Welcome Back

Welcome to the 2025 School Year!

It’s great to be back for another exciting year at St Francis Catholic College!

A special welcome to our new Kindergarten students, our Year 7s, and all the new students and families joining our community in 2025. It’s always wonderful to see fresh faces and returning ones, ready to take on the year ahead.

At our first College Assembly, I spoke about the sense of anticipation that comes along with a new school year. Our staff have been working hard in preparation for 2025, ensuring that we continue to provide an engaging and supportive learning environment. Again this year, one of our key focus areas will be New Pedagogies for Deep Learning, a way of teaching and learning that helps students develop the skills they’ll need beyond school—things like creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. We’ll be sharing more about how we are expanding this in 2025 as the year unfolds.

I look forward to everything we will achieve together in 2025 and seeing our students thrive in their learning, friendships, and personal growth. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

P.S. A huge thank you to Casey Borg from Savy Balloons ( https://savyballoons.com/ ) for once again providing a beautiful balloon display for our Kindergarten and returning students. Casey has been incredibly generous in supporting our school events over the years, and we truly appreciate her kindness.

STAFFING UPDATE

Changes to the College Leadership Structure

As previously communicated, we have changed our College Leadership Structure this year. We congratulate Mrs Rita Agostino who is moving into the Acting Deputy Principal role in 2025. Mrs Agostino has held various senior roles at the College in the past and is very committed in what she does. We welcome Mrs Leonie Pearce to our College - as she moves into the Acting Assistant Principal: Pastoral Care (K-12) for 2025. Mrs Pearce is a highly experienced educator and has been seconded from Catholic Education Wollongong for the year. We also wish Mrs Jennifer Lowe all the best in moving from Pastoral Care into the Acting Assistant Principal: Teaching and Learning (K-12) role. Mrs Lowe has had previous experience in curriculum and will help us continue to build our academic culture. Mrs Alexandra Mediati will continue in her Assistant Principal: Religious Education Identity and Mission role.

New Staff:

As we continue to grow as a College, we have a number of new staff who join us in 2025. As such, we welcome the following staff members to St Francis Catholic College:

It will be necessary for our Junior Year parents/carers to be familiar with Mr Luke Baddock. Mr Baddock has previously held school leadership roles in another diocese and has moved into our Leader of Pastoral Care (K-4) role.

We welcome Mr Greg Lozelle - our new Teacher-Librarian (K-12). In the past, Mr Lozelle has been a teacher-librarian at two of our neighbouring schools and will help guide how our new library functions in the future.

Mr Kevin Reutens will be the Year 8 Coordinator this year. Mr Reutens has been a Year Coordinator in his previous school and is a talented teacher (and singer). He will teach in the CAPA and RE faculties.

Mrs Natalie Collins moves to us, having held various roles at her previous school. Miss Collins will be the Year 9 Coordinator in Term 1 while Mr Baker is on leave, and she teaches HSIE subjects.

Mr Najee Tannous - is a passionate and talented Drama teacher and practitioner, and he will be our new Leader of CAPA (5-12). We look forward to seeing the Performing Arts grow under his leadership. 

Mrs Joanne McMahon is an experienced educator, having held numerous leadership roles. She will be working in Careers education in the Transition & Pathways Specialist (TAPS) role while Mrs Karakus is on maternity leave.

Miss Sarah Albassit joins the College in Term One as a teacher of PDHPE. 

Miss Amelia Baird - would be known by many of our parents/carers who access OOSH. Miss Baird will be one of our JY teachers.

Mrs Harsha Dadlani - returns in the first 12 weeks to support us in Science during Mr Stonefield’s paternity leave. 

Mrs Katrina Gomes, previously an English Coordinator in her last school, joins us as a teacher of English (7-12)

Ms Nardeen Kayser, an Early Career Teacher, joins us in various TAS roles across this year. 

Mr Michael Koch, has had a variety of roles across his career, including previous Pastoral Care roles and Mathematics Faculty leadership. He will join us in the Mathematics Faculty (5-12)

Mrs Elizabeth Melendez, joins us in the English faculty as teacher of English (7-12). Mrs Melendez also has a real passion for the arts.

Currently, overseas, we look forward to Miss Jennifer Tony joining us this year in the English faculty.

We have also expanded the School Support staff who work at our College. We welcome the following talented and committed staff:

• Mrs Angela Camilleri - SSO - Admin
• Mrs Samantha Cook - SSO - Admin
• Mrs Gai Hoban - SSO - Admin
• Miss Brooke Morgan - SSO - Wellbeing Officer

Farewells:

Whilst we have a number of new staff joining us - unfortunately, I must also advise that:

(i) Ms Alyssa McGinnes will leave us this week as she moves to another school and steps back her leadership responsibilities in the coming years. Ms McGinnes has been an exceptional advocate for students with Diverse Learning Needs, and her passion and knowledge in this space will be significantly missed. I hope to advise a replacement in the not-too-distant future.

(ii) Mr Milan Cosic also finishes his time with us today. Mr Cosic will be moving to a school in Blacktown, and we thank him for his efforts over the last year. I also hope to advise a replacement in the coming weeks.

We wish them both well.

HSC RESULTS

Wow, wow, wow! 

The Year 12 cohort of 2024 certainly delivered regarding the quality of their efforts and results. I have attached a newsletter covering the HSC achievements and High Achiever outcomes for 2024.

I thank our dedicated and committed staff who have supported our students, and I commend our students for their fine efforts and the passion and dedication they displayed.

Here is a brief snapshot of the efforts. I am particularly proud of ranking 13th out of Catholic Diocesan schools in NSW! I encourage you to delve deeper into the HSC newsletter (attached) for more details.

TRAVEL TO AND FROM THE COLLEGE

The safety of our students, staff and all visitors to the College is paramount. As such, it is critical that anyone entering our College and/or dropping off or picking up students adhere to both College procedures and the road rules dictating travel on the road, around our College plant.

At all times road signs need to be adhered to. Both police and council inspectors randomly visit the site and those breaking various regulations can be fined.

With new pedestrian access on Guillemont Road and Vinny Road I ask parents/carers and any other family members dropping off or collecting students to pay attention to changes in the road set up.

Currently the College is requesting an additional ‘lollipop person/people’ but until then please use common sense and slow down anywhere near or within the College gates.

Our staff are merely trying to look after the safety of the students in their care so any criticism or harsh words directed at them is totally inappropriate; such behaviour will not be tolerated.

Further updates regarding ‘kiss and drop’ and pick up will be provided in the coming weeks. 

Thank you for your patience and support.

Buses - 2025 update

It is pleasing to note that an additional morning and afternoon Willowdale bus has now been provided by Transit Systems NSW. 

An Austral bus has also been provided, but we continue to have issues with our Liverpool and Ingleburn services. Please contact Transit Systems to request additional services.

We appreciate there may be frustration at times regarding the bus services but I reiterate that these are NSW public services provided to the College and the College has no control over when and how they operate. Unfortunately, when buses are full, some students will miss out, and alternate arrangements will be required.

I encourage every family to ensure their daughter or son has an active Opal Card. Students without Opal Cards will often be the first to miss out on a bus spot if buses are full.

I strongly encourage any complaints or concerns about these buses to be directed to: customercare@transitsystems.com.au

A Student’s Prayer for the New 2025 School Year

Loving Jesus,

As I begin this new school year, I ask for Your guidance and strength.

Help me to see the many blessings You place before me each day—the gift of learning, the support of my teachers, the friendship of those around me, and the opportunities to grow.

Open my heart and mind to embrace new challenges with courage and new experiences with enthusiasm. May I approach my studies with determination, friendships with kindness, and school community with a spirit of generosity.

Grant me patience when things are difficult, wisdom to make good choices and a heart that reflects Your love in all I do.

May I always be ready to learn, willing to serve, and eager to become the person You have called me to be.

Jesus, walk with me and help me to give my best this year.

Amen.

Mr Matthew McMahon
Principal