Term 4, Week 2

From the Principal

CHARACTER BEGINS WITH CONSCIENCE

At Marist Catholic College Penshurst, we believe that character is not something we inherit—it is something we form. And it begins with conscience.

In our pastoral care and religious education programs, we aim to guide our young people to reflect deeply—not only on the world around them, but on the teachings of the Church. This is not about telling them what to think, but about helping them learn how to think with empathy, compassion, and integrity. When faced with moral decisions, we hope our students will call upon their informed conscience—a conscience shaped by reflection, dialogue, and spiritual insight.

This formation invites them to consider Christ not as a demand, but as a way of life. A compass. A guide. And if they choose Him, may it be with hearts that are open, minds that are discerning, and spirits that are truly free.

Empathy and compassion grow from deep listening and the willingness to place ourselves in the shoes of others. Thinking with empathy requires us to slow down, to turn things around, and to examine issues from a range of perspectives. This kind of reflection is not only essential to moral decision-making—it is the bedrock of healthy relationships and resilient communities.

We also encourage our students to be courageous in standing up for others. Speaking out when someone is being mistreated or harmed is not “snitching”—it is an act of compassion and integrity. It is choosing to protect dignity over silence, and community over complicity. When students advocate for one another, they are living out the Gospel call to love our neighbour and to be peacemakers in their own world.

Restorative practices play a vital role in this journey. They help our students understand the impact of their choices, and invite them to see the world through the eyes of others. In doing so, they cultivate the social competencies that underpin forgiveness, accountability, and healing.

Parents, teachers, and peers all contribute to this formation. By encouraging reflection and perspective-taking—especially in moments of challenge—we help our young people grow into compassionate, thoughtful individuals who are capable of choosing life in all its fullness.

And perhaps most importantly, we nurture the capacity to forgive. To forgive ourselves. To forgive others. To reset. Because it is in this grace-filled space that flourishing becomes possible.

“Be kind, humble, simple, and modest. Do good quietly, without seeking recognition.” — St Marcellin Champagnat

We are proud that our Leader of Character Education, Marie-Anne Maakrun, recently was invited to present at the national Character Education Summit, and share our school’s journey in forming conscience, cultivating compassion, and building resilient, values-driven young people. Her presentation reflected our hope: that character education at Marist Penshurst continues to empower students to live with integrity, stand up for others, and choose life in all its fullness. Our future work in this area will be to build a solid framework for Character formation so that students can lead lives of purpose and flourishing.

Mrs Connie Frino - Principal

Religious Education News

IN OUR CHURCH

October: The month of the Rosary

The Catholic Church dedicates the month of October to the Holy Rosary. Pope John XXIII said that “The Rosary is a magnificent and universal prayer for the needs of the Church, the nations and the entire world.” The word Rosary means “Crown of Roses”.  Our Lady has revealed to several people that each time they say a “Hail Mary” they are giving Her a beautiful rose and that each complete Rosary makes Her a crown of roses.  The rose is the queen of flowers, and so the Rosary is the rose of all devotions and it is therefore the most perfect one.  The Holy Rosary is considered a perfect prayer because within it lies the awesome story of our salvation.  With the Rosary in fact we meditate the mysteries of joy, of sorrow and the glory of Jesus and Mary.  It’s a simple prayer, humble so much like Mary. 

The best way to celebrate the month is, of course, to pray the Rosary.  What are the benefits of praying the Rosary?

1. It allows you to meditate and reflect on key events of Jesus' ministry through Scripture.
2. It helps us grow in holiness, asking for Mary's intercession in growing in virtue.
3. It weakens the devil, with Mary protecting us from his evil works and temptations.
4. This beautiful prayer helps slow down our busy lives, with Mary offering us the blessing of true peace.
5. It is a great way to pray for others, especially those people who have asked you to pray for them and you may have forgotten...
6. When you might not have the words to pray or don't know how to pray, the Rosary can be the words that we might not have at the time.

See further reading at  15 Promises of the Rosary, given to St Dominic from the Blessed Virgin Mary.

O Mary, my Mother, I offer you my soul, my mind and my heart. Make of me God’s instrument. Give me a penetrating mind to discover, firm to judge, free to serve the truth; an honest mind in telling what it sees rather that what it wants to see; a tolerant mind which does not dictate to other people, but which explains what it sees clearly; a mind infused by the light and the truth of your Son Jesus, patient in faith, while waiting for the vision of eternal life. Amen.

Mary Our Good Mother…pray for us.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop…pray for us.

St Marcellin Champagnat...pray for us and bless our school.

IN OUR COMMUNITY

Term 4 Masses and Liturgies

Each term we have a range of Eucharistic celebrations that continue to nourish the faith of our community. Parents and carers are very welcome to attend our Masses at the Parish and before school in our chapels.

• 29/10/25 - Wednesday Morning Mass at SHUR Campus at 8:10am.
• 02/11/25 - Sunday Morning Mass Year 12 Leader’s and Pope Francis Students Bake Sale at 9am St. Declan’s Mass. Bake sale after Mass.
• 12/11/25 - Wednesday Morning Mass for Year 10 Leaders at MORT Campus 8.10am
• 18/11/25 - Year 9 and Year 4 (St Declans) Grade Mass at St Declans at 9:15am St. Declan’s Tuesday morning Mass.
• 7/12/25 - Pope Francis Award Mass. Students are presented with their awards at 9am St. Declan’s Sunday Mass this day.
• 17/12/25 - Staff Christmas Mass (150 Staff). All Marist Staff attend St Declan’s Church for their Christmas Mass at 9.15am

Staff Spirituality Day 2025

On Friday, 26th September, the staff of MCCP gathered together for our Staff Spirituality Day. This year focused on ‘Hands’ through social justice and outreach within our local and wider community. In his words, Marcellin Champagnat said in “In the Footsteps of Marcellin” #209: “Through our hopeful and caring presence, even at personal cost, and through our voice in the Church and in society, we bring the world closer to the Reign of God, where all its people have the chance of living decent human lives.” St. Teresa of Avila reminds us that “Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes with which He looks.”

Our staff began together at Mortdale Campus for a liturgy and session led by Paul Harris from Marist Formation Australia. Then, our staff were sent out in the spirit of mission to various local charities and organisations including Vinnies Snack Packing and Sandwich Making, Greater Sydney Landcare, Clean Up Australia Day in Cronulla, Birthing Kits Foundation Australia, Wrap with Love Knitting, Ferndale Nursing Home visit, baking cookies for Ferndale Nursing Home residents and staff, and Bushcare with Sutherland Shire Council.

We thank our staff for their active involvement and participation throughout the day in service to others.

Launch of the Christmas Appeal

Our College has launched its annual Christmas Appeal, where we work in partnership with the St Vincent De Paul Society to donate a range of items that can be used to create Christmas hampers. This initiative aims to support many families in our local community who are struggling at this important time of the year.  For many Australians this year has been fraught with social, psychological, and economic hardship. Our College will be creating Christmas hampers to meet the needs of the families in the St. George region in the hope that the generous gifts will bring them true joy, hope, love and peace this Christmas season.

In the table below, each year group has been assigned a specific category with a list of items that can be donated for this initiative.  These items will be collected everyday during Week 4 & 5. The following is a list of items requested by St Vincent De Paul for you to donate.

In the tables below, each year group has been assigned a specific category with a list of items that can be donated for this initiative.  These items will be collected everyday during Week 4 & 5. The following is a list of items requested by St Vincent De Paul for you to donate.

IN OUR PARISH COMMUNITY

Attending parish events is a great way to connect with others and grow in faith. Everyone is welcome at these upcoming events. See upcoming events page here for further information.

• Volunteer Thank You Night, Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 7:00PM - 9:00PM, Marist College South Hurstville Campus - Adults only
  
• JRS Foodbank Drive #3 (1st collection weekend), Saturday, October 18, 2025, 9:00AM - 11:00AM, St Declan's Parish
• Stay Steady on your Feet - a 6 week Program, Monday, October 20, 2025, 9:30AM - 11:30AM, St Joseph's Catholic Church Oatley
• Anointing of the Sick Mass, Saturday, October 25, 2025, 8:00AM - 8:45AM, St Declan's Catholic Church
• Tech Savvy Seniors - Term 4 2025, Thursday, October 30, 2025, 1:00PM - 2:00PM
• Heavenly Heroes, Friday, October 31, 2025, 5:00PM - 7:30PM - St Declan's Church
• Annual Remembrance Mass, Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 7:00PM - 9:00PM, St Declan's Church, Penshurst
• Parish Morning Tea, Friday, November 7, 2025, 10:00AM - 12:00PM, St Joseph's Oatley, Marian Hall (21c Frederick St, Oatley)
• Altar Server Training, Saturday, November 8, 2025, 2:00PM - 3:00PM - St Declan's Church, Penshurst
• Ascension Nights, Saturday, November 8, 2025, 6:00PM - 9:00PM, Marian Hall, St Joseph's Parish Oatley
• Seniors Mass & Christmas Lunch, Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 12:00PM - 3:00PM, St Joseph's Catholic Church Oatley

IN OUR ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY

Click  here for Archdiocese of Sydney events. 

The Scaffolding Newsletter:  Bishop Tony Percy

Sydney's newest Auxilary Bishop, Bishop Tony, shares thoughts and reflections on Scripture and contemporary topics through his Substack newsletter.

The most recent 200 word article, titled Hope, can be found here.

Subscribe to his Substack newsletter and podcast here.

Ms Samantha Ison - Religious Education Coordinator

Cultural Immersion Trip

MARIST PENSHURST IMMERSION TO CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

It was a great privilege to lead the first-ever Marist Penshurst Immersion to Alice Springs and Uluru during the recent October school holidays. Facilitated by Catholic Mission, a group of seven students from Years 10 and 11, accompanied by Ms Chaaban, Mrs Ridley, and Ms Maakrun, spent ten unforgettable days immersed in the culture and community of the Arrernte people.

The experience left a lasting impact on all involved, with many describing it as truly “life-changing.”

Highlights of the immersion included:

• Meeting and learning from local Aboriginal Elders about Arrernte Country, history, and culture.
• Attending a bilingual Catholic Mass in Arrernte and English, followed by students hosting a BBQ for the local OLSH parish.
• Discovering bush foods, bush medicines, and Aboriginal art.
• Engaging with local organisations such as Purple House, which provides dialysis services to remote communities.
• Visiting significant sites including the Catholic Mission of Santa Teresa, the historic Telegraph Station, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and Earth Sanctuary, where students enjoyed an astrology tour and slept under the stars in swags.

Perhaps the most memorable moments came from experiencing the breathtaking landscapes of Central Australia—Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Simpsons Gap, Stanley Chasm, the ancient Ochre Pits, and swimming in the serene Ellery Creek Water Hole.

We hope to offer this incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience again next year and establish it as an annual Marist tradition.

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Mrs Marie-Anne Maakrun - Leader of Character Education

MCCP Community Garden

The 'Community' garden at South Hurstville has recently had two signs installed. The first sign is an Acknowledgement of Country that greets you as you enter the garden up the stairs from the main car park. The second sign is located in the centre of the garden and describes its key elements including the art work, flagpoles and plant species that surround the area. The Community Garden is a place where the College can gather in peace to reflect on the gifts we all share with one another.

Mr Brian Vane-Tempest Stewart - Head of Strategic Planning and Communication

Year 9 Camp

Early Monday morning, the 20th of October, Year 9 travelled to the Great Aussie Bush Camp in Kincumber for a two-night camping experience. After a two hour drive, we arrived, unpacked our luggage and settled into our cabins, we set off in our pastoral care classes to begin our activities. Year 9 split into 8 groups, group 5 commenced with a raft building challenge, testing our teamwork abilities. Afterwards, we competed in Archery, hitting the target earnt you an ice cream. The day ended with a movie night and a supper of chocolate milk and cookies. The next day, group 5 began by safely climbing and jumping from great heights on the Power Fan before splitting into teams to complete the puzzle in the survivor challenge. Group 5 then paired with group 6 to experience the Mud Run, before building stretchers in teams to compete in Pioneering and ending with a Disco Night. After packing our bags on the third and final day, we experienced great heights on the Giant Swing and Abseiling, before being treated to a sausage sizzle and making the journey home on the hottest day recorded in October. Overall, Year 9 camp was an extremely enjoyable experience with friends and we came away with new skills and great memories!

Daniel Ivanoski - 9-5

Our 2025 Year Nine camp at the Great Aussie Bush Camp in Kincumber was truly one of the best experiences I have had with my grade. The activities were heaps of fun, especially the giant swing and mud run, which gave us such an adrenaline rush. One of the best parts was getting to choose a few friends for our cabin, which made us all feel comfortable and was the perfect bonding experience, even if we stayed up a little too late. I think everyone laughed so hard that we barely thought about the camp food. Overall, we all had the best few days making new friends and getting to know each other better. We are very grateful for all the hard work the teachers put into organising the camp for us. 

Antoinette Sotiropoulos - 9-3

Our Year 9 camp at the Great Aussie Bush Camp was a very memorable experience, which gave us the chance to challenge ourselves and cooperate with our peers. Activities like the giant swing and power fan jump were outside our comfort zones, while team challenges such as survivor, raft building, and pioneering helped us build trust and teamwork. Even though the weather was hot and the food wasn’t always ideal, it was ultimately an amazing opportunity to be with our friends and experience new activities. It was a camp that brought challenges, laughter, and plenty of memories.

Keira Chandler - 9-5

Award Recipients - SHUR Assembly

Technology News

A SEASON FOR GIVING

Year 8 Technology is involved in an outreach initiative this term, raising money for the St Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal. They will put their Adobe Illustrator skills to good use to design Christmas Ornaments which will then be cut using the school laser cutter. These ornaments will be sold later in the term with all proceeds going to St Vincent de Paul.

We are also taking pre-orders for 2 special ornaments, one of which can be personalised. If you would like to support this initiative, please use this Google Form to order your custom Christmas Ornaments. Orders for these designs will close on Monday, 27 October to allow ample time for printing.

YEAR 8 - RETRO GAMER

The Year 8 students have been meticulously producing timber boxes with lids, in the workshop. They have learnt new techniques such as rebate joints and how to varnish their boxes. These boxes will house a game prototype they have designed following the steps in the design process. This unit has exposed students to both graphics and timber technologies as well as solidified their knowledge of the design process.

Mrs Tina Bongailas - Technology Teacher

Representative Sport

REPRESENTATIVE SPORT RESULTS

REPRESENTATIVE OZTAG

NSWCCC ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Congratulations to Isaac Aad (7-6) on becoming the NSWCCC 12 Years Athletics Age Champion. We are extremely proud of Isaac and wish him all the best in future competitions.