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Marist Netball Carnival

On Friday 14 June, our Marist Netball Squad headed to Sydney for the 27th Marist Netball Carnival. The team attended the opening mass on Sunday, followed by team photos and dinner at St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill.  

The tournament was held at Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush, beginning with a round-robin competition. Our team competed in 5 games on Monday and 7 games on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they partook in their final two matches. Entering the semi-finals in 8th place, they faced Cardijn College, who were ranked 5th. Despite a strong second-half comeback, we narrowly lost by 2 goals. The squad then played St Patrick’s, the host school, in the final for 7th and 8th place. In another intense game, the team secured a win, finishing 7th – an improvement from last year’s 9th place. Sacred Heart College, Adelaide went undefeated throughout the tournament, winning the Champion School title for the second year in a row. 

The girls played exceptionally well, with various players receiving ‘Player of the Day’ awards, highlighting the talent across the team. Special congratulations to Madie Peou, who was named in the Highly Recommended Team, an honourary team recognising the best players at the carnival. 

Well done to the following students for representing the College;

• Tania Barilla
• Darcy Bird
• Clancy Boss
• Thalia Curley
• Sophia Fasolo
• Audrey Fitzpatrick
• Chloe Menzies
• Madeline Peou
• Ava Prentice
• Emma Richardson
• Isobel Robinson
• Madison Turnbull

A special thank you to Miss Tiyana Kerimi and Miss Jorja Clark, who coached and supervised the team leading up to, and during the carnival. We look forward to partaking in next year’s Marist Netball Carnival, hosted by Cardijn College and Sacred Heart College in Adelaide, South Australia. 

Champagnat Day

On Friday 14 June, our College community came together to honour our founder, Saint Marcellin Champagnat. The day began with special Eucharistic celebrations across the College, fostering a sense of unity in faith and gratitude. Following this, we presented the prestigious Champagnat Awards to students and staff who exemplify the Marist Characteristics of Family Spirit, Simplicity, Presence, Love of Work, and In the Way of Mary. Congratulations to all our award recipients for their dedication and embodiment of these Marist values!

• James Cunningham (Kindy)
• Everest Kabir (Pre Primary)
• Maggie Gregoriou (Year 1)
• Harley Burns (Year 2)
• Kairav Sunker (Year 3)
• Aanav Patel (Year 4)
• Krishav Gondariya (Year 5)
• Jack Edwards (Year 6)
• Bella Burnett (Year 7)
• Charlie Steel (Year 8)
• Greta Schwertfeger (Year 9)
• Linus Keane (Year 10)
• Campbell Smith (Year 11)
• Oliver Laurent (Year 12)
• Suzanne Pluske (Staff – Primary)
• Bernie Roberts (Staff – Secondary)
• Dave Ricci (Staff)

Year 11 Retreat, Leadership Day and Dinner Dance

Last week, our Year 11 students participated in two special days filled with enriching activities and meaningful discussions.

On Thursday, the Youth Ministry Team led a retreat program in the Marist Auditorium, focusing on life choices and character building. Students were challenged to appreciate the importance of resilience in overcoming life’s challenges and to understand the impact of their positive and negative choices.

Friday focused on themes of Dignity and Vulnerability, Leadership, and Legacy, presented by members of the College Executive. The afternoon provided an interactive session with a leadership panel featuring teachers and student captains, followed with time for legacy planning. The day concluded with a joyous Dinner Dance at Ambrose Estate.

A huge thank you to Mr Van Der Heever, Mr McClorey and Mr Husband for organising these memorable occasions for our Year 11 students.

Winter Music Night

The 2024 Winter Music Night was held on Monday 10 June featuring solos from our Marcellin Scholarship students, Marcellin and Lavalla Instrumental and Vocal Ensembles. Performances included the Clarinet Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Ukelele Club, Jazz Combo, Year 3 Strings, Chamber Strings, Lavalla Choir, Lavalla Rock School, Lavalla Strings, Concert Winds, Ruah, Certificate III – Top Deck. Congratulations to all who performed on the night and thank you to staff and parents for their ongoing support.

Semester One Reports

Semester One Reports are now available for viewing on SEQTA Engage. We encourage you to take the time to review the reports with your child/ren, discuss the report attributes and achievements, and celebrate their growth points. This is an excellent opportunity to set goals and address areas needing improvement together. By engaging in this process, you can help your child/ren recognise their strengths and identify strategies for academic growth. For discussion around your child’s results, please book an interview at our Parent Teacher Interviews on Tuesday 16 July.

2025 College Term Dates

Please to access the 2025 College Term Dates. 

2023 Yearbooks

We are excited to announce that the 2023 Yearbooks have arrived at the College. Each family should have received a copy through their youngest child enrolled at the College. We hope you enjoy celebrating all the wonderful events and achievements featured in this publication.

Staff Movements

Parking – University Avenue

We understand that picking up or dropping off students can sometimes be hectic, but it is essential for everyone’s safety and convenience that vehicles are parked in designated bays. This helps maintain traffic flow, ensures emergency access, and prevents unnecessary congestion.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support as we strive to offer our students the highest quality education. Wishing everyone in our College community a happy and safe holiday.

Champagnat Day Activities

We are excited to approach our annual Champagnat Day celebration which will take place on Friday, 14 June. This date has been chosen to accommodate our senior students who will be sitting exams during the actual feast day on 6 June. This adjustment maintains the tradition of celebrating Champagnat Day at a time that allows all students to participate fully.

This year, our celebrations will centre around the Mass and an awards ceremony. We will begin with a special Champagnat Day Mass, followed by the presentation of the Champagnat Awards to outstanding students from each year level and dedicated staff members. In addition, we will recognise several staff members with service awards for their contributions.

After the Mass and awards, our primary school students will participate in the Annual Lapathon. This event is a wonderful opportunity for our students to raise funds for LifeLink, supporting the Catholic agencies in Western Australia that provide essential assistance to those in need.

Traditionally, we have hosted various activities such as bouncy castles, food stalls, and other fun events following the Mass and awards. However, for the past three years, these activities have been affected by rain, limiting our ability to enjoy the day to its fullest.

To ensure better weather and greater enjoyment, we have rescheduled this part of the celebration to 15 August, coinciding with the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, the patronal feast day of the Marist Brothers. On this day, students will attend Mass and then enjoy a fete and a student-led concert in the afternoon. Due to current restrictions on inflatable amusements, we are planning an exciting fete where each class or year level will contribute a stall or activity.

For more information on Champagnat Day arrangements, please review

We look forward to celebrating these special days as a Marist community.

Marist Netball Carnival

The Marist Netball Team, coached and managed by Miss Jorja Clark and Miss Tiyana Kerimi, has been diligently preparing for their upcoming tournament in New South Wales. This morning, the team had an exciting match against the Marist “Old Girls” in the Gymnasium, followed by a delightful breakfast shared by both teams.

Our team departs for Sydney next Friday. Their itinerary includes a cultural day on Saturday, the opening Mass, team photos, and dinner on Sunday, and the tournament will take place from Monday, 17 June to Wednesday, 19 June. The team is set to return on Thursday, 20 June.

On behalf of the entire ÐãÐãÖ±²¥ community, we extend our best wishes to the Marist Netball Team. We are proud of your hard work and dedication, and we look forward to cheering you on as you represent our school. Safe travels and good luck!

Team members:

• Tania Barilla
• Darcy Bird
• Clancy Boss
• Thalia Curley
• Sophia Fasolo
• Audrey Fitzpatrick
• Chloe Menzies
• Madeline Peou
• Ava Prentice
• Emma Richardson
• Isobel Robinson
• Madison Turnbull

Year 10 Preparation for Subject Selection

Throughout this term, our Year 10 students have been actively exploring their subject choices for Senior School. They have attended presentations from Learning Area leaders and reflected on their strengths and interests using their Careers Booklet.

On Tuesday 18 June, students and their families will attend the Careers Expo. This event provides opportunities to engage with Learning Area teachers and representatives from universities, TAFEs, and other institutions. In the evening, there will be a presentation outlining pathway offerings, SCSA requirements, and next steps for determining the right pathway.

The process culminates in Subject Selection mentoring sessions on 15 July. Each student will be guided by a College Executive or Middle Leader to make informed choices, aligning with our Vision for Learning: striving for individual excellence, valuing student voice, fostering metacognition, and recognizing each student’s unique gifts and talents.

These mentoring sessions also enable parents and guardians to positively partner with teachers, share responsibility for their child’s education, and actively support the College’s holistic approach to faith, learning, and wellbeing. Together, we celebrate the individual pathways and achievements of each student.

Please refer to the Pathways Section of the newsletter for further information provide by our Leader of Pathways & Partnerships, Mr Justin Farley.

Dear Parents and Guardians 

It is wonderful to be back in our ÐãÐãÖ±²¥ Community after seven weeks of undertaking the Marist Pilgrimage and Professional Renewal Leave.  

At the Pilgrimage, I had the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of St Paul and St Marcellin. St Paul’s three journeys into Asia Minor and Greece help spread the Gospel in those early years after Christ. The Paulene Church has formed our modern expression of faith and is evident in our own Marist Spirituality and Mission. Time spent in Champagnat country at the Hermitage, La Valla, Le Rossey and Lyon deepened my understanding of St Marcellin Champagnat’s vision, and work to make Christ known and loved to the forgotten and downtrodden in the most tumultuous times of the French revolutionary period. I hope to write more of these reflections in newsletters to come.  

I would like to thank Mr Michael Chiera and Mrs Beth Murphy whose leadership as Principal and Vice Principal in my absence was so positive and professional. Mrs Sarah Pagett assumed the role of Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning K-12 and Ms Nicki Winterbourn covered Sarah’s role as Leader of Learning Support. Michael, Beth, Sarah and Nicki performed outstandingly and received excellent support by the College Executive and the whole staff. I thank Mrs Glenda Gillespie who took care of the Director of Finance and Operations’ role while Mr Steve Halley-Wright was on long service leave.  

Feast Day of St Marcellin  

Yesterday, June 6 marked the Feast Day of St Marcellin Champagnat. Our examination period falls on this date, so we will celebrate Champagnat Day fully next Friday (please see the Vice Principal’s section for details).  

St Marcellin faced many obstacles and uncertainties in his mission to provide education to young people, yet he remained steadfast in his commitment to making Jesus known and loved. As families and teachers, we are entrusted with the sacred task of shaping the hearts and minds of young people, we are grateful for the example of St Marcellin Champagnat, whose life continues to inspire us in our work as a ÐãÐãÖ±²¥ community. This year we celebrate the 25 Anniversary of the canonisation of St Marcellin Champagnat.  

In my pilgrimage, I was fortunate to be in Rome for this celebration and view the wonderful statue of Marcellin that sits on the outside wall of St Peter’s. Here is a wonderful reflection of the statue and I think it encapsulates our Marist Way. Happy Champagnat Day! 

The statue of Marcellin portrays his strength and determination. Upon his shoulders he bears the burden of universal childhood with tenderness and sensitivity. His essential human traits are given a Christian dimension though the symbol of the crucifix that he holds in his left hand. Children, especially those who are poor and neglected, are waiting upon the kind of educational setting that will assure them of being secure and loved. To create such a setting was Marcellin’s goal, and it radiates from the statue that brings to mind the image of the Good Shepherd. The positioning of feet and hands expresses an affective interplay, the good soil that receives both the word of God and the formative experiences of education. The child on the shoulders leans upon the head of Marcellin, a position from which to look out upon life. At the same time, the child’s foot reposes secure on Marcellin’s right hand. In its turn, the child-figure at the sculpture’s base leans against Champagnat’s foot to express a personal relation. The open book in the child’s hand recalls the educational opportunity in which the child will find delight; and the countenance bespeaks a special way of viewing life. The message: Marcellin’s humility and simplicity. 

Opening of Lavalla Building  

The joy of celebration continued this week with the first days of occupancy at Lavalla of the Year 3-6 building.  It is a superb facility supporting upper primary education and bringing us one step closer to One Campus One Community. We are planning the opportunity for families to view our new facility once the settling in process has taken place. 

Warm wishes for the weeks ahead. 

ANDREW WATSON  
PRINCIPAL