Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich | Sydney Catholic Schools

St Mary’s Cathedral College & Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich shaping future of education

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) is celebrating the achievements of two outstanding schools – St Mary’s Cathedral College Sydney and Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich – for their remarkable contributions to education in 2024.

Both schools have been recognised in The Educator’s 5-Star Innovative Schools 2024 awards for their pioneering teaching approaches that prioritise student success and well-being.

St Mary’s Cathedral College Sydney

St Mary’s Cathedral College, a co-educational K–12 school located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, has earned widespread recognition for its transformative educational model.

Under the leadership of Principal Kerrie McDiarmid, the College has redefined teaching and learning by integrating critical thinking, student efficacy, and real-world experiences.

A core tenet of St Mary’s educational philosophy is student efficacy – the belief that how students perceive themselves and their futures influences their success.

“The key is to expose students to experiences and discussions that enable them to make informed decisions, take ownership of their learning, and feel a greater sense of engagement,” says Principal McDiarmid.

St Mary’s offers an education that extends beyond the classroom, leveraging Sydney’s vibrant urban environment as a dynamic learning space.

The College’s programs connect students with cultural institutions like the Australian Museum, the Art Gallery of NSW, and industry leaders such as HEX and Sydney FC. These partnerships provide students with hands-on opportunities and professional mentorship, enhancing their learning experience while preparing them for future careers.

“The city itself is an extended classroom,” explains Principal McDiarmid. “Students have the chance to interact with real-world industries, making informed choices about their futures and increasing their engagement with their studies.”

A notable achievement at St Mary’s is the establishment …

baden.parkerbrown@syd.catholic.edu.auDecember 20, 2024|

HSC 2023: Eight students place First in Course

Eight students from Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) have received First in Course honours in the 2023 Higher School Certificate (HSC).

The students represent seven different schools from right across the Sydney Archdiocese and placed first in a diverse range of subjects, including four languages courses.

Marist Catholic College Penshurst student Sylvia Veljancevski and La Salle Catholic College Bankstown student Ivona Ristevski placed equal first in Macedonian Continuers; Casimir Catholic College Marrickville student Nicole Joanna Tapang placed first in Filipino Continuers; and Marist Catholic College Penshurst student Paula Karoglan placed first in Croatian Continuers.

SCS students topped both Studies of Religion courses, with Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich student Gabriella Michalopoulos placing first in Studies of Religion I and Brigidine College Randwick student Yasmeen Janschek placing first in Studies of Religion II.

All Saints Catholic College Liverpool student Adam Schon also placed first in Information and Digital Technology Examination, while Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook student Jaquelyn Loria placed first in Tourism, Travel and Events Examination.

The eight students were among 128 students from 89 schools in the state who topped their HSC courses.

The students were acknowledged in a ceremony on Wednesday morning at Western Sydney University in Parramatta by Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, The Hon. Prue Car.

Brigidine College Randwick student Yasmeen Janschek said she was pleasantly surprised after finding out she had placed first in Studies of Religion II.

“I couldn’t believe it to be honest. I was very excited. I thought that I had done pretty well but I did not expect to get first at all,” she said.

“It was all up to my teacher, Ms Wood, she’s just amazing. She took me through every part of the syllabus …

domenictrimboli01December 13, 2023|

Easing the transition for early career teachers

A mentoring program for early career teachers is nurturing a new and diverse generation of educators at Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich.

Ryan Leonard was an academic and research scientist with a PhD on honey bee cognition before he joined the college’s staff as a newly-minted biology and science teacher in 2022.

That same year, graduate Visual Arts teacher Lili Negrine began her first permanent teaching role at the college and the task of guiding students through their HSC.

Both were among 19 early career teachers on staff in 2022 and joined the college’s pilot coaching and development program alongside peers with diverse backgrounds.

The two-year program is aligned to national professional standards for teachers and supports new teachers in four domains: professional identity, professional practice, wellbeing, and orientation.

It embodies the recommendations of the Australian government’s Strong Beginnings report into initial teacher education released in June 2023.

Mentoring matters

Instructional Specialist Melissa Carson brings 30 years of teaching experience to her role as program coordinator and mentor.

“We focus on teaching practice and work with faculty groups and one-to-one on what can make a difference to students’ learning growth,” Ms Carson said. “They come out of the program fully accredited.”

Ms Carson said the coaching experience needed to be authentic and agile to help new teachers adjust to the demands of the profession.

“Even though there has been a marked improvement in the accreditation process to become a professional teacher, it’s still daunting,” Ms Carson said.

“An experienced teacher looks at the standards and says ‘You do that every day, it will take you no time to find that evidence’. The coaching gives them time and space …

jaderamirezsydcatholiceduauNovember 28, 2023|

Philosophy electives: Thinking for the future

What can a group of long-dead philosophers teach a student today? The answer is plenty.

Amid the more prescriptive elements of the NSW curriculum, two Sydney Catholic schools have created imaginative and intelligent courses to develop their students’ critical thinking skills.

We take a look at the skills and concepts Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College (OLMC) Burraneer and Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich philosophy students take with them into a future of rapid change.

OLMC: PHILOSOPHY BY THE BAY

In 2015, OLMC Burraneer introduced the course Philosophy by the Bay, fusing the work of Renaissance philosophers with modern science, society and politics.

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) endorsed the elective for students in years 9 and 10.

Philosophy by the Bay’s first students with teacher Kerrie Ramsay in 2015. Photo: Kitty Beale

So what exactly can an OLMC girl learn from a bunch of dead philosophers?

It’s a question that the school’s philosophy teacher and gifted education facilitator, Kerrie Ramsay, asks students at the beginning of each year.

“Always for us the concept is first: ethics, power, legacy, truth,” Mrs Ramsay said.

“Then the philosophers’ opinions become ones to consider alongside our own, our family’s, our friends’. It’s a big melting pot of ideas.

“Philosophy by the Bay gives the gift of time, listening, and checking what you think about the world around you and your own values.”

“The students know they’re formulating their first beliefs and that their first beliefs won’t necessarily be their last beliefs” – Kerrie Ramsay

Mrs Ramsay said past students have been drawn to North Carolina …

jaderamirezsydcatholiceduauNovember 30, 2021|

Announcing the 2021 Thrive short film festival winners

More than 1,090 viewers watched Sydney Catholic Schools’ online Thrive Film Festival winners’ announcement.

Hosted by The Voice Australia sibling stars Sian and Jordan Fuller, the YouTube Premier event saw Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook crowned the 2021 winner on the night.

Rapping sensation Kenny Nguyen, of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School Fairfield, won the hearts of the viewing audience, taking out the People’s Choice Award with 279 of 853 votes!

Festival organiser Glen Thompson said he was floored by the talent in Sydney Catholic Schools.

“Whether it was the lyrics in song, storytelling or the different animations, all the submissions brought energy and connected deeply to the festival theme of celebrating the journey of Catholic education in Australia,” said Mr Thompson, who is Sydney Catholic Schools’ Specialist: Archdiocesan Liaison.

In case you missed the announcement, you can still watch it via the live link below:

The THRIVE Film Festival winners list:

FILM	SCHOOL	AWARD
A Lasting Legacy… Celebrating 200 Years of Catholic Education	Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook	First Place
The Quest	Galilee Catholic Primary School Bondi	Second Place
Developing a Compass for Life	Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich	Third Place
200 Years	Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School Fairfield	Innovation Award
‘Thrive, Grow and Prosper’	St Clare’s College Waverley	Spirit Award
The Journey of Faith	St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School Sutherland	Creativity Award
Celebrating Our Catholic Education	St John Bosco College Engadine	Mission & Identity Award
Through Shadows we THRIVE	Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School Carnes Hill	Shorts Award
200 Years	Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School Fairfield	People’s Choice Award
The Journey of Faith	St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School Sutherland	Executive Director’s Award

APPLAUSE FOR THE WINNERS

“I am absolutely delighted for the students in our Media …

AdminNovember 30, 2021|

iLight2020: Virtual Carols

Welcome to Sydney Catholic Schools #iLight2020 Virtual Carol Choir.

We have now reached the end of the snapshot of how to prepare for Christmas using the Jesse Tree with your family. It is hoped that you continue your journey towards Christmas in this way through prayer, symbol and song. Today we have the Virtual Carols Night which showcases our schools.

To toggle through the songs, use the menu bar in the top right corner of the video player, otherwise the songs will play one after the other.

Enjoy the light of our students shining brightly for all to see.

Schools featured in the virtual choir:

AdminDecember 9, 2020|

Formula for success

During National Science Week, we caught up with a Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich graduate who has followed in the footsteps of 20th century scientists Einstein and Rosalind Franklin and made a breakthrough discovery of her own.

Meet Dr Linda Thomas.

Dr Thomas developed a passion for asking questions at a young age, never imagining it could lead to a career as a clinical psychologist and mucosal immunologist. Or that she might one day be quoted in her field.

The human body. Photo: Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash.

“Commencing with the first black box, our brain and our mind, I studied neuroscience after leaving school and, later, the immune system, ending up integrating the two disciples to research the gut-brain axis,” Dr Thomas said, making reference to how the gut and the brain talk to each other.

“As part of my research in the areas of mental illness, dementia, as well as respiratory infection, I discovered a novel (i.e. previously unknown) protein and went on to formulate a cystic fibrosis vaccine in which I held two patents,” Dr Thomas said.

She said she feels privileged “to be able to help people experiencing physical and mental health difficulties, to treat their gut so they can improve their neural development, their capacity to learn and to function better generally.”

“Looking back to those days of early high school, I couldn’t have foreseen that my future would have found me researching and working in this exciting and developing field,” Dr Thomas said.

“However, I am sure that the groundwork was laid in that classroom-school environment.”

Photo: Michael Longmire on Unsplash

For many students, there is that one teacher who holds a special place in their hearts. For Dr Thomas, that person …

Isabell PetrinicAugust 20, 2020|

St Mary’s Cathedral College & Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich shaping future of education

HSC 2023: Eight students place First in Course

Easing the transition for early career teachers

Philosophy electives: Thinking for the future

Announcing the 2021 Thrive short film festival winners

The THRIVE Film Festival winners list:

APPLAUSE FOR THE WINNERS

iLight2020: Virtual Carols

Formula for success

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our schools and offices now stand. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

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