our 2011 College Captains, Victoria Brooks and Matthew

Garrett, attended the celebration in acknowledgement of Sister Therese Marie Fleming’s wonderful contribution in consolidation and growth of this Mater Maria community.

Sister Therese Marie Fleming was the founding principal of the co-educational school of Mater Maria. As College Principal from 1978 to 1984, Sister Therese Marie developed special needs education at the College, enrolled the first boys, oversaw the construction of the Guringai, Ducker and Amiel Buildings, commenced the building of the Bush ‘log’ Chapel and developed educational exchange tours to Japan.

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INTRODUCING OUR NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM We are delighted to introduce our new leadership team of Julie Terry and Karen Shawcross who in January commenced the appointment of Principal and Assistant Principal respectively.

Julie has held the position of Assistant Principal at the College since 2009. Prior to this she has held senior leadership positions at St Joseph’s Catholic College, East Gosford. She is joined by Karen Shawcross who has held the position of PDHPE Coordinator for the past eight years at the College.

She has also held acting roles of Assistant Principal, Religious Education Coordinator and Curriculum Coordinator during this period.

Mrs Terry commented, “It is with great pleasure that I have accepted the position of Principal in this learning community. In the tradition nurtured by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan and on the eve of our fiftieth year celebrations, it is a real privilege to lead this community as it enters its next era of growth and development. Our students are fortunate members of a warm, welcoming, Catholic learning community and I look forward to the daily challenges this position will bring.”

Both women have extensive experience in Catholic secondary schools in curriculum, pastoral care and organisational leadership and qualifications which include a Masters of Educational Leadership.

Introducing our new leadership team of Julie Terry (Principal) and Karen Shawcross (Assistant Principal)

WELCOME Welcome to the Autumn 2011 edition of New Life.

It is my great pleasure to write to you in this Autumn 2011 edition of New Life as the new Principal of Mater Maria Catholic College. I am thoroughly looking forward to leading this community over the coming years and continuing to nurture the learning gain of our students. Our community has a signifcant connection with the Sisters of the Good Samaritan and I hope to further develop this through the deepening of our shared understanding of their charism.

Our Class of 2010 performed outstandingly in the Higher School Certificate. Our College received 56 distinguished achievers’ places for marks of 90 and

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HSC RESULTS - CLASS OF 2010 The Class of Year 12 2010 at Mater Maria Catholic College achieved 56 distinguished achievers’ places for marks of 90 and above in the following courses Ancient History, Chemistry, Drama, English Advanced, English Extension 1, Industrial Technology, Legal Studies, Mathematics (General), Mathematics, Mathematics Extension 1, Mathematics Extension 2, Music 1, Physics, Society & Culture, Studies of Religion 1 and Visual Arts. Twenty six courses performed at or above the State mean. 76 per cent of two unit results were placed in the top three performance bands. 43 per cent of results in the same courses were either Band 5 or Band 6.

We are delighted to announce that Jennika Woerde was placed on the distinguished NSW Board of Studies All Round Achievers list for gaining 90 or above in at least ten units studied. Our highest ATAR

above. We were delighted to announce that Jennika Woerde was placed on the distinguished NSW Board of Studies All Round Achievers list for gaining marks of 90 or above in at least ten units studied and our highest ATAR of 99.05 was achieved by Daniel Comber-Todd. Congratulations are extended to the Class of 2010 and we warmly welcome them to the mailing list of New Life with this edition.

In this edition of New Life we invite you to join us in preparation for our fiftieth year anniversary celebrations in 2012. Please refer to the article in this edition and contact us if you are happy to assist in any way. We also profile our College Prefects and Leaders for 2011 and celebrate with Sister Therese Marie Fleming her Golden Jubilee of Profession.

of 99.05 was achieved by Daniel Comber-Todd.

Congratulations are also extended to Elke Lanzon who was pre-selected for Encore, the best HSC Music Performances of 2010. Elke Lanzon and Sean Moran were the joint-recipients of the prestigious 2010 College Mission Award for embracing the opportunities encompassed in the Mission Statement of the College.

Students of Year 12 2010 have significantly engaged themselves in a full range of College and communitybased activities. They have been active in social justice campaigns, were members of our house building team in Cambodia, were publicly recognised in the creative and performing arts and have displayed excellence and service in leadership of our student body. They are young people of hope who have all, individually, achieved success in the 2010 HSC.

I hope you continue to stay connected to your College community and are able to join us for any of the events detailed in this publication. Please remember to keep us informed of your journey and remember that you are always welcome at Mater Maria Catholic College.

With best wishes

Julie Terry Principal

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50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PREPARATION WE NEED YOUR HELP Set high on a hill in natural bush, overlooking the Warriewood Valley and beyond that to the blue Pacific; it is difficult to envisage a more idyllic setting for a school. Yet, almost fifty years ago this may not have been uppermost in people’s minds.

Next year, in 2012, the College will celebrate fifty years of life and being. Throughout 2012, the College will acknowledge its rich community spirit which was initiated fifty years ago by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan and has been carried on by thousands of students, staff and parents who have contributed so greatly to our College community.

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It will be a special opportunity to remember the past, rekindle friendships, celebrate the present and glimpse the future. Indeed it will be a time to remind all of our College’s history - the pioneering, consolidation and development of Mater Maria over nearly fifty years.

From humble beginnings in 1962 and an initial enrolment of thirty-eight girls, the College has seen remarkable change and development. For the first two years, two classrooms that had been built by voluntary labour at Narrabeen met the needs of the College. Mater Maria College, as it was to become

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known was awaiting building to be completed on its present site in Forest Road in Warriewood.

This was the start of the extraordinary gift the Sisters of the Good Samaritan instigated for the collective benefit of now three generations of families who continue to seek a Catholic co-educational secondary school on the Northern Beaches.

CALLING OUR PAST STUDENTS AND FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE Now is the time! On the eve of our fifty year anniversary celebrations why not contact the College with your recollections of your time at the College.

In 2012 we will publish a celebratory edition of our yearbook available to all members of our community, past and present, which will document our ongoing story.

Our College Board will soon form a working party of past and present students and parents and we would invite you to be part of this planning committee to formulate our fiftieth year celebrations.

We are envisaging a dinner or cocktail party to welcome back past and present parents, students and staff during the month of June, 2012.

We want to record your recollections of your time at the College and in doing so, capture the growth and development of our community to create a wonderful document that shares the lived history of our College throughout this fifty year period. We are also collecting photographs, publications and memorabilia that you may have stored away during this time.

To submit your recollections, arrange photograph duplication or to express interest in being part of this working party, please contact our Business Manager, Mark Suters, on 02 9997 7044 or email mark.suters@dbb.catholic.edu.au.

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FAMILY MASS IN THE MATER MARIA CHAPEL On March 8, the College extended an invitation to our families and the wider community to Family Mass in our Mater Maria Chapel. Families of the community were welcomed to attend to celebrate in communion. Family mass is one way in which the College offers regular opportunities to celebrate Eucharist as a faith community.

The mass was celebrated by Fr George Kolodziej sds, our Parish Priest, and he spoke of the wonderful gift that each member of our community can offer in support of others. With the assistance of our College Prefects and the staff it was a delightful celebration and concluded with a barbecue supper.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP It is our great pleasure to introduce the College Prefects and College Leaders of 2011. Each College Prefect has been elected to a specific area in which they can share their gifts and talents, contribute to the College in a significant way and make a difference.

Each pair of College Prefects is supported by the team of College Leaders, all of whom were equally recognised and elected for being excellent role models.

These students are supported by a teacher or group of teachers. We profile each of the portfolios below Liturgy Team As College Prefects - Liturgy, we aim to expand the scope of Christianity in the College and increase student participation in the religious life of the College. We plan to make God and spirituality more relevant in the daily lives of our students through lunchtime discussions, morning prayer and weekly mass in our Mater Maria Chapel. We also plan to further develop the ministry of music in our liturgies and masses. In this way we hope to enrich the spiritual lives of all those in the Mater Maria 06 NEW LIFE AUTUMN 2011

Catholic College community in 2011.

Joseph Giuffrida & Michael Matthews 2011 College Prefects - Liturgy Community Team As College Prefects - Community we will be working with our College Leaders and the College Prefect body to reach our goals and aspirations for 2011.

Our main focus areas for this year are improving community spirit and furthering our relationships with the wider community. To achieve this we are placing greater emphasis on College spirit and participation in all College events and encouraging the local community to attend our College functions, such as the Open day, Mater Maria Festival and Family mass.

Allison Johnson & Michael Mulvenna 2011 College Prefects - Community House Team As the College Prefects - House for 2011 and with

the support of our Year 11 House Captains we have dedicated our aim this year to encouraging an increase in Inter-House spirit and attendance in Inter-House activities. We aim to further increase the number of participants in House activities and are hoping to promote further enthusiasm amongst students. By the end of our term as College Prefects - House, we are hopeful that our goals and aims of promoting Inter-House spirit will be successfully achieved.

Jaz Rowntree & Joe Compton 2011 College Prefects - House Performing Arts Team We have the privilege of leading as College Prefects Performing Arts for 2011. Over past years we have performed and assisted in the production of many music and drama evenings at the College. Currently, we are both studying Year 12 Drama as one of our courses and are involved in many musical events such as singing in the Senior Choir and A Capella.

NEW LIFE

AUTUMN 2011

MATER MARIA CATHOLIC COLLEGE

WALK IN NEW LIFE

THE CATHOLIC GUY Join Bruce Downes for a three session event designed to inspire. The Catholic Guy team is known for presenting a weekly Catholic television program as well as numerous events at parishes around Australia and oversees.

The format of the three sessions includes a variety of elements from music and talks to other opportunities for prayer, reflection and spiritual growth. As well as all of this you will laugh far more than you expect.

This event is guaranteed to be an excellent experience for everyone: regular parishioners, those who haven’t attended church in a while and those whom you may wish to bring with you. No matter your age, young or old, you will enjoy this experience. For more information call 1300 764 880 or email info@thecatholicguy.com.

choose from. Each of the three sessions is different and you can attend any session at a venue and time that best suits you. The event will be held at the two churches of Pittwater Parish - Maria Regina Church 7 Central Road, Avalon and Sacred Heart Church 1 Keenan Street, Mona Vale.

The Friday March 25 sessions include a celebration meal including an All-Parish Celebration barbecue at the Parish Centre, Mona Vale at 6.00pm before the 7.30pm session or an appetising light lunch at the Parish Centre, Mona Vale after the final All-Parish morning Session at 9.45am.

This Pittwater Parish event will take place between March 20-25, 2011 at multiple times and venues to

Our aim for this year is to try and encourage students to get involved in the many different aspects of performing arts around the College so that they can express their abilities and gain confidence.

Kellie Metcalfe & Sam Higginson 2011 College Prefects - Performing Arts

MATER MARIA FESTIVAL Join our College community at the much anticipated Mater Maria Festival on Friday May 27, 2011 from 3.00pm at the College - exciting stalls, exhilarating rides, impressive entertainment and fabulous international foods. For further information or to offer your support or assistance email mark.suters@dbb.edu.au

as, basketball, water polo, tennis and touch football.

We hope that this year will be a great sporting year for Mater Maria Catholic College.

Lucinda Dedden & Katie Williams 2011 College Prefects - Sport

Social Justice Team In 2011, as the College Prefects - Social Justice and support by our College Leaders and all students, we will be aiming to support a broad range of organisations and causes whilst promoting a feeling of united College spirit through fundraising.

Important activities will include fundraising for the Leukaemia Foundation in the World’s Greatest Shave, individual year group fundraising for a selection of charities or agencies and the yearly support of CARITAS at the commencement of Lent. The Social justice team will be working closely with students and members of local parishes, forming a sense of community with the hope to increase awareness of situations of injustice.

Madeleine Duncan & Jack Nairn 2011 College Prefects - Social Justice Sport Team As the College Prefects - Sport for 2011 we intend to emphasise the sporting culture of the College.

The College is already notorious for its rugby union, football and netball teams locally, and so we aim to expand this notoriety to a greater level. We also hope to develop sports with less involvement such AUTUMN 2011 NEW LIFE 07

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NSW CCC BLUES AWARD Earlier this year, at the prestigious NSW CCC Sports awards, two Year 12 students from the Class of 2010 received the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Blue awards. This is a difficult award to achieve as the selection criteria targets elite sports stars of Catholic schools in NSW and exceptional performances must be realised to be considered in an individual’s sport. A fortunate few Mater Maria students have received this award, the most recent being Michael Young (also from the Class of 2010) for swimming and he has recently secured a scholarship overseas for swimming. Congratulations to Maclayne Marr (golf) and James Dargaville (rugby union). The following transcripts were read out on the night.

After placing ninth in the NSW CCC Golf Championships, Mac was selected in the NSW CCC squad. He shot a round of 70 to win the NSW All Schools Strokeplay and 67 to win the NSW All Schools Matchplay. At the School Sport Australia Championship Mac was placed sixth after the Strokeplay and won four of his five matches in the Matchplay. He was Captain of the victorious NSW All Schools Team who won both the Strokeplay and Matchplay team events. Mac excelled in the role as Captain and was a great source of support to his team. Mac thoroughly deserves a NSW CCC Blue Award.

James successfully represented Broken Bay, NSW CCC and NSW All Schools in the sport of rugby union in 2010. James was instrumental in NSW CCC victory over NSW Country. He was a pivotal part of the NSW CCC Under 18’s Team, which played Fijian schools in September. As a tenacious defender and damaging ball runner, James has established himself as an excellent all round forward. Through his demonstrated qualities of sportsmanship, teamwork and dedication, James has been an excellent role model for NSW CCC sport. James is a worthy recipient of this NSW CCC Blue Award.

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