2025 Yearbook

YEAR BOOK 2025

Informed Compassionate Creative

Schools of WELCOME STATEMENT

This Schools of Welcome statement reflects the core values of the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition and serves as an expression of what it means to be a Good Samaritan Education school.

As a community of faith, Good Samaritan Education understands that the universe is graced and all creation is inherently dignified and worthy of reverence. We are all enriched and strengthened in our diversity. We strive to become more fully human – to grow together, be more kind, more just, more flexible and more integrated. Joan Chittister (For Everything a Season)

We are educational communities of welcome, inviting all into communion with God and with one another. We cherish all people and stand humbly in solidarity with those who have been excluded or are vulnerable, especially First Nations Australians, people of all genders and sexualities, people with disabilities, refugees, and those from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

We share a vision of Catholic Education that is impelled by the parable of the Good Samaritan, guided by the Rule of Benedict and inspired by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan.

Seeking God together is the foundation of the Benedictine charism. In our schools, we constantly strive to include everyone, listen to everyone, and respect the dignity of all. We grow communities that challenge and nurture – so arranged that the strong have something to yearn for and the weak have nothing to run from (RB 64:19).

The legacy of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan is one of radical inclusivity and of service without borders. With the mission of the Sisters as our inspiration, we aim to serve our communities with open hearts, recognising Christ in all.

The parable of the Good Samaritan impels us to reach out and honour the humanity of all. It shows us how a community can be rebuilt by men and women who identify with the vulnerability of others, who reject the creation of a society of exclusion, and act instead as neighbours (Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti 67). Service is at the heart of who we are. We commit to work tirelessly to include, lift and honour all in a spirit of service and responsiveness. We aim to embrace the needs of all in a spirit of care and closeness. In the person whose voice is not heard and whose needs are ignored, we see Christ.

Good Samaritan Education Statement 2022.

College Theme Growing Together in Hope

When our Principal, Ms Haggett, first introduced our 2025 College theme—Growing Together in Hope—she spoke about the word hope as a verb—an action. She proposed that we can all choose to be hopeful. Then she told the incredible story of a female Australian cricket player and journalist, Mel Jones, who used her time during the COVID lockdown to work with others in the community to provide a safe passage and new home for a group of Afghani women and their families. Her sense of hope and kindness enabled these women to continue to play the sport they love (cricket) in safety and to live out a life of peace here in Australia.

Ms Haggett encouraged us all to consider this story of hope, and find our own ways of living and growing in hope this year, with the support of those around us.

The cover artwork for this yearbook is the result of a collaboration between local Wurundjeri Artist Sam Richards (Connecting Two Worlds), First Nations students, and FIRE Carriers at Mater Christi College. Sam worked with our students to develop the concept and bring their vision to life.

The artwork represents the journey (coloured wavy lines with circles representing people) of growing up not just in age but across the school grades (waves start low and go higher), personal development, and achievement.

It is about some of the hills we climb and valleys we go into, and that no matter what challenges we come across, there will always be community (large circles with smaller circles) there to support us, whether they be family, friends, or teachers, to guide us, to teach us and to provide us with the tools we need to be the best we can be.

Balayang the bat, the creator of women, watches over his creation as they travel along their own journeys through life, with the diamonds representing his protection of them.

From our Principal

From February to August this year, 625 prospective parents and students toured Mater Christi College. Almost without exception, they remarked on our learning culture; often using words such as calm, engaged, thoughtful, articulate and caring to describe our students. Of course, this does not happen without the consistent care and professionalism of our teachers, and the behind-the-scenes essential services provided in administration, finance, facilities, and myriad other things that make up this community. But it isn’t this that I want to focus on.

What strikes me is the fact that Mater Christi is something of an oasis, a place of calm and learning where students can step into a space and safely explore who they are, and who they want to become. Young people need this, and in my opinion, girls need this more than ever. Girls take on so many messages from a world that wants them to act, look and be a certain way or they are not valued. We have come so far in championing the rights of women and girls; yet, despite significant progress, challenges remain. For example, big tech companies continue to promote dehumanising generative AI platforms and refuse to take action against a toxic social media culture. Developing our young people to be engaged, thoughtful and articulate at this time in history is not an option, it is a necessity. Throughout this year I have proudly witnessed and rejoiced in our students’ growing abilities in so many areas of school life. What I am most humbled by is their capacity to care. This is at the heart of who we are as a Good Samaritan school.

I wish to thank the College Executive Team for their diligence and commitment, and acknowledge members of the College Board. Particular thanks must go to Professor Wendy Cross (Chair), Mr Eugene Lynch (Finance Committee Chair), Mr Aaron Goodall (Development Committee Chair), and Ms Amy Whitehead (Risk, Governance and Compliance Chair).

Dr. Maria Haggett | Educator, Principal

From our Deputy Principals

2025 has been another year of outstanding academic achievement and endeavour from our Mater Christi students. The year began with our High Achievers Assembly which recognised and celebrated the Year 12 Class of 2024 for their VCE and VCE VM results—including acknowledgment of our VCE Dux and VCE VM Dux. We also presented several other distinguished awards for students in Years 8-10.

Congratulations to our Year 7 and Year 9 students on their excellent NAPLAN results. Across both year levels, the College achieved an overall average of Strong in all assessments—a testament to the quality of our teaching and learning programs, and to the commitment and dedication of both students and staff.

Throughout 2025, students from Year 7 through to VCE engaged in a wide range of learning opportunities, including (but not limited to) Zenith, Enrichment Weeks, Domain Area Learning Weeks, and Debating, as well as structured workplace learning and examinations for our VCE students. It has been especially pleasing to see so many students participating in our many co-curricular learning extension programs such as Homework Club, Write Club, Maths Club, and Art Club.

I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to our inaugural Scholastica Captains for their many initiatives in support of student learning this year. Their leadership and enthusiasm have made a valuable contribution to the College community.

Finally, congratulations to our Class of 2025 on completing your secondary school journey. We wish you every success in your future endeavours.

Tara

Baker

| Deputy Principal – Learning

This year has been one of growth, celebration, and shared achievement across our College community. We began with the introduction of our College Charter and the Learning and Wellbeing Codes of Conduct, helping students understand what it truly means to belong to MCC. The Charter was unpacked in Home Groups at the start of the year, ensuring everyone had a shared language for how we learn, live, and flourish together.

2025 also marked the first year of our newly established leadership structure in the Senior Cabinet. This outstanding group of leaders worked with passion and commitment, highlighted by their planning and delivery of our biggest event of the year—Mater Day. Transformed into a country fair, the day brought joy and laughter (and more than a few cream pies in my face!) and raised an incredible $10,500 for the Good Samaritan Foundation.

Leadership thrived across all year levels, with students engaging in workshops, councils, and feedback forums. Our Year 8 Good Sam Leaders commenced their important work, while our Year 10 Big Sisters supported Year 7 students through the transition into secondary school. Alongside leadership, our students embraced countless opportunities in sport, the arts, and cultural exchanges, including trips to Central Australia and China.

Community spirit was at the heart of our gatherings, from student-led assemblies to our joint days with St Joseph’s. Together, we celebrated Mass and enjoyed shared activities— from picnics and movies to roller skating and mini golf.

As the year closed, we farewelled the Class of 2025, while welcoming new Home Groups, Flying Start classes, and our incoming Senior Cabinet. I thank our 2025 Senior Cabinet for their energy and leadership, and wish our graduating students every success in their exciting journeys ahead.

Shae Mayes

| Deputy Principal – Staff & Students

Company Representative

• Leonie Keaney

Board Directors

• Wendy Cross - Chair

• Sarah Denholm

• Aaron Goodall

• Georgia Heffernan (to June)

• Barry Leung

• Eugene Lynch

• Cathy Mason (to Nov)

• Kylie Oddy (to June)

• Amy Whitehead

Company Secretary

• Otto Henfling

Board of Governance

Mater Christi College is a public company limited by guarantee. It is governed according to the Constitution of Good Samaritan Education. The Directors, appointed by the Members of the Company in accordance with the Constitution, form the College Board, which provides the governance of the College and sets the strategic direction. All operational matters and internal administration are delegated to the Principal as Chief Executive Officer.

We are proud to share some key highlights from another year of exceptional VCE accomplishments by Mater Christi College students: the Class of 2024.

The ATAR score is particularly relevant to those students aspiring to pursue higher education, so we congratulate those who achieved their desired ATAR. Your dedication, tenacity, and focus have certainly paid off, and we wish you all the best for your tertiary offers.

For those whose ATAR did not meet their expectations, there are many options and alternate pathways to get into your desired course. The personal and learning growth achieved in Year 12 will contribute significantly to your future, and this was simply one step in your journey. We also acknowledge that not every student's story is told by an ATAR score. We are incredibly proud of our VCE VM students who showed remarkable commitment to their VM and VET studies and their future goals.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024; your strength and support of each other is a true reflection of our Good Samaritan spirit. We also extend our congratulations and thanks to the parents and families of our 2024 Year 12 cohort, whose support and encouragement were integral to our students' success.

We wish to acknowledge the efforts of our teaching staff, whose dedication to providing the best learning opportunities for our young people is most evident in our 2024 Year 12 results and the outstanding achievements of our Dux of VCE VM, Emma Costello and our College Dux, Jen MacDonald.

Jen attained an ATAR of 99.65, including two perfect scores of 50 in Business Management and Health & Human Development.

Students who attained ATARs over 90 include: Disha Adeshara, Sienna O’Connor, Alice Zhu, Sasha Neilson, Mitali De Zoysa, Natasha Kindler, Brianna Sinclair, Monique Enriquez, and Gemma Przychodzki.

All these results are a testament to the advantage of an all-girls education.

Let us celebrate every young person’s commitment to their own growth and development within our supportive MCC community.

Dr. Maria Haggett | Educator, Principal

Highlights from the Class of 2024

Premier’s Award for Sienna

Class of 2024 student Sienna O’Connor received a Premier’s VCE Award for academic excellence in her Physical Education studies in Year 12. This fantastic achievement is even more noteworthy, considering Sienna experienced a significant injury early in 2024, that required considerable readjustment and resilience to overcome.

Sienna, her parents and Health & PE Learning Leader, Vicki Godfrey attended the award ceremony.

2024 AWARDS presented in 2025

At Mater Christi College, we celebrate the diverse achievements of our students, from the Arts, Sports, and Leadership to Community Service and Social Justice. Celebrating the uniqueness of our student contributions in all areas is very precious to us. Thus, we recognise and celebrate the achievements of the Year 12 Class of 2024, through the acknowledgment of their efforts in the VCE and VCE Vocational Major. We also present a range of awards that recognise a variety of skills, talents, achievements, and academic endeavour and excellence, in Years 7-11 throughout 2024.

Let’s celebrate this together and empower each other to reach new heights in our own learning journeys, no matter what that looks like.

Dr. Maria Haggett | Principal

COLLEGE DUX VCE-VM DUX

Jen MacDonald Emma Costello

Atar Scores (90+)

Jen MacDonald, Disha Adeshara, Sienna O'Connor, Alice Zhu, Sasha Neilson, Mitali De Zoysa, Natasha Kindler, Brianna Sinclair, Monique Enriquez, Gemma Przychodski

Perfect Study Score 2024 (50)

Jen MacDonald, Sienna O'Connor

Scores (40+) - Year 12 2024

Disha Adeshara, Jessica Ashton-Smith, Willow Bakker, Paige Bromfield, Kaesha Christie, Mitali De Zoysa, Audrey Gearon, Emily Gianfriddo, Sienna Hayman, Natasha Kindler, Sienna Kurdian, Taya McNamara, Jen MacDonald, Sasha Neilson, Sienna O'Connor, Gemma Przychodzki, Brianna Sinclair, Alice Zhu

Scores (40+) - Year 11 2024

Anna Lindhaus, Viola Turchini

VCE Baccalaureate

Loti Davies

Astrid Renehan Chemistry Prize Award

Alice Zhu

Vida Goldstein Award for Excellence in History

Sasha Neilson

Rebecca Jago Outdoor and Environmental Studies Award

Jessica Ashton-Smith

Excellence in Mathematics Award

Alice Zhu, Natasha Kindler, Willow Bakker

Hannah Kinross Social Justice Award

Milla Macallan

ADF Long Tan 2024 AwardYears 10 and 12

Saanvi Palliyil, Sienna O'Connor

Adf Future Innovator AwardYear 10 and 12

Evie Vale, Lilly Ziino

Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program Award

Eliane Patte

Monash Scholars Program

Emily Hill, Kiara Enriquez, Eve Cumming

Dandenong Ranges Community Bank Group Education Support

Scholarship

Madeleine Vlek

Monbulk District Community Award

Lara Talarico

Enterprise & Innovation Award

Mabel Gould

Maureen Keating Stewardship Award

Monique Enriquez

2024 Good Samaritan Awards

Allora Cumming, Sophie Lancaster, Amelia Cunningham, Caitlin Boce, Layla Gould

Mullum Vet Cluster Awards - Year 11

Merit: Charlie Hyndman, Bridie McDermott, Ella Webster

Excellence: Josie Bamford, Pippa Lee

Mullum Vet Cluster Awards - Year 12

Merit: Christiana Nestor, Disha Adeshara

Excellence: Pria Wilson, Emily Gianfriddo

RACI Titration Competition

Winners 2024

Tabitha Ferrier, Ace Somers, Giselle Carrubba

2024 SCHOLASTICA AWARDS

YEAR 7:

Sasha Boothroyd

Inca Campbell

Hannah Connallon

Elsie Dinnie

Maya Mithen

Darcy Oldfield

YEAR 8:

Mikayla Bui

Dominique Smyth

Mia Xie

YEAR 9:

Megan Hardie

Emily Hudson

Julia Lindhaus

Neve Potter

Ruby Ross

Lucy Rossely

YEAR 10:

Charlotte Beck

Kiara Enriquez

Maya Gutierrez

Antonia Osipova

Eliane Patte

Stevie Vella

Madeleine Vlek

Maria Wang

YEAR 11:

Lucy Crouch

Tabitha Ferrier

Ava Jackson

Indigo Thomson

Viola Turchini

Ava Wooden

YEAR 12:

Disha Adeshara

Jen MacDonald

Sasha Neilson

Gemma Przychodzki

Brianna Sinclair

Alice Zhu

Lilly Ziino

College Captains

We have been so lucky to be your College Captains for 2025. It has been a special year, not only for our cohort, but we hope for the entire school.

We are honoured to have been part of the first ever Mater Christi Senior Cabinet, creating a legacy that we can all be proud of. We would like to thank the entire team. Being able to give back to this school and work together on so many community projects has been a blessing.

We are very grateful to have taken this journey with the most understanding and close cohort who have supported us and each other with no questions asked. Our school life together has been such a blessing and the friendships we have made here will last a lifetime.

We would like to thank our beautiful teachers for their unwavering support throughout all our years at Mater, we couldn’t have done it without them.

Working collaboratively with every year level was one of our goals as a Senior Cabinet and we are pleased to say that we successfully achieved this, bringing our Mater community together as one.

Thank you beautiful people, we are so proud of you, and you should be proud of yourselves too. We hope you all go on to achieve the best things—we know you will.

Annabella Tyquin & Ava Di Bartolomeo 2025 College Captains

Senior Cabinet 2025

Sruthi

Claire Pierce ARTS AND CULTURE LEADER

Tabitha Ferrier STEM LEADER

Dihara

Student Leadership

Year 11 Council

Charlotte Beck

Charlotte Gaynor

Ashley Koolstra

Zara Menon

Eliane Patte

Jess Robinson

Ariella Spadano

Audrey Thomas

Madeleine Vlek

Emma Whitfield

Year 10 Council

Eve Calder

Amelia Cunningham

Chloe Edwards

Annali Grigoriu

Taya Marsden

Aria Martin

Chloe Patterson

Sydney Powell

Ruby Rattigan

Ruby Ross

Lucy Rossely

Fatima Shahid

Nawini Senanayake

Eloise Sutton

Year 9 Council

Marley Bellamy

Isabelle Coia

Sophia Colussi

Avery Ede

Emma Gloster

Madeline Goodall

Hridaya Khairnar

Tayla Kircos

Hannah Matthews

Lydia O'Connor

Tess Ramsey

Marissa Schleifer

Charlotte Smithells

Year 8 Representatives

Imogen Allen

Genevieve Askew

Emily Burrage

Allora Cumming

Darcy Oldfield

Eva Robertson

Quinn Thorn

Mila VanDerSay

Chantal Wanigasinghe

Hannah Williams

Year 7 Representatives

Charlie Blacker

Bessie Cooper-Davies

Isla Frost

Thea Hickey

Estelle Hinton

Kaylee Kwasny

Lucy Merritt

Edith Pritchard

Bellamy Rossiter

Nehara Weerakkody

Our RECONCILIATION JOURNEY

Smoking Ceremony

On 18 February, we were blessed with a traditional smoking ceremony delivered by proud Wurundjeri-willam Elder, Dr. Mandy Nicholson.

The best way to convey this experience is through the words of Year 11 student Charlotte, who welcomed our community and introduced Dr Mandy.

“As we gather here in Belgrave, I would like to acknowledge that we are meeting on Wurundjeri Country and thank them for caring for the land, waterways, and skies where we live, learn, and play for over 65,000 years. We promise to continue to take care of Country every day.

My name is Charlotte, and my mob are the Palawa people of Tasmania. I also acknowledge my Hungarian and Romanian heritage, which I am equally proud of, and which makes me who I am today. Standing with me is my friend Mia, who acknowledges her mob, the Biripi people of Port Macquarie, and her proud Irish background. We pay our respects to any Elders past, present, and any First Nations people who may be with us today.

Our people, and your First Nations brothers and sisters, are the oldest living culture in the world. This is something we should all take pride in. I encourage everyone to be brave in learning about our culture. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if the answers might be difficult to hear. Learning about the true history of where you live, no matter how hard the truth might be, is essential. It is through understanding and acknowledging this history that we can find the power to create meaningful change.

Remember, the power of change lies in what we do once we learn the truth.

I am honoured to welcome a proud Wurundjeri-willam Elder, Dr. Mandy

Nicholson. Dr. Mandy will be conducting a Welcome to Country for us today. Mater Christi would like to express our gratitude for you sharing your culture with us today and for welcoming us to your Country.

As a Traditional Custodian, Dr. Mandy can perform a Welcome to Country as she is a Wurundjeri Elder performing a welcome on Wurundjeri land. Dr. Mandy Nicholson is a Wurundjeri-willam (Wurundjeri-baluk patriline) artist, the founder, singer, and songwriter of the Djirri Djirri dance group, and a Traditional Owner/Custodian of Melbourne and surrounds. She also has connections to the Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai Illam Wurrung language groups of the Central/Eastern Kulin Nation on her father’s side and German heritage on her mother’s side.

Dr. Mandy has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Aboriginal Archaeology, is a Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung language expert, and is a cultural mentor to young Indigenous girls through learning and teaching of culture, language, dance, and ceremony. She also holds a PhD in how Aboriginal people connect to Country, off Country.

Mandy, you are a true role model who shows young Aboriginal girls that we are enough—worthy, capable, and destined for greatness. We are the creators of our own path, and the world has no limits for us, so thank you."

We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Mandy and to Charlotte for making this such a special experience for all at Mater Christi College.

NEW INDIGENOUS MURAL

National Reconciliation Week (NRW)

From 27 May – 3 June our school community joined together to reflect, learn, and walk forward in the spirit of reconciliation. The theme this year— Bridging Now to Next— called us to honour the past while building a better future.

Across this week:

• students could get involved in a Leaves for Reconciliation activity in the Learning Commons at lunchtimes.

our College FIRE Carriers played music, engaged in Wunrundjeri symbol chalk art (with permission) and handed out bracelets on the front steps.

• our Year 9s, First Nations students, and FIRE Carriers enjoyed a presentation from special guest Scott Darlow who is a Yorta Yorta man, and an accomplished singer/song writer.

we held a whole school Flag Raising Ceremony in the Hall.

We ended the week with a casual dress day and gold coin donation, raising money for Opening the Doors Foundation assisting Victorian First Nations families with the cost of education.

We were so excited to have a new mural, set along the walls of our beautiful Indigenous Garden this year.

Thanks to Teacher, and First Nations Student Tutor, Mrs Trumino, a grant was secured though the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), for meaningful projects involving First Nations students.

Our Indigenous students and their allies, worked with Indigenous Artist, Sam Richards to realise the artwork. Sam began by running an educational workshop about culture and symbols and her own story.

The final collaborative design uses natural themes and colours to convey a story based on Mater Christi and our students. It depicts the journey (wavy lines of the colours with circles representing people) of growing up not just in age but across the school grades (how the waves start low and go higher), personal development, and achievement. It is about some of the hills we climb and valleys we go into and the support we receive from our community (large circles with smaller circles) in the face of those challenges. Our community being family, friends, or teachers, who guide us, teach us and provide us with the tools we need to be the best we can be. Balayang the bat, the creator of women, watches over his creation as they travel along their own journeys through life.

The mural was completed over a number of sessions, with Sam providing direction and painting expertise and sharing her knowledge.

We are thrilled with the beautiful result!

#AlwaysA MaterGirl

International Women’s Day Breakfast

As a College dedicated to the education and advancement of young women, we strive to ensure our students grow to know they are valuable members of the community whose voices matter and who deserve equality and respect, always. Thus, International Women’s Day is particularly close to our hearts. Every year, we take this opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women and all those who support the journey and success of women in our society.

Our International Women’s Day Breakfast has become an annual tradition and this year; our inspiring Mater Christi alumnae speakers were Zamantha Romero (Class of 2000) and Laura Peele (Class of 2018).

Zamantha is a Social Worker who supports young people and their families who are experiencing family violence, and Laura is an A-Grade Electrician. On International Women’s Day, we acknowledged that while much has changed in Australia over the decades to elevate the position and rights of women, there is still work to be done, both nationally and globally—especially for disadvantaged and marginalised communities.

Zamantha’s journey took her and her family from El Salvador to Australia as political refugees when she was two years old. She spoke of her own experience with family violence in an early relationship and her journey to realising she deserved better. She spoke of her youthful desire to help people and her initial career in the retail sector, where her work ethic and achievements went largely unrecognised compared to men at the same level. Zamantha said it was her personal growth through schooling, life experience, and the support of others that made her who she is today and empowered her to seek more for herself and others.

Laura was originally accepted into a Bachelor's Degree at Deakin University after finishing Year 12 but wasn't convinced that university was the right path for her. After spending time travelling the world, she returned home and decided to take on an electrical apprenticeship, following in the footsteps of others in her family, including her older sister. Now a qualified A-Grade electrician working for one of Australia's largest electrical consultancies, Laura says her all-girls education at Mater Christi taught her that her voice is valuable and gave her the confidence to believe in her abilities and assert herself in a male-dominated industry.

Emma Schmidt (Class of 2019)

Our 2019 Arts Captain, Emma Schmidt was back at the College this year, assisting with all things Performing Arts related as part of her teaching work placement.

Emma’s friendly, approachable, and encouraging nature makes her a wonderful teaching candidate, and her rapport with the students is outstanding.

Emma even stepped in for one of our students who was unable attend our VCE Drama Ensemble Performance Evening, so that the rest of the group could perform. It was lovely to see Emma back in her element, performing on stage again.

We were thrilled Emma chose to do her placement at Mater Christi, and we hope she will return soon.

Olivia Ward (Class of 2023)

In Term 4, alumna and First Nations student, Olivia Ward returned to the College to be part of our FIRE Carrriers Commissioning Ceremony which welcomes new members—First Nations students and allies—who are keen to join the program.

FIRE Carriers stands for Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education. Commissioned FIRE Carriers work to help deepen learning and awareness of First Nations culture, promote reconciliation, and foster the commitment of respectful allies, within our community.

Olivia spoke to our existing and incoming FIRE Carriers about the importance of allies in the journey of reconciliation and shared a little of her own journey in connecting with her Indigenous heritage.

We also thanked our Year 12 FIRE Carriers for their contribution since the program began and wished them well in their next chapter.

Community

Mostpeople who live in the Dandenong Ranges would agree that we are blessed with a unique and very special community. At Mater Christi, we aim to support and foster our hills community and show our appreciation whenever we can. Throughout the year we engage with a range of community organisations, including the RSL, CFA, local primary schools, and disability organisations to provide support, events, and speaker opportunities that enrich us all. Some highlights this year include:

Students taking action

At our end of Term 1 assembly, we enjoyed a visit from local not-for-profit disability service provider— Interchange Outer East (IOE).

Representatives from IOE, Paulo and Gemma, spoke to students about the range of volunteering opportunities available to those interested in working with people with disability, meeting new people, and learning new skills.

We were proud to learn that many of our students across all year levels already volunteer at IEO, and then to see so many more approach Paulo and Gemma at the end of assembly, keen to get involved.

Student volunteers spoke of the many benefits they experience from the programs, camps and activities they take part in, and how much they love getting to know and supporting young people with disability. They also spoke of the deep friendships and connections they have made with other volunteers and the skills they have developed that will benefit their future working life, whether they work in the disability sector or not.

Read about Year 12 student Charlie's experience volunteering and now working at IOE as a Junior Support Worker at IOE.

With Gratitude

At our High Achievers Assembly in February, we offered our heartfelt gratitude and a fond farewell to Mater Christi community members, Laurel and Terry Stephens.

Laurel has been our Chief Exam Supervisor, and Terry a member of our Board and an Exam Supervisor, since 2000. Their daughters also attended the College.

Laurel and Terry's contribution to Mater Christi has been immense, and they have undoubtedly helped and supported thousands of students to achieve their very best VCE results under their care and guidance.

We thank them for their years of service to the College and wish them well on their future adventures.

Belgrave Lantern Festival

We were thrilled to be involved in the iconic Belgrave Lantern Festival this year, thanks to the creativity of our Art Club students and teachers, Ms Müller, Ms Towse, and Ms Colyer who produced a giant dove lantern along with some smaller doves for the parade.

Our Principal, Ms Haggett joined the group, on the evening of the parade, to get into the spirit alongside the rest of the Hills community.

Now we can’t wait for next year!

ANZAC Day Service

Our College Choir, College Captains, Head of Music, Mrs Metcalfe, and our Principal, Ms Haggett participated in the annual Upwey Anzac Day march and attended the service at our local Upwey RSL. The students represented the College with grace and the choir sang a beautiful rendition of Spirit of the Anzacs. Lest we forget!

“ For me, Mater Day is about celebrating the school community and having fun with my friends and teachers outside of the classroom. It’s special because it builds on that sense of ‘togetherness’ that the school has, making everyone feel connected and happy. “

INDIGO THOMSON 12A

“ I was bubbling with joy the morning I walked through the school gates on Mater Day. It was an absolute blast. I had so much fun and made so many new memories I will never forget. I especially loved the photo booth. “

THEA HICKEY 7B

Mater Day

Mater

Day is arguably the biggest day on the Mater Christi calendar. Organised by our Senior Cabinet, with support from Deputy Principal –Staff and Students, Shae Mayes—Mater Day is all about celebrating our College community, bringing everyone together, and raising funds for the lifesaving work of the Good Samaritan Sisters who support disadvantaged people in Australia and overseas.

Mater Day 2025 began with a beautiful liturgy! We were joined by special guests, Sisters Jill & Bernadette from Good Sams and treated to uplifting hymns sung by some of our most talented students. We reflected on Mother Mary and other strong women in the bible from whom we can draw our own strength and courage. And of course, we ended the Liturgy with our favourite College song—Send Us Out!

Next up, was our House Performing Arts Competition (read more about this, on the Performing Arts page).

Then, the icing on the cake was our Mater Country Fair which included everything that makes up a good old-fashioned country event! A bucking bronco, a petting zoo, pie-face challenge, sack races, line dancing, a Mater Women's Association baking and craft competition, and so much more.

The queue to throw a pie at our teachers was long, to say the say the least, topped only by the crowds who came to watch!

Ms Haggett spent a long time in the petting zoo, amongst all the animals she loves so much.

Food trucks, fairy floss, pizza—you name it! And, if you were still hungry, those who made cakes in the Mater Women's Association Baking competition were there to share their creations around.

Such a great day! This one will be hard to top!

Grandparents Day

On25 July, we celebrated the fifth annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly—a day established by Pope Francis to honour the wisdom, love, and faith of our older generations.

Our Year 7 students and their grandparents (or significant older person) began the day with a beautiful Mass led by Father Kevin, followed by a joyful morning tea, music from our talented choir and musicians, and College tours led by our students. It was a lovely morning—a true celebration of connection across generations.

We were especially pleased to welcome back our very first Mater Christi College Captain, Loretta, who attended the morning with her granddaughter—a beautiful fullcircle moment for our community.

The 2025 theme chosen by Pope Francis is: “Blessed are those who have not lost hope” (Sirach 14:2) which ties in nicely with our 2025 College theme—Growing Together in Hope.

Pope Francis reminded us that the voice of the elderly is precious—they hold the wisdom of the past and are key to nurturing the hope of the future. “Young people,” he said, “drawing strength from their grandparents, will go forward.”

We give thanks for the love and presence of grandparents and elder figures in our lives—they are a blessing to us all.

Senior School

Year 12 TWELVE

“ Class of 2025, it has been a privilege to witness the remarkable journey of you all throughout the year. True to our Legacy theme, you have shown unwavering care and support for one another, creating a culture of kindness, determination and dedication that has uplifted our school community. As you step into the next chapter, remember 'Excellence is not a destination, but a habit—continue to strive for it in all that you do' “

FRANCOIS

ARMANSIN, YEAR 12 LEARNING LEADER

Formal

The Year 12 Formal is a major highlight for students in their final year of secondary school, and the Class of 2025 relished the chance to get dressed up and have some fun with their friends before the busyness of their final year kicked in.

This year, alongside limos & hummers, we saw some impressive vintage cars dropping students off.

The students, partners and staff had a ball, forming lasting memories and making the most of this special night.

Congratulations to Year 12 Learning Leader Mr Armansin for all his work in making sure it was a night to remember for all, and our thanks to the staff who attended to celebrate with our Year 12s.

PRACHEE ADESHARA 12D

“ Retreat was a chance for everyone to connect, to be vulnerable, and to let loose. We were given plenty of opportunities to open up, but it also allowed us to create deeper bonds with the year level as a whole before our big year. A highlight was our private concert with the icon, Gen Bryant. I loved every bit of it! “

Retreat

Year 12 Mater Christi students begin their final year of high school by going on Retreat.

This is a chance to step away from their dayto-day lives, to have some time together, to breathe deeply, to take stock, and to prepare for the year ahead.

Much of this year's Retreat was spent getting to know others in the year group on a deeper level through listening and sharing our own stories. Many Year 12s were surprised by the number of their peers who experienced fears and uncertainties similar to their own.

Our thanks to Father Luke and Damo from the Passionist Youth Retreat Team, as well as the Gen Bryant Team, for joining us and supporting this experience for our Year 12s.

The Power of Wishes

At the beginning of Term 2, at our Year 12 Assembly, Mr Armansin spoke about the concept of making our dreams a reality.

He asked the students to respond with something they wish for. On that list was their Year 12 Hoodies.

And just like that! They appeared!

Dress Up Days

Year 12 dress-up days provide some light relief from the busyness of the final year, and a chance to get creative and have some fun with friends. It’s always great to see the inventive costumes the students come up with.

The Year 12s decide on the themes for their dress up days each year. Amongst this year’s choices were: What I wanted to be when I grew up!, 100 Years Old (to commemorate 100 days left of secondary school), Pyjama Day, Pop Culture, and Primary School Days.

“ Year 12 has been a challenging yet rewarding journey that pushed me to grow both academically and personally. I am proud of what I have achieved and the opportunities that I have been given, and I look forward to the future. #AlwaysAMaterGirl “

JESSICA SIDHU 12D

We will go, so send us out!

We bid farewell to the Class of 2025 at a College Mass and Assembly on Monday 20 October. With parents, carers and family members looking on, the group were acknowledged for their sense of community, and their care and support of one another.

Our Principal Ms Haggett offered them three pieces of advice.

• Avoid comparing themselves to others—it can only lead to unhappiness.

• Beware of statements or conversations that begin with the words “They say”. Instead ask, they”?

There is no need to have a pre-determined path, or indeed a path at all. Just walk!

Go boldlyClass of 2025! You will always be a Mater Girl!

“ Year 12 was a bittersweet year. I was always surrounded by so much love and support which shaped me into who I am today. I will miss the memories created and hold them close to my heart forever. “

“ I will miss my Mater community who I have learnt, laughed and grown with during my time here, and the sense of belonging we have created for each other. “

KEELY O’BRIEN 12A

“ My Year 12 experience has been very challenging, but definitely one of the best years of schooling. All of the dress up days, fun days and activities brought everyone together. Finding balance with everyone and everything in my life was key. Taking care of myself and surrounding myself with the right people has helped me to get through and I’m forever thankful. “

IMOGEN EDGAR 12D

SRUTHI GANESAN 12D

VET

VET Small Business

Mater Christi students interested in running a business can choose to complete a two-year VET Certificate II Small Business Innovations certificate on campus during Year 11 and 12. This study includes learning about small business operations, policies and procedures, market research, promotion, financial activities, planning, customer service, sustainable work practices, and much more.

In May, students and staff across the College supported our VET Small Business students at their Mother’s Day Stalls, and what a success it was!

There was truly something for every mum. Students and staff bought up big, with all proceeds going to support Vinnies and their valuable work in the community.

This event was an excellent opportunity for our VET students to showcase their entrepreneurial skills while making a meaningful difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness.

The Art of Hospitality

Ella has always enjoyed working with people and providing care and service to others. She also loves good food. So, choosing to do VET Hospitality as part of her VCE studies was a great fit for her.

“I’ve really enjoyed learning how to present food and beverages, and the organising, preparing, and excitement of restaurant nights. Having my friends and family come to some of the themed restaurant nights was a fun way to celebrate and showcase our learning.

I’ve also enjoyed participating in tastings, including cheese, tea, and chocolate. I feel very grateful to have made some great memories, new friends, and connections.”

The experience and skills Ella has learnt in her VET Hospitality course helped her secure a job at her local bakery, where she feels confident communicating with and serving customers, preparing food, and making coffees.

“My knowledge of food handling, sales and transactions, and how to work effectively in a team, have been valuable working in the fast-paced environment at the Bakery.”

VCE VM

Term 4 marked the official opening of Thrifti Christi and our new Curiosity Centre.

Work began on this space earlier in the year, with our Maintenance Team, refurbishing our old school canteen with fresh new reclaimed timber bench tops and other sustainable materials.

Then, our Year 12 Personal Development Skills class, set to work to transform it into a space for creativity and where curiosity can be explored. Included in this is our new Thrifti Christi clothing swap store—with a take one, donate one system.

We are incredibly proud of this initiative from our Senior students which raises awareness about, and addresses, the global issue of fast fashion and sustainability.

Congratulations to all involved in bringing this vision to life including Teacher Monica Kutt, who has supported the students in this journey.

Year 11 ELEVEN

“ Year 11, you have embraced the challenges of commencing your VCE studies with determination and maturity. You have demonstrated resilience in adapting to the increased workload and expectations, showing confidence in your abilities and a willingness to take on new opportunities. Throughout the year, you have supported one another, building strong friendships and fostering a sense of teamwork. Wishing you all the very best in 2026. “

FIONA BIRCHALL & TORIE GORDON YEAR 11 LEARNING LEADERS

“ In Year 11, I was keen to do Accounting, but the on-campus classes clashed with another one of my subjects. Instead of missing out on doing Accounting, I was able to complete it through Virtual Schools Australia (VSV) online. This taught me to work productively. I learnt new time management skills, and independent learning and study skills. It also gave me the opportunity to do the subjects I enjoy. “

LETTIE REED 11A

Past, Present & Future Reflection

In Term 2, our Year 11 students enjoyed a day away from regular classes for their annual Reflection Day!

Reflection Days are an opportunity to slow down and be together as a cohort. The day’s activities included reflecting on how far they have come in their personal journeys so far and getting to know more about themselves and their peers. All of this will be great preparation for their final year of secondary school, next year.

A big thank you to Mr Woodhouse, who organised the day and always manages to make things fun and meaningful at the same time!

Simple But Mighty

Sometimes the simplest of things can have the biggest impact!

This concept is recognised through many of our pastoral activities, which provide students to engage in group activities outside of classroom work, getting to know their peers and focusing on their wellbeing, reflecting on the world around them, or simply having some fun.

A great example of this was the Year 11 Spelling Bee which wrapped up Term 2 for the students, taking them back to basics for their final Pastoral Period before the holidays.

“ A highlight from Year 11 for me, was the canoeing camp on the Murray River as part of my Outdoor and Environmental Studies class. It was a fun and relaxing four days away from studies and a chance to connect with such a beautiful environment and as a group. “

ANNA INGALISO 11E

Dhungalla, Canoeing and Rainbows

Our Year 11 Outdoor and Environmental Studies students took on an incredible adventure in Term 3, paddling 50km down the Dhungalla (Murray River) on Yorta Yorta Country!

Along the way, they explored diverse perspectives on the river and its environment— from scientific understandings, to Indigenous land management, and vocational considerations.

Over the four days, students demonstrated safe, sustainable practices while camping and connecting with the environment.

Despite some challenging weather, their spirit never wavered – and the memories made will last a lifetime!

Teachers Ms Fildes, Ms Lovat, and Ms Bourke were particularly impressed with the resilience, positivity, and appreciation shown by the students saying they were "so much fun to be around!"

Hands Up for 2026 Leadership Positions

“ In Year 11 I have become a lot more confident in myself, because of my friend group and new friendships I have made with my peers. I have been able to go to the Prophetic Voices trip to Sydney, volunteered in our community, and been challenged to step outside of my comfort zone and join new extra-curriculars. “

Towards the end of Term 3 each year, as our Year 12 students approach their final weeks of secondary school and begin preparing to hand over the leadership reigns, we ask Year 11 students who are interested in stepping up, to prepare and deliver their leadership speeches.

We were so pleased and proud to see so many Year 11 students (as well as some aspiring Year 10s) putting their best foot forward and presenting their vision for the 2026 Student Leadership positions. Some even sent in video speeches because they were off on the Murray River Canoeing adventure on presentation day.

Congratulations to 2026 College Captains Eliane Patte and Princess Van Der Burght, and our 2026 Senior Cabinet.

Year 10 TEN

“ Year 10, you have stepped into Senior School life with confidence and enthusiasm. You’ve worked hard to do your best in your studies while also looking out for one another, engaging in extra-curricular activities and giving back to the wider community. You’ve brought such joy and energy to everything you’ve been part of, and it’s truly been a privilege to watch your grow and flourish this year. “

Community Spirit

This year, our Community Day Program with St Joseph’s College, was extended from involving Year 7 students, to include Year 8 and Year 10, with each year level having the opportunity to spend a day with their St Joseph’s peers.

The Community Day event was carefully planned by our Year 10 Council, who dedicated a significant amount of time to ensure its success.

Working closely with the St Joseph's Leadership team, over a series of leadership days, they brainstormed and organised the activities, discussing various options and choosing the best approach to engage everyone involved.

The students took on different roles to manage logistics, activities, and communication.

Benedictine Hospitality

The role of our Year 10 Peer Support Mentors is to ease the transition of our newest Mater Girls as they make the leap from primary school to secondary school.

On the Year 7 students’ first day this year, these inspiring Year 10 students were by their side every step of the way—offering words of welcome and encouragement, explaining the ins and outs of timetables, locks and lockers, touring the College, and joining in on activities!

“ The day included an icebreaker, a muffin and juice box, and either laser tag, bowling, or mini golf—giving everyone an activity to enjoy. We can say that this day was a huge success, and everyone had a fun time. The teachers and leadership team kept everything running as smoothly as possible.

TAYA MARSDEN 10B

JASMINE SIEN, YEAR 10 LEARNING LEADER

“ The highlights of the Central Australia trip for me were seeing Uluru in person and doing the Kings Canyon walk. It was so cool to be able to see a completely different part of Australia and how different and beautiful it is. I am very grateful I have been able to see those amazing sights and have those beautiful experiences. “

CHLOE EDWARDS 10D

“ I loved having the opportunity to see Uluru up close and all the details in the rock formations, along with the bushland that the Anangu people have been looking after for many years. It was also fascinating to see Kata Tjuta and the view behind all the rocks that looked out of this world—like stepping into a whole new universe.

This trip taught me to really appreciate the beauty of life and nature. Whether you are in the middle of nowhere or your own backyard, sometimes you just need to stop and take a moment to yourself and enjoy the environment around you. “

LYSS SHOTTLE 10A

Big Red

Many Year 10 students took up the opportunity to participate in our annual Central Australia tripimmersing themselves in all the Red Centre has to offer and expanding their knowledge of our rich Indigenous history and culture.

Their wanderings included a guided walking tour of Stanley Chasm and an Aboriginal Art presentation and experience, thanks to Angkerle Aboriginal Corporation. Sightseeing in Alice Springs. Visits to Ormiston Gorge and Simpsons Gap. Close encounters of the reptile kind, with Rex from the Alice Springs Reptile Park. And an Aboriginal presented cultural tour at Kings Canyon, including boomerang and spear throwing displays and lessons in bush tucker, medicine and the local language.

And of course, two days at Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park, including visits to the Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre operated by the Anangu people and traditional owners of Uluru, a walk along the base of Uluru, and an exciting hike into the ‘Valley of the Winds’.

Personal PROJECTS

The Year 10 Personal Project provides an opportunity for students to explore and develop new knowledge, skills, and research techniques. It requires commitment, persistence, good time management, and resilience. The quality of projects and final products produced never fail to amaze us, and the personal and academic growth students experience is remarkable.

“ I created a hand-painted bikini box to keep all my bikinis organised and ready for the summer. While making it, I learned a lot about designing, painting, and drawing skills, which I hadn’t practised much before. It was a fun challenge to step out of my comfort zone and try something new, and I ended up really enjoying the creative process.

“

EVIE EDWARDS 10D

“ My Personal Project began as a mission to learn French, but I soon diverted to creating a podcast after realising my initial goal was too ambitious. I enjoyed having the freedom and flexibility to fully personalise my experience to what suited me best at the time. I’d always had a passion for communicating and sharing knowledge through media and had been curious about podcast creation prior to starting my project. This unit enabled me to pursue my interest, encouraging me to maintain selfdiscipline and structure to see my goal through. “

LUCY ROSSELY 10A

“ I chose to write a collection of five short stories centred around different emotions. I chose this because I’ve always been interested in writing, and I wanted a chance to further my writing abilities. What I gained from this experience were better time management and self-discipline skills. I also learned more about human emotion and how to express it in words. “

MEGAN HARDIE

10E

“ I chose to create a set of clothing pieces inspired by Medieval English female peasants. This included a gown, surcoat (a sort of sleeveless dress) and an apron. I was greatly inspired to do this project from the term we spent learning about Medieval History in Year 8, as this built on my already existing passion for History. With the help of my grandma, I successfully completed all three pieces and along the way developed a range of sewing skills. Most importantly however, I was able to spend quality time with my grandma, which made the experience all the more enjoyable. “

NEVE POTTER 10A

MIDDLE School

Year 9 NINE

“ Year 9, you have shown steady growth across all areas of school life this year. You have engaged more confidently in your studies, participated more actively in College events, and strengthened your connections within your Home Groups. It’s been great to see your growing sense of belonging and willingness to get involved as you continue to develop both socially and academically. We hope you all continue to find your spark! “

GRACE TOBIN & MELINDA LOVAT,

YEAR 9 LEARNING LEADERS

STEM Enrichment Week

In the first of four Enrichment Weeks, our Year 9 students took a deep dive into the design thinking cycle through the lens of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Across the week, students had the opportunity to choose from a huge array of STEM based activities.

Day 1 focused on Mathematics, with students engaging in activities such as a baking bonanza, coding, a sandcastle studio, tessellation, the use of Microsoft Excel for Mathematics, and an escape room.

On Day 2, the year level took a trip on one of the oldest and most wellpreserved steam trains in the world, Puffing Billy, to learn all about past and present design and technology innovations and solutions. Their day covered themes such as energy, force and motion; design processes and technology solutions; society, ethics, economic, environmental and social sustainability factors; the future of biodiversity, and much more.

Day 3 immersed the students in Science, including the creation of electronic dice, mini rockets, and water pumps, the use of wearable technologies, and Science related escape rooms.

The final day encompassed Technology practices across digital, food and product design technology. Students had the opportunity to work with Brush Bots and Drones, learn about and cook with Indigenous food, and try their hand at basketweaving with reeds.

Our thanks to Indigenous chef, Blake, from Mullum Creations, who shared his knowledge and experience with our students. “ I enjoyed enrichment week because I loved learning about all the possible job opportunities in STEM and the interesting and fun things we got to engage in. “

MARISSA SCHLEIFER 9D

“ During enrichment week I enjoyed the day of Science when we got to launch rockets using tablets and water and creating a water pump using recycled bottles and cups. I learnt how to calculate the volume of big buildings that have multiple shapes within them. “

MADELINE GOODALL 9C

STEM Week was a fun-filled, action packed four days of exciting tasks while simultaneously learning new things and applying knowledge to what we already know! I personally really enjoyed flying drones on the Thursday, as it was something new, and learning to program the drone was great fun!!! “

SOPHIA COLUSSI 9A

Walking Together

As part of our Reconciliation Week activities, singer/songwriter, public speaker and Yorta Yorta man, Scott Darlow visited our Year 9 students.

Scott spoke of his pride in being Australian and living in a country made up of people and cultures from all around the world. He explained the heartbreak and impact associated with the disadvantage and inequality experienced by Indigenous Australians, both historically and today. And, he expressed his belief that together we can advocate for and be part of a future that is more inclusive and equitable for all.

Scott has been visiting Mater Christi for many years now. His hopeful message, and his ability to connect with his audience, share the story of Indigenous Australians and inspire us - it's never short of amazing.

Scott left us with a simple request—to remember and act upon the word FLUTE whenever we interact with other people, especially those who do not share our views or who have wronged us in some way.

“ The thing I’ve enjoyed the most about Year 9 is the enrichment activities. Our planned enrichment weeks focusing on different topics have been especially enjoyable. They offered a break from our usual schoolwork while also teaching us new things through hands-on experiences. I’ve also been very grateful for the support we’ve received during our subject selection process as we prepare to move into Year 10 and our Senior years. The multiple pathway related activities and support from our teachers has helped us make educated decisions about our preferences. Overall, Year 9 has brought many new opportunities and has been a great year. “ CHARLOTTE SMITHELLS 9C

World of Work Week

Our Year 9 World of Work (WOW) Week coincides with the time when many of our Year 9 students are planning for or have begun the search for their first job.

Students spend the week focusing on:

• identifying their strengths, areas of interest, and potential careers (through the Morrisby Careers Program)

• developing essential application skills such as the confidence to sell themselves and present well in an interview working on portfolios and resumes, and

• learning about money management.

Their first day was spent with Tripod Enterprise Education, in a professional development session, to understand and further develop their communication skills. They learnt how to speak with confidence, establish connection, and persuade an audience.

“ My favourite part of Year 9 has been having the opportunity to choose our own subjects and electives. Whether it was baking in Food Technology or learning about the war in Gaza, each new class brought a new opportunity to learn within our interests. I have gained experience in Languages, Screenwriting, Media, Humanities, and many more through my elective choices, all of which have led me to become more aware of my learning and what I would like to pursue in the years to come. “

The week concluded with a Dress-to-Impress Fashion Parade, where student volunteers presented a range of outfits so our Year 9 audience could decide whether what they are wearing is appropriate for a job interview.

As it turns out, our Year 9 cohort had very high standards around what they deem appropriate attire for such an occasion, indicating the key messages of professionalism and personal presentation have been well received throughout their WOW Week

All part of supporting our students to become future ready!

TESS RAMSEY 9C

Year 8 EIGHT

“ Year 8, you have consistently demonstrated hard work, community values, and the Good Sam Spirit. This has been evident in your daily interactions with your peers and teachers, and the enthusiastic buzz that permeated your classrooms. You came into the year with a desire to do your best, with a smile on your faces and a measured sense of humour. We have been continually impressed by your growth and engagement. Continue to shine bright, Year 8s of 2025! “

COLLEEN BOLTON & MARGHERITA MAGAGNA, YEAR 8 LEARNING LEADERS

“ The games encouraged us to work in small groups from our Home Groups and try our best. We really enjoyed dodgeball, hitting the target with the ball and the riddles. The day was filled with fun and a bit of nostalgia. “

OLIVIA DALMAN 8E

Survivor Games

In Term One, our Year 8 students had the opportunity to foster new connections and develop their teambuilding skills through an interactive survivor program, thanks to Masters of Fun. The program aims to foster positive relationships between peers as they work together as a team and recognise that everybody has something different to offer and contribute.

Leadership Formation

The beauty of an all-girls secondary school environment is that all leadership positions are held by girls, which equates to more opportunities for students to build leadership skills.

Our Year 8 Leadership program has been reimagined this year, with 35 students selected as 2025 Good Samaritan Leaders.

These students are involved in at least one activity per term that builds their capacity as leaders, provides opportunities to live out the Benedictine values of Community and Stewardship, and supports important school community events outside the regular classroom.

Activities across Semester One, for example, included helping with College tours, putting together tour packs, being a Home Group Representative, being a flag monitor, and helping with our International Women’s Day Breakfast.

To prepare selected students for their role, they all took part in a Leadership

Formation Day in February. On this day, they engaged in team-building and getting-to-knoweach-other activities, learnt about what it means to be a leader in the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition, and explored ways they can contribute to building a culture of ‘holding each other up’.

“ We had a chance to get to know each other and to organise our roles for the year. You may have seen some of us on Flagpole duty! We learnt the importance of Benedictine values and how they can be models for leadership. A highlight of the day was Pip the dog joining us. “

DARCY OLDFIELD 8E

“ I really enjoyed all the fun, exciting and new experiences in Year 8.

I loved getting to be a part of the Good Sam Leaders as well as being a Home Group Rep. I have learnt so much and met so many new people through the program. I loved Food Technology and the extracurricular sports. I participated in Basketball and made new friends while playing. “

GENEVIEVE ASKEW 8C

“ Year 8 saw the introduction of the new leadership role, the Good Samaritan Leaders. I have enjoyed the experiences this role has offered, in particular helping out with school tours and participating in leadership days. It was a great opportunity for Year 8 students to begin their leadership journey. “ IMOGEN ALLEN 8A

Little Miss & Mr Men Characters Enter Stage Left

Our Year 8s spent their Term 3 Drama classes working on ensemble performances.

The task? To work together to create a performance starring Little Miss & Mr Men characters—addressing an important social issue such as peer pressure, healthy eating, emotional regulation or how to handle feelings of being unfriended on social media.

Some of the performances included:

The Snap Chat Surprise—staring Mr Supportive, Little Miss Sad, Little Miss Busy and Mr Confused.

Little Miss Sunshine and the Grumpiest Man— with Little Miss Sunshine, Mr Grumpy, My Lazy and Mr Tickle.

The Snack Attack—with Mr Greedy, Little Miss Balance, Little Miss Fresh and Mr Munch.

Peer Pressure Problem—with Little Miss Brave, Little Miss Thinks-a-lot, Mr Nice, Mr Wise and Mr Follower.

All the groups did a fantastic job, impressing Drama teachers, Ms T and Mr Weybury, immensely!

Year 7 SEVEN

Off to a flying start

Friday, 31 January, was a big day on the hill! There was an air of excitement and positivity as our 2025 Year 7s arrived on campus to begin their secondary school journey here at Mater Christi College.

Parents waved goodbye after a short gathering in the hall, leaving their girls in the capable hands of our enthusiastic Year 7 Learning Leader, Jules Colyer, and their Home Group Mentors. After spending the day with their Year 10 Peer Support Mentors (Big Sisters), learning the ins and outs of College life, the day wrapped up with a bit of fun—a newspaper costume competition!

Each class was challenged to design and make an outfit from newspaper and masking tape, then present and model their idea to the audience!

It was fantastic to see so much creativity and laughter!

Transition Program

At Mater Christi College, we are extremely proud of our Year 7 transition program which ensures a soft landing for our youngest students as they navigate the new world of secondary school and settle into new routines.

Students are given every opportunity to engage with their peers and explore new friendships through a range of activities, while our teachers focus on providing support as needed and fostering a sense of belonging during this crucial time.

This quote from Year 7 student Ava speaks volumes about the value of this approach!

“ My favourite activity from Year 7 transition was meeting new people and my teachers. In transition week, we completed some activities in groups and all thanks to that I’ve made new friends! They are really kind and I’m starting to make even more. Honestly, my class feels like one big friend group to me. We can always make each other laugh, and it’s always a good time. The teachers are also amazing! Their positive energy makes the classroom feel fun and happy. Every time I look at a teacher, they smile back at me which makes me feel accepted and like I belong in this amazing community. I’m so excited for my MCC journey, and I’m so grateful that I get to tell people that I am a part of it. I couldn’t think of a better place to be. “

AVA TRSEK 7D

Retreat Day

By mid-March, our Year 7 students felt very settled in their new routines and had a clear idea of what secondary school looks like. Their retreat day offered a chance to stop, reflect, and connect with newly made friends and to promote new networks.

Students spent the day unpacking the parable of the Good Samaritan and exploring how its message can be applied in their own lives. They also explored our 2025 College theme—Growing Together in Hope.

Highlights from the day included representing Benedictine values by giving ribbons to their peers, singing their new favourite Gen Bryant song, and watching their teachers play musical instruments.

Belgrave Pool

“ It was great to take a break from classes and meet new people. The ribbons were a great way of seeing the nice things other people think of me. “

MEDEA PANACCIO 7D

The sun was up, and the togs were on. It was the perfect day for Belgrave Pool, on 6 February and our Year 7s made the most of every minute!

This annual excursion forms part of our Year 7 Transition Program, marking the end of their first five days of secondary school and providing an opportunity to have some fun with new-found friends!

Camp Adventures

From conquering giant swings and soaring the skies on double flying foxes to paddling through their first canoeing experience, Year 7 camp has been full of unforgettable firsts and fearless fun.

Some good-hearted competition was created by an inaugural Golden Penguin Trivia evening—with a fierce but friendly showdown that saw team, Tung Tung Tung Sahur take home the bragging rights!

Toy Story's Woody and Buzz were spotted around the traps, and the second night was spent watching adorable Adélie penguins waddle by in the magical Penguin Parade.

Safe to say, there were some sleepy campers heading home on day three—but we bet they had some stories to tell!

Zenith Program

“ In Zenith this year, we learnt about sustainable energy, which I think is an especially useful topic for the future. A highlight of the program was creating the marketing and ads for our products, which I found both fun and interesting. “

MAYA MITHEN 8B

“ The Zenith program has taught us different methods of sustainable energy production, and how to build and pitch our own ideas and inventions. I really enjoyed learning these skills and ideas as they are important to help gain another perspective on the world around us. “

MIKAYLA BUI 9B

Zenith is designed to challenge students through inquiry-based learning and creative problem solving. This year, the program centred around the theme of Renewable Energy, encouraging students to critically explore real-world issues and apply scientific thinking to future-focused solutions.

Across the Zenith days, students were guided through structured workshops and open investigations, building both their content knowledge and their ability to design and justify innovative ideas. The program emphasised collaboration, inquiry, and creativity, allowing students to extend their learning beyond the classroom and apply it in meaningful contexts.

A key feature of the program was a two-day program at Yarra Ranges Tech School, called Clean Energies, where students examined renewable energy solutions and then applied this knowledge to design and test CAD wind turbine blades and evaluate where best to locate wind farms. Building on this foundation, they were then challenged to investigate novel ways to harness energy and to generate their own innovative proposals. These inquiry projects required students to combine scientific research, problem-solving strategies, and creative thinking to design solutions that could contribute to a more sustainable future.

SENIOR DRAMA AT ITS FINEST

Senior Drama students gave three spectacular performances at their Ensemble Performance Evening in May!

The entire show—script, staging, and costumes—was student designed and created, with guidance from teacher Mr Weybury, forming part of their assessment for their VCE Drama

It was great to see Mater Christi alumna, Emma Schmidt, back on stage as well, stepping in for a student who was ill, so the show could go on!

Lucky for us, Emma was on a teaching placement at Mater Christi at the time and is a seasoned Drama

Performing ARTS

HOUSE PERFORMING ARTS COMPETITION WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

Our annual Mater Day celebrations always include our much loved and anticipated, House Performing Arts Competition (HPAC) and many in our community deemed this one, the best ever!

HPAC includes a group act from each house, along with individual performances, scored by our judging panel, which was made up of Ms Haggett, Ms Sien, Ms Jay, and Ms Colyer.

The theme for this year's performances was Powerful Women, and our performers sure did bring it! We were absolutely blown away by the level of talent on display, especially from some of our youngest Mater girls. Yes, many in the line up were Year 7s!

Our student performances were followed closely by an hilarious staff act, which included a surprise visit from Beetlejuice himself (Mr Weybury), who was so convincing, you could be forgiven for suspecting he may have been moonlighting in the professional stage show running in Melbourne this year.

Then, just when we thought the show couldn't get any better, another surprise came with the arrival of Country mega-star Dolly Parton (Ms Haggett)—in her element, singing Jolene!

Congratulations to Chisholm House who were the overall winners and a huge thank-you to everyone who took to the HPAC stage—you made our day!

SENIOR PERFORMING ARTS NIGHT

In September, our Senior Performing Arts students had the opportunity to perform their work in front of an audience at Burrinja Cultural Centre.

Acts included work from VCE Drama, VCE Dance, and VET Music students, as well as a guest performance from the Mater Christi Jazz Troupe.

The students shone brightly on the night demonstrating their diverse and creative talents.

The Drama students displayed a gift for comedy in their self-written acts, our singers lifted the roof, and our dancers showed great collaboration and skill. It was also a treat to see our VET Music class

MUSIC SOIREE

Being involved in the Performing Arts program at Mater has allowed me to really express myself and have fun by giving me an outlet to explore my passion. Whether through production, performance nights or even HPAC, it has brought me so much joy and given me opportunities to meet new people and share my spirit and love for performing with others!!"

“

Our 2025 Music Soiree was a wonderful evening of diverse musical performances from students in Year 7 - 12, and the audience were very enthusiastic in their appreciation of the talent on display.

Students shared their skills on piano, guitar, vocals, and saxophone, and the Jazz Band Academy and Choir performed pieces they had been working on throughout Term 2, after practicing hard in the lead up to this performance.

Every single performance was wonderful and an absolute treat for the audience.

“ Performing Arts at Mater has been such a core part of my life. I have loved the amazing people, students and teachers alike that helped me find a voice and a passion I didn’t know I had. I’ve made lifelong friends and memories, I can’t imagine my life without the Performing Arts and I am so thankful that Mater has supported me, both on and off stage in finding that passion. “

PRINCESS VAN DER BURGHT 11E

CLAIRE PIERCE 12C

Production School of Rock

Mater Christi was pleased to be involved in the St Joseph's College production this year, a highlight not only for audiences, but for students with an interest in Music and the Performing Arts. There are opportunities for students of all year levels to get involved and experience all that goes into a professional stage production, including acting, singing, dancing, band, and backstage support.

In 2025, it was St Joseph’s turn to produce the show, and they chose the stage adaptation of the 2003 hit film, School of Rock.

Under the stage and musical direction of Nicholas Krizmanic and Bronwyn Dean from St Joes, the cast and crew did an exceptional job bringing this much-loved story to life and audiences were completely wowed!

MORE THAN A SPLASH OF COLOUR

In Term 1, our Year 8 students used the Fauvist art style to inspire and create their own colourful pieces.

Fauvism emerged in France around the turn of the 20th century, led by Henri Matisse. This movement is known for using pure, vibrant colours to create a sense of explosion on the canvas.

Didn’t they do a fantastic job!

ESTEEMED RECOGNITION FOR STUDENT ARTWORKS

Each year, students from Catholic schools around Victoria are chosen to have their artwork displayed at the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Creative Arts Exhibition that runs in conjunction with Catholic Education Week.

We are very proud to report that three Mater Christi College students—Anna Lindhaus, Aleisha Foot, and Akira Sharma— had their artwork selected for the exhibition from over 400 entries across the State—an achievement that carries significant prestige.

Their selection follows months of planning and creative development and is a testament to the commitment and dedication of all three students!

Visual ARTS

A SPLASH OF FEMALE AMBITION

Art Creative Practice (Unit 2) includes the study of artists, society, and culture and focuses on collaboration in the creation of artworks. As part of this unit, students are required to work in collaboration with an artist, the audience, or other professionals.

Our Year 11 Art Creative Practice students were fortunate to work with local mural artist, Elizabeth Gleeson, who ran several

workshops with the students in the lead up to the realisation of this amazing mural representing female ambition.

Not to mention, the rest of our College community can now enjoy the fruits of their experience for years to come!

Our thanks to Elizabeth for her guidance and expertise, in helping out students bring their creative ideas to life in such a striking way!

ART GALLERY

Olivia Melder 7B

Bria Agudo 7B

Ruby Di Nuzzo 8D

Lila Radley 10A

Anna Lindhaus 12B

Pippa Lee 12D

Millie Lemmens 7B

Emily Nicholls 8B

Chantal Wanigasinghe 8D

Alyssa Fitzgerald 7B

Lara Thorn 8C

Annabella Tyquin 12B

Erica Van Elmpt 9D

Jade McCulloch 8E

Akira Sharma 10C

Kayleigh Carroll 10C

Eliza Stephenson 10B

Claire McPeake 9D

Ashlee Moulday

Arts & Technology EXHIBITION

Our annual Arts & Technology Exhibition

is an opportunity to discover creativity at its finest—celebrating student talent across Visual Arts and Product Design & Technologies subjects.

On opening night, in November, the College came alive with colour, imagination and innovation. Families, friends and the Mater Christi community were invited to explore an inspiring showcase of work from Creative Art, Photography, Media, Visual Communication Design and Product Design & Technologies students from every year level.

The evening also honoured excellence, with awards presented to outstanding individual pieces as well as to Middle and Senior School students who have excelled across multiple Arts & Technology subjects.

Viola Turchini 12A

Millie Lemmens 7B

Poppy Hayler 7D

Elayna Boys 12C

Viola Turchini 12A

Y7 Pottery

Ellis Quinn 12C Arali Fernando 10C

The Pièce de Résistance

A Year 12 student’s final work in Product Design & Technologies and other creative subjects is a labor of love, that they work towards right from the beginning of the year. This is underpinned by an extensive process journal, that outlines every idea, trial, process, challenge, and success from the beginning to end of production. What worked, what didn’t, colours and designs they trialled but chose not to use and why, sources of their ideas, mood boards, and so much more. And then, when it’s all over, they walk away with beautiful garments like these to keep, wear and be proud of! Voi la!

Product DESIGN & TECHNOLOGIES

All in the eye of the beholder

These four dresses created by Year 11 Product Design & Technologies (PDT) students are all made from the same pattern. What a fabulous demonstration of the diverse and creative mind, which explains what students love about subjects like PDT. These subjects provide opportunities for self-expression, and unique interpretations of an original concept, limited only by your own imagination.

Product Design & Technologies has been a highlight of my Year 12, where I have created not only amazing fashion pieces but also friendships and valuable knowledge for my future. I have been able to express my creativity through epic designs and use my own hands to make it a reality. Additionally, I have also been able to learn great planning and time management skills that will assist me in everything that I do. “

AVA JACKSON 12C

“ I have always enjoyed sewing and I was so excited to try it this year. It has been so much better than I expected it to be, and I have learned so much. I loved it all, from the joy of making a drawstring bag to picking out all the accessories for my pyjama pants. It is one of those things where anyone can have fun and where everyone celebrates others' success, that’s mostly why I love it. “

LUCY MERRITT 7A

“ I have really enjoyed Product Design & Technologies this year! It has been a new and exciting experience for me to try. We have been making pyjama shorts and pants. I learned how to use a sewing machine and thread it properly, as well as how to make a mood board. Through this process, I discovered that I enjoy sewing and have used the skills I learnt in class to create new things at home.

EMMY HERNADI 7A

To Dye For

Our Year 9 & 10, Product Design & Technologies subject—To Dye For, enables students to learn a range of surface decoration techniques, including tie-dye, fabric painting, fabric transfer, embroidery, applique, and bleach painting, to create a collection of fabric samples.

The samples are then incorporated into a bag design, that fits their own personal aesthetic and unique style.

The students are always desperate to take their amazing bags home so they can start using them but kindly allowed teacher Ms Schmidt to display them in the Learning Commons for a while, so we could all appreciate them first!

Colourful Inspiration

Checkout these vibrant and colourful fashion dolls made by our Year 7 students in their Product Design & Technologies class.

The dolls were created based on the work of Chinese-Australian Fashion Designer, Jenny Kee—known for her bright, bold prints inspired by Australian flora and fauna!

We think our Year 7s did a brilliant job!

TECHNOLOGY

Digitech Apps

The world moves fast these days, and while parents may struggle to keep up with technology, our Year 7 students are already learning the basics of App design—creating screens and focusing on user interface and user centred design. This includes testing their prototypes with their peers.

“ I really enjoyed making the sweet treats and getting to eat them after class. I learnt a lot about the history of High Tea and its customs. “

AUDREY LOWRY 9D

The kitchen is buzzing!

Our Food Technology kitchen is always busy towards the end of term with students putting their research and learning into practice. Students from our Bon Appetite (Years 9 and 10) and Mater Chef (Year 10) classes were cooking up everything from churros, to dumplings, baked apple wreaths to vegemite scrolls, at the end of Term 2—filling the hallways with delicious smells and making us all wish we could do a taste test.

“ Food Technology is one of my favourite subjects. Being able to express myself through food design has helped develop my character throughout other subjects as well. My favourite part of Food Tech has been designing and decorating cupcakes and cookies. I have learnt more about myself through practical lessons as well as projects I have completed throughout the course of this subject. “

TESS RAMSEY 9C

Christmas in July

It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas, so our Bon Appetite class, got festive in July, making these gorgeous (and delicious) shortbread Christmas trees.

MEET CAITLYN (Class of 2024) AFL Sports Ready Arts Trainee

Many of our students and families will know or recognise Caitlyn from her outstanding performances in our College productions over the last few years and her role as Arts Captain in 2024.

Students may also have noticed Caitlyn back at the College this year as our 2025 Arts Trainee, which she applied for at the end of Year 12, as an alternative to heading straight into university.

Caitlyn says applying for the traineeship was an excellent option for her gap year.

“I get to save up for travel and university, it’s in a familiar location, and I get to be part of the Arts Department. The inclusion of a free Certificate III TAFE course as part of the traineeship is super handy, too. Having that under my belt for next year will be great.”

Caitlyn lives and breathes the Arts, and in Year 12 she studied Drama, Art, Media and History, as well as English Literature.

“Juggling three folio-based subjects was no joke! But I’m grateful that I took them as I am passionate about the Arts, and it allowed me to see what pathways were available for someone with a creative mindset.”

An average day for Caitlyn this year involved assisting with the day-to-day running of the Arts Department. She helped out in classes, organised materials, tidied up after student activities, and went on excursions. She also helped set up advertising for Arts opportunities within the College. Caitlyn particularly enjoyed the autonomy she had in setting up her own schedules and managing priorities.

“I definitely gained a higher sense of responsibility in this role, as I essentially made my own schedule and spread out my tasks throughout the day. It also helped me become comfortable in a working environment.”

After finishing Year 12 at the end of last year, the rapid leap from student to staff member at Mater Christi felt surreal for Caitlyn, but it didn’t take long for her to get used to her new place in the school.

“I really enjoyed working alongside the Arts team and seeing what goes into planning activities in the school. It has given me a whole new perspective on how a school runs. It did feel strange at first going from student to staff member so quickly, but I came to enjoy it. I feel like I slid right back into the Mater community and could engage with all the staff and students on a different level.”

As many of us know, new jobs can be daunting, even if you are in familiar surroundings. But Caitlyn says there is plenty of support for trainees, not only from the staff at Mater but also from Sports Ready (which funds the program) and her course providers at TAFE.

“I have felt 100% supported. There was always somebody I could go to for help, and overall, I felt very comfortable.”

In 2026, Caitlyn begins an Arts degree at Monash University, which she was accepted into at the end of 2024, following her Year 12 results. Through the degree, she will be able to explore all the areas of the Arts that interest her, and she hopes that experience will lead her to a career she is passionate about and open up more ways for her to incorporate the Arts into her daily life.

Caitlyn is keen to encourage others to consider a traineeship after Year 12 as a way of opening up more opportunities.

“For anyone unsure about taking on the traineeship—I highly recommend it! It might seem daunting initially, but it is such great work experience. Having the traineeship under your belt can provide you with heaps of future opportunities, and you can get as much as you want out of the experience.”

“

This year at Mater Christi I’ve found a new passion in Humanities. Whether it’s learning about the inventions from the ancient periods of China or assessing the livability of my local area. Humanities has helped me have a better understanding of the world I live in today, and I have discovered that positive changes happen through educating ourselves about past failures and successes. “

BELLAMY

ROSSITER 7A

In a Perfect World

As part of their No Place Like Home elective, students from Years 9 and 10 worked in groups to create their own town called Perfectville. They considered the needs of all community members, including social cohesion, education, health, environmental concerns, practical services, transport, and traffic flow.

This unit of work looks at what is being done to alleviate homelessness in Melbourne and focuses on students using their developing visual communications skills to express their learning.

HUMANITIES

Humanities Week

The theme for Humanities Week this year, was Girl Power Through the Ages with loads of lunchtime activities available to students keen to celebrate girl power across all Humanities topics and eras—with the added incentive of being crowned Humanities Queen at the end of the week.

Our Learning Commons was host to these activities which included badge making and HerStory poster creation every day, along with a History focused Trailblazer Trivia, a Geography themed Sheography Bee, a Pop Princess Quiz, based on Civics and Economics, and a screening of the movie Ever After.

Congratulations to Bellamy Rossiter (7A) who was declared our 2025 Humanities Queen!

Ringwood Magistrates Court

As part of Unit 2 Legal Studies, Year 11 students consolidate their learning with a visit to the Ringwood Magistrates Court. This justice system immersion enables them to witness the real-world application of legal principles and engage with legal practitioners about the ins and outs of how the court operates, the crucial role it plays, and the reasoning behind decision-making.

“ Our excursion to the Ringwood Magistrates Court was such a valuable experience to have as a VCE Legal Studies class. The people at the courts gave us a glimpse into the reality of working in the Victorian justice system, and I am incredibly glad to have their insight which has helped me better understand how my studies apply to the real world. “

ASHLEY KOOLSTRA

11B

Year 8 Medieval Day

Our Year 8 Medieval Day fittingly coincided with Humanities Week—with our students enjoying the chance to immerse themselves in all things feudal.

Medieval clothing, music, games, and battles were all part of the experience, and we suspect the students walked away with a new appreciation for modern day comforts.

A special shout-out to all those who embraced the spirit of the day with their own creative costumes—you all looked amazing!

Our thanks to History Up Close for delivering an engaging and spirited program as always!

Top Class Debating

Our Mater Christi debating teams went from strength to strength this year, with record breaking results in the Debating Association of Victoria’s inter-school competition.

Our Year 10 team won one of their debates by an astounding 7 points! English Teacher Mrs Jay said she can't remember a team winning by this much, with 1 - 2 points being the common winning margin. The team made it through to the quarter finals and came 4th in the State out of hundreds of schools. Team member Lucy Rossely was awarded Regional Best Speaker Award for her grade—with one judge commenting that she was the best debater he has ever seen.

Our Year 11 team also did a brilliant job in all their debates. with their secret topic. Members of this team are relatively new to debating and were often up against more seasoned debaters. We have no doubt they will be a force to be reckoned with in the not too distant future.

Our junior debate teams had a fantastic season too. While there are no finals for Year 7 and 8 teams, they still won lots of their debates. In fact, in one of the rounds, five out of five of our junior teams won their debates. Yes, every team!

Well done to all the students and to Debating & Public Speaking Leader, Ms McAdam for her guidance and support throughout the 2025 season!

“ Debating has taught me not only how to argue effectively, it has taught me how to speak confidently in front of others, to collaborate, and work in a team. Debating has been wonderful! I have met so many new people and watched myself and my team grow over the years. “

ENGLISH

CHLOE PATTERSON 10E

Straight from the source!

We were very excited to welcome award-winning Australian author Tony Birch to speak with our Unit 2 English students in Term 3.

The students had spent the previous few months, diving into Tony’s powerful short story collection— Shadowboxing So, this was a chance to hear directly from the author about his journey into writing, the inspiration behind his work, and the stories that shaped his first published text.

What an incredible opportunity to bring literature to life, during Book Week 2025.

A fresh take on Crow Country

While studying the novel Crow Country by Kate Constable, in English, our Year 7 students worked on their descriptive writing skills.

To round off their experience of the book, students were given the chance to explore these skills in an even more dynamic way. Students could choose to dress up in costume, bring in props and perform their writing piece. Or, those who prefer to be behind the stage could write a prequel, a sequel, add an extra scene or monologue to any part of the book, or reimagine the ending.

All great fun, with lots of interesting plot twists, humour, and suspense conjured up by the groups!

“ Year 7 English was a learning journey that was fun, imaginative, informative, and meaningful.

MILLIE BILSTON 7D

“

Young author emerges

We were incredibly proud of Year 10 student Fatima Shahid, who published her first novel entitled All The Lies We Tell as part of her Year 10 Personal Project.

This is shining example of the way in which student led projects can spark passion and enable young people to realise their individual talents.

Fatima says, All The Lies We Tell began as something to do in her spare time, inspired by her passion for reading. Then, when it came time to choose what to do for her Personal Project, she decided it would be a great idea to write and publish the book, as a way of exploring the self-publishing journey.

Fatima's inspiration for the book came largely from her interest in similar genres.

"I was particularly drawn to the blend of mystery and dystopian themes and decided to incorporate these themes into my own work. Most of the plot ideas happened throughout the writing process, which worked well in my favour."

Fatima has already started planning her next book, which she says will be a young-adult romance. But fans of All The Lies We Tell can rest assured there will be a book two, as it forms part of a series— The Secrets We Keep.

We have no doubt there will be more literary success for Fatima in the future and look forward to witnessing her journey in this space!

All The Lies We Tell is available on Amazon and our Learning Commons also stocks a copy.

Writers Festival

In May, students from Book Club and Write Club made a pilgrimage to the State Library Victoria for the Melbourne Writers’ Festival Schools program. The students walked away from the day with plenty of inspiration, encouragement, tips for overcoming writers’ block, and insights into the life of an author and the publishing industry.

They also visited the State Library’s domed reading room, marvelling at old and rare books in the collection and pondering the weight of Ned Kelly’s iron armour, which was on display.

LANGUAGES

Students at Mater Christi have the opportunity to learn Chinese or French language from Year 7, on campus. Senior students can also access other languages via Virtual Schools Victoria. In addition to this, on alternate years, students can elect to attend an annual trip to China or France. This year, China was on the itinerary.

Language and Culture Week

Our very first Language & Culture Week involved a huge range of informative and engaging cultural activities run by our wonderfully diverse Mater Christi community. These included:

• Spanish dancing & songs

• Estonian and Polish food, fun, and festivals

Japanese Origami (in the Learning Commons)

Greek dancing

• Italian cooking - delicious foccacia

• Irish dancing

Italian Boce

Sri Lankan culture, Hinduism & Judaism information sessions run by students

• Chinese & French films.

Students of all year levels were able to select the activity they were most interested in and spent their pastoral period, immersing themselves in the language and culture of these countries!

A big thank you to Languages Learning Leader, Mr Templin for organising this fantastic event!

“ Language and Culture week included so many activities and opportunities for students to learn about different countries of the world. I especially enjoyed the decorations around the Learning Commons of all the flags. I’ve always been interested in geography and countries of the world, and I found great joy in learning the unique characteristics about every country, including their appearance, and meaning behind their flags.

SIENA FAY, 11A

Name the Flags

“

On the Monday following our successful Language and Culture Week, Mr Templin held one final activity—a Name the Flag competition.

20 students took part, naming as many flags as they could from a series of 40 displayed in the Learning Commons.

The unexpected, yet extremely impressive, result was a tie for first place between Siena Fay (Year 11) and Persephone Dupanloup (Year 9)—each correctly guessing all 40 flags.

So, the following lunchtime 80 flags were presented for Siena and Persephone to battle it out for first prize.

Astoundingly, Siena was able to name 77 flags and Persephone won, naming 79! WOW!

Congratulations to both students on their very impressive eforts!

Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival

The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a traditional holiday celebrating the Autumn harvest and family reunion. It is one of China’s most important holidays for family gatherings.

Our Year 8 students enjoyed celebrating this significant cultural event, creating some beautiful posters to decorate their classroom and enjoying mooncakes (a quintessential festival food), along with other traditional Chinese delicacies.

The Magic of China

A group of 28 students and staff were extremely fortunate to enjoy an incredible trip to China at the end of Term 3.

Their adventures began with a visit to the Yu Garden, built in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty and some shopping at the local market!

In an ancient water town called Tong Li our travellers enjoyed boat rides, had a delicious lunch and then shopped along ancient market streets.

They spent a whole day at Shanghai Disneyland (we think Ms Haggett may have been the most excited about this) then flew to the walled city of Xi'an— the famous birthplace of Kong Qui (Confucius). Here they enjoyed a Hanfu Experience (Han Dynasty Dress and Make Up) and an evening Tang Dynasty Performance.

They had a wonderful cultural exchange, warmly hosted by Xi’an Jinyuan Middle School where their day was filled with new experiences—from cheer classes and Chinese language lessons to learning the art of Chinese calligraphy alongside local students. To top it off, everyone enjoyed a traditional lunch in the school canteen. Such an inspiring opportunity to connect, learn and share across cultures!

This experience was followed by an unforgettable day exploring one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites. Journeying 90 minutes east of Xi’an to the tomb of Emperor Qin, home

“ The most interesting part of the trip for me was when we went to the school in Xi’an, because I was able to experience the culture. My Chinese knowledge was very helpful, especially when having to bargain down the prices at the markets we went to. The trip really helped me learn relevant sentences such as ’tai guile’ which means 'too expensive’, which was very helpful when bargaining. I also learnt many historical facts about building and the origins of some characters and words. “ LENI CLARK 10D

of the World Heritage–listed Terracotta Army. The group took part in a handson workshop, creating their own mini warrior using the region’s famous red clay, before touring the museum to learn about the origins and purpose of the army, built to protect the Emperor in the afterlife.

Then in a truly unforgettable day, the travellers journeyed 90 minutes north of Beijing to experience the wonder of the Great Wall of China. Built over three dynasties to protect the Chinese kingdoms from Mongol invaders, the Wall is breathtaking in its scale and history. Students took a cable car up to Tower 14, walked an hour along the ancient stone paths to Tower 6, and then tobogganed down the mountain— an absolute highlight that brought plenty of laughter and excitement! Later, they visited Beijing Zoo and spent time at the panda enclosure, where

the sight of the giant pandas brought smiles to everyone’s faces. This was a magical way to spend their last full day in China.

While they were sad to say goodbye, our students departed, looking forward to reuniting with their families and sharing their incredible memories.

Religious EDUCATION

We are proud of our Religious Education curriculum that focuses on our core Benedictine values of compassion and stewardship towards others and our natural world as well as the role of courageous and bold women in the bible, from whom we can all draw our own hope and strength.

In the Senior years, students are also given the opportunity to apply for our Catholic Action Program (Years 11 &12), Youth Ministry (Year 10), and overseas and interstate immersions, which address social issues such as global poverty, disadvantage, climate action, and gender inequality.

Care for our Common Home

In Term 3, our Year 7 students learnt about a key concept of Catholic Social Teaching—Care for Our Common Home.

As part of this they were invited to create a poem or prayer from the heart, to inspire others to act, show love for our world, and to spark change and hope for the future.

Religion & Cults

Our Year 10 students are offered four elective options, from which they choose two. This year’s choices included:

• Bold Women: the role of women throughout scripture and the history of the church.

• Eco Conversion: the link between religion and the environment.

• The Influence of Religion: a research project around the impact of religion on laws & decision making, popular culture, language, education and healthcare.

• Religion & Cults: the difference between a religion and a cult, and what draws people to each of them.

In Term 2, our Religion & Cults classes enjoyed a presentation by guest speaker, Clare McIvor who grew up in and escaped a cult. Clare shared her story with the students including her life after the cult.

Year 12 student, and College Captain, Ava happened to pop in, to deliver a message to teacher, Mrs Morris, and was so enthralled, she didn’t leave.

“ Bold Women was an excellent Religious Education subject. I learnt so much about the overlooked women in the Bible and how bold they were in the face of many challenges. “

CHLOE PATTERSON 10E

“ This teaching reminds us that the Earth and all life on it are part of God’s creation. As stewards of this gift, we are called to respect, protect, and cherish the world around us. It is our shared responsibility to care for the environment and ensure that the Earth's resources are used wisely and fairly, both now and for future generations. As we reflect on the changing state of our planet, we are encouraged to pause and consider how our choices impact creation. This connects closely to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which call us to build a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world. “

MAYA

MUNT AND MADDISON GLANCY 7B

“ It was super interesting and informative! Claire sharing her story really helped me to further understand the impacts cults have on people and how important it is to advocate for survivors and people who want to escape. “

FREYA

BAKKER 10A

FareShare – Schools in the Kitchen

In Term 3, our Catholic Action Program (CAP) class and Year 10 Youth Ministry students spent the day at FareShare—as part of the Schools in the Kitchen Program, making meals and providing nourishment to community members in need.

The group assembled and prepared 881 chicken casserole and rice meals, rice and pasta for another 1600 meals. They chopped 100kg silverbeet, decanted 70 litres of tomato sauce and sorted pasta for another 5400 meals—cleaning and resetting the kitchen ready for the next group of volunteers.

This was a valuable and practical way for the students to make a tangible difference in the lives of those experiencing food insecurity. It also ties in beautifully with our 2025 College Theme—Growing Together In Hope—reminding us that small acts of kindness can bringing hope and healing to those in need.

Ash Wednesday

Beautiful Ash Wednesday liturgies were held for each year level, marking the beginning of Lent and the launch of Caritas Australia's Project Compassion. All were led by our Year 10 Youth Ministry & Senior Cabinet!

Lent is a time for us to slow down and create space in our lives for personal reflection, growth, and renewal—to focus on what truly matters.

Thinking outside the box

Mathematics isn’t just about rigid rules— it’s also creative and full of puzzles!

Early in the year, our Year 7 students put their number skills to the test through challenges that encourage problem-solving, collaboration, and inventive thinking.

Problem-based learning (PBL) goes beyond memorisation and formulas. It helps students develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts through critical reasoning, teamwork, and real-world applications. This approach builds confidence, improves adaptability, and makes learning more engaging and meaningful.

MATHEMATICS

Higher Mathematics

Evie Vale, Year 11, likes a challenge. The bigger the challenge, the better.

Evie has always enjoyed Mathematics, but she only discovered how much she loves the subject in secondary school, once the concepts became more complex and challenging.

As a student of VCE Mathematical Methods, Evie says she has found online tools particularly useful, for solidifying the concepts taught in class.

“There are multiple ways of learning and sometimes multiple ways of solving Maths questions—various online learning tools can either simplify difficult concepts or expand knowledge in those concepts by taking you outside of your comfort zone.”

Evie enjoys the certainty of Mathematics.

“I love Maths because there is always one answer. It’s not like English, where anything’s

right, as long as you justify it. This is especially true in circumstances where there are multiple ways of working something out, but each way should result in the same answer.“

A career that involves Mathematics, where she can utilise the skills she has developed and expand on concepts learnt in secondary school, is firmly set in Evie’s future plans.

For students who may be struggling with Mathematics, Evie offers the following advice:

“There are many helpful tools which you can utilise to understand concepts that seem tricky at first. Platforms like Khan Academy, alternative textbooks, and websites designed to help you, are a great start, or simply ask for help from a teacher.”

Maths Tute Tuesdays

Every Tuesday, students from any year level are invited to attend a Maths Tute session with dedicated Maths teachers on hand to answer questions and provide further explanation on topics that students may find challenging.

This program offers a relaxed and supportive environment, where the students can improve their Mathematics skills, amongst peers with similar goals.

Maths Baking Bonanza

During their STEM Enrichment Week, Year 9 students took part in a Maths Baking Bonanza—combining the joy of cooking with Maths activities, showing how the skills of measurement, fractions, addition and subtraction are used in everyday activities, even baking. They also measured up and created little boxes for their chocolate balls, to ensure the perfect fit.

And at the end of it all, they enjoyed a delicious treat. So, it was a win, win!

“ Attending Maths Tute Tuesdays has really helped me strengthen my understanding of challenging topics like algebra and fractions. Having the opportunity to work through problems with support from teachers and classmates made learning much easier, and I feel much more confident in my Maths skills now. “

CHARLIE BLACKER 7D

“ When I attended Maths Tute Tuesdays, I was usually catching up with homework and then also looking for some extra help for topics, including Pythagoras’ Theorem and Financial Maths. Attending has helped me improve in those topics and increase my understanding of them, which, in the case of Financial Maths, was evident in my results. I would recommend this for everyone, as it will really enhance your understanding of topics through one-on-one assistance. “

HANNAH MATTHEWS 9D

Numbers & Nonsense

In Term 3, students from Years 7–11 showcased weeks of hard work on openended, real-world problems as part of the University of Melbourne’s Mathematics & Statistics Research Competition.

The evening was a chance for families, teachers, and peers to explore the inventive solutions and unique approaches each student developed for their project, seeing firsthand how Maths can be both challenging and fun.

This hands-on, inquirybased event highlighted the power of curiosity, collaboration, and creative problem-solving in Mathematics.

Taking the study of Physics to new heights

Luna Park may not be the first place you think of when it comes to a Physics field trip, but our Year 11 and 12 students experienced Physics in action at the theme park in Term 1, as part of a VicPhysics annual excursion.

From the stomach-churning forces of the rollercoaster to the relaxed motion of the carousel, the day was filled with hands-on exploration, data collection, and unforgettable moments. After all, Physics is best learned in motion!

“

SCIENCE

I had a great time with my friends and teachers. I never knew Luna Park could be so educational. “ EVE CUMMING 11C

Science Week

“ The scientists individually presented what they do, how their job works, and how they ended up there. I was so excited when I found out that there was going to be a palaeontologist named Adele Pentland. Naturally, I made sure to harass Ms. Colyer about it during the week leading up to it. ‘What time is it?’ ‘What room will it be in?

Speaking to Adele with a small group of other students was incredibly interesting. I asked an absurd number of questions about dinosaurs, but my favourite answer was when she told me that we both had the same favourite dinosaur, the ‘Carnotaurus Sastrei’. I love Science, especially dinosaurs, and it was cool to speak to someone who studies them as a profession, as well as meet a few other students with the same interests. “

BIANCA CARMICHAEL 7C

Our 2025 Science Week was packed full of lunchtime activities to get students thinking about and engaging in this year's theme— Decoding the Universe.

The week kicked off with a colouring competition & badge making, as well as a Binary Code Counter Competition in the Learning Commons on Monday.

On Tuesday students could meet a scientist through a screening of Growing Plants in Space or join Mr Duguid for Beam Me Up!

Wednesday's choices included Bottle Rockets with Ms Colyer and student teacher Matt, or Decoding the Language of Life with Ms Milesi.

On Thursday, students could meet one of 13 Scientists in person to hear all about their jobs and journeys in Science.

And to finish the week off a Psychology Blind Taste Testing challenge or Coke and Mentos Explosions in the Courtyard.

There was definitely something for everyone, with so many different areas of Science covered.

Not to mention our Senior Chemistry students took part in the RACI Titration Competition.

Thanks to our Science Team and wonderful STEM Captains for their work pulling this all together, and to our parents, alumnae, and members of the Science community who joined us for Meet a Scientist. Science is all about exploration and the sharing of knowledge— your willingness to talk to our students about your experiences will no doubt have answered some important questions and fuelled the interest of many.

Close Encounters of the Reptile Kind

Monique and Ryan from The Lizard Wizard, visited our Year 7 Science classes in Term 2, to share their detailed knowledge of reptiles, amphibians, and local wildlife.

The students enjoyed some close encounters with the animals while learning about their place in the ecosystem, how they adapt to their environment, what they need to survive, and why it is so important to look after the world we share with them.

Monique (Class of 2019) and Ryan aim to promote the preservation and welfare of our precious wildlife through interactive and educational presentations.

“ The Lizard Wizard was amazing!!, It was the first time I have ever held a snake!. I loved seeing the animals and being able to touch and hold them. My favourite was the sugar glider, its face was so cute. I was a bit freaked out about the scorpions but overall, my experience was a big 10/10. “

MILLIE LEMMENS 7B

Senior Biology Excursion

Our Senior Biology students attended the Yarra Ranges Tech School, in Semesters 1 and 2, to get hands on experience with different DNA manipulation tools, including CRISPR-Cas 9, PCR and gel electrophoresis.

They then applied these skills to a real-world scenario, using gene editing therapy for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, and molecular homology as evidence for relatedness between species.

I found it very interesting to hear all the facts about each unique animal. I loved being able to engage with each of them. When it came to holding the snake, I was really out of my comfort zone. But I did it! It was really cool and scary at the same time. “

QUINN COLLINS 7B

NASA Engineer returns to her roots at Mater Christi College to inspire the next generation of girls in STEM

Former student, Dr Kymie Tan (Class of 1987), took time out of her recent visit to Australia, to visit Mater Christi and share her journey to becoming the Chief Engineer for Cybersecurity at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

There’s no denying Dr Kymie’s impressive achievements. She has worked at the highest levels of space and national security in the United States and contributes to some of NASA’s most complex and innovative engineering projects. Yet when she addressed the College at a special assembly on Friday, 27 June, she chose to focus on matters she deemed ‘more interesting’.

Dr Kymie spoke of the strong foundation she received at Mater Christi, which allowed her to progress to university and into her high-profile career. She recalled teachers who cared and who gave her the space to talk about issues that were important to her. She said the values and ethics instilled in her at the College have carried her throughout her journey and made her a person of integrity.

“I want to thank Mater Christi from the bottom of my heart. I had the best time here—the best education. Mater Christi challenged me to think and see things in a different way. It set me up for life.”

Dr Kymie also said her ability to deal with setbacks and challenges came from one fundamental lesson imparted by previous Mater Christi Principal, Sister Margaret Keane.

“When I experienced some disappointments during my Senior years at Mater, Sister Margaret told me, ‘Failure does not define you, it’s how you handle it that speaks to your character’. This message has always stuck with me.”

Despite being in the country to advise the Australian government on matters of national cybersecurity, and to deliver a series of keynote speeches, it was Dr Kymie’s downto-earth, authentic nature and her frank discussions that really struck a chord with our staff and students.

“I have failed countless times in my career. And some of those failures have been catastrophic.”

Specifically, Dr Kymie recounted her time at university, studying Computer Science, when she wrote a program that took down test systems in the Australian Federal Police. She recalled her professor telling her that the reason she failed was because ‘girls can’t program—they don’t have the mindset’. He also suggested she either accept failure in the course or get a boy to write the program for her.

inhabit Mars, what happens to astronauts’ bodies in space, the role of AI in space investigation, and whether the aging process slows down in space.

“Mars is exceedingly like Earth. It once had water and a core that rotated just like Earth’s, but its core stopped rotating, and the planet died. We are working to determine what caused Mars to die and what caused its core to stop rotating so that we can stop or slow the same thing happening to Earth. We aren’t working for profit. We are working for the good of humanity.”

Ultimately, Dr Kymie’s hope, through visiting Mater Christi, was to encourage our students to consider a career in STEM, to be bold, and put aside their fears of failure.

“ When hearing Dr Kymie Tan speak about her life, what really stood out to me was her message about failure. She said, the only way you can fail is by giving up, don’t let failure define you, let it make you stronger.

Dr Tan, also talked out how she was the first woman to graduate with Honours in her class, and 1 of 3 women in a class of 200 + students, this was truly inspiring. She showed that it is possible for women to succeed, even when we might be told we can’t.

I will take Dr Tan’s advice with me, and hold it close to my heart, because what she has achieved is truly remarkable. “ BRIDIE MCDERMOTT 12A

“ I loved listening to Dr Kymie Tan, she was extremely engaging and inspiring. As a Year 12 student I really appreciate the words she spoke. As she was reflecting upon her life and where she is now, she taught us that anything is possible. What spoke to me personally were the following two quotes - “Failure is not the opposite of success, but part of it” and “Failure is not a setback, it’s a part of the journey. If you’re scared to fail, you won’t ever try to succeed. Take risks. Make mistakes. Learn from them”.

Just as Sister Margaret spoke words that Dr Kymie forever carries with her, I will forever carry these with me. “ SRUTHI GANESAN 12D

“When that happened, I decided to keep showing up in his class every day, because I realised that was what Sister Margaret meant. I leant into the failure and graduated as one of only three women that year. I was later the only woman to graduate in the Honours program and complete a PhD in Cybersecurity.”

Similarly, in another example of her application of Sister Margaret’s wisdom, Dr Kymie explained that after starting work at JPL, she had noticed vulnerabilities in its security system similar to those she had seen in the Federal Police. But when she raised her concerns with the JPL CIO, she was told the only way to prove her theory would be to hack into the system, and that would be a federal offence.

In a bold move, Kymie decided to take the risk and proceed. Despite the legalities, and after justifying her actions to the Director of JPL and the FBI, instead of going to jail, she was asked ‘what did you learn?” and ‘how can we fix it?”.

“Ultimately, failure is a necessary part of success. I still get emails today from the Federal Police, regarding that failure. Yet here I am working on cybersecurity for the White House and NASA!”

Following the special assembly, Dr Kymie spent the day visiting students in the classroom and expanding on her work. She addressed many questions from eager minds, about the likelihood of life on other planets, how long it will take us to

“We need more girls in STEM. You are all so lucky, you are living on the precipice of the most exciting time for humanity, and you can have an impact and be part of this. No other generation has had this much access to space.

The keys to the kingdom lie in Computer Science and Engineering—if you have those skills, you will never be out of a job.

I encourage you to dare. Have the courage to fail and try again. Be bold. Keep pushing. For the good of the Earth, and humanity.”

– Dr Kymie Tan

STEM CUP

Our STEM Captains had a new vision for the STEM CUP this year— to make it better than ever and different to anything that had been done in the past.

They settled on a great race style competition (Senior and Junior) with students organised in house groups of up to five people. The groups could choose their activity from a long list which included a marshmallow and spaghetti challenge, lego building, dominos, binary codes, build and race a balloon powered car, and much more.

The team that won each activity received a puzzle piece in their house colour which was then used to form part of a larger STEM themed mural. As students completed their activities, the mural was built and would ultimately reflect the winning —which in the end was Lyons!.

The overall goal was to allow students to interact with one another whilst experiencing the world of STEM in an engaging way.

METS“ Our aim was to showcase the fun of STEM—allowing students to interact with one another with the element of competition. The concept of the mural to determine the winner of the cup was included so we would have a memoir of inter-house unity at Mater Christi.

This year's STEM Cup completely exceeded our expectations. We are so proud of both the positivity and open mindedness of the students, as well as all the effort placed into the event by the STEM team and Senior Cabinet, both on the day and in the lead up to it. “

TABITHA FERRIER & SRUTHI GANESAN

2025 STEM CAPTAINS

OUTDOOR & ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Outdoor and Environmental Studies (OES) develops students' understanding of outdoor environments and the ways humans interact with, relate to, and impact the environment over time. It focuses on landscapes that range in health, from protected wilderness to those heavily impacted by human practices.

The first camp of the year for our Year 12 OES students involved an unforgettable adventure at Wilson’s Promontory, where they immersed themselves in the stunning landscapes and unique ecosystems.

The camp featured a hike along the Southern Circuit, where students experienced breathtaking coastal views and diverse wildlife and spent time catching waves during a spectacular sunset surfing session.

The group also explored the pristine waters surrounding Skull Rock and observed seal colonies up close, during an ecotourism boat tour. This firsthand encounter with marine wildlife reinforced key environmental concepts and the importance of conservation.

In March, following a preparatory day hike in our local forest, Year 11 OES students experienced the beautiful Otways by hiking a section of the Great Ocean Walk from Cape Otway to Johanna Beach, over four days.

Beginning with a tour of the Cape Otway Lighthouse, where they learnt stories about why this coastline is called 'The Shipwreck Coast', the group then spent three nights hiking, sharing meals, and sleeping in tents. They concluded the camp at Otway Fly Treetop Adventures, ziplining through the Otway rainforest.

Health & Physical Education

“ The Otways camp was such an amazing experience. Despite the challenging moments, having a fun and supportive class made it so much more enjoyable. The views along the trail were incredible and the ocean was so blue, none of the photos could do it justice. It was a once-in-alifetime experience I’ll never forget. “

ELIANE PATTE 11B

YEAR 8 NETBALL COMPETITION

Health and Physical Education for our Year 8 students, focuses on enhancing their own and others' health, safety, wellbeing, and physical activity participation in a variety of contexts.

Throughout Term 1, students spent time developing their skills and understanding of Netball.

To consolidate these skills, they took part in the Annual Year 8 Netball Competition.

Well done to everyone across Year 8 for joining in, doing your best, and having fun with your peers!

SAFE DRIVING SKILLS SAVE LIVES!

Our Exploring Personal Health (Year 10) elective investigates healthy decision making based on values, identity, and safe choices. Students explore risk taking behaviours within the context of relationships and driving.

One highlight of this unit is attending a two-day course at the METEC Driver Education & Training Centre where students are involved in two educational sessions and receive two driving lessons—working towards a safer driving future!

Here’s what some of our students had to say:

“ METEC provided us with the opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of how to drive and further knowledge on road rules etc. It was a great experience for everyone to be able to gain a sense of what the roads are like in the 'real world' and we were able to do this whether we had our learners permit or not. They provided road like situations and a course that was every realistic. “

MEISHA SELLAR 10E

Congratulations to 8A who took overall 1st place!

“ I really enjoyed METEC. The instructors were calm and always willing to answer questions. The private (off the street) course helped me feel safer behind the wheel. I genuinely took something away from the experience. “

TAHLIA REICHL

10C

“ I now feel as though I am properly equipped to drive on the Melbourne roads safely. METEC was an amazing help, and I am much more confident about driving now. “

LORALEI ORME 10C

Sports Leadership Breakfast

Every year, before the commencement of the interschool sporting season, the Catholic Girls Schools Association of Victoria (CGSAV) holds a breakfast for student leaders from its member schools.

Our Sport and Recreation Captains, Amber and Aleisha, and our Middle School Council members, Hannah and Tess, were invited to attend, and enjoy a presentation from St Kilda AFLW player Georgia Patrikios. Georgia spoke about ways to balance school and sporting commitments and how to get the best out of yourself.

The morning finished with the opportunity to collaborate with leaders from other schools in a series of games.

SPORTS

Mater Christi competes in 21 different sports competitions across the year and we are thrilled to see so many students trying out for teams in sports they play regularly, as well as showing interest and enthusiasm for trying new ones.

We are also always extremely proud of the sportsmanship and support they show for one another, in these competitions, often cheering on peers from other schools in a show of community spirit and good fun. It would be impossible to capture all of the 2025 sporting events in this book, but here are some of the highlights.

CGSAV Swimming & Diving

We saw fantastic results from the CGSAV Swimming & Diving event held at the Melbourne Swimming & Aquatic Centre in March!

Our Divers tied for 1st Place with OLSH, thanks to some outstanding individual achievements:

Bella Dimitriadis (Year 7) - 1st (intermediate D)

• Estelle Hinton (Year 7) - 2nd (junior C)

• Keira Bradley (Year 8- 2nd (junior A)

• Lara Thorn (Year 8 - 2nd (junior B)

• Dani Rose Olive (Year 9) - 2nd (intermediate A) Emily Hudson (Year 10) - 2nd (intermediate B)

• Lily M Matthews (Year 12) - 3rd (senior A)

• Isla Saffin (Year 7) - 2nd (intermediate C)

Our team of 45 swimmers placed 6th overall, with Matilda Camoes Costa (Year 7) competing in every event, and our senior relay team placing 2nd!

Both competitions were filled with positive energy from students from all schools involved, as the groups cheered and supported each other. It was a beautiful demonstration of unity amongst the competitors, ensuring everyone felt encouraged and valued in their efforts.

State Cheer-Champions – AGAIN!

Our Mater Doves were crowned State Champions once again, at the 2025 Australian All Star Cheerleading Federation (AASCF) competition!

Championship Cheerleading is so much more than chants and smiles. It takes top class choreography, teamwork, strength, coordination, timing, and relentless dedication.

Our Mater Doves have shown that they are not only spirited performers but also incredible athletes.

Congratulations also to our Health and PE Learning Leader, and Mater Doves coach, Vicki Godfrey who leads the team to success, year after year!

CGSAV Basketball

It was a great day for our Basketballers at the CGSAV competition in May.

27 of our talented students hit the courts, showing skill, determination, and teamwork. Both junior teams played their hearts out all day, with the junior A’s narrowly missing a spot in the finals.

Our intermediates and seniors powered their way into the grand finals, in two hard-fought games. While both teams fell just short of victory, they threw everything they had at the court. All teams demonstrated great sportsmanship, resilience, and school spirit. We may not have come home with the trophy, but we definitely came home winners in every other way. So proud of everyone involved!

CGSAV Indoor Cricket

At the CGSAV Indoor Cricket, both our junior and intermediate teams placed 1st overall, and our senior team 2nd.

A special mention to Elsie Dinnie (Year 8) who impressed all the teachers with her support towards her teammates and her amazing indoor cricket skills.

CGSAV AFL

Staff and students braved an extra early start and the freezing Parkville chill for a day of fierce footy at the CGSAV AFL competition — and it was so worth it!

Our junior team dominated the field and took out 1st place overall, with a standout performance from Elsie Dinnie (Year 8) who was named Best on Ground!

Our seniors battled their way into the Grand Final, finishing 2nd overall— an amazing achievement and such a thrilling finish. Special love to our Year 12s who wrapped up their final CGSAV AFL in style. What a way to go out!

Meanwhile, our intermediate team held strong throughout the day and finished 5th with grit and determination.

We are very proud of every single player who gave it their all on (and off) the field.

CGSAV FUTSAL

It was an incredible day of Fustal at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre in August—with 22 students competing in the Division 2 CGSAV competition!

Our junior team dominated the field from start to finish, clinching the grand final win in overtime! Special shout-out to Matilda Camoes-Costa (Year 7), who was named best Grand Final player.

Our intermediate team battled through nail-biting matches, securing a last-second semi-final win before finishing Runners Up in the grand final.

The senior team showcased outstanding skills and teamwork, finishing second in the rounds and just missing out in a close semi-final.

The Mater Christi spirit was strong with every team cheering each other on. We couldn’t be prouder of their effort, sportsmanship, and energy!

“ I love participating in the sports program and it has personally been the building block for a lot of my confidence. Through getting involved in sports at Mater you learn key skills like communication and teamwork. It’s also the only opportunity you’ll have in life to do as many different sports as you like, even ones like Lacrosse, before you move on to other things with bigger responsibilities. “

“ This year I have been involved in about 95% of the sports. From Cross-Country to Diving and Cheer, I’ve done and loved it all! Being my first year of high school, these sports really helped me connect with other girls and make memories throughout it all. It has helped me make many new lifelong friendships with girls from many different year levels. I can’t wait to keep trying out for new sports in the future! “

ISLA

SAFFIN 7A

Meet MICHAILEY

(Class of 2024)

AFL Sports Ready Sports Trainee

Michailey is a people person and has her sights set on being a Sports Physiotherapist. But when she finished Year 12, she was keen to take a break before heading to university, and the AFL Sports Ready Sports Traineeship proved the perfect fit.

“I love working with kids, and I love sport—so this traineeship seemed like a great transition from being a student to working in the ‘real world’.”

As our 2025 Sports Trainee, Michailey worked closely with our Sports Coordinator, Mrs Morris, and our PE teachers— supporting the staff and students throughout training sessions, interschool competitions, and PE classes.

“I organised the sports competitions and training sessions and travelled all over Melbourne to attend inter-school events. I loved being part of the teaching environment, engaging with the students, and motivating them to try out for sports, even if they felt unsure or nervous. It was also nice to see students I was friends with, in Year 12, go through their own Year 12 journey and have them come to me when they needed help.”

Michailey says the Sports Traineeship has enabled her to develop new skills and her understanding of others.

“I have taken on more responsibility in this role, such as supervising students and leading activities, which has developed my leadership and mentoring skills. It has also been great to work with students from diverse backgrounds and gain a deeper understanding of other’s perspectives.”

Moving so quickly from being a student to a staff member may seem nerve-wracking but Michailey says she received a lot of support, and it didn’t take long to adjust.

“All of the PE staff were extremely welcoming and supportive. Initially, I was a bit nervous about work-life balance, as I train as a gymnast four nights a week, but Amanda has been so understanding, helping me manage both. I miss being a student sometimes, but I love being a staff member more!”

Michailey studied Psychology, Business Management, Legal Studies, Media, English and RE in Year 12. Her goal of becoming a Sports Physiotherapist stems from her journey with competitive gymnastics and her desire to make a difference for others.

“I have had a handful of injuries through gymnastics over the years, and my sports physio has been my saving grace. I would like to give upcoming gymnasts and athletes the same support I have received during those periods of injury.”

Project Compassion – Heads above every other year

This year, we set a goal to significantly increase the amount of money raised by our College community for Project Compassion.

Held every year during Lent, Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's main annual fundraising campaign, which aims to alleviate poverty and uphold dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the world.

Funds support:

• young people to access training and develop vocational skills

• families to improve their food security

• communities to access clean water, and

• much more.

It's all about creating lasting change for generations and breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality for communities. Project Compassion 2025 encouraged us to ‘Unite Against Poverty’.

The generosity of our community is always impressive and very much appreciated, but this year, we were blown away with the response to our Term 1 social justice focus.

Mr Woodhouse, set a goal for the College to raise $8000. For added incentive he promised that if we reached that goal, he would say goodbye to his lovingly grown locks and allow our Principal, Ms Haggett to do the honours.

Not only did we reach our goal, but we exceeded it, thanks to the kindness of students, their families, and our staff.

Our total raised was an incredible $12,900.

And so, it was, all in good fun, a fond farewell for Mr Woodhouse's locks.

We extend our thanks to everyone in our community, especially our families who donated to this worthy cause and whose generosity will make a lasting difference in the lives of many.

We raised $12,900

Social Justice & Stewardship

History in the making

Our Year 9 students inadvertently became part of history in the making when they visited the Melbourne CBD as part of their Service as Action Week

Their pilgrimage into the city involved visiting a number of organisations and sites that represent and support marginalised members of our community.

While visiting the statue of Sir Douglas Nicholls and his wife, Lady Gladys, they came across Aunty Pam—Sir Douglas and Lady Gladys’ daughter—who stopped and told them about her parents’ lives. Following this, Aunty Pam spotted her niece Ngarra Murray walking by on her way to Parliament.

Ngarra is co-chair of the First Nations Assembly and was on her way to prepare for a hugely significant moment our

country’s journey to reconciliation— the passing of Australia's first treaty, scheduled for 2.45pm that day. Victoria being the first state to introduce treaty legislation enshrining a democratically elected body for first peoples that will be

consulted on laws and policies affecting indigenous communities.

We are so grateful to these two amazing women who gave up some of their time, connecting our students to such an important and historical moment.

Tinnies for Vinnies

Our 2025 Tinnies for Vinnies Campaign was our most successful yet.

The campaign, run by our Catholic Action Program (CAP) students, encouraged students to bring in one item per week throughout Term 2, for distribution to people experiencing hardship in our local community. Items range from food items to toiletries, hygiene products, and winter basics such as beanies, scarves, blankets and warm socks, with a theme for each week (such as canned foods, winter woolies) to ensure a helpful assortment of items and enabling students to sort and package like items for distribution, making it easier for Vinnies at volunteers at the other end.

At the end of the campaign, over 1500 items had been collected and greatly appreciated by members of the Belgrave St Vincent de Paul Society.

A casual dress day on 8 August wrapped up the campaign, with the sum of gold coin donations used to purchase food vouchers to complement the items already collected.

We are always blown away by the generosity of our MCC community, and this year, we are especially so!

Shrove Tuesday Pancakes

Our fundraising efforts for Project Compassion included a Shrove Tuesday pancake stall which is always a winner with our students.

It was all hands-on deck on Shrove Tuesday morning; with a record 430 pancakes ordered for the stall— demonstrating the commitment of our Mater community to making a difference in the lives of others.

A big shout-out to Mr Sarris and Mr Woodhouse for organising our Project Compassion fundraising efforts, Mrs Chaichuchoti and Mr Zito for their culinary expertise, as well as our 2025 CAP Class and Social Justice & Stewardship leaders for their work cooking the pancakes and running the stall!

Alumnae Careers Breakfast

Our first-ever Alumnae Careers Breakfast in Term 1 was such a great way to start the day!

Students and families heard from six past Mater Christi students who shared their experiences from subject choices in VCE, tertiary study, study exchanges, travel, and their chosen careers. Amongst these six women who have all forged meaningful careers in fields they love, some knew from early on where they wanted to be, others hadn't decided on a job when they finished school and used their university and travel experiences to learn more about themselves and narrow things down.

All six were grateful for the opportunities for personal and academic growth at Mater Christi and reflected fondly on their time there.

Some key messages to emerge from the morning included:

• Trust your gut when making decisions about tertiary courses and professions.

• It's okay not to know exactly where you want to be in the future. Your story will unfold with more experience and growth.

• Be flexible and open-minded. You might end up somewhere very different from where you imagined yourself in your teens.

• Knockbacks or not doing well in a subject or course can be opportunities for reflection and lead you towards a path you may not have considered.

• There are so many directions you can take in different industries and fields.

STEM Summer Program

Year 11 student Evie is passionate about STEM. She loves astronomy, dark matter, pulsars and quasars. So, while many of us spent our summer holidays on the beach and reading books, Evie threw herself into a three-week Swinburne University Summer Program called ASTRAL.

The Astrophysics, Supercomputing, Technology, Analytics and Leadership (ASTRAL) program aims to inspire senior secondary school students through STEM-related academics and work experience, incentivising them to lead the future of Science and expand their skills in research and leadership. Working and coding in Python and compiling peer-reviewed research using Overleaf and Latex, the group of 12 carefully selected secondary students employed skills in Mathematics, programming, data analytics and unity.

Our sincere thanks to Meg Roberston (Emergency Nurse Educator), Ruby Davis (Film Maker), Molly McKernan (Social Worker), Bridget McKernan (Secondary School Teacher), Tess Collins (Organisational Psychologist), and Sgt. Brittany Tunks (Victoria Police), for joining us and sharing your stories. It was wonderful to see you all back on campus.

“ Being a university-level research program, the challenge took me outside of my comfort zone. This was nerve-racking for the first few days. However, working with others who share the same interests and compiling the results into my own report for inclusion in a publishable paper, allowed me to open up and contribute to the projects with ease. “

CAREERS

Christi College offers extensive careers and subject selection support to all students, from Year 9 onwards.

Our Careers Coordinator, Andy Donnelly, is readily available to provide tailored support to individual students and families throughout the process of career planning. In addition to this, there are a number of events throughout the year, that form part of the curriculum, where students can gain additional information about subjects and career options that interest them.

EVIE VALE 11B

Careers & Employment Expo

As part of their Work-Related Skills subject, our Year 11 and Year 12 VCE VM students visited the Careers & Employment Expo at the Showgrounds.

With over 100 organisations and employers to chat to, this was a great opportunity for the students to explore courses, training, and career options. They also had the opportunity to seek free Careers advice, discover jobs of the future, and enjoy the Try a Skill Zone.

Practice for Job Interviews

Our Year 9 World of Work (WOW) Week wrapped up, with every Year 9 student being given the opportunity to engage in a mock job Interview.

This is an invaluable experience, where the students are interviewed by local business owners, or someone from our Education Support Staff. The exercise mimics a reallife interview setting and questions, so that students can practice and hone their interview skills prior to applying for jobs out in the community.

Our thanks to all those who volunteered their time to help our students prepare for the world of work. This included representatives from a range of businesses including, Club Lime Gyms, The Blacksmith Café, The Outer Eastern Local Learning & Employment Network (OELLEN), Cooks at Cooks Corner, Swinburne Skills and Jobs Centre, Maria Café, and The University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Arts.

Subject and Tertiary Expo

Our annual Subject Selection & Tertiary Expo is a fantastic opportunity to network with experts from a wide range of universities and tertiary providers and explore courses and career opportunities.

Mater Christi teachers and Learning Leaders are also on hand to provide valuable subject insights. We had 19 tertiary providers attend the expo and it was great to see so many students and families taking up the opportunity to explore their options.

Learning COMMONS

Our Learning Commons is home to a huge array of activities. It is in many ways the heart of our College.

It is a classroom, an invaluable source of information, a social meeting place, a safe space. It is home to Book Club, Crochet Club and Makerspace. It houses up to date technology, including our 3D printer, drones, and Sphero Balls. It is the stage for poetry readings, staff vs student debates, learning enhancement presentations, and even fashion parades. It is a place for connection and relaxation, a place to study, and read. It is a place of belonging.

Book Week Fashion Parade

Book Week Dress Up Day was a hoot! There were so many fantastic and creative costumes! Fittingly, our Learning Commons is the place where most of the Book Week action happens and home to a crowd favourite—our Book Week Fashion Parade! Taking to the runway were characters including Luna Lovegood and Hermione from Harry Potter, Jude & Carden (Folk of the Air), Speckie McGee, Dorothy x 2 and the Wicked Witch, Gandalph, Iorek Byrnison (the polar bear from Northern Lights), Rainbow Fairies, Gangster Grannies, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Little Misses, Fancy Nancy, Little Green Riding Hood, and more. Our judges awarded Best Dressed to Iorek Byrnison and Gangster Grannies, with Highly Commended Awards going to Hermione and Fancy Nancy.

May the Fourth Be With You!

Our Learning Common’s team always manages to come up with fun ways to celebrate notable days and in Term 2 they turned their attention to Star Wars Day—May the Fourth!

Jedi flying skills were tested with paper planes sent soaring through a Death Star-shaped target. Meanwhile a Star Wars themed colouring competition allowed some time for calm and focus.

Drop Everything & Read

Our Year 7 students embarked on their annual challenge to Drop Everything and Read for as much time as possible each day, for all of Term 3.

This initiative, from our Learning Commons, aims to foster a more positive attitude toward reading for those who tend to put it last on their list, and to provide an opportunity for avid readers to do more of what they love.

This year's competition took a new turn, with 35 students from Years 8 - 11 also signing up, along with many of our staff— all keen to get in on the fun!

Those taking part, competed for group and individual prizes and incentives, with a weekly tally published to spur participants on.

Congratulations to those students in

World Meteorology Day

Year 7 who read for the most minutes and were the most consistent readers. And to 7B who clocked the most minutes altogether and won themselves a pizza party in the Learning Commons.

And of course, congratulations to everyone who participated and did their very best. Reading has so many benefits. It builds empathy, and improves concentration and academic performance across all subjects. Yes, it actually makes us smarter!

World Meteorology Day 2025 celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention. This milestone underscores a century and a half of international collaboration in measurement science.

Students were invited to visit the Learning Commons’ Metrology Museum to discover the answers to questions such as:

What is the link between the kilogram and the French Revolution?

• Which countries are the only ones still enslaved to the imperial measurement system?

What is 'Le Grand K' and where does it live?

Mr Duguid, one of our passionate Mathematics and Science teachers, also ran some measurement challenges including guessing how many books are needed to make a kilogram.

“ I have become a bookworm. “

CHARLOTTE FITZGERALD 7D

“ I have enjoyed finding out new fun facts and gaining more knowledge about my interests. “

JANELLE DOMANTAY 7E

“ I have been reading a lot more and choosing to read over other things. “ IMOGEN ALLAN 8A

“ I now take a book with me everywhere and read any chance I get. “ INDIGO THOMSON 12A

Medieval Marvels MUSEUM

Hear ye! Hear ye! Gather round nobility and peasants alike!

The Medieval Marvels exhibit hath graced the Learning Commons of Mater Christi, and this year it is a sight to behold.

As a culmination of their History unit on Europe during the Middle Ages, Year 8 students put together a museum exhibit, featuring pieces illuminating the most significant people, events, and aspects of Medieval society.

From the humble flea that spread the Black Death, to Joan of Arc and her trailblazing impact on advancing the role of women, it is always wonderful to see concepts learnt, brought to life by the students’ amazing effort and creativity.

Well done to all our budding historians!

done to all our budding historians!

IChooz Term 4

Everyone relaxes and finds calm in different ways. This is why it’s important that our students are able to decide how they spend their valuable downtime in IChooz sessions.

Our final session for 2025 saw a huge range of activities on offer including, crochet, cooking, painting, board games, drama games, dancing, meditation, and more.

Year 11 Wellbeing Day

Our Year 11 Wellbeing Day provided a valuable opportunity for students to pause, reconnect, and refocus during what is often a busy and demanding school year.

The day was carefully designed to nurture friendships, strengthen communication skills, and encourage personal reflection. Through a combination of active, creative, and calming experiences, students were reminded of the importance of balance, connection, and looking after themselves and each other.

The final session featured, special guest speaker, Sam Clear. Sam, a young Tasmanian who walked for 15,600km in 568 days and had 11 near-death encounters, spoke to the students about his experience and the life lessons he took with him at its conclusion.

The day proved a welcome break from routine, allowing students to engage in activities that encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity —while also enjoying some light-hearted fun.

For Dolly

Dolly's Dream was set up by the parents of teenager Dolly Everett, to educate and support victims and communities impacted by bullying. The foundation provides free support and resources to help people navigate the challenges of bullying and its impacts, connect with services, and take steps towards creating a kinder, safer world—in memory of Dolly.

Students and staff at Mater Christi are also committed to challenging bullying by addressing its impact through creating a kinder and safer environment.

In May, this intention was demonstrated through an event organised by our Senior Cabinet, inviting students to contribute to and reflect upon a kindness mural on the windows of our skywalk.

WELLBEING

Our priority is to create a safe and effective place for students to learn, alongside strong, supportive, and trusting relationships. We also hold a Wellbeing Day for each year level throughout the year and a number of IChooz days throughout the year where students can take a break from classroom activities to interact with peers from across the College in an activity of their choice.

Wellbeing at Mater Christi incorporates, Home Group and Pastoral activities, our Big Sister Little Sister Program, the RULER Program (a YALE University established social and emotional regulation tool) a dedicated Wellbeing for Learning Leader, as well as access to our College Psychologists, as needed.

"We see the nourishment of wellbeing as essential to our educational mission of developing students who will engage with today's world as grounded, hope-filled young people who are equipped to lead wisely, to listen deeply and to treat their neighbour and their environment with justice, love and the compassion of Christ." (GSE Philosophy of Education)

Middle School Swimming Carnival

• Seriously impressive water skills

Vibrant and creative costumes

• Bucketloads of house spirit

Cheering that rings out all over Belgrave

• DJ Balderstone rocking the tunes

• An incredible amount of organisation and dedication from Mrs Morris!

These are all the things that make our Middle School Swimming Carnival so special!

We also thank Sports Coordinator, Mrs Morris, who organised the day, along with Sports Trainee Michailey, and all the Senior student helpers who ran the BBQ, assisted with placing, dressed up in fabulous outfits, led the cheering and generally got into the spirit of things! Also, thank you to all our enthusiastic staff who kept records and tallies, organised the races, and joined in on all the fun!

Congratulations to Matilda Camoes-Costa (Year 7), who won the 'Ultimate' Final as the fastest middle school student over 33 metres!

Our Top 3 swimmers in each year level were:

Year 7 Matilda Camoes-Costa, Maddie Masson, Grace King

Year 8 Olivia Dalman, Darcy Oldfield, Neve Sutton

Year 9 Persephone Dupanloup, Tayla Kircos, Hannah Matthews

Congratulations also to everyone who participated and got into the spirit of today!

HOUSE Activities

MIDDLE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY

We always feel so privileged to be able to hold our annual Middle School Cross Country competition in such an incredibly beautiful setting, right on our College doorstep.

The annual race through the forest saw some fierce, yet friendly competition, and outstanding results. Congratulations to:

Matilda Camoes-Costa. (Year 7), Mya Collis (Year 8) and Hannah Matthews (Year 9) for achieving 1st place in their year level.

Those who placed in the top ten in their year level.

Everyone who participated on the day and gave it a red-hot go!

House Athletics Carnival

From top-tier athletics to arguably the best-ever fashions on the field, this year’s House Athletics Carnival was one to remember! Our Year 12s truly went the extra mile with their costumes. There was so much creativity and effort on display!

On the track and field, we saw incredible talent, determination, and sportsmanship from so many of our athletes, with students cheering each other on, every step of the way. Whether you were an athletic superstar or just there to have a go, every participant made the day a huge success!

A special thanks to Mrs Morris for her tireless work organising the event and to all the teachers and Senior Cabinet who helped everything run smoothly. Of course, we can’t forget the staff vs. Year 12 relay race and our house chants, which brought the energy and spirit to a whole new level!

On the track, the fastest student in each year level was:

Matilda Camoes-Costa

Mya Collis

Izzy Gillespie

Yana Sharma

Izzy Skillern

Josie Bamford

Congratulations to Year 7 student Mya Collis who won the ultimate final, competing against the fastest runner from each year level – WOW!

Friends of Mater Association FOMA

Our Friends of Mater Association (FOMA) provides an opportunity for interested parents, carers, alumnae, staff, and friends of Mater Christi, to contribute their ideas and support the continued development and sense of community at and beyond the College.

Dress for Your Decade

Our 2025 FOMA Trivia Evening was a huge success—raising an incredible $5,283 for the Selby CFA.

It was wonderful to see our community come together with costumes, laughs, and friendly rivalry—in support of a cause close to home.

Thanks to the generosity of all who participated— this donation will make a meaningful difference for the work of Selby CFA in keeping our community safe.

We are sincerely grateful to:

• our FOMA volunteers for their hard work behind the scenes.

• those who donated raffle prizes, song requests, and silent auction prizes, including: Belgrave South IGA, The Sett (Sassafras), Crown Coaches, PSW Uniform Group, Cognoscenti Food & Wine, Puffing Billy Railway, Club Lime, Ferntree Gully Orthodontics, Rogue Bear, Cameo Cinemas, Fyreside, Jag Hair Belgrave, La Collina Pizza, Belgrave Pizza House, Kincrome, Lilydale Books, Tilnak, The Blacksmith, Treetop Adventures, Upwey Garden Centre, Upwey Myotherapy, Maria’s Upwey, Cliff Wheatley, Wendy Clair, House of Fras, and The Side Corner Creative Workshop.

With open arms

We can always count on our dedicated staff and FOMA parent members to pull out all the stops to welcome new families to our community!

After a few weeks of settling in, our 2025 Year 7s and their families were invited to a Welcome Night and BBQ. This was a chance for students to introduce new friends to their families, and for parents to chat with our Year 7 teachers and meet other parents, in a relaxed setting.

We are very grateful to everyone who organised, attended, cooked, and mingled—making the night a great success.

We hope the newest members of our community and their families had a lovely time!

• IGA Belgrave South for sponsoring the coin toss for both the adults and our younger people.

everyone who dressed for their decade and brought such great energy.

Events like this remind us how special our community is—when we show up together, we make a real difference.

Car Safety & Maintenance 101

Our aim at Mater Christi is for our students to leave the College—competent, confident, and ready to live life to the full. This includes having the knowledge and practical skills to manage everyday challenges and situations.

Enter, our trusted Facilities Team who spent a few hours instructing our Year 12 students on car safety and maintenance in Term 3.

From popping the bonnet, checking the oil, to changing a tyre —all these important life skills will help our students to be more self-sufficient as they prepare for adult life.

Thanks to Dan, Colin, and Ken for sharing their knowledge and expertise with the students.

MAINTENANCE

OurMaintenance & Facilities team welcomed new member, Ken Newlands this year. Ken joined Dan and Colin, and together they have been busy keeping our grounds and facilities safe, looking great, and running smoothly.

The team has been busy, during term time and during school holidays working on a number of major projects including:

• installing new drainage in the Main Courtyard.

• transforming our old canteen into a new VCE workshop.

• assisting with our two large murals.

• painting in the pavilion.

• updating equipment for improved OH&S, including new trolleys and a buggy for transporting heavy items around the College.

• roof repairs.

• ground maintenance and repairs.

• planting.

• identifying risks and making necessary changes to ensure safety.

Not to mention, the countless lost magpies they have assisted to exit our buildings! We are incredibly proud of the sustainability focus Dan, Colin and Ken have, when approaching new projects— repurposing materials from around the College, giving new life to old pieces and creating functional, environmentally conscious spaces for our students.

Year SEVEN

Bria Agudo Siena Aiello

Chloe Alsop

Rylie Apelgren Chloe Ashton-Smith

Anneke Bangs Molly Barrett Hannah Batterham Dolly Bennett Millie Bilston

Matilda Blackall Charlie Blacker

Mila Brain Stella Brandys Zoe Brown

Lexi Burfurd Madison Byrne Matilda Camoes-Costa Bianca Carmichael Mia Castricum

Emma Clark Audrey Clarkson Jasmine Collard Quinn Collins Matilda Colomb

Bessie Cooper-Davies Ellie Cousins

Alice Cunico

Isla Cunningham

Jassy Dalton

Saanvi Dash Imogen Davis

Tahlia Dawson Minuli De Silva Erika Dhondee

Olivia Di Nuzzo Isabella Dimitriadis

Janelle Domantay Mali Drane Maia Dupanloup

Harper Eastwood Ellie Everson Amy Fay

Winter Feehan

Alyssa Fitzgerald

Charlotte Fitzgerald Isla Frost Marlie Fry

Isabella Fuimaono Ella Gaunt

Year SEVEN

Charlotte Gee Claudia Giblett

Georgia Gillett Maddison Glancy

Abby Glennie

Zara Gonczol Nina Green Olivia Gunter Belle Hack Alice Hall

Tilly Hampson Poppy Hayler

Rose Hermans Emmy Hernadi

Thea Hickey

Macka Hiho Estelle Hinton Eden Hobbs Ruby Ibbotson

Sophie James

Emily Jewell Jaelah Johaan

Ashmeet Kaur

Hannah Kennedy Grace King

Kaylee Kwasny Momo Laird Jade Lancaster Calise Leaver

Millie Lemmens

Romina Loupetis Tahlia Love

Ellie Makin Brianna Maloney Addi Mann

Pippa Mannaert Sienna Martin

Lizzy Marton Maddie Masson Isla McGlone

Zoe McKay Olivia Melder Lucy Merritt

Ella Miethke

Heidi Moulday

Evie Munt Maya Munt Zanna Neilson Amy O'Hagan June Ormsby

Year SEVEN

Medea Panaccio Amelia Passamani Parthvi Patel Bree Paterson Ebony Paterson

Poppy Phillips Edith Pritchard Xandrie Rayeroux-Flack

Milly Reid Bellamy Rossiter

Isla Saffin Matilda Schofield Georgia Schumann Isla Semenow Manasi Senanayake

Tavleen Sethi Lizzy Sien

Olivia Smithells Maddie Soden Emily Stoica

Sianna Taylor-Kaur

Ava Trsek

Ellie Tsoi

Chloe Vaughan

Gabi Vlahovic

Charley Wall Milla Walsh

Gloria Wanigasinghe Penny Waterman

Nehara Weerakkody

Harper Wentworth Holly Wilkinson

Amelia Wilks

Hope Williams Reilly Williams

Lola Zylinski

Hannah Abson Chelsea Allan Imogen Allen Mae Alsop

Jemima Arnott

Penny Arthurson Genevieve Askew Sadie Baker Marlee Bamber Indi Beach

Neisha Beatty Xanthe Blackett

Emmy Block Sasha Boothroyd Keira Bradley

Hayden Brady Charlotte Broadhurst Madeline Broadhurst Georgia Brougham Madeleine Bucci

Emily Burrage Inca Campbell Ashlyn Cartledge Ella Chalmers Jade Cheetham-Lyons

Mya Collis Hannah Connallon

Allora Cumming

Ava Da Silva

Olivia Dalman

Eva Davie Maebh Defely Lilly Dempsey Lili Denovan Ruby Di Nuzzo

Elsie Dinnie Luly Dona

Molly Drury Holly Dunkinson Stella Dunstan

Abigail Eckfeld Frankie Edquist Dephne Ekanayake Zoe Eleftheriou

Bella Elso

Scarlett Evans Daisy Fagan Tali Fitzsimons

Olivia Ford

Elise Freeman

Wren Freeman Grace Gaunt Jazz Giardini

Adele Gibbs Kaitlyn Gilbert

Ayla Godfrey Zoe Golding Mia Gough Olive Graham Marley Gregory

Elisa Harris Makayla Hefernan Amelia Heidary Kamryn Hobbs Amelia Hobson

Hayley Holt Michaela Hudson Amaya Hulleman Lucy Hutchings Milla Ibbotson

Zoe Johnston Natasha Kahandawa Pathirannahalage Lucy Kitch

Mia Kupiec Bella Lant

Lennie Law Mia Leitch Olivia Leonard

Emma Lewis Ruby Lewis

Vee Lowry Stella Macknamara Ada Macleod Lily Macnaughtan Hannah Makin

Indie Mann Anna McArthur Jade McCulloch Tori Merritt

Zoe Michalik

Matilda Millar Abbey Miller Jenny Miskiewicz Maya Mithen Katie Moody

Niamh Ni Coileain Emily Nicholls Darcy Oldfield

Kimmy Olney

Danuli Ovitagedara

Jazz Paige Sophia Palandri Georgia Patterson

Hope Powell Sienna Quick

Maeve Rademaker Violet Radley Poppy Rawlins Cassie Riddle Eva Robertson

Sophie Robertson Jazzi Robson Abbey Rossely Taiya Rout Jasmin Samai

Ella Sarweh Grace Sceney Chloe Seamons Quinn Simpson Maaike Slim

Liv Spalling Madison Spencer Allison Spooner Thanushri Srinivasan Neve Sutton

Lara Thorn Quinn Thorn Mia Ting

Lillee Tope

Amelia Trofimiuk

Mila VanDerSay Ruby Virtue

Annabelle Walsh Ivy Walsh Chantal Wanigasinghe

Charlotte Williams Hannah Williams

Absent from photos: Phoebe Poulton

Year NINE

Bahar Akrami Grace Allan Mahli Allwood

Yularne Anson

Madeline Barrett

Olivia Barrett Marley Bellamy Nivedya Benoy Taylah Benson Zoe Biggelaar

Emma Briggs Mikayla Bui

Lillea Callow Olivia Carmichael Izzy Coia

Sophia Colussi Skye Connelly

Grace Cooke

Erin Craig Anabella De Hoyos Salazar

Ella Devlin Olive Drezga Isabelle Duncan Persephone Dupanloup Avery Ede

Willow Fanning Chelsea Ferguson Alicia Ferrier

Laura Fitzpatrick Olivia Fletcher

Charlotte Fogel Tahlia Gehling Sophia Gigliotti Isabelle Gillespie Emma Gloster

Chi Golding Gemma Goldsztein Madeline Goodall Maddison Greensill Sasha Gruber

Juliette Guillet Gabriela Hall Zara Herridge Brooke Hiho Caitlin Holt

Molly Hutt Erin Jenner Zoe Kalc

Hridaya Khairnar Tayla Kircos

Year nine

Isabel Kladakis Eira Krishnan

Sophie Lancaster

Izzy Lennox

Frankie Long

Audrey Lowry Ava MacPherson Ella Martin Hannah Martin Olivia Mason

Hannah Matthews Maisy Maudsley

Catie McGarraghy Addy McIntosh

Claire McPeake

Stevie Mullinder Lydia O'Connor Dani-Rose Olive Larissa Ornelas

Lola Phillips

Mataya Pickett

Amelia Quinn

Tess Ramsey Saskia Rogers Anisha Romana

Noa Ryan Marissa Schleifer

Isabella Scott Naiima Sellar

Ruby Silvester

Asha Sipthorpe Marlo Smith Charlotte Smithells Dominique Smyth Eliza Spencer

Ava Stackpole Ashlee Taylor Erica van Elmpt Kate Vanderwolde Jess Vaughan

Hannah Vogel Kiera vom Bruch Evie Wells Ellie White Liv Wood

Mia Xie Holly Zavattiero

Year TEN

Madeline Agjee Rebecca Agopian Freya Bakker Madison Beach Evie Bellamy

Caitlin Blackett Lucy Boyer

Mia Bradshaw Maya Brandys Eve Calder

Kayleigh Carroll Anumi Chandrasekara Leni Clark Amelia Cunningham Chiara Dell

Jordana Dhondee Olivia Doherty

Chloe Edwards Evie Edwards Lana Feehan

Ebonie Ferdinands Arali Fernando Deyana Fernando Bella Ferraro Gracie Flynn

Charlotte Gerber Erin Germano Bee Giles

Rebecca Gillett Mabel Gould

Annali Grigoriu Megan Hardie Emily Hardman Jade Hayman Alyssa Hepburn

Mackenzie Horne

Emily Hudson

Lexi Hunkin

Olivia Ingaliso

Sienna Ingaliso

Louisa Johnston Neeve King

Mia Kruger

Persephone Kuhn Amelie Lahausse

Ella Larter

Charlise Le Gall Julia Lindhaus Nikkita Loupetis Kinga Macknamara

Year TEN

Taya Marsden Aria Martin Aletta Marton Aoife McArthur Grace McInerney

Jayde McNamara Alara Mears Emma Merlino Kaia Neilson Isabelle Nsair

Loralei Orme Chloe Patterson

Grace Pierce Neve Potter Mia Powell

Sydney Powell Camryn Rabie Lila Radley

Ruby Rattigan Amalia Rayeroux-Flack

Tahlia Reichl Amedee Renshaw Ashlee Robinson Holly Ross Ruby Ross

Lucy Rossely Abbey Rossi Aliyah Rout

Rylie Sampson

Imilla Schmidt

Malaya Schofield Meisha Sellar Nawini Senanayake Fatima Shahid Akira Sharma

Yana Sharma Sally Sheahan

Lyss Shottle Callisto Simandjuntak Vivian Singh

Sarah Smith Bonnie Spencer Macy Stack Eliza Stephenson Evie Sundstrom

Eloise Sutton Stella Sweeney Airlie Taylor

Indya Thomas Chelsea Vine

Year TEN

Abigail Wheatley Georgina Whyman Layla Wilson Yvette Windsor Joni Wooden

Ava Xenophontos

Absent from photos: Keira Rizio

Year ELEVEN

Zoe Adshead Tegan Allen

Chelsea Allison Isabel Arthurson Eliza Baird

Charlotte Beck

Caitlin Boce

Lexie Booth Trinnley Bunting Holly Burrage

Amber Canning Hannah Clarke Grace Colyer Jaye Considine Rhyme Corbett

Abi Craig Eve Cumming Cadence Cummings Caitlin Czaja Beau Davies

Anna Davis Alana De Hoyos Salazar

Danica De Silva

Lily Dee Mo Dowling

11 Year ELEVEN

MJ Drake Charlotte Drury

Charlotte Duncan Liesel Edlinger Kate Edmanson

Maddie Elso Kiara Enriquez Siena Fay Maddy Fletcher Savannah Foti

Dihara Gandolahage Clara Garry Charlotte Gaynor Zahra Gehling TJ Godfrey

Amelie Gowan Nethya Gunasekera Maya Gutierrez Bridget Haley Keira Harris

Indianah Hayes Emaan Heidary

Cami Higgins Jaime Hiho Emily Hill

Mikayla Hobson Phoebe Hugo-Kohler

Bailey Ibbotson

Anna Ingaliso Tanysha Jackson

Sophie Johnson Poppy Katsaras Milly Kay Chloe Kelly Ella Kershaw

Stella Kilderry Matilda Kitch

Ashley Koolstra Coral Kratzmann Isabella Lancaster

Ava Lankester Lucy Larkin

Ruby Leonard Holly Macallan Kasey Maloney

Jen Martin Lily-Marie Massey Diana Mattucci Lee McGarraghy Zara Menon

Year ELEVEN 11

Charlotte Nicholls Layla O'Sullivan

Antonia Osipova

Evie Oswald Saanvi Palliyil

Eliane Patte Lindsay Petkof Jess Piesley Skye Pires Bella Raw

Lettie Reed Jess Robinson

Aaliiyah Rooke Sarah Sammut Olivia Sarweh

Jacinta Schleifer Shambavi Sivasankar Izzy Skillern

Evie Smith

Ariella Spadano

Gabby Stammberger Tully Stow

Clara Telling

Isobel Thomas-Orth Audrey Thomas

Matilda Thomas Lily Ure Evie Vale Princess Van Der Burght Claire Van Elmpt

Shreya Vazirani Stevie Vella Madeleine Vlek Olivia Wakartschuk Maria Wang

John Watson Madeleine Webster Amelia Wells Emma White Emma Whitfield

Sarah Winters Naomi Woods Miranda Wright Grace Zidek

Absent from photos: Ruby Molloy

Year TWELVE

Prachee Adeshara Kathleen Andrews

Indyana Arundell

Emily Ballingall

Josie Bamford

Charlotte Bellamy Amelia Bianco

Ella Blackburn Maddie Block Elayna Boys

Ashley Breen Lauren Briginshaw

Trista Campbell Gisele Carrubba Breanna Carter

Sarah Christensen Ruby Clair Celia Clarke Charlotte Connell Chantel Connelly

Tilly Constantinou

Lucy Crouch

Jessica Cunlife

Aleisha Daly Mackenzie Davis

12

Ava Di Bartolomeo Imogen Edgar Emilie Edgerton Kai Elbanna Bridget Ellinger

Theruni Fernando Tabitha Ferrier Aleisha Foot Maya Forster Elke Freeman

Sruthi Ganesan Lara Gniatkiewicz Mia Golding Layla Gould Billie Griffiths

Johannah Griffiths Wren Groeneveld Lily Huggan Taylah Hunkin Topsy Hutt

Charlie Hyndman Ava Jackson Isabelle James Bel King

Caitlin Kupiec

Year TWELVE

Pippa Lee

Isabella Leo

Elise Licciardi

Anna Lindhaus

Ciara Lodsman

Hannah Mafrici Lily Matthews Hannah McCarthy Amelia McClellan Bridie McDermott

Jewel McDermott Rose McDonald

Carys McKay-Major Tia McLellan Sophie Merlino

Laura Morabito Ashlee Moulday

Keely O'Brien Sascha O'Grady Aanya Patel

Keely Petersen Claire Pierce

Kate Portelli

Zali Przychodzki Sienna Punturere

12

Ellis Quinn Giorgia Ratclife

Zoe Reeves

Molly Ritchie

Indiana Ross

Lucy Ross-Gilder Jessica Sidhu Ace Somers Ruby Staford Lily Sweeney

Isobel Tate Emily Thompson

Ruby Thompson Indigo Thomson Ivy Tucker

Viola Turchini

Eloise Tyler

Annabella Tyquin Suhani Vazirani Hollie Wallace

Sophie Watson Ella Webster Shinali Weerawardena Melanie Weinzettl Jessica Wiedermann Phengpan

Year TWELVE

Ava Wooden Rachel Zollo

Absent from photos: Maddi Lewis

OUR STAFF

Michael Abbott Business Manager

John Arhondis Teacher

Francois Armansin Year 12 Learning Leader

Tara Baker Deputy PrincipalLearning

James Bakker Teacher

Graham Balderstone Teacher

Michailey Barton-Smith AFL Sports Trainee

Fiona Birchall Year 11 Learning Leader

Amanda Bischof-Foster Wellbeing for Learning Leader

Colleen Bolton Year 8 Learning Leader

Tricia Bourke Teacher

Nicole Boyd Finance Officer

Nicole Brown Risk & Compliance Leader

Annie Chaichuchote Food Technology Assistant

Catherine Close Teacher

Jules Colyer Year 7 Learning Leader

Lisa Costello Teacher

Rachel Coupland-Evans Café Bene

Caitlyn de Ryk AFL Arts Trainee

Deepika Dissanayake Teacher

OUR STAFF

Andy Donnelly Careers Coordinator

Jessica Ducat College Psychologist

Sean Duguid Teacher

Kayla Durling Mathematics Learning Leader

Justine Edwards Learning Diversity Leader

Claire Ferguson Administration Assistant

Eliza Fildes Teacher

Michelle Flintof Teacher

Cecilia Ford Laboratory Technician

Rhoda Gavin Teacher

Tim Glover Timetable & Operations Leader

Dan Godfrey Facilities Manager

Vicki Godfrey Health & PE Learning Leader

Tori Gordon Year 11 Learning Leader

Debby Gould Learning Support Officer

Nicole Hacking Teacher

Maria Haggett Educator, Principal

Pippi Haggett Wellbeing Support Officer

Linda Hamill Administration Assistant

Shona Hardwick Personal AssistantDP Learning

Caitlin Hedge Teacher

Amy Isma Head of Learning Commons

Kate Jay English Learning Leader

Marian Jenkinson Archivist

Eliza Johns VCE Learning Leader

Peter Kadar Teacher

Monica Kutt Student Leadership Coordinator

Vanessa Leaver Humanities Learning Leader

Tania Leonard Finance Officer

Melinda Lovat Year 9 Learning Leader

Anthea Mafrici Assistant Business Manager

Margherita Magagna Year 8 Learning Leader

Bob Mayes Wellbeing Support Officer

Shae Mayes Deputy PrincipalStaf & Students

Jennifer McAdam Teacher

Andrea McKay Marketing & Communications Officer

Elizabeth McKenna VET Learning Leader

Annette McKernan College Nurse

Lisa McLean Teacher

Siobhan Merritt Teacher

OUR STAFF

Helen Metcalfe Head of Music

Abby Milesi Teacher

Amanda Morris Sports Coordinator

Paula Mudge People & Culture Coordinator

Sara Mugridge Teacher

Melissa Mùller Arts Learning Leader

Julie Mushet Finance Officer

Natalie Nash Teacher

Ken Newlands Maintenance Officer

Cherene Onslow College Nurse

Laura Overdyk Learning Technology & Systems Leader

Narrelle Paige Director of Marketing & Communications

Amy Proctor Teacher

Jackie Rawson Teacher

Michaela Read Principal's Assistant

Michelle Ring Registrar

Gregoria Rivaloro Teacher

Joanne Ryan Learning Commons Assistant

Kate Saleeba Teacher

Con Sarris Social Justice & Outreach Coordinator

Ingrid Schmidt Teacher

Jasmine Sien Year 10 Learning Leader

Simon Templin Languages Learning Leader

Colin Thomson Maintenance Officer

Linda Tilson Teacher

Grace Tobin Year 9 Learning Leader

Ewa Toomey Teacher

Lisa Towse Teachnology Learning Leader

Nardia Trubridge Teacher

Naomi Trumino Teacher

Andriana Tsikouris RE Learning Leader

Cathy Wentworth Administration Assistant

Mitchell Weybury Teacher

Ashleigh Waters Learning Support Officer

Jana Woodhouse Teacher

Pete Woodhouse Mission Identity Leader

Spiros Xenos Teacher

Arinka Yao Teacher

Ren Zhou Teacher

Leonardo Zito Teacher

Our staff are "all in" when it comes to dress up days and activities. They are always up for some fun!

This is a reflection of the spirit and dedication of our community. It enhances relationships with our students and contributes to the sense of connection and belonging felt by all at the College.

The Otways Camp -

Our Year 12 Class of 2025

Sign My Yearbook

Sign My Yearbook