Gala concert

MS mega swim

In May, a group of Year 12 students participated in the MS 24 Hour Mega Swim Challenge at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

Team member Emma Southon said that MS Mega Swim ‘is a fun team relay event where teams have a swimmer in the water for the entire 24 hours and compete for laps swum and money raised, in support of people living with MS’.

The students had a lot of fun but found it more challenging – physically and mentally – than they had anticipated. However, through ‘laughter, tears, a few packets of Allens’ jelly snakes’, they had completed the MS Mega Swim with a total of 53km swum in 24 hours.

With $8500 raised thanks to the generous support of the College community, the students have helped people living with multiple sclerosis to access vital support services such as MS Peer Support and the MS Employment Support program.

The students undertook this challenge to honour two parents of their team affected by MS, Emily Mattocks’ late father Nigel and Sophia Pinkerton’s mother Jane.

Prefect Afternoon Tea

Also in May the student leaders hosted a networking event with prefects from other Sydney schools as their guests.

Sport and Wellbeing Prefect Caitlin Zocco said the afternoon was a great opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas about the different visions for leadership, exciting initiatives and strategies that the Inspirational

In June the students of Year 10 welcomed an inspiring visitor to campus – Australian Paralympic wheelchair racer and NSW Institute of Sport coach, Louise Sauvage OAM. Ms Sauvage spoke about disability and inclusion as part of Year 10 pastoral care lessons. The students felt fortunate to hear from Ms Sauvage in person about her own story including her determination to be her best despite her physical differences. She told the students about how she has always been in a wheelchair so for her she does not see her disability as a limitation, rather Paralympian Louise Sauvage it’s just who she is. Louise inspired the students with her determination to with Year 10 students. win Gold and to represent her country.

prefects of other schools have in place.

‘During the afternoon we ran a game of ultimate scissors paper rock, trivia, dodgeball AND song association that bonded the entire group of students together’, she said.

‘Ms Skerman also delivered an inspiring speech on the significance of leadership as a service, and our role and influence as young leaders in changing the world for a better future.’

The senior students’ precinct of our Siena Centre and amphitheatre came alive with visitors from other schools.

Bella’s exceptional community service recognised by the Order of Australia Association

Bella Merlino’s tireless fundraising and advocacy through award-winning public speaking and filmmaking have been recognised by the NSW Branch of the Order of Australia Association. Her Excellency The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of NSW, presented Bella with the Youth Community Service Award in September.

Bella’s fundraising event Mind Games for Dementia broke the Australian record for an online fundraising event as well as raising much needed funds to support the fight against this disease. More than 125 players, many from the Santa Sabina community, helped Bella break the record. Bella’s film, Dementia, has also been selected for showing at international film festivals in the US later this year.

The Award presented by the NSW Governor recognises NSW senior high school students who have shown exceptional service to their communities. Bella’s selection, as one of 25 award recipients, indicates that she has demonstrated exemplary, selfless service and leadership.

Her Excellency noted that Bella has made a significant impact using media to give the most vulnerable in our society a voice. She urged Bella to keep on with her advocacy work and taking a stance on important issues.

Bella Merlino of Year 11 OPPOSITE: Her Excellency The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of NSW presented the award during Sydney’s lockdown.