In this Issue:

Message from the Executive Director
Important Notices
Events
The Arts News
HASS News
Languages News
Sports & Outdoor Education News
VET/Workplace Learning News
Christian Service Learning (CSL) News
Library News
Sustainability News
Community News

Message from the Executive Director

Executive Director End of Term 2 Message

Dear Colleagues, Parents, and Friends of Catholic education

As we reach the half-way mark in the 2023 school year, I wish to acknowledge and thank our Principals, teachers, and staff in Catholic schools and offices across the State for your continued dedication and efforts throughout this year.

This term student representatives from 25 secondary colleges and 75 primary schools in the Archdiocese of Perth gathered at Aranmore Catholic College and Newman College respectively for the Archbishop’s annual forum and LifeLink Days for primary and secondary schools.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB told primary school students about the purpose of LifeLink, and how the Church’s social service agencies supported by LifeLink respond to our brothers and sisters in need. He also spoke to secondary students about the importance of moving forward together as a people of Christ in ‘communion, mission and participation’. Events such as these highlight the spirit of Christian service which is alive in our school communities across the State.

I was further reminded that Catholic schools continue to be thriving and engaged learning communities, in attending the Catholic School Advisory Council Chairs Conference earlier in June. This is the first time in two years the Conference has been held, with representatives of Advisory Councils travelling from near and far to take part in the day. Catholic School Advisory Councils are an important part of the successful and smooth running of a Catholic school, and I was encouraged to hear attendees found the networking and learning opportunities from the day beneficial. It was a particular privilege to host the event at Government House, where we were welcomed by the Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, and heard from the Minister for Education, Dr Tony Buti MLA.

This term also saw over 270 colleagues from our four Catholic Education Offices come together in Perth for our Staff Development Day where we reflected on the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s 2022-23 Social Justice Statement – Respect: Confronting violence and abuse. Attendees took part in workshops addressing important topics such as building positive relationships, respectful relationships through reconciliation and truth-telling.

Looking ahead to Term Three, there is much to be excited about. Nominations for the QCE Awards, our annual celebration of the innovation and excellence that happens in our schools are now open. Winners will be announced at the annual Staff Breakfast held in October, where we will also celebrate staff who have contributed 30, 40, and 50 years’ service to Catholic education in Western Australia. 

Term Three also sees the return of the Catholic Schools Performing Arts Festival which opens with the Praise and Worship Ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral on 20 July. The Festival runs for nearly two months, ending with the Festival Concert on 11 September. Other highlights of the Catholic Arts calendar include the Angelico Art Exhibition held in August, and a number of choral, dance and drama performances. Many hours of practice and rehearsal go into these performances so I encourage you to support our students as they share their creative talents.

In October, CEWA is hosting the National School Improvement Colloquium which will bring together leaders working across Catholic education in Australia to consider opportunities and issues relevant to school improvement in Catholic education into the future. I encourage all our leaders to consider submitting abstracts for the Colloquium. You can find out more here.

World Youth Day is a significant gathering of young people from across the globe. A doxen CEWA early career teachers will join the Archdiocese of Perth youth celebrating what it is to be a Catholic today in Lisbon, Portugal. Prior to meeting in Lisbon, the CEWA pilgrims will walk the Tui to Santiago de Compostela. We wish these CEWA staff a buen camino.

Finally, next term sees the return of the Leaders’ Forum Roadshow being hosted by 10 schools across the State. These roadshow events offer leaders both in schools and our offices a chance to consider some of the big, strategic issues and opportunities in Catholic education.

I wish you a safe and restful school holiday with family and loved ones.

Yours sincerely 

Dr Debra Sayce 
Executive Director 
Catholic Education WA

Important Notices

MSP School Photo Days

Our school photos will be taken on: Tuesday 18th, Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th of July 2023

Class Photos/Portraits:

Every Student will have their photo taken, whether they are purchasing photos or not.
The school has chosen to use the on line ordering system. Your child will be given an on line ordering instruction slip and a unique student shootkey.
Log onto www.msp.com.au and follow the prompts to place your order.
If you lose your shootkey the school reception will have a copy to quote back to you.
The expiry date for online ordering is the Thursday 27th of July 2023.
Any orders received after this date will incur a $30.00 archive fee.
Spare order envelopes (green) will be available at the school reception if parents prefer to pay with cash.

Specialty Group Photos:

Specialty Group Photos will be available for purchase after the m ain photo day packs are delivered to the school.
Orders will be open for 4 weeks and ordering slips will be included in the students' photo pack.

Family Photos:

Envelopes can be obtained from Administration.
Family photos are taken each morning before school.
Please ensure that your family envelope and payment are handed to the Photographers on photo day.
If you do not have the correct money we will provide any change needed when photos are delivered to school.
Family photos cannot be ordered on line.
Once school has received photos, family photos will remain at reception for parents to collect.

Please Note:

Late orders can be placed via our website www.mspreorders.com.au
Individual and Family Photos are not available to view on line for Students' Security.
If for any reason you need to contact MSP regarding your child's photos you will be asked to provide your child's Shootkey.

2023 Term Dates

Please be reminded of our 2023 Term dates including all upcoming public holidays and pupil free days.

Term 3:
Monday 17 July: Pupil Free Day
Tuesday 18 July: Students commence for Term 3
Friday 25 August: Pupil Free Day
Friday 22 September: End of Term 3

Term 4:
Monday 9 October: Students commence Term 4
Monday 23 October: Pupil Free Day
Friday 8 December: End of Term 4

Admin Holiday Opening Hours

Please note our administration will be open during the School holidays at the following times:
Monday - Friday: 9am - 3pm

Uniform Shop Holiday Opening Hours

Please note the Uniform Shop opening hours for the School Holidays and Week 1 of Term 3:
Thursday 13 July   9.00am to 2.00pm
Friday 14 July         9.00am to 2.00pm
Monday 17 July      12.30pm to 3.45pm

We will be back to normal trading hours from Tuesday 18 July 2023.

Events

NAIDOC Week 2023

This week, our College community came together to honour and celebrate the rich culture and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples during NAIDOC Week! We were privileged to welcome two incredible Indigenous women, Wongutha-Yamatji artist Nikkita Passmore and Koori woman Tamara Fogarty, who shared their talents and stories with us. Their presence infused our College with a deep sense of connection and appreciation for Indigenous art and culture.

Our Junior School students immersed themselves in a day filled with NAIDOC activities. From vibrant face painting to creating beautiful headbands and bracelets, they embraced the spirit of creativity and cultural expression. Dot painting and tote bag decorating allowed them to delve into the rich symbolism and artistic traditions of Indigenous cultures.

In a remarkable display of teamwork, our Year 5 and 6 students worked together to create a breathtaking 2023 NAIDOC Week mural. Their artistic talents shone brightly as they showcased their respect and admiration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It stands as a lasting tribute to this special occasion.

Our Secondary students indulged in the flavours of the land with a delectable bush tucker tasting experience. Thanks to the incredible efforts of our Food Science and Technology staff and students, they had the opportunity to sample lemon myrtle shortbread, native bliss balls, damper with berry compote, and even kangaroo bolognaise! It was a journey of taste and appreciation for the unique culinary traditions of our First Nations peoples.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Nikkita Passmore, Tamara Fogarty, our Aboriginal Education Assistant Ms Renae Skelly, our Defence School Mentor Mrs Rachel Esler and all the talented individuals who made our 2023 NAIDOC Week celebration a resounding success! Their contributions have enriched our College community and deepened our understanding and respect for Indigenous culture.

Head over to our Facebook page for more photos.

Comfort Day 2023

Today, our College community came together in a heartwarming display of generosity and compassion as we celebrated Comfort Day! We are thrilled to announce that thanks to your incredible support, we collected a remarkable amount of donations for the Fostering Hope charity. Your generous contributions of gold coins, children's clothing, toys/games, and books will bring comfort and joy to children in need.

Each donation has the power to make a positive impact on the lives of these young individuals, reminding them that they are loved and supported by a caring community. We extend our deepest gratitude to all in our community who contributed to this worthy cause. Your kindness and generosity truly exemplify the values we hold dear at our College. Thank you to our Year 11 Student Leaders for organising this special event! With the inspiration of Mother Teresa’s example of outreach and love for all human beings, we strive each day to grow, in the words of our motto, 'Strong in Faith and Love.'

Kindy Imagination Village Incursion

On Wednesday 21 June, our Kindy students had a wonderful day filled with Inquiry-based Learning and imaginative play as they participated in an 'Imagination Village' incursion, presented by Educated by Nature. Our students immersed themselves in a world of imagination, using natural materials and loose parts to build, create, and play! Students created cubby villages and small worlds, tea parties with natural materials, and explored old fashioned grinders to grind up herbs and flowers to make potions.

Imaginative play is crucial to early social, cognitive and emotional development of our young students. This incursion not only allowed our kindy students to connect with nature, but also fostered their problem-solving skills, social interactions, and cognitive development. It was a day full of laughter, discovery, and hands-on learning experiences in the great outdoors!

The Arts News

Year 11 & 12 Visual Art Excursion

On Tuesday 27 June, our Year 11 and 12 Visual Art students embarked on an inspiring excursion to the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) to immerse themselves in the captivating exhibition of Hatched!

Hatched: National Graduate Show 2023 presents a dynamic selection of emerging artists recently graduated from art schools across Australia. Nominated by their teachers and selected by a panel of artists and curators, Hatched represents the diverse and compelling practices of the next generation of artistic voices. This enriching experience allowed our students to engage with the works of emerging artists, sparking conversations and igniting their own creative visions. It was a day of inspiration, reflection, and exploration as they absorbed the artistic expressions on display.

HASS News

ATAR Modern History Cake Day

After the hustle and bustle of examinations, heavy reading and long days studying, the ATAR Modern History students were called to show their creativity through some expertly crafted (baked) sweet treats. The students rose to the task and created some wonderful creations, such as the Lemony Treaty of Versailles, a model of the Building of the Transcontinental Railway, USSR Cupcakes, some Vladimir ‘Lemons’ and Stalin’s Gulag List (of all of the 12s). Studying history is really sweet!

Languages News

Year 11 & 12 ATAR Indonesian Day at UWA

On Thursday 22 June, Year 11 and 12 Indonesian ATAR students participated in Indonesian Day at the University of Western Australia. The event was attended by 167 students from 8 different Schools from across Western Australia.

The event brought together a range of speakers, including Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia, Ibu Listiana Operanata, Director of the WA State Office of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Sally Dawkins, and ACICIS Secretariat Officer, Jade Sciberras.

In her speech, Ibu Listiana shared her personal story of learning English and how it broadened her perspective on life. She encouraged students to keep studying Bahasa Indonesia and to visit and live in Indonesia in the future. “By learning a foreign language, you learn about the world” she said. Ibu Listiana mentioned that Indonesian is a relatively accessible language to learn because it has always been the language of trade.

Sally Dawkins reiterated the message and said that trade with Indonesia dates back many centuries including between First Nations people. She believed that Bahasa Indonesia is a logical choice of language to learn because:

Indonesia is Australia’s closest neighbouring country. It is the fourth most populous country, and third largest democracy in the world.
Indonesia’s economy grew 5% in 2022 and will do again in 2023.
By 2030, Indonesia will be in the top ten of countries with the highest GDP and will be fourth by 2050.
Indonesia is an ‘exceptionally digital society’ and home to many unicorn startup companies, including Gojek, which is worth US$10 billion. Countries are looking at Indonesia for the next generation of coders.
The economy has enormous potential for the future such as nickel mining, film, gaming, and virtual reality industries. Much of Indonesia’s economy is complementary to Australia’s economy so there are many opportunities to work collaboratively.
Australia and Indonesia share maritime boundaries which is very important in areas such as defence, emergency services, border security and agriculture.
Indonesia is a ‘mega diverse’ country and a wonderful place to study, live and work.

Ms Dawkins emphasised that Australia’s ties with Indonesia always needs care and renewal, and lamented the fact that there are only 760 Year 12 students currently studying the language. “That means you are our best hope for this relationship going forward into the future” she said. “As Indonesian speakers, you all become diplomats and global citizens, helping to build and shape our shared future. By speaking the language, you will be able to better understand and connect with our Indonesian friends, adding more bricks to the bridge that has connected our countries for so long.

Jade Scibberas gained attention by holding a krupuk eating competition. Jade encouraged students who were interested in studying at University to take the opportunity to spend a short course, Semester or year at an Indonesian University which can be credited towards their degree. Tertiary students can access up to $70,000 in funding to study abroad through the New Colombo Plan.

After the inspirational talks, Joselin Bobby, Evanika Lim and Chloe Collins had the opportunity to practice their Indonesian speaking skills in small groups with other Year 11 and 12 students to prepare them for the upcoming ATAR practical examination.

To complete their Indonesian experience, after visiting UWA, the students had delicious Indonesian lunch at Batavia Corner Restaurant in East Victoria Park.

Saya menikmati berpartisipasi dalam lomba makan krupuk. Saya tidak menang, tetapi itu masih menyenangkan.
I enjoyed participating in krupuk eating competition. I did not win, however, it was fun.
- Chloe Collins, Year 11

Saya suka berbicara dengan pasangan saya. Karena saya belajar lebih banyak kosakata yang baru dari dia. Saya juga belajar lebih banyak tentang kesempatan di universitas untuk saya.
I liked speaking (in Indonesian) with my partner. I learnt a lot of new vocabulary from her. I also learnt more about opportunities at university for me.
- Joselin Bobby, Year 12

Saya paling suka menonton film documenter dan bertemu banyak murid-murid lain.
I liked watching the documentary (in Indonesian) and meeting a lot of other students.
- Evanika Lim, Year 11

Watch the Excursion vlog

Sports & Outdoor Education News

Year 9 ODE Rottnest Trip

On Friday 16 June, our Year 9 Outdoor Education students had the exhilarating experience of a day trip to Rottnest Island (Wadjemup). On a Wintery day filled with adventure, we explored this stunning island located off the coast of Western Australia. Despite facing some rough weather, our day was packed with fishing, cycling, and unforgettable encounters.

One of the highlights of our day trip was the delightful encounter with the native residents of Rottnest Island — the quokkas! These small marsupials, known for their friendly nature and endearing smiles, greeted us with their curious and playful demeanour. We had the opportunity to interact with them up close, taking selfies and learning more about their unique behaviours. It was a heartwarming experience that left us with lasting memories and a newfound appreciation for the island's incredible biodiversity.

As our eventful day drew to a close, we reflected on the challenges we faced due to the rough weather. Despite the occasional raindrops and gusts of wind, we realized that nature's unpredictability only added to the excitement and sense of accomplishment we felt. Our day trip to Rottnest Island taught us the importance of adaptability, resilience, and teamwork in the face of adversity—a valuable lesson that will undoubtedly serve us well in the future.

- Mr Scarterfield, Mr Hancock, Miss Llanos, Miss Zagari & Mrs Doyle

WA Footy Clinic

Last week, Liam from WA Football joined us for an action-packed footy clinic in the Junior School! It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn essential footy skills, improve their teamwork, and have a whole lot of fun along the way. Liam's expertise and engaging coaching style ensured that everyone had a great time while developing their footy prowess. Well done everyone!

Peel Region Basketball Carnival

In Week 8, staff and students enjoyed a day of high level basketball and sportsmanship at the Peel Region Basketball Carnival. The Year 9 girls, coached by Ms Llanos, showed tremendous heart, resilience and tenacity in all the games they valiantly played. Unfortunately the scoreboard did not reflect their enthusiasm and passion as they did not succeed in any of games, however their conduct and behaviour outside of the court were exactly as expected of MTCC students representing the College. They showed great respect, sportsmanship and kindness to all participants in the competition.

The Year 9 boys, coached by Mr Relleno, came second overall in the tournament as they narrowly lost the Grand Final Match by 1 point! The boys played with vigour and energy that not many teams could match, leading to their successes on the court, losing only twice out of six games for the whole day, both with a 1 point difference. They exemplified how MTCC athletes represent themselves on all sporting fields, with passion and intensity unmatched, along with the high level of sportsmanship.

A huge thank you to Mr Norris for organising and running the carnival for all Peel Region schools. Through his efforts, all students had the opportunity to display and showcase their skills in a successful athletic endeavour. Well done everyone!

ACC AFL Carnival

On Tuesday 20 June, our Year 7 students participated in the ACC AFL Carnival at Santich Park. Our young teams performed incredibly well with our boys team winning 2 out of 4 games and our girls team winning 1 out of 3 games. This was a great opportunity to play footy in a competitive context, which helps to develop the skills of our young players. Well done everyone!

Senior School Soccer Match

On Tuesday 20 June, our Senior School Soccer team had a fantastic game! After a slow and rainy start to the match, the pitch was slippery, with some of the boys losing their footings. A ball in behind and slick finish from the Melville skipper saw the team in the green and gold go ahead. With a few subs and a strong drive up the field by our very own year 12 Harry Spencer saw him find the bottom corner from a distance bringing the game even. Rain persisted and eventually Melville saw the lead again. Their lead could have been more, but some feline-like reactions from the cat in net Tommaso Bortot saw the game go into the half at 2-1.

Half time saw more rain, and the blue and white skipper Ethan Rogers give an inspirational team talk. The MTCC Squad went into the second half invigorated. Some strong running by Kai Rodgers put pressure on the defence which was followed up by a striking finish from James Hewlett. With the game at 2-2 there were big challenges flying in everywhere. Euan Grey, Isaac Brown and Thomas Deane all stuck in. Boss Jantong carried the ball in the midfield and in a flash the ball was crossed in on a platter for Dontae Tissong to bring home the glory for MTCC team. A tantalising 3-2 victory!

VET/Workplace Learning News

Year 10 Workplace Learning

We are incredibly proud of our Year 10 students who embarked on a transformative journey of workplace learning during Weeks 9 and 10! They eagerly stepped into professional settings, gaining invaluable insights and experiences that will shape their future career paths. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the following businesses for supporting this significant part of our Year 10 Career Education Program.

Without their involvement, this experience would not be possible. We encourage our community to support these businesses that support Mother Teresa Catholic College and our Year 10 students!

Quinn Parnell Total Marine Technology 3.jpg

Riley Rosenberg Physio Inq Baldivis 2 .jpg

Tjay Wilson and Eli Harrington-Smith (Rockingham Mitsubishi - Kia).jpg

Christian Service Learning (CSL) News

Vinnie’s Sorting Day

On Wednesday 21 June, a group of Year 10 students were invited to help out at the St Vincent De Paul Society (Vinnies) warehouse in Canning Vale. This was a valuable experience as students were spoken to by the Youth Engagement Officer and a number of Volunteers about the services that are provided throughout all of Western Australia.

Students were then taken to the warehouse where all blue Vinnies donation boxes are sent. Students sorted the donations by old and new. This will allow Vinnies to send them out to Op Shops quicker and in turn, allow them to help more people statewide. Over this year, Vinnies have helped over 65,000 people, with the number expected to rise in the coming months. We look forward to continuing to help out St Vincent De Paul through our Christian Service Learning programs.

Wheelchairs for Kids

On Friday 23 June, a group of Year 10 students volunteers at Wheelchairs for Kids. Wheelchairs for Kids is a charity organisation that builds adjustable wheelchairs for those in need internationally. The organisation have made 54,000 wheelchairs that have been distributed to over 90 countries. Our students help in the construction of the parts of the wheelchairs in the workshop. Students will help out with all, including the fabrics on the chair, building the seat plates, bending the metal to become the frame, drill pressing parts so it can be easily assembled as well as loading the shipping containers that get sent worldwide. Well done to those who volunteered their time to serving in such a meaningful way!

Library News

Book Week

The CBCA Book Week takes place in Term 3 each year. This year, the College is hosting our Book Week in Week 3 (July 31 – August 4). There will be lots of activities happening throughout the week based around the theme ‘Read, Grow, Inspire’, but the biggest and most popular is the Dress Up Day!

Dress Up Day will be Wednesday 2 August.

All students are encouraged to dress up as a character that inspires them – it could be from a book, movie, or TV show. Prizes will be awarded for best dressed, so get your thinking hats on!

Sustainability News

The Year 1 students have concluded their inquiry unit “Living things have needs in order to survive”. They have created a beautiful safe garden, catering to the needs of the butterflies by having a muddy puddle, a feeding station, lots of flowers, rocks and butterfly-attracting plants.

This Term, the inquiry focus for the Year 4 students was “Materials have a variety of properties, which determine how we use them”. They had fun learning about worm farms and why we use them, tiger worms, and then planned and created a take-home worm farm using recycled materials.

The Pre-Primary students have learnt about how to care for the chickens and worms, and the need of growing vegetables. Some students had fun tasting the fresh beans and peas growing in their garden.

Last week, our amazing Green Team did a wonderful job selling all our produce at the Market Stall. We raised $90 which will go towards the feed and hay for the chickens during the school holidays. We will also purchase some Rams Horn Snails to help reduce the algae in the aquaponics tanks. Also, a big thank you to Mrs Hodgson for selling over 150 apple slinkies. The students are really enjoying having a healthy snack before school which is great to see.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the “Wonder White Bread Bag” collection this Term. We have collected over 1000 bread bags which otherwise would have gone to landfill. The students will be looking forward to receiving some new sports equipment for their efforts.

Community News

Tertiary Scholarship Scheme

Studying can be challenging financially and academically. If you live in the City of Rockingham and are experiencing financial hardship, you might be eligible for a Tertiary Scholarship to support you in your studies at TAFE or university. Applications are now open and close on Friday 7 July at 4.30pm.

Contact: 9528 0333 or customer@rockingham.wa.gov.au

Rugby Holiday Clinics and After School Programs

2023 Sports Star Awards Nominations Open

Do you know a City of Rockingham resident, dedicated sports volunteer, sports team or club that has excelled in their chosen sport and deserves to be recognised? Nominations are now open. $6,300 in prizes is up for grabs for you or your club.

All nominees have the chance to become finalists in the City of Rockingham’s 2023 Sports Star Awards. If you would like to nominate someone, please download the Nomination Package below and return to the City before the close of business on Monday 31 July 2023.
Nominations open Thursday 1 June 2023 and close Monday 31 July 2023.

Shine Dance Society - School Holiday Workshops

Special Olympics WA Team

Mass Times:

Masses

Tuesday - Friday: 9.00am
Saturdays: 6.00pm
Sundays: 9.30am & 5.00pm
1st Friday of each month: Adoration (following 9am Mass)
Benediction 10.15am

Reconciliation

Saturday: 5.30 - 5.50pm (prior to Mass)

Online Community

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