News

It is a delight to see that our primary school is a well-balanced one. While we are evidently flourishing in our academics, we are also focused on sport and arts to ensure our students relish other opportunities and interests. “Do you know what my favourite part of the game is? The opportunity to play.” -Mike Singletary played for the Chicago Bears. The Sports Carnival is the epicentre for students to be part of healthy competition. In early childhood, there is always a strong emphasis on gross and fine motor skills. The Early Years (Kindy – Year 2 ) had a fantastic carnival, heightening their physical skills. The prowess of the minor leagues as they partook in their events was mind-blowing! They ran at full pelt around the track and played many collaborative and team games. In Term 3, the Catholic School Performing Arts Festival is a significant event in the calendar. With numerous talented and creative students in our midst, it was natural for the College to participate in this festival. There have been individual and group entries from our College and it was a privilege to watch various choirs, ensembles and dance performances. For the first time, the College entered the Choral Speech Category with the combined Year 5 classes representing the school. They were brilliant and received an outstanding award for their performance. Besides the Year 5’s, the Sacred Choral and the Primary Choir were also recognised for their “outstanding” singing. The Boys Ensemble and the Training Choir were acknowledged with “excellence” and “merit” awards, respectively. Every year, Book Week triggers excitement, as parents and students spend time preparing the wonderful costumes. As expected, all the costumes were highly appealing. As a result, the Book Week Assembly and parade of book characters had the feel of a festival that celebrated the joy of reading. The church is always a reference to the people and our students attend mass and live out the Gospel in their words and actions. This term, Year 5 and 6 had the opportunity to celebrate with the parishioners. Mass was a beautiful celebration where we gathered together in prayer and promoted our Catholic Identity. Lastly, the College has entered CEWA’s Quality Catholic School competition. We have entered under the category of Catholic Identity. So, please vote for us in the people’s choice awards https://awards.cewa.edu.au/. Spring is on our doorsteps. Being in the hills, we get to enjoy looking at ducks wandering around with their ducklings, birds chirping, outbursts from the kookaburras and beautiful flowers blossoming. I have always felt that spring symbolises rebirth, especially this year with the torrential downpours we have received that the earth needs to drink up! Nature is ready to show off it’s extra colours. Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Earth, our Mother, who nourishes us and sustains us, bringing forth fruits and vegetables of many kinds And flowers of many colours. God Bless Anne Tan Head of Primary

Dear Boarding Parents and Guardians As we approach the home stretch in what’s been a busy term, we have been involved with 2022 Boarding Leadership speeches. Nine candidates have put themselves forward to join the Boarding Council and their speeches earlier this week were all very thoughtfully prepared and well presented. The girls will now have an interview with myself and the current Head Boarders before we finalise the outcome. The successful applicants are decided using a number of criteria including the voting by their peers and staff, interview, application essay and staff recommendation letter. Over the last month I have had the pleasure of vising Mingenew, Dowerin and Brookton meeting with new current, past and prospective families. It has been great being able to promote our boarding community and share the fabulous opportunities available here at SBC. In recent days we have had a number of girls caught with 2nd phones. This clearly contravenes the boarding mobile phone policy which all girl and their parents signed in agreement at the start of the year. Its disappointing to have this happen, but more concerning is the girls lack of acknowledgement that they have done the wrong thing. I urge all parents to chat with their daughters about honest and appropriate behaviours when they are home for the holidays. As always I thank you for your continued support. Regards and Best wishes Annamaria Cream Head of Boarding

Mercy Works Sleepout 2021 On Thursday, 5 August almost 100 volunteers braved a very cold night to participate in the Mercy Works Sleepout 2021 at Mazenod College. These volunteers consisted of staff and students from both Mazenod and St Brigid’s Colleges. They were sleeping out for two reasons: 1. One was to educate themselves about the plight of people who find themselves homeless in Australia. 2. The second reason for the evening was to raise money for the various Catholic agencies who work with the homeless in the Perth metropolitan area. These agencies include Vinnies, The Shopfront and Mercy Works. The evening included a visit to The Shopfront in Bentley, where the students and staff listened to a talk and explored the facility. Students were moved by some of the personal stories that they listened to and were also amazed by the dedicated work of The Shopfront in looking after the poor and the homeless. After our visit to The Shopfront we then returned to Mazenod College to listen to Old Boy (2008) Keenan Klassen talk about his experiences with Vinnies. Students gained a valuable insight into both of these agencies as well as how they can get involved in the future if they wished. After the talks and a few games, it was then time for dinner: a cup of soup and some bread, and then off to bed. Bed consisted of a cardboard mattress and a sleeping bag on the concrete floor outside in the cold in and around the Year 9/10 classroom block. Somehow, most people managed to get some sleep, and in the morning, they were treated to a cooked breakfast before heading off to school for the day. Over $3000.00 was raised for Mercy Works through sponsorship of students by family and friends. First Holy Communion Our Year 4 students are currently preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time during this term. Parents and students have had the opportunity to attend workshops run by 24/7 Youth Ministry. Part of their preparation included exploring the story of the Last Supper using digital technologies. Focus for Fundraising – Term 3 Our fundraising for Term 3 will support the work of Mercy Works. Mercy Works is the development arm of the Australian and Papua New Guinean Sisters of Mercy. Their mission is inspired by Catherine McAuley’s vision of change for the poor and disadvantaged. Mercy Works are financed by donations from the four Australian congregations of the Sisters of Mercy, charitable trusts & foundations, various organisations & groups and individuals. Mercy Day – Thursday, 23 September Mercy Day is a community-building day, combining fun, a celebration of our heritage and the provision of support for those in need through fundraising. We celebrate and work together and we build community, which in turn builds an environment that is supportive of learning and spiritual development. Important aspects of the day: • All students are invited to wear blue and white for a gold coin donation. • We begin the day with the celebration of Mass at 9.15am in the College Grotto. • Families are invited to support Mercy Day Stalls with various donations as outlined below: o Docherty House: variety packs of chips, popcorn, chocolates, etc. o McAuley House: cans of soft drinks o O’Connor House: packets of jelly-beans o Rielly House: icy poles o Shine House: individually wrapped lollies or chocolates o Watson House: donuts • Cultural Festival will be held in the afternoon. More information will be emailed to families later this term. Adrian Martino Head of Faith and Mission