HSC RESULTS 

Preliminary Analysis of our HSC results shows outstanding performances from only our 3rd HSC cohort, Year 12 2024.

More details will follow in the new year, but we are incredibly impressed by all of our students.

Our students have very bright futures ahead of them - whether they are moving into business, apprenticeships or a tertiary pathway.

Achievements include:

• A Sydney Morning Herald Ranking of 132 (following our ranking of 146 in 2023).
• 13th Highest systemic Catholic school in NSW
• 79 Band 6 results (from a candidature of 96 students)
• One All Round Achiever in Sarah J. (i.e. Band 6 and/or E4 results in at least 10 units) with several students missing out by 1 or 2 subjects
• Number One ranking in the Diocese of Wollongong (both in the percentage of band 6 achievements AND in the total number of band 6s/E4s)
• 92% of subjects (22 out of 24 subjects) were above state average
• We have not received all ATAR scores (effectively showing a rank) … but so far
• 7 students received an ATAR above 95
• Another 12 students received an ATAR between 90 and 94.95
• Another 6 students received an ATAR between 85 and 89.95
• HSC Showcase nomination in SHAPE (the HSC Design and Technology and Industrial Technology showcase) for Zachery C. in Design and Technology
• HSC Showcase nomination in ENCORE (the HSC Music showcase) for Danielle M.
• HSC Showcase nomination in SHAPE (the HSC Design and Technology and Industrial Technology showcase) for Nicholas C. in Industrial Technology.

STAFF LEAVING THE COLLEGE

As per my letter last week, it is with mixed emotions that we announce Mrs Melissa Vella’s appointment at St Thomas More Ruse as Acting Principal in 2025 (with the right to return here in 2026).

On the one hand, I am delighted for her and recognise that this substantial achievement is incredibly well-deserved. However, she will be sadly missed in 2025!

Details of new 2025 appointments and the new-look leadership team has been shared separately on Compass.

Now is also the time to recognise several other staff who are officially leaving us:

Mr Michael O’Brien has not been with us for some time now - but we can now officially farewell him and thank him for his efforts in the past as a Japanese teacher and Administration Coordinator.

Miss Elise Laidlaw left us at the end of 2023/start of 2024, but we can now officially farewell her and thank her for her terrific efforts in the JY space. She was promoted to Assistant Principal in one of our Diocesan primary schools and was here for our most recent blessing. She has said that SFCC will always have a special place in her heart.

We are sad to see Miss Rebecca Caltabiano, who is in the HSIE faculty, leave us. Miss Caltabiano is moving up to the Central Coast, and as a fine classroom teacher and a great contributor to such things as Mock Trial, she will be missed. 

Miss Caitlin Morgan, will be working in a specialist school setting in 2025 - and is set to return to us in 2026. She is an outstanding teacher, but it's not farewell, it’s just bye for now. We wish her every success in 2025.

We say farewell to Mr Roger Lee at the end of this year. Mr Lee has been a great contributor to CAPA, particularly in his Music contributions. He has also greatly contributed to extracurricular activities such as Minecraft Club and his work across multiple age groups. We wish him every success.

Mrs Courtney Spencer has taken a promotional position at another Wollongong Diocesan Secondary School, starting next year. She has been a great contributor in English, extra-curricular aspects and especially in the area of Literacy. We know she will do great things at her new school, and we wish her the best of luck.

We also bid farewell to Mrs Angela Bennett, our CAPA Coordinator; she will be moving to Sydney next year in a similar role, but her positivity, passion, and expertise will be missed here at SFCC. We hope to build relationships with her and CAPA between St Francis and her new school.

Finally, we also wish our SSO, Carmen Robinson-Sharp, and Mrs. Michelle Karakus, our TAPS Coordinator, all the best as they prepare to commence maternity leave.

Some other staff have only recently told me they are leaving the College - but will not officially leave till next year - so we will confirm those staff early next year.

BEST WISHES AND PRAYER TO END THE SCHOOL YEAR

I wish all of our staff, students and families a holy, safe and blessed Christmas. May you all return next year safe, energised and ready for a great year ahead.

PRAYER

Loving God of wisdom and compassion, We thank You for the blessings You have poured upon our College community this year.

Inspired by the example of St. Francis of Assisi, we give thanks for the beauty of creation and the call to live simply and care for others. Guided by the legacy of Blessed Edmund Rice, we are grateful for the courage to walk in solidarity with the poor and marginalised and for the faith that sustains us in our mission.

As we approach the end of this school year, we pause to recognise Your presence in our journey. Thank You for the gifts of learning, growth, and service that have shaped us.

We are grateful for our staff's dedication, our students' leadership, and our families' support.

Bless our community as we prepare for the Christmas season—a holy time to celebrate the birth of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May this vacation be a time of renewal and joy for all. Refresh our hearts, minds, and spirits so that we may return ready to embrace the new challenges and opportunities You place before us.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
Who lives and reigns with You in unity with the Holy Spirit,
Forever and ever.

–Amen.