Mater Maria New Life Magazine - Spring 2012 by Mater Maria

NEW LIFE

SPRING 2012

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

GOLDEN MEMORIES AT MATER MARIA It is a year of great celebration at Mater Maria Catholic College as the community acknowledges fifty years of life and being as a Catholic secondary school on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Thursday May 24, 2012 was a tremendous occasion of rich liturgy as past principals, special guests, staff, parents, parishioners and students participated in the Golden Jubilee Mass and gave thanks for the abundant blessings which have been bestowed on the College. It was also a special opportunity to acknowledge the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, the founding religious order of the College, and the remarkable gift they have left the community. The special guests for the celebrations were six of the nine former principals of the College, Sr Therese

Marie Fleming sgs (Principal 1978-1984), Sr Marie Julie Duffy sgs (Principal 1985-1989), Mr Bernard Edwards (Principal 1990-1994), Mr Ross Cleary (Principal 1995-1998), Dr Tony Bracken (Principal 1999-2005) and Mr Ray Werren (Principal 20052010). As well, many former staff and students attended. Each principal offered a few words to the gathered about the defining moments of their years at Mater. Many drew reference from the five College values - Community, Justice, Hospitality, Spirituality and Stewardship - which were launched at the Mass and presented to the community as its challenge to carry the Good Samaritan charism forward to the Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s centenary.

NEW LIFE

SPRING 2012

MATER MARIA CATHOLIC COLLEGE

walk in new life

COLLEGE VALUES LAUNCHED AT THE Community - Are we neighbour to others? Community is our call to serve. It is the joy of belonging, contributing, learning and growing together in the life and mission of our College.

WELCOME Welcome to the Spring 2012 edition of New Life. We experienced a magnificent celebratory Mass on the Feast of Mary, Help of Christians for the Golden Jubilee of Mater Maria on May 24 and were honoured to be joined by six of the past nine Mater Maria principals, the Mayor of Pittwater and the MP of Pittwater. It was such a privilege to be present for this important milestone in the life of the College and I thank all the students, staff, past students, past staff and friends of the College who attended. I also offer my thanks to all who attended the Fiftieth Anniversary Dinner on August 4. It was another outstanding celebration of the special community spirit of Mater Maria. If you have not already done so, I would invite you to purchase the fiftieth anniversary magazine, Golden Memories - Mater Maria at 50! This was compiled by Mrs Pauline Byrne, teacher at the College from 1966 to 1999 and Mr Mark Suters. More details are provided in this publication. 2012 is a great year of celebration for this community and thank you for your contribution and role in the Mater Maria story. As we journey forward to the College’s centenary, please continue to stay connected to Mater Maria and 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.

Hospitality - Are we neighbour to compassion? Hospitality is our call to freely contribute to the life of this community. May we be neighbour to all, as we learn again to open our minds, open our hearts, and open our talents to others. Justice - Are we neighbour to peace? Justice is our call to go and make a difference through respect and dignity for all in our world. In our hearts and in our community we must seek peace through the pursuit of justice. Spirituality - Are we neighbour to God? Spirituality is a mindful awareness of the reality that God is with us in all that we do. It is an open conversation with God across every minute, every hour and every day of our lives. Stewardship - Are we neighbour to Creation? Stewardship is our reverence for the sacredness of all of God’s Creation. It is the ministry of respectful use of all things and a deep appreciation for what has been gifted to us by our Creator.

Everyone at Mater Maria Catholic College is called to take up the challenge to live our five

College values - community, justice, hospitality, spirituality and stewardship - as we discover

new ways to realise the parable of the Good Samaritan in all that we do. This is a story that

started from a simple question to Jesus - who is my neighbour?

Community

Hospitality

Community is our call to serve. It is the joy of belonging, contributing, learning and growing

Hospitality is our call to freely contribute to the life of this community. May we be neighbour

together in the life and mission of our College.

to all, as we learn again to open our minds,

Are we neighbour to others?

Are we neighbour to compassion?

open our hearts, and open our talents to others.

With best wishes

Julie Terry Principal

02 NEW LIFE SPRING 2012

MATER MARIA CATHOLIC COLLEGE

COMMUNITY • FORMATION• SUCCESS

5 FOREST ROAD WARRIEWOOD NSW 2102 AUSTRALIA matermaria.nsw.edu.au

NEW LIFE

SPRING 2012

MATER MARIA CATHOLIC COLLEGE

walk in new life

JUBILEE MASS Our Golden Jubilee year is a special opportunity for the community to pause and reflect on the remarkable gifts which have been bestowed on the community of Mater Maria Catholic College. It is also an important moment for the community to take stock, listen and re-connect in a deeper way to the Good Samaritan charism and the intrinsic role we all hold in realising this at Mater Maria. During 2011, the College commenced consultation to articulate five values which encapsulate all that is summed up in the College’s mission and vision. Using St Benedict’s ancient ideals, the basis of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan charism, these five values honour the rich spirit initiated by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan at Mater Maria in 1962. In the spirit of the Gospel story, where the answer to the question ‘Who is my neighbour? is everyone in need of your help, the five values call each member of the Mater Maria community to become neighbour to all, like all those who have lived and served as Sisters of the Good Samaritan. We are pleased to announce these five values: Community, Justice, Hospitality, Spirituality and Stewardship. We invite each member of the Mater Maria Catholic College community to take up the challenge to live these five College values as we discover new ways to realise the parable of the Good Samaritan in all that we do.

Everyone at Mater Maria Catholic College is called to take up the challenge to live our five

College values - community, justice, hospitality, spirituality and stewardship - as we discover

new ways to realise the parable of the Good Samaritan in all that we do. This is a story that

started from a simple question to Jesus - who is my neighbour?

Justice

Spirituality

Stewardship

Justice is our call to go and make a difference through respect and dignity for all in our world.

Spirituality is a mindful awareness of the reality that God is with us in all that we do.

Stewardship is our reverence for the sacredness

In our hearts and in our community we must seek

It is an open conversation with God across every minute, every hour and

of all of God’s Creation. It is the ministry

peace through the pursuit of justice.

every day of our lives.

of respectful use of all things and a deep

Are we neighbour to peace?

Are we neighbour to God?

Are we neighbour to Creation?

appreciation for what has been gifted to us by our Creator.

MATER MARIA CATHOLIC COLLEGE

COMMUNITY • FORMATION• SUCCESS

5 FOREST ROAD WARRIEWOOD NSW 2102 AUSTRALIA matermaria.nsw.edu.au

SPRING 2012 NEW LIFE 03

NEW LIFE

SPRING 2012

MATER MARIA CATHOLIC COLLEGE

walk in new life

GOLDEN JUBILEE MASS The Golden Jubilee Mass, celebrated on the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, was an outstanding celebration and acknowledgement of all who have contributed to the community of Mater Maria. It was a joy filled liturgy; a contemporary liturgical worship that gave thanks to God for all that has been bestowed on the Mater Maria community. The Gospel procession involved the College Principal, Julie Terry, along with the six former principals present. It was a moving occasion as the word of God was passed from each principal to their successor and was symbolic of the significant religious

leadership provided over the fifty year span of the College. As part of the offertory procession, representative students and staff presented items for a time capsule to be opened at the Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s centenary in 2062. This included artwork, CDs and pieces of writing which record studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; predictions for the future! With Mary, mother of Jesus and first disciple, as our mentor and model we pray that Mater Maria will continue to prosper into the future.

NEW APPOINTMENT OF THE COLLEGE BOARD CHAIRPERSON In June, the College Board announced the newly discerned chairpersons of the Mater Maria Catholic College Board. We are pleased to advise that Julie Bell and Anthony Fleming took up this role from June 12, 2012. During May, members of the College Board met for a two day retreat to reflect on and discern the future leadership of the College Board. The College Board provides pastoral governance to the school community and its primary role is to support the Principal in ensuring that the Catholic life and Mission is alive and well in the community of Mater Maria.

04 NEW LIFE SPRING 2012

NEW LIFE

SPRING 2012

MATER MARIA CATHOLIC COLLEGE

walk in new life

SUB TUUM PRAESIDIUM During June the College accepted a very special delivery all the way from Lourdes, France. Purchased in our Golden Jubilee year to honour the special place that Mother Mary holds in our community, the polychrome wood statue strikingly stands in our Mater Maria Chapel. The statue is a prominent symbol of our trust in Mary, our Mother and acknowledges the special way in which the College and its students have been placed under her protection. In August, Fr George Kolodziej sds, blessed the statue at a special College assembly with students and staff. In was another opportunity for the community to offer its thanks during the fiftieth anniversary year of Mater Maria Catholic College.

GOLDEN MEMORIES - MATER MARIA AT 50! As part of the College’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the College commissioned a former teacher, Mrs Pauline Byrne, to compile and edit a special publication that celebrated the College’s fifty year span. We are delighted to present the publication Golden Memories - Mater Maria at 50! to the community and thank the many past and present students, staff and parents who contributed to the publication. Copies are available now for $30.00 (+ postage) from the Accounts Department at the College. Please email lyndsay.georgeson@dbb.catholic.edu.au for further information.

COLLEGE BUILDING FUND DONORS

Years ting Fifty -2012 Celebra 1962

! ia at 50 er Mar t a M ries Memo Golden

MARIA MATER

EGE IC COLL CATHOL

JOIN US FOR OPEN DAY Sunday March 17, 2013 11.00am - 2.00pm

Earlier in 2012, the incumbents, David Bennett and Laraine Dennett, advised that they both wished to step down from the role. Both have given outstanding service to the College community in this role since 2009 and have decided to continue to serve as College Board members into the future. Julie Bell was the College Bursar of Mater Maria from 1981-2010 and has had an active role in the community for over thirty years. Currently, Julie’s grandsons attend Mater Maria in Years 8 and 9 and she is a member of the Catholic Parish of Pittwater. Anthony Fleming is new to the College Board in 2012 and is father of Alizee and Estelle in Years 7 and 10.

Our Catholic co-educational community is focused on learning, positive support networks and an infinite array of opportunities grounded in our shared values of community, hospitality, justice, spirituality and stewardship. Our young men and women are called to be globally focused, confident collaborators who are engaged in their studies and model service to others. Join us in embracing the vibrant energy that has bonded our community over this fifty year span as we look forward to an exciting future.

The College Board, staff and students of Mater Maria Catholic College extend thanks to the following families and companies which have made generous donations to the Mater Maria Catholic College Building Foundation in the financial year 2011-2012. Alori Pty Limited Anthony Fleming Christopher Stewart David Lyons Dee Why Denture Clinic Duncan & Lyndee Hyde Elanora Plumbing Evan Gibbs Fay and Ron Poole Francis Curran Genesis Design Jacqueline de Kort Klaus Hartmann Mr & Mrs Brice Patricia Hammond Peter Brownette Peter Cleaves Peter Shanahan Scott Gradwell Teresa Reilly Wendy Glassman SPRING 2012 NEW LIFE 05

NEW LIFE

SPRING 2012

MATER MARIA CATHOLIC COLLEGE

walk in new life

COMMERCIAL KITCHEN OPENING In May, the College opened its new commercial kitchen facility which has replaced the domestic kitchen that was housed in the Guringai Building. Mater Maria students now have access to a functioning commercial kitchen. The refurbishment has transformed the space into an open plan 117sqm facility, complete with stainless steel benches, commercial ovens, dishwasher, griddle and an exhaust system purpose built to Australian and Industry Standards.

The commercial kitchen will provide the College with the opportunity to deliver the Hospitality course to industry standards and will ensure that students are prepared in a hands-on way as future chefs in industry. The kitchen will facilitate the Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offering of Certificate I and Certificate II in Hospitality offering a pathway to Certificate III at TAFE as a post school option. It is an outstanding facility that will significantly improve the learning opportunities and training pathways for Mater Maria students.

GALA PERFORMANCE EVENING Tuesday March 27, 2012 was a superb celebration of the gift that music has been to the community of Mater Maria Catholic College over the past fifty years. The Fiftieth Anniversary Gala Performance evening was a wonderful evening of celebration and a chance for the community to catch up once again with past students, staff and friends of the College. From humble beginnings of the class recorder and music classes being delivered in drab demountables, the journey has been rich and varied. From the earliest days of the College, the girls with guitars would spontaneously perform even at parish masses. Mother Cecilia, the first Superior of the Warriewood Convent, was well known for following the implications of her name, and insisted on every student singing in chorus! 06 NEW LIFE SPRING 2012

The College has since seen trends come and go. The ever popular choir and bands, the guitar and percussion groups and chorales. From A Capella to the rise of soul, jazz and contemporary bands and the splendid development of the concert band which has won a number of competitions. There has also been a resurgence of the string ensemble and who can forget the musicals - The Boyfriend, Oklahoma, Two by Two, Cabaret, Chicago and many more? Past students were represented from the 1980s, 1990s and this last decade. A feature was the ensemble of current teachers, Klara Hollestelle-Watson and Marieanne Delaney with past student and teacher, Kathy McGreal.

NEW LIFE walk in new life

SPRING 2012

MATER MARIA CATHOLIC COLLEGE

ANNIVERSARY DINNER It was another wonderful evening of celebration in the golden jubilee year of Mater Maria Catholic College as past students, colleagues, parents and friends joined together for the Fiftieth Anniversary Dinner at Dee Why RSL Club. Each decade of the Mater Maria community was represented by teachers and students and it was clear that the rich community spirit, initiated fifty years ago by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan had been carried forward and was a cherished sentiment of all those present. Mrs Pauline Byrne, teacher of the College from 1966 to 1999, was the Master of Ceremonies and provided a wonderful commentary as those gathered remembered the past, rekindled friendships, celebrated the present and glimpsed the future. Special guests included Sister Therese Marie Fleming sgs, Principal 1978-1984 and Mr Ray Werren, Principal 2005-2009. The Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colours of green and white created a festive and welcoming atmosphere and added to the occasion. Many also commented on the achievements of the College over the past fifty years and mused on what the future could hold for the community of Mater Maria. A wonderful evening was had by all.

SPRING 2012 NEW LIFE 07

NEW LIFE

SPRING 2012

MATER MARIA CATHOLIC COLLEGE

walk in new life

STEWARDSHIP IN CONSTRUCTION Year 12 students studying Construction at Mater Maria Catholic College have put their woodworking and construction skills to good use over the past few weeks whilst creating some new habitat for local possums along our Warriewood Ingleside-Escarpment. The students, along with teacher, Mr Glenn Hinson, put together twelve possum boxes, made from 12mm plywood and complete with a sturdy length of branch at the front to allow for easy entry into the new home. On Thursday June 21, the boys delivered their project to Wires, Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest wildlife rescue organisation, for installation in trees within the local area. Principal, Julie Terry, commented that she was very proud of the students and their stewardship of the environment.

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