CHRISM MASS

On Tuesday night the College Leaders and I attended the Diocesan Chrism Mass at St Francis Xavier Cathedral Wollongong. At this celebration of the Eucharist, the sacred oils which are used for various Catholic sacraments were blessed and then distributed for use for the following year. Also, during this Eucharistic celebration Priests of the Diocese of Wollongong recommitted to their Priestly vows. The night was very well attended and our own Father Bosco was proudly in attendance, co-celebrating. Bishop Mascord was very gracious in his thanks to those attending and for their role in adding to the fabric of our large yet impressive Diocese. I thank Liam, Courtney, Shandesh and Oscar for their attendance on the night.

EASTER

Today our College held a beautiful Easter Liturgy for our students from K-12. This Liturgy involved readings, reflections and an impressive PowerPoint presentation by Mr Fitzpatrick’s Year 10 Photography Class on the Stations of the Cross.

I thank our students for the solemn way in which they entered into the occasion and it’s only fitting that they have an opportunity to reflect on Easter.

Jesuit Priest, Father Brian Strassburger reminds us that the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday) is: “the most solemn feast in the Catholic calendar. The rituals in this celebration make present the great mystery of Christ’s Resurrection, which is beyond what words can capture. The washing of the feet, the dramatized retelling of the passion, the pillar of fire, the processions, the silence, the incense, the music, all of it building to a staggering trumpet blast: He is risen!”

Indeed, Easter is the most important solemnity of the Catholic Church. It is not only liturgically vital but it also continues to provide a wellspring of hope. A hope that is living, contemporary and, given the many challenges we all face in our daily lives, incredibly optimistic - no matter what the current circumstances may be.

We encourage all families to attend one or more Easter services face-to-face or look to one of the many online options available these days. Services available in the Wollongong Diocese can be located here: https://www.dow.org.au/parish-mass-times/mass-times-other-services-finder/

I hope the ‘Easter Bunny’ is very kind to our younger ones and I wish all of our families a safe, happy and holy Easter and vacation period.

STAFFING CHANGES

There will be a variety of staffing changes for Term Two.

Firstly, I note that, with the movement of Mr Adam Moore next term to a promotional position in Sydney Catholic Schools, Mrs Kellie Kells will be Acting Leader of Curriculum 5-12 for the remainder of 2023. During this appointment, the Leader of PDHPE for Terms Two to Four will be Miss Jessica Flegg. We wish Mr Moore every success in his significant role and congratulate Mrs Kells and Miss Flegg on their appointments.

When Ms Michelle Linkenbagh commences her maternity leave in early Term Two please note that Mr Philip Stonefield will be Acting Leader of Science. I congratulate Mr Stonefield on his appointment and we wish Ms Linkenbagh every success as she awaits her first child.

From early in Term Two we welcome Mrs Harsha Dadlani to the College and, in particular, to the Science Faculty in a permanent role. Mrs Dadlani comes to us with a range of educational experiences and a background in scientific research. She will be taking on Ms Linkenbagh’s classes this year and some of Mr Stonefield’s (TBC).

With Ms Siobhan Moore returning to the College in Term Two as Leader of English and as a classroom teacher in a 0.8 capacity, I am pleased to announce that Mrs Courtney Spencer will be the Acting English Leader (0.2) each Tuesday for the remainder of 2023.

I note that with the above changes, Year 12 Advanced English will be taught by Mrs Spencer. Year 11 Advanced English and Year 8 English G will be taught by Ms Moore.

We welcome Mrs Amanda Khoury to the College next term. Mrs Khoury will be covering Mr George Bounos’ (Year 3R) paternity leave for the first two weeks of Term 2 and then job sharing with Mr Bounos for the rest of Terms 2 & 3. Mr Bounos will be working 3 days a week and Mrs Khoury 2 days a week. Mrs Khoury is an experienced educator who has been in a number of different educational roles in recent years and we welcome her to St Francis. We also wish Mr Bounos and his wife all the very best with the birth of their third child.

We also welcome back to the College Mrs Kate Crawford and Ms Lauren Cusack from maternity leave and we note that Miss Christina Acitelli will also be completing an extra day at the College from Term 2 onwards.

PARENT/CARER FEEDBACK

In early Term Two (in the week of May 15 - May 19) a survey will go out to our parents/carers to gain feedback on what is working well at our College and areas for additional focus. Variants of this “Tell Them From Me” Survey will also be available to our students in 7-12 and our staff. We are currently exploring a survey that will be age appropriate for our K-6 students.

Following these surveys, data will be shared with our community and there will be further opportunities for sharing and conversation. Details will be shared early next term.


Easter Prayer of St. Hippolytus of Rome

Christ is Risen: The world below lies desolate

Christ is Risen: The spirits of evil are fallen

Christ is Risen: The angels of God are rejoicing

Christ is Risen: The tombs of the dead are empty

Christ is Risen indeed from the dead, the first of the sleepers,

Glory and power are His forever and ever.

Mr Matthew McMahon
College Principal