Three generations of the Byrne family have kindly shared their reflections with us.

Emily (Year 11): Today we gather to truly honour the remarkable women who have eternally shaped our lives – our mothers, grandmothers, and daughters. A mother's love is infinite and unwavering, something we can never fully measure. They care for us, protect us, and give us unconditional love, even when we might not realise it, shaping our lives for the better. Whilst today we are called to give thanks for our mothers and grandmothers, we acknowledge how much mothers do for their children everyday of their life, constantly putting others before themselves and holding our families together in love.

Lucy (Year 12): Whilst for many of us Mother’s Day is joy-filled and a celebration for the most important women in our lives. But we also remember that for some, today might be hard. There are those who are living everyday without their mothers and grandmothers, those who have lost children, or those whose relationship with the women in their lives may be complicated. Know that God sees you, holds you in His heart and walks with you so that you may find comfort and peace.

Kirsti (mother): Being a mother is the most beautiful and challenging journey I’ve ever been on. It’s full of joy, laughter, and pride but also worry, exhaustion, and moments where you wonder if you’re doing any of it right. There’s no guidebook, and no two days are ever the same. But at the heart of it, motherhood is love. A deep, everyday, unconditional love that is modelled by Jesus in the Gospels. We are taught that love doesn’t require perfection but asks for presence, for effort, and for grace. And God gives us strength for every part of the journey especially on the days we feel like we’re running on empty.

Kate (Nonna): As a mother and grandmother I have been lucky enough to see my own children grow up and take on the role of mothers. I see their strength, resilience and courage as they work hard everyday to juggle their careers, households, and their own lives. May God bring us the gratitude to appreciate and celebrate mothers and all they do for us every day. We hope they know their sacrificial love never goes unnoticed and we ask you to uplift them today.

Parents and carers have received updated communication regarding our Pilgrimage of Hope to and from Parramatta on Monday 12 May to mark St Vincent’s Day with a momentous expression of the pride we have in belonging to a community of service with one another and those we encounter in service of the poor. I acknowledge the preparation given by so many staff and students and hope that parents too are supportive of ensuring that their daughter is organised with pristine uniform and preparation of her travel arrangements. I would advise students to arrive at Parramatta Station by 8.30am to give herself time to navigate out of the station (directed by staff) and arrive in sufficient time at her meeting point. (Remember the brolly!) I anticipate a wonderful day of celebration and companionship.

Finally I take this opportunity to wish Mrs Sheenagh Doran best wishes for her Long Service Leave. The energy and commitment she gives to her care of students is well deserving of this time for family and travel. She departs with our Early Secondary students placed into the good hands of Mrs Silk Burke. We also warmly welcome Ms Madeline Agius into the role of Acting Head of O’Brien House.

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
Deputy Principal

Online orders - do not require an envelope returned to your school

Sibling and Daughter of Ex-Students Photos - these photos can be ordered online up to 24 hours before photo day. If you miss the online order deadline, you can submit a completed sibling order envelope, (available from Student Services), first thing in the morning of the day of photography, so your school is aware you want the photo taken and can bring your children together in time for it. Sibling photographs only apply to immediate family members.

Late fees - a late fee will be applied to each package purchased after photo day due to the additional cost of producing these packages separately

Package delivery - School photographs will be returned to the College and distributed via Tutors.

Previous Years’ photos - Past years’ are also available to order under the “previous years or group photo” tabs at your school’s advancedorder site when you click on the “Order School Photos Here” button above. You can also order past packages, portrait images and gifts from your child’s unique, individual and secure advancedyou image archive site using the unique 9 digit image code found on packages you have ordered in the past

advancedlife offer a 100% money back guarantee on their products to ensure your peace of mind and are open to receiving feedback or resolve any issues you may experience as fast as possible, to ensure your satisfaction. If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience please contact us at: www.advancedlife.com.au/contact

NB: Catch up individual photos can only be taken on the morning of Thursday 15 th May.

At the start of term we surveyed our Year 7 and 8 students about some of their study habits, including their approach to homework. In their self report, it appears that the vast majority of our Early Secondary students have a dedicated study space- they are fortunate to be well equipped with a space at home that is set up for learning. However, their answers made it less clear about what students are doing at this study space. It appears that it’s not often revision!

I include below a copy of our homework policy which articulates the role that homework and revision play in the larger learning cycle. Our Year 7 and 8 teachers are providing clear and explicit instruction about study habits, including how to undertake homework, note taking and revision so that we can foster a purposeful learning culture that will support each student in their learning growth and mastery.

Homework policy

The purpose of homework at St Vincent's College is to both consolidate learning that has occurred in the classroom as well as prepare and support students for future learning experiences. As such, homework is intentional and may be designed to support revision and mastery of skills, to offer time to complete tasks commenced in class and / or offer scope for students to advance thinking, apply knowledge into new contexts and be ready to participate in future lessons.

Homework is part of the rhythm of learning and is one of many opportunities both within and outside the classroom, for students to reflect on learning and foster skills that will develop confident, independent learners.

Students are responsible for actively engaging with homework as part of their learning commitment. Teachers are responsible for connecting homework to the classroom experience and actively monitoring homework so that it informs future learning design.

Homework promotes dialogue between teacher and student about learning progress. Feedback is an integral part of this dialogue. In the context of homework, students will receive feedback in a range of forms, including but not limited to:

Alison Boyd-Boland

Director of Teaching and Learning

Music icon Billie Eilish’s number-one (Time Out) love  song Birds of a Feather provided a powerful cultural anchor, encouraging students to explore themes of identity and belonging through an external lens. Peer affirmations acted as reflective mirrors, helping students internalise their strengths and recognise how their daily choices influence their goals, habits, which in turn shape character.

The session brought together four core wellbeing pathways: nurturing relationships, cultivating attention and awareness, setting meaningful goals, and developing character strengths. Students were encouraged to shift their focus from reputation—how others see them—to character, which is defined by their demonstrable values and actions.

By the end of the session, students were left with a lasting message: character is built through consistent, intentional choices—not external validation. In this space of reflection and affirmation, Year 10 were not just learning—they were growing.

David Woolbank
Dean of the Middle Secondary

Join us for an unforgettable, unpredictable and downright hilarious performance of “The Wizard of Oz” , but not quite the one you’re expecting. What began as a simple community theatre play has spiraled into a long line of scheduled rehearsals with unexpected chaos, low budget costumes, a non-compliant fog machine and visits from a money-demanding Russian man!

Join us for a totally unpredictable take on the classic Wizard of Oz , where the line between rehearsal and reality is blurred, and anything can—and will—go wrong. Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, and Elphaba are doing their best to follow the yellow brick road, but let’s just say… it might not be as straight as they think.

Will the show even happen? Will the characters find what they’re looking for? And who exactly is pulling the strings behind the curtain? Come find out.

🎟️ When: 18th-19th June

🎟️ Time: 6:00pm

🎟️ Where: College Hall

🎟️ Tickets: Tickets will be available soon!

Concession: $15

Adult: $20

But don’t get too comfortable - you never know what’ll happen when the curtain opens.

Lucy Rice – Writer and director of the play – Year 11 Drama student

Career News May 9

Macquarie University

Year 10 Guide to Uni Webinar

14 May

6-7pm

This webinar will feature information about what you can do in Years 11 and 12 to maximise your chances of getting into uni, as well as things to consider when choosing a degree. You’ll also hear firsthand from current Macquarie students who will share their experiences, offer

insights on school subject choices, give advice about the uni application process and provide tips for making the most of student life. To register your interest use the link found here .

Macquarie University - Year 12 Early Entry Webinar

17 June

6-7pm

In this webinar, you’ll learn all about the Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme, as well as our other early entry schemes. You’ll also learn about each scheme’s entry criteria and how to  apply. To register your interest use the link found here .

The University of Sydney

Year 10 Subject Selection Evening (Online)

15 May

6.00pm-7.30pm

Join University of Sydney online at the Year 10 subject selection evening to learn about HSC subject selection, ATARs, university applications, prerequisites, assumed knowledge, and scholarships. Hear from a UAC representative, university staff, and current students as they share valuable tips and personal insights to help Year 10 students confidently plan for university. To register your interest use the link found here.

NIDA Open Day 2025

14 June

NIDA Open Day is an opportunity to learn about all NIDA’s course offerings, meet alumni and current students, observe classroom activities, check out students’ creative work in costume, make-up, design and more, as well as ask questions, get tips for your application, chat with expert teaching staff and watch live student productions. For more information, visit the link found here

HSC and Careers Expo 2025

The HSC and Careers Expo is the largest tertiary and careers expo in Sydney and is a great way for students  to collect information about potential post school options.

31 May

9am-3pm

The Winx Stand, Royal Randwick Racecourse, Alison Rd, Randwick

The exhibitors are:

universities, TAFE colleges and training providers

providers of HSC resources, information and services

organisations with apprenticeship information and opportunities

organisations with employment opportunities

organisations with cadetship opportunities

career advisers and student support services

providers of tutoring services, lecture and study skills programs

providers of international exchange and GAP year programs

providers of youth services and programs

Australian Federal Police

Protective Service Officer (PSO)

Online Information Session

Tuesday 13 May

6-7pm

Join the  online information session and hear firsthand from a panel of PSOs as they share their experiences, the benefits of the role, and tips on navigating the application process. To register your interest use the link found here .

Helen Marshall
Careers Adviser

All players are reminded that training is compulsory. If you are sick or injured but are still coming to school then you are expected to attend the session and help the coach and learn. Please allow enough time to get to the various locations around Sydney and arrive at the venue half an hour before start time to allow for an adequate warm up and to sign on. If you cannot make a game or a training session for any reason you are to email your Head Coach with as much notice as possible. Please always check the IGSA Spawtz Wet Weather line before you leave on a Saturday morning. All games played on Synthetic fields or Indoors will always be on.

Good luck to all teams for this weekend!

IGSA FOOTBALL

Despite the rainy weather causing cancellations, SVC Football got its season underway with 3 fantastic wins! SVC 2 started their season strong with a convincing 3-2 victory over Frensham. SVC 3 winning 10-3 over Pymble and SVC 4 win 5-3 over Santa Sabina. Well done girls!

With many practices moved indoors due to the rain, students are reminded to check their emails and the school website regularly for important updates and schedule changes. We're keeping our fingers crossed for better weather this weekend so the rest of the fixtures can go ahead as planned. Stay tuned for updates!

Mr Nick Schroeder - Head Football Coach

IGSA CROSS COUNTRY and FITNESS TRAINING

Fitness Training with Tash continues every Monday and Wednesday for any students who would like to get fitter or get ready for the IGSA Cross Country or Athletics Carnivals. The IGSA Cross Country is being held next Friday May 16 at Frensham . We wish all the girls competing the best of luck at Frensham and hope you have a great day of competition. The first placed Vinnie’s girl in each age group will be crowned the College 2025 Age Champion.

IGSA Cross Country Team

Sarah Nash

Lucy Ballesty

Magnolia Burns

Sophie Nash

Hannah Nicholson

Erin Fowler

Edith Kouzmin

Lily Wicks

Chloe Ryans

Molly Sleet

Sybella Daly

Sophie Maley

Harriet Grigg

Tess Edwards

Lucy Petherbridge

Emilia Reed

Stella Herbert

Waverly Martinus

Jade Degura

Edith Hynes

SPORTS STARS OF THE WEEK This section is to make the College community aware of some of the exceptional athletes we have in the College.  If your daughter has represented her state or country recently in her chosen Sport, please send us any results, photos or blurbs on her performance to elyse.harmanis@stvincents.nsw.edu.au

Congratulations to Saskia Emery Year 12- who was selected in the U18 IGSA Football Team with a fantastic performance!