Holy Spirit Catholic College Yearbook 2023

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

~25 YEARS~

2023

YEAR BOOK HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

2023

YEARBOOK

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land we are situated on, the Darug People.

Learning and teaching has taken place on this land for thousands of years and in our school this legacy is continued.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS PRINCIPAL’S REPORT ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S REPORT LEADER OF LEARNING WELLBEING REC REPORT COLLEGE CAPTAINS REPORT LEADER OF LEARNING CURRICULUM LEADER OF LEARNING PEDAGOGY / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ENGLISH MATHEMATICS SCIENCE HUMAN SOCIETY AND ITS ENVIRONMENT CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS TECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED SCIENCES PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION YEAR 8 LANGUAGES VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING REPORT YEAR 7 YEAR 7 YEAR 8 YEAR 8 YEAR 9 YEAR 9 YEAR 10 YEAR 10 YEAR 11 YEAR 11 YEAR 12 YEAR 12 HOLY SPIRIT DAY 26TH MAY SHOWCASE DRAMA PRESENTATION YEAR 8 YEAR 11 FAITH LEADERS SOCIAL JUSTICE WORLD YOUTH DAY 2023 ANZAC DAY MOTHER’S DAY FATHER’S DAY PEER SUPPORT CHESS REPORT GARDENING WRITE A BOOK IN A DAY ORATORY REPORT 25 YEARS PAST AND PRESENT SPORT COORDINATOR’S REPORT JUNIOR GIRLS BASKETBALL INTERMEDIATE GIRLS BASKETBALL SENIOR GIRLS BASKETBALL JUNIOR BOYS BASKETBALL INTERMEDIATE BOYS BASKETBALL

5 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 51 52 54 54 56 56 58 60 63 65 67 68 70 71 72 73 74 79 80 81 82 83 84

SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL JUNIOR GIRLS TOUCH INTERMEDIATE GIRLS TOUCH SENIOR GIRLS TOUCH JUNIOR BOYS TOUCH INTERMEDIATE BOYS TOUCH SENIOR BOYS TOUCH JUNIOR BOYSSOCCER INTERMEDIATE BOYS SOCCER SENIOR BOYS SOCCER JUNIOR GIRLS SOCCER INTERMEDIATE GIRLS SOCCER SENIOR GIRLS SOCCER JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE INTERMEDIATE RUGBY LEAGUE SENIOR RUGBY LEAGUE JUNIOR NETBALL INTERMEDIATE NETBALL SENIOR NETBALL JUNIOR BOYS OZTAG INTERMEDIATE BOYS OZTAG SENIOR BOYS OZTAG JUNIOR GIRLS OZTAG INTERMEDIATE GIRLS OZTAG SENIOR GIRLS OZTAG JUNIOR BOYS VOLLEYBALL INTERMEDIATE BOYS VOLLEYBALL SENIOR BOYS VOLLEYBALL JUNIOR GIRLS VOLLEYBALL INTERMEDIATE GIRLS VOLLEYBALL SENIOR GIRLS VOLLEYBALL INTERMEDIATE GIRLS AFL SENIOR GIRLS AFL JUNIOR BOYS AFL INTERMEDIATE BOYS AFL JUNIOR GIRLS RUGBY 7S INTERMEDIATE GIRLS RUGBY 7S JUNIOR BOYS RUGBY 7S INTERMEDIATE BOYS RUGBY 7S SENIOR BOYS RUGBY 7S NSWCCC GOLF TOURNAMENT DANCE EISTEDDFOD SCS/CCC/ NSW REPRESENTATIVES CROSS COUNTRY SWIMMING CARNIVAL 2022 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL SCS ATHLETICS CARNIVAL TABLETENNIS STAFF PHOTOS STAFF PHOTOS

85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 130 132 134 136 138 140 141 142

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Sofia D’Andrea, Jacob Maroun, Mr Kevin Griffiths, Elysia Deeb and Marcus Hanna

“2023 has seen continued academic growth across all years at the College” 4

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT Some of the key events that occurred in 1999 were the introduction of the Euro, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was published, Australia won the Cricket World Cup and the Melbourne Storm won the NRL grand final. These were, at the time, significant events in Australia’s history but 1999 was also the year that Holy Spirit Catholic College was established.

The amalgamation of McKillop girls high school and St John’s College resulted in the formation of Holy Spirit and this year we celebrate 25 years of the spirit enlivening the lives of both students and staff alike. The College has not only been grateful for the charisms of the Josephites and the De La Salle brothers but it has also forged a strong Catholic identity of its own, with students strongly supporting the Caritas appeal during Lent, bringing awareness to other important issues such as Daffodil and Harmony D ays whilst still providing resources for St Vincent De Paul hampers and other packs that were created and distributed to families in need. At the core of Holy Spirit is our faith and we are people of the Spirit that welcome, accept and foster Christian relationships that promote the gospel values espoused by Jesus. As we celebrated 25 years this year, our Opening Mass was one that highlighted the many people that have contributed to this wonderful community but we are constantly challenged to build on this legacy and, at times, we may struggle to do this. Perhaps a simple way of achieving this is to reflect Christ in our

own lives and within our families then we will reflect Christ at school, work and all places that we occupy. I am pleased to say that our students in 2023 continue to become strong ambassadors of our faith as each of us are enlivened by the spirit to carry out the work of Christ both in and for our communities.

Our teaching and learning focus has been on developing our students’ literacy skills to allow them to connect with real world opportunities. More specifically this year we have been focusing on students’ writing so that when they leave Holy Spirit they can confidently contribute to society and the wider world as active and discerning citizens. Many of our students have been actively engaged in writing initiatives and one such highlight was the large number of students engaging in ‘write a book in a day’ which also served a dual purpose of raising vital funds for children that are in hospital care. Moreover, our teachers have been actively pursuing academic excellence and in doing so, challenging students to go beyond what is required and seek to pursue learning as the gateway to greater things beyond Holy Spirit.

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HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

In the words OF Pope Francis :

Let us sit at the school of the Holy Spirit, so that it can teach us all things.

Let us invoke the Holy Spirit each day, so that it can remind us to make God’s gaze upon us our starting point, to make decisions by listening to his voice, and to journey together as Church, open to him and to the world.

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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT (continued...)

Once again, Holy Spirit students have immersed themselves in the SCS external Sports program and have admirably represented themselves and their families with distinction. On many occasions throughout 2023 a large number of our girls and boys sporting teams, including Rugby League, AFL, Rugby Union and Basketball have all been conference champions. Students associated with these teams and all other representative teams have been rigorous in defending the sporting prowess of Holy Spirit and have shown sportsmanship and humility in defeat.

Students who have represented in individual sports such as athletics, swimming and tennis have also had outstanding success and have also continued to place Holy Spirit on various winners podiums across the year. It has truly been a successful sporting year at the College and this is pivotal in supporting a holistic education for all students.

As we continue to embrace life after Covid and return to the many initiatives offered at the College our creative and performing arts opportunities have been willingly embraced and celebrated.

Our two sold out showcase evenings, the drama production, April Aardvark, and the many students placing highly in the HQ Dance, Music and Arts performances held by Sydney Catholic Schools has been another highlight of our school year. Many students have given of their time and displayed their wonderful talents for the benefit of both audiences outside of our school as well as within our College. Our creative and performing arts students are such an integral component of who we are and once again provide another avenue for our students to demonstrate

their expertise and enrich our school community.

Our school framework is based on five very important pillars. Firstly, being RESPECTFUL learners, demonstrated through our daily interactions with one another and those that we encounter.

Secondly, being REFLECTIVE learners and celebrating success and improving in areas that require greater dedication.

Thirdly, being RESPONSIBLE and accountable learners for both our words and actions as we seek to improve as people. Fourthly, being INQUISITIVE learners, seeking truth and continuing to contribute to the greater good and finally being ASPIRATIONAL learners that seek to fulfill their educational potential.

In 2023, It has been pleasing to witness many of our students striving to uphold these important pillars and as the year comes to a close it is never more important to reaffirm our commitment to these pillars. They are foundational to our academic success, they are integral to our emotional and psychological development and they will continue to be significant touchstones that shape who we are as people of the Spirit.

While this year has been an extremely busy year, with teaching and learning, co-curricular opportunities and engagement, testing and assessment and marking and reporting, it has also been a year that has provided additional resources that both students and staff will benefit from. The College will undertake a large building program over the following two years that will see a significant improvement in the administration, student services and wellbeing areas across the College.

Secondly, the College has invested in outdoor recreational areas that provide state of the art facilities for students to engage in both leisure activities and train

for representative honours. The College has also invested in some major shade and outdoor learning areas to maximise our educational site and finally our H block has been refurbished to allow quality teaching and learning to occur whilst simultaneously allowing cohorts of students to be actively engaged in larger group activities. These facilities are second to none and we believe that our Holy Spirit students are deserving of these facilities so as to allow them to fulfill their educational potentials.

We look forward to students immersing themselves in these new facilities and striving to achieve their individual personal best in 2024 and beyond.

As our 25th year comes to a close I take this opportunity to thank our parents for allowing us the greatest privilege of educating your children in partnership with you. Secondly, on your behalf I thank Mr Stephen Doran, the College Leadership team and the entire Holy Spirit staff for their willingness to go above and beyond for the children in their care and I have been privileged to witness this, particularly in light of the current teaching shortage that has prevailed throughout the last several years after Covid. Finally, as our Church moves into the season of Advent and we await the joy of the infant child Jesus, may we welcome the love, faith and hope that Christmas brings and rest in the knowledge that peace is the gift that Jesus preaches.

Seasons blessings to all Holy Spirit families this Christmas and into the New Year.

report by PRINCIPAL, mr Kevin Griffiths 7

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Ms Laura El-Chediac - Youth Coordinator, Mr Kevin Griffiths - Principal and Mr Stephen Doran - Assistant Principal.

Mr Stephen Doran with College Captain Tsion Gibato and Vice Captain Jacob Maroun

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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Thank you to the Holy Spirit community for putting out the welcome mat this year.

I was very fortunate to join the community in its 25th year. Staff and students were very helpful and checked in with me regularly as to how I was settling in and if they could help in any way.

music, dance… the options seem endless. It’s this involvement which promotes a sense of connectedness and pride in Holy Spirit Catholic College. I applaud all students who are involved in these activities.

It was very appreciated.

Catholic schools have a dual moral purpose, education and evangelisation.

Holy Spirit Catholic College achieves this goal through quality teaching and learning, backed up by a strong faith.

Daily we witness students making the sign of the cross as they pass the Chapel. The Angelus is prayed with reverence daily and this reverence is also obvious whenever we come together in prayer. The staff focus on writing showed improvement by the Year 8 cohort and this will be broadened to cover all year groups in 2024.

Once into the routine of the school, we celebrated some full community events, including the Opening Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, which was followed by the harbourside community photo.

Opening School Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral

Holy Spirit Day involved Mass celebrated by Fr Peter and a fun day at Luna Park.

Holy Spirit CC is a special place, exemplified by the long term staff who have been here since its inception in 1999. It’s obviously a good school if people are prepared to spend 25+ years here!

Students are fortunate to have a multitude of ways to get involved, both inside and outside the classroom.

Sport, debating, World Youth Day, peer support, John 10:10, drama,

To finish, I have really enjoyed my first year at Holy Spirit Catholic College and look forward to many more years as a member of the Holy Spirit community.

report by MR Stephen Doran 9

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Harmony Day 2023

RUOK? Day

Together this is an amazing community and one that God blesses each day.

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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

LEADER OF LEARNING WELLBEING It is often quoted that it takes a village to raise a child and as we wrap it up for 2023 and I am sure you are wondering where the year has gone!

I commenced teaching at Holy Spirit four years ago in 2020 and this year has been my first truly uninterrupted one at the college. So as the year comes to an end, my overwhelming message is one of gratitude (for the big and the small blessings) and to each member of the community for making it such a wonderful year.

Ms Diana Kalac

The 2023 school year has presented many exciting times and wonderful opportunities for learning. We managed to achieve much, learn much and do much. It has been a time where friendship and community and love was displayed in abundance.

25 Year celebration Welcome Mass, ANZAC Day Ceremony, Holy Spirit Day, Spirituality Days, Mothers Day and Fathers Day celebrations, sporting events, college assemblies and our End of Year Mass just to name a few. 2023 has been a year that I can honestly say, was an absolute privilege

to share with you all, the triumphs and the tribulations.

The year has also taught us that the possibilities are endless in the world of learning, as long as you are brave enough and persistent enough to keep trying, to keep testing the limits of what you are familiar and comfortable with. We asked our students to rise to a variety of challenges throughout the year and they did just that, and what we all discovered along the way was that whilst life and learning is not always smooth sailing the possibilities are endless when you test your limits and grow your strengths.

As we close the 2023 chapter, we open to a new page and I thank our amazing young women and men for their zeal and dedication, you, their parents for your support and generosity. Together this is an amazing community and one that God blesses each day.

report by Diana Kalac 11

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Year 11 Leaders at the Mary Help of Christians Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral

Year 11 Leaders at the Mary Help of Christians Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral

Distibuting ashes at the College Ash Wednesday Liturgy to start the season of Lent

Students performing the Stations of the Cross at the Easter Liturgy

The college spirit was truly felt in the lead up to World Youth Day 12

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION What a wonderful year to join the Holy Spirit Catholic College Community! It has been a privilege to be so warmly welcomed into such a caring and vibrant community. From day one we were kept on our toes with the College excitedly preparing celebrations for our 25th anniversary!

Ms Tarnya Grana

Our opening school mass was definitely a highlight taking the entire college to St Mary’s Cathedral to celebrate mass with Bishop Terence Brady followed by a wonderful walk and picnic by the harbour. Our college choir had the opportunity to sing with a professional organist and the sound melodically reverberated throughout the grandness of such a beautiful cathedral, steeped with the history and faith of the early catholics who had settled in Australia.

The faith life is strong in the college and students have had many opportunities to engage with their faith from liturgies and masses, students spirituality days and retreats.

A highlight was our Easter Liturgy in the theatre where students were able to listen to the word of God whilst watching the drama club reenact the stations of the cross, whilst our talented musicians emphasised the passion and sacrifice of Jesus through their musical interludes.

The staff Spirituality Day was a special day for staff to engage with their own spiritual journey. Starting the day with mass at St Therese Catholic Church with local parishioners was followed with the opportunity to engage in an Emmaus Walk where they had the chance to listen to reflections on the

importance of the Holy Spirit within their own life.

The college spirit was truly felt in the lead up to World Youth Day with the community getting on board to help raise funds for the pilgrims who were representing us in Lisbon, Portugal.

From buying raffle tickets, guessing competitions, BBQ lunches and even getting tickets to the signed Bulldogs jersey, this school showed that they can get behind each other when necessary.

A massive thank you to Ms Laura El-Chediac for her support as the Youth Ministry Coordinator, her enthusiasm and passion to support students on their faith journey has been unwavering and I look forward to what we can achieve next year. I am also grateful for the support of the La Sallian and Josephite communities that help form the special charism that underpins our school.

Finally, I would like to say thank you to the students, staff and families of Holy Spirit Catholic College who have helped me to settle and feel like a valued and respected member of the community and I look forward to serving in this wonderful school in the years to come.

God Bless.

report by MS Tarnya Grana 13

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

College Captain, Karam Chami

College Captain, Tsion Gibato

“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”

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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

COLLEGE CAPTAINS REPORT As we come together today to celebrate our time at Holy Spirit Catholic College, it is true to say it has been a chapter in our lives which has allowed us to share our unforgettable memories, laughs, cries and friendships, as a family.

To the Holy Spirit Catholic College Community, thank you for supporting our journey for the last 6 years.

Although I wouldn’t say we’ve been the easiest bunch of kids to pass through these gates, your spirit has undoubtedly worked to celebrate our gifts but also helped to recognise each other, amongst all our diversities as a cohort, as not only friends but as family.

To our hardworking and dedicated teachers who have been there since the beginning, we thank you for your consistent work and long hours in providing the academic knowledge and wisdom to allow us to succeed, no matter what the unexpected circumstances we were presented with.

It is through your unwavering support and guidance that has allowed us to discover our full potential.

Thank you to the SRC team of 2023.

Your continuous help and presence has made our leadership journey smooth.

Throughout our enthusiastic boardroom meetings, our social justice initiatives and school events, you all shined and fulfilled your roles with pride and respect.

Mr Berto, thank you for carrying the weight of our grade these past 3 years as easily as you pick up your red basket each day. Your humble demeanour and the delightful conversations have brightened our days in ways you can

not imagine. Thank you for being a great mentor and most importantly a great friend.

The class of 2023, our 13 year journey comes to an end. “We Made It!” Together we created many memories that will last a lifetime and make us smile even when we aren’t together. We wish you all the best as you move on to the next stage in your life.

When we started in 2018, the College Captains Rose & David said high school goes by in 15 minutes. It’s unbelievable how fast years turn to months, months turn to weeks, weeks to days and now days to minutes. So to year 7 and 8, high school is full of opportunities and challenges. Be open to saying “yes”. “Yes” to trying out representative sports. “Yes” to staying back for Friday night debating. “Yes” to letting that person sit in your friendship group . Because these “yes’s” shape lasting experiences, memories and relationships that make you leave high school with no regrets.

To years 9 and 10, your friendship group will change, time and time again and those once oversized blazers are beginning to fit. Always stay true to yourself, your morals and values and although easier said than done, always act on what you know to be right rather than wrong. Do not change yourself just to fit in or impress, do not disrespect

your teachers and do not hold on to past grudges over what he or she said, because at the end of day, it is your own happiness that will sustain you in the years to come.

To the upcoming year 12s, the countdown officially begins. Whether this excites you or terrifies you, make the most with the time you have left.

Find and embrace your support network and use it as a vessel to being the best version of yourself physically, mentally and academically. 8670 hours. 8670 times the clock will circle until you will be sitting in these seats for the final time. Do not waste a second of it.

To the 2024 SRC team, always remember to “never see a need without doing something about it”. Whether that be uplifting school spirit or changing the girls bathroom soap, don’t be afraid to be the voice. But most importantly, be the change you want to see, be kind, be respectful, be attentive and work towards uplifting one another and your student body.

We would like to extend our gratitude, appreciation and love to everyone who has been a part of our schooling journey. We are so honoured to have represented you as Captains.

REPORT BY Tsion Gibato & Karam Chami 15

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Mr Charles Milazzo - Leader of Learning, Curriculum

The focus for 2023 was on ensuring that the College continued to sustain and further improve on the strong academic results of 2022.

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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

LEADER OF LEARNING CURRICULUM 2023 has been a very busy and exciting year in the area of curriculum at Holy Spirit Catholic College Lakemba. The year began with the staff reflecting on the 2022 HSC results and setting targets and strategies for the 2023 HSC cohort.

Under the leadership of their Leader of Wellbeing, Mr Richard Berto and their wellbeing and subject teachers, the Year 12 cohort of 2023 worked extremely hard throughout the year to ensure that they as individuals and as a group achieved their academic potential. During their HSC year, our Year 12 students participated in a range of activities to support them with their journey. These activities included holiday and afternoon revision classes, night study sessions, pre and post-exam symposiums, and various study skills sessions just to name a few. The hard work shown by both students and teachers in 2023 led to some great HSC results, with many students achieving above their potential and gaining entry into post-schooling pathways. We congratulate our Year 12 2023 HSC cohort!

As well as ensuring that our Year 12 students reached their potential, another area of focus for the College in 2023 was the continuation of the College’s literacy initiatives which were designed to further improve the literacy skills and outcomes of the students. In particular, 2023 saw a focus on improving the writing skills of our students. In order to achieve this, teachers engaged in a staff development day in Term 2 followed by a professional learning twilight session.

The focus of these two learning opportunities was to firstly examine through data where our students were at with their writing. Secondly,

investigate strategies that could be used to enhance their writing skills, and finally to implement newly developed strategies into teaching programs and into the classroom.

In addition to the important work around the HSC and literacy, the College continued its work with the Newman Gifted Selective Education Program. The Newman Gifted Selective Education Program is unique to the Sydney Catholic Schools system and highlights the importance of an evidence based approach to gifted education which caters for the special needs of identified students. Led by the College’s Gifted Education Facilitator, Mrs Rebecca Beeston, and with the support of our Newman teachers, the College has worked tirelessly to provide our Newman classes with challenging and differentiated learning experiences.

This hard work and effort was reflected in the preparation and presentation of the College’s Year 9 and 10 Newman Symposium in Term 2 and the Year 7 and 8 Newman Symposium in Term 4. With the College approaching the Newman Gifted Selective Education Program validation stage with Sydney Catholic Schools in 2024, significant work has also been, and continues to be carried out in preparation for this significant validation period.

Furthermore, with the release and implementation of new NESA syllabuses in the key learning areas of Stage 4 & 5 English, Mathematics,

Languages, TAS, as well as in Stage 6 HSIE and TAS in 2024, the teachers within these key learning areas have had the opportunity during 2023 to engage in professional learning at the Sydney Catholic Schools network level, and have developed new scope and sequences, teaching programs and resources in preparation for 2024.

In addition and as we look forward to 2024, the College has also begun the process of developing a Whole School Teaching and Learning Framework which will be finalised and implemented in 2024.

I would like to thank all staff at the College for their support throughout 2023. They are highly skilled and very committed to providing a quality learning environment for our students.

I would also like to thank the College’s KLA Coordinators for their leadership.

Finally, I wish to thank Mr Kevin Griffiths the College Principal and Mr Stephen Doran the College Assistant Principal as well as the parents who entrust their sons and daughters in our care for their support throughout the year. We look forward to another great year in 2024.

REPORT BY MR Charles Milazzo

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HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Mr. John English demonstrating static electricity at the College Open Day.

College Values

Respectful, Responsible, Reflective, Aspirational, Inquisitive 18

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

LEADER OF LEARNING PEDAGOGY As the Holy Spirit Learning Community returns from the covid restrictions over the past few years, the business of learning has continued to accelerate.

Each year, new initiatives combine with the renewal of past initiatives and the learning values evolve into “visual learning”, i.e. what WE do around here that continues to promote targeted learning that is both effective and efficient.

Our Staff Development Days this year focused on teachers’ cultural awareness; improving students’ writing skills; using pre-testing to better identify and adjust teaching to students’ learning needs; and developing a whole-school approach to behaviour management. Each of these initiatives has made ongoing changes to our shared pedagogy.

A union of teachers and students to

achieving the goal of learning within the College Values Framework of being Respectful, Responsible, Reflective, Aspirational, Inquisitive.

Homework Club continues to be one of those ongoing initiatives, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, that promotes real learning, as past students help present students with all of their learning needs. The youngest students continue to get the greatest proportion of this assistance, so it is necessary that our older students continue to seek help with their learning tasks so the enjoyment of learning and achievement continues throughout their years of schooling.

2023 Naplan Tests were conducted earlier this year and the results have been reported differently to parents, with Bands being replaced

by Descriptors, such as Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs Attention. While excellent growth is evident in many areas, the outstanding growth is evident in the Year 9 students’ writing skills. With an average improvement of over 55 points from Year 7 to Year 9, this is truly evidence that the wholeschool ownership of the development of writing skills is working.

Congratulations to all students and their teachers as they continue to improve this lifelong learning skill.

REPORT BY MR John English 19

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Year 11 English Extension students at the Seymour Centre

Year 7 Poetry Incursion

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Year 12 English Advanced students at the Seymour Centre

Year 7 Poetry Incursion - Isabella Tawk and Natalia Carossi

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

ENGLISH The English Faculty has been at the heart of inspiring achievements, nurturing a love for language, literature, and creative expression among our students.

Guided by our exceptional English teachers, our journey in 2023 was rich with diverse literary endeavours that showcased both our faculty’s dedication and our students’ talents.

Our Year 7 students engaged in close study of a verse novel fostering a growing appreciation of poetry. They attended a Poetry Incursion, where the magic of words came to life through actors performing a range of classical poems. Under the expert guidance of our teachers, young poets emerged, weaving verses that spoke of creativity and imagination with a number of our students submitting their works to the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Competition.

Mrs Velinda Morabito - English Coordinator

In a powerful exploration of the contemporary issue of cyberbullying, our Year 8 students delved into a study of the play “April Aardvark” in Term 2. They were also provided with a unique opportunity to audition for roles in the College’s Drama Production of “April Aardvark” staged in September.

Under the expert guidance of Ms Danielle Cooper, who skillfully directed the performance, our students not only embraced the characters, but also embodied the play’s themes, delivering a poignant and thought-provoking portrayal. Their dedication to the craft and commitment to addressing vital social issues shone brightly on the stage, leaving a lasting impact on both the performers and the audience.

In Year 9, our students showcased their prowess in writing with

outstanding results in the NAPLAN assessments. A testament to the high standards set by our English teachers.

For our intellectually curious Year 11 Extension students, a symposium on Shakespeare’s “Othello” became a platform for insightful discussions and deepened understanding of the Bard’s timeless work. Our Year 12 Advanced students also attended the Seymour Centre for a symposium on Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice”. This experience enriched their understanding of their prescribed text for the Common Module: Texts and Human Experiences.

Amidst these literary pursuits, our commitment to cultivating a culture of avid readers continued with the Accelerated Reader program, engaging students in wide reading and fostering a lifelong love for books. Additionally, our students demonstrated their compassion and creativity by participating in “Write a Book in a Day,” producing inspiring stories to support Westmead Children’s Hospital.

As we turn the pages of this chapter, we acknowledge the remarkable achievements of our English teachers whose passion and dedication have inspired our students. Through their guidance, our students have not only excelled academically, but have also embraced the transformative power of words, setting the stage for a future where literacy and empathy intersect, empowering generations to come.

REPORT BY MS Velinda MORABITO 21

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Year 9 students Bishesh Rayamajhee and Haya Dhaher

Year 7 students Lucas Bozovitch and Serena El Drouby

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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

MATHEMATICS

This year was filled with an abundance of memorable mathematical moments, and the infectious enthusiasm for numbers that resonated through the corridors of our school.

Maths Week Extravaganza One of the highlights of the year was undoubtedly ‘Maths Week,’ an entire week dedicated to celebrating the beauty and importance of Mathematics. Students from Year 7, 8, and 9 were immersed in a myriad of engaging activities. From daily problem-solving challenges that encourage creative thinking, to in-class interactive sessions, Maths Week was a playground for mathematical exploration.

Ms Rebecca Beeston - Mathematics Coordinator

For Year 7 students, the excitement peaked during the Tower-Building Incursion. They were tasked with constructing towering structures that defied the laws of physics, demonstrating the synergy between Mathematics and Engineering.

Through teamwork and problemsolving, students discovered the art of balance, geometry, and the thrill of achieving great heights.

The Year 8 Boat-Building Incursion took students on a watery adventure.

They designed, built, and sailed boats

they constructed themselves. This hands-on experience taught them the principles of buoyancy, geometry, and materials science. It was a true celebration of applied mathematics, where the joy of seeing a boat they created stay afloat was immeasurable.

Throughout the year, our mathematics educators continued to inspire students with their passion for the subject. The dedication of the teachers and the enthusiasm of the students were the driving forces behind our department’s ongoing success.

In conclusion, the Mathematics Department has once again proven that mathematics is not just about numbers, but a way of thinking, a tool for solving problems, and a source of endless wonder. We look forward to another year of mathematical exploration and success. Thank you to all students and educators who made this year so special, and here’s to the upcoming year filled with even more mathematical adventures.

REPORT BY MS REBECCA Beeston

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HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Year 11 Biology Excursion - Rock Platform

David Nguyen and Maryanne Valanidas - Science Week

Year 10 Excursion - Museum of Human Disease, UNSW

Year 10 Newman students - Science and Engineering Challenge

Year 8 Excursion - Sydney Zoo

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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

SCIENCE The Science Department at Holy Spirit Catholic College is dedicated to fostering a love for Science and promoting a culture of inquiry and critical thinking while having fun in exploring and learning Science.

As the College celebrates 25 years, here is an overview of our highlights and key events in the year 2023.

Stage 4 - Our students began their scientific journey in high school with the introduction to the Scientific Method and exploration of the basic scientific concepts of cell structure, classification, electricity and magnetism, and safety measures in the lab. In Term 1 the Year 8 students went on an excursion to the Sydney Zoo where they observed a wide range of animal adaptations.

Ms Sudha Kumar

Stage 5 - Students explored more advanced topics and began to choose areas for future study. These included the concepts of Forensic sciences, Biotechnology, Genetics, Nuclear and Chemical reactions. In Term 3 the Year 9 students participated in an incursion on Forensic Sciences where they followed a scientific method to solve a crime. Some other activities included an excursion to the Museum of Human Disease at UNSW (Year 10) in Term 1, Inter-School Science and Engineering Challenge (Year 10 Newman) in Term 1 and presentations at the Newman Symposium (Year 9 and 10) in Term 2.

Stage 6 - Approximately 80 students selected one or more Sciences (Biology, Physics and/or Chemistry) as a part of their Higher School Certificate. It is a period of rigorous

study. These courses entail a wide range of experiments in the school laboratory, research and in depth studies. Activities included a field trip to Shelly Beach Rock Platform (Year 11 Biology) and an excursion to the Museum of Human Disease at UNSW (Year 12 Biology).

The Science Department at the College is committed to nurturing the next generation of scientists and critical thinkers and are proud of their accomplishments. Helen Tran (Year 11 Biology and Chemistry) was the recipient of the Victor Chang Award for Excellence in Science. We look forward to seeing our Year 12 students achieve success in their HSC exams and pursue exciting opportunities in science and research.

All of the above was possible only with the commitment, dedication and teamwork of the Science teachers and laboratory technicians of the Science Department, and the supportive school administration. Appreciation goes out to the teachers Ms Lara Arraj, Ms Liliana Burland, Mr John English, Ms Anne Gleeson, Ms Aline Haddad, Ms Shannon Kelly, Mr Ciaran Murphy and Ms Sanu Samuel, and the Lab Technicians Ms Alexandra Begley and Ms Jais Tan.

REPORT BY Ms Sudha Kumar 25

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Ms Carol Mattar HSIE Coordinator with Nathan Abouharb at Open Day 2023

Year 9 students at Parliament House, Canberra

Year 9 students at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra

Year 12 History students at History Teachers Association Study Day

Year 12 students at Barangaroo, Sydney

Year 10 Students at Cronulla Beach

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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

HUMAN SOCIETY AND ITS ENVIRONMENT The HSIE department experienced an exciting and dynamic year in 2023.

Students were actively engaged in enjoyable, meaningful, and challenging learning experiences both within and outside the classroom. experience enabled them to learn about coastal erosion, coastal processes, and management strategies, providing them with hands-on skills and experiences in observing, mapping, measuring, and recording aspects of the physical environment.

Ms Carol Mattar

The excursions, fieldwork, and extracurricular activities allowed students to gain practical experiences and a deeper understanding of the subjects they’ve studied, further encouraging critical thinking, problemsolving and fostering a love of learning.

At the start of term 2, Year 9 students embarked on an educational overnight trip to Canberra, Australia’s capital.

This provided an opportunity to learn about the richness of Australia’s history, supporting their learning in “Australians at War” and “Making a Nation” in History. Visiting historical landmarks like the Australian War Memorial and Old Parliament House, students gained a deep appreciation for the sacrifices and the democratic principles that shaped the nation.

As part of their studies in Environmental Change and Management in Geography in Term 3, Year 10 students conducted fieldwork at North Cronulla Beach. This

Students in Year 10 Commerce were provided with an exciting opportunity to actively engage in running a business during Market Day where they worked in groups to sell their product to consumers (students) to make a profit. This supported student learning of topics “Running a Business” and “Promotion and Selling” where students appreciated that the practical application of running a business was more complex in practice than in theory, however the experience of entrepreneurship was a challenging and rewarding one.

Students in Senior years also had the privilege of participating in various excursions which have been instrumental in enriching their education to support and enhance their understanding in their subjects and to forge meaningful connections.

Year 12 Business Studies students attended an incursion focused on marketing, with a case study on IKEA. This experience deepened their understanding of marketing strategies employed by businesses.

Year 12 Geography students embarked on an educational and immersive learning experience to Pyrmont and Barangaroo to support their study of Urban Places. This excursion was conducted by Auseco and offered valuable insights into the complexities of

urban development and town planning.

Students in Year 12 Modern History and Year 12 Ancient History attended the History Study Day at the University of Sydney, hosted by HTA. They participated in various lectures to enhance their understanding of topics in History as well as revision tutorials to help prepare them for the HSC examination.

The Downing Centre was a valuable educational experience, offering Year 11 and 12 Legal Studies students an up-close look at the legal system in action and provided insights into the workings of the adversary legal system in Australia. Students had the opportunity to witness legal proceedings in various court rooms and engage in a Q&A session with a judicial officer who provided further insight into the legal profession and intricacies of cases that appear before them. For many students, this experience sparked an interest in a career in law, encouraging them to consider paths in law, justice and advocacy.

The successes in HSIE this year would not have been possible without the support and talent of our exceptional teachers who continue to create a dynamic and enriching learning environment for our students. Thank you to the incredible work of Ms Boustani, Ms Daher, Ms El-Chediac, Ms Haumer, Ms Ibrahim, Ms Kalouhe, Ms Khoury, Mr Milazzo, Ms Moore, Mr Murphy, Mr Nguyen and Mrs Pavic. We look forward to another exciting year in 2024 and continued success in the future.

REPORT BY Ms Carol Mattar 27

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Raven Amigable (Year 12) performing with Amadeus on trombone

Chanel Adouni and Alliya Fulitod performing a Shakespearean duologue

Maryanne Valanidas performing Leiki Ueda’s arrangement of (Somewhere) Over the Rainbow

Year 12 Music students at Sydney Opera House during an excursion to Encore

Amadeus students Annabella Saliba and Keira Winata

Mr Luke Bjazevich and Luka Bilandzic (Year 12)

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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS The Creative and Performing Arts team has celebrated an incredible year of growth, commitment and success.

2023 marked Holy Spirit Catholic College’s 25th Anniversary with a Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral.

The awe-inspiring beauty and serenity of the Cathedral was only enhanced by the voices of our College choir.

Mr Luke Bjazevich

Our students showcased their work at the Open Day and performed at significant events such as the Mother’s Day Liturgy, Easter Liturgy, ANZAC Day and Father’s Day Liturgy and two soldout Performing Arts Showcase events.

Year 12 success: Our Music students have been accepted into tertiary courses at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and The Australian Institute of Music. Our Drama students received nominations for OnSTAGE and our Visual Arts students have been offered early entry into University of New South Wales for Fine Arts.

Behind every student, there are parents and carers who do a wonderful

job in raising their children, and teachers who work tirelessly each day to inspire, motivate, educate and care. We would like to thank all students and their parents and carers for their support of the College and its Music, Drama, Visual Arts and Dance programs including our 12 Amadeus Concert Band and String Orchestra Ensembles, Drama Club, Art Club and Dance groups. A huge thanks to our instrumental and dance tutors for their dedication and commitment.

And finally, a heartfelt thanks to the members of our CAPA teaching team; Elleni Boutsikakis, Danielle Cooper, Alain Lobrio, Melina Mihaljevic, Miriam Moore and Siobhan McDonnell for their unwavering commitment and support of the Arts and our Holy Spirit community.

The Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod returned for its third year bigger and better than ever, with the Arts HQ describing our school as, one to look out for, and they weren’t wrong!

1st Place • Senior Jazz Group • Folk Dance Group •M ark Jaajaa - Scripted Performance Monologue •M aryanne Valanidas - 5th Grade AMEB Piano Solo

2nd Place •L ailah Baba - Solo Dance Performance • I sabella Kohler - Shakespeare Monologue •A lliya Fulitod and Chanel Adouni Shakespeare Duologue • I sabella Trovato - Scripted Performance Monologue 3rd Place •B rittany Urteaga - Piano Solo (Developing) Stage 2-6

Highly Commended •L yrical Contemporary Dance Group • Hip Hop Dance Group • J asmine Fulitod - Solo Dance Performance •R aven Amigable - Classical Vocal Solo • Luka Bilandzic - Solo Piano Recital Encouragement Award • Talita Fonokalafi - Vocal Solo •S tephen Wang - Developing 4th Grade AMEB Piano Solo

REPORT BY Mr Luke Bjazevich 29

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Our students love to cook!

Mr Mallis instructs students on the importance of safety in the workroom

Hannah Asamoah-Acheampong (Year 11) STEM in action!

Students putting their robot coding to the test

Year 12 Industrial Technology Timber student, Victoria Taituha stands proudly behind her Major Project

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“learning through and with technology”

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

TECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED SCIENCES Creating things by your own hand is a very satisfying experience. Technology Education offers students the chance to learn through doing. Indeed, one of the most popular reasons students at Holy Spirit Catholic College give when they choose to do a TAS subject is that it gives them an opportunity to become actively engaged in the learning process by designing, experimenting and making.

to milk cows, make cheese and butter and learn about our dairy industry.

Students undertook their own “master chef” challenges plating up delicious meals that were then photographed and published in websites that they designed. Most of our work is practical and it’s clear students enjoy this aspect of the course.

MR Tony Mallis

2023 proved to be another busy year where students showcased their skills and knowledge through a broad range of media.

In Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8) we offer Technology (Mandatory) which serves to introduce students to the various technologies offered in the higher years. The course is about the tools, techniques, materials and practices used in different technologies and explored through practical design experiences. Additionally, it teaches students to think creatively and critically, all the while teaching them 21st Century skills.

This year, Stage 4 students learnt to code and implemented that code to make functional health and fitness devices. They learnt principles of engineering by investigating aerodynamics and flight. They learnt to harness energy in everyday objects to power scale model cars. Students explored the world of food and agriculture. We even had dairy cows visit us, giving students an opportunity

Stage 5 students have the option to specialise in one or more technologies.

We offer quite an extensive range of subjects in this Stage: Food, Engineering, Multimedia, Industrial Timber and Information & Software Technology. It is through these many different subjects that students often find “something they’re good at” and hence enjoy immensely.

Of particular note are several technologies being explored for the first time at the College. Students of computing studies took receipt of several drones. Students spent many weeks learning to code task specific functions for the drones. The results were outstanding. Additionally, the Multimedia class explored and created immersive 3D virtual reality worlds.

While the learning curve was steep, and many challenges had to be overcome, it was a very exciting and rewarding learning experience.

In the students’ final Stage of schooling we offer more subjects that, while still practical in nature, require a deeper level of knowledge and understanding.

This year students studied Design and Technology, Food Technology, Industrial Technology Timber and

Information Processes and Technology.

In August we celebrated the achievement of our Year 12 students by hosting the annual Major Projects Exhibition in conjunction with the Creative Arts faculty. The Major Projects, again, were outstanding. The annual Saint Joseph the Worker Award went to Anthony Chidiac (Industrial Technology). This prize is awarded annually to a Year 12 Technology student who has exhibited an outstanding work ethic and dedication throughout the development of their Major Project.

Very few other schools are able to offer the breadth of Technology subjects that we are able to offer at Holy Spirit Catholic College. While the facilities we have available to us within the Rawson Centre are excellent, it is really the dedication and professional expertise of the TAS staff that makes our subjects so interesting and enjoyable for the students.

The successes of our students would not be possible without such a professional team of people. We welcomed this year Mr Cathal Derivan who quickly became an invaluable addition to our TAS team. Thank you also to Ms Krystal Andonenas, Ms Joanne Atallah, Mr Richie Berto, Ms Diana Kalac, Ms Linda Seminara, Ms Chantell Waycott and to Ms Leanne Quinn who works so ably behind the scenes making sure everything hums along smoothly.

REPORT BY MR Tony Mallis 31

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Year 12 Community and Family Studies

Terina Nasr Year 12 - Recipient of the 2023 Olympic Change Maker Award

Year 10 Bstreetsmart Excursion at Qudos Bank Arena

Year 12 Community and Family Studies

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Year 12 Incursion

Stage 6 Subject Information Evening

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION The Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Department has had a remarkable year of accomplishments and growth.

Firstly, we would like to extend our congratulations to Terina Nasr from Year 12, who received the prestigious Olympic Change Maker Award. Terina’s unyielding commitment and dedication to sports and physical education over the past six years, seamlessly resonate with the core values of the Olympic movement. Terina’s remarkable achievement stands as a true testament to her unwavering spirit and commitment to excellence.

Mrs Jan McNairn

Our Year 12 PDHPE, CAFS, and SLR classes have been working diligently, covering all the essential core and optional material required for the school certificate. We want to acknowledge the exceptional achievements of Julianna Linga of Year 12, who placed 1st in PDHPE and Aleigha Badreddine of Year 12, who secured 1st place in CAFS: Well done!

The Year 10 Physical Activity and Sport Studies (PASS) students have been deeply involved in various physical activities, exemplifying their passion for physical education. In parallel, our Year 9 PASS students have been actively acquiring coaching skills, ready to impart their knowledge in the upcoming year.

Throughout the year, select groups of Year 10 students volunteered their time as ‘Student Helpers’ supporting our local primary schools with the running of their swimming carnivals, soccer gala days and athletics carnival.

Their outstanding contributions have

significantly enhanced the experience for younger students.

Our Stage 5 PDHPE students (Years 9 and 10) have made impressive strides in their physical education journey, and our Stage 4 students (Years 7 and 8) have embraced the department’s teachings with enthusiasm.

In a significant learning experience, our Year 10 students attended the Bstreetsmart excursion at Qudos Bank Arena, where the day commenced with interactive activities showcased on live TV. The remainder of the day was profoundly enlightening as guest speakers shared their personal stories of road trauma, leaving a lasting impact.

Finally, I wish to express my gratitude to the entire PDHPE Department for their unwavering enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment throughout the year.

Many of our PDHPE staff members carry additional responsibilities within the school, yet they consistently prioritise and deliver high-quality teaching and learning experiences for our students.

This year has been a testament to growth, learning, and exceptional achievements within the PDHPE Department. We eagerly anticipate more exciting developments in the future.

Teachers: Mrs Jan McNairn, Mr Stuart Kensitt, Mr Sean Devlin, Ms Natalie Michos, Ms Pamela Galanis, Mr Nicholas Pikis.

REPORT BY Mrs Jan McNairn

33

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Nyannyang Machiek and Dat Nguyen Year 8

Angela Lambropoulos Year 8

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Charlotte Maroun Year 8

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

YEAR 8 LANGUAGE In the Year 8 language program, students explored the captivating world of languages with a particular focus on French and Mandarin. Four classes were dedicated to the study of French, while one class had a unique opportunity to delve into the intricacies of Mandarin.

French

Mandarin

In the French curriculum, students embarked on an exciting linguistic journey. They began by learning essential greetings and pleasantries, such as “nice to meet you”. This foundation in basic communication paved the way for an exploration of ‘Family and Relationships’, where they discovered how to discuss and describe their family members and relationships.

The Mandarin class was uniquely structured, with lessons conducted by a Chinese teacher in China over Zoom and facilitated by Ms. Succar.

This setup provided a dynamic and authentic language-learning experience.

The students then examined ‘My Daily Life/Routine’, allowing them to articulate their daily activities and routines. Lastly, the ‘My Community’ unit provided an opportunity to understand and discuss various aspects of their local and global communities.

Mr Roland Mondon French Teacher

Students began by ‘Introducing Themselves’, by learning the basics of self-presentation in Mandarin. This was followed by exploring ‘Age and Nationality’, enabling them to express their age and nationality in Mandarin.

them the ability to talk about their academic interests and subjects of study.

Overall, Year 8 students had a diverse and enriching language-learning experience, gaining proficiency in both French and Mandarin while exploring different cultural perspectives and linguistic nuances. These skills will undoubtedly serve them well in their future academic and personal endeavours.

The students then ventured into the realm of ‘Family and Animals’, where they could discuss family members and describe various animals. Finally, they covered ‘School Subjects’, giving

Ms Marina Succar Mandarin facilitator

REPORT BY Roland Mondon 35

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Our Year 12 Hospitality students prepared a variety of non-alcoholic beverages for their Assessment task.

Students who undertake Hospitality Food and Beverage will gain valuable experience in various different aspects such as Barista training where they may obtain casual employment making coffees and hot beverages.

Holy Spirit Catholic College Retail Store

Ralph Okonkwo - Holy Spirit Catholic College Business Services Room

Joseph Mokbel - Construction student

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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING REPORT VET (Vocational Education and Training) courses are available for study by students as part of their Higher School Certificate.

VET courses are very popular at Holy Spirit Catholic College with the College delivering Construction, Business Services, Retail Services and Hospitality (Food and Beverage).

All courses delivered at Holy Spirit Catholic College also include a mandatory work placement component. Our students are given the opportunity to work with a wide variety of employers and many students have secured part-time work as a result of their outstanding performance at work placement.

Ms Joanne Lofts

Many students also completed an EVET (External VET) course as part of their pattern of study at either Southern Cross Catholic College (SCCC), St Yon Trade Training Centre Bankstown or at TAFE. Courses undertaken by students included Plumbing, Automotive, Beauty Services, IDT, Animal Care, Community Services, Screen and Media and Electrotechnology. Some of these students are also undertaking a School

Based Apprenticeship (SBAT) as part of their training, which combines their study with paid employment in their chosen industry.

Our VET students also participate in many school projects and events.

Our Construction students have built an undercover walkway at the front of the school and have completed picnic tables and a deck where students can sit. Our Hospitality students help to cater for many school events such as Open Day, Mother’s and Father’s Day liturgies and various other school functions.

I thank the dedicated VET teachers : Ms Atallah, Ms Kirk, Ms Andonenas, Mr Berto, Ms Mattar and Ms Khoury for the opportunities that they provide for all VET students and for the additional time they put into their own training, compliance and upgrades throughout the year.

Our students are given the opportunity to work with a wide variety of employers REPORT BY Ms Joanne Lofts

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HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

YEAR 7 2023 has been a big year for everybody, especially for Year 7. The first year of high school is a time of new friendships, experiences and opportunities. Bringing their individual talents and skills, the College welcomed Year 7 into the Holy Spirit Community only 11 short months ago.

Transitioning into secondary school is challenging as the expectations and demands are very different to those of primary school.

The students were eager and enthusiastic to embrace everything that the College had to offer, and quickly adapted to the fast pace of College life.

Students attended school camp where they had the opportunity to form new friendships with their peers, they participated in their first Spirituality Day, Holy Spirit Day, STEM week, they raised chickens and had a visit from some Jersey cows. They participated and represented the College in representative sports, showcase

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evenings, debating & public speaking, school choir and the list goes on.

Year 7 have formed positive relationships with their teachers and peers, and made a whole lot of new friends along the way. They have met the demands both in and out of the classroom, and given their best when completing formal exams and assignments.

It is important to acknowledge the hard work of the wellbeing & link teachers, Ms Boutsikakis, Ms Jaz, Ms Macri, Ms Nassif, Ms Cicek, Mr Spirou, Ms Michos, Ms Khoury, Ms Grana, Ms Galanis, Ms Kelly, Ms Van, Ms Alam, Ms Titon and Ms Burland who have provided

guidance and support to the Year 7 students throughout the year. The students are all very lucky to have had such a caring, supportive and dedicated group of teachers guiding them through their first year of high school.

Congratulations Year 7, each and every one of you have achieved so much during your very busy first year of high school. You’ve all come a long way from that first day and you are finishing Year 7 as a much more mature, resilient and respectful group of students. You should be very proud of yourselves. Goodluck with a whole new set of challenges as you move into year 8!

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

Students who undertake Hospitality Food and Beverage will gain valuable experience in various different aspects such as Barista .

Students who undertake Hospitality Food and Beverage will gain valuable experience in various different aspects such as Barista

Students who undertake Hospitality Food and Beverage will gain valuable experience in various different aspects such as Barista .

YEAR 7

REPORT BY MS Bianca Perica 39

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Mr Kensitt showing magnificent skills on the volleyball court

YEAR 8

Year 8 Spirituality Day 2023 - The Superhero in Me

I am delighted to present this Year 8 report, celebrating the successes and achievements of our Year 8 students throughout this school year. It has been a fantastic year, filled with growth, resilience, accomplishments and laughter.

The students of Year 8 have truly excelled this year, adapting to the challenges and opportunities that come with this stage of their education. They have demonstrated exceptional dedication, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn, which have been vital to their academic and personal growth.

One of the highlights this year was our school’s 25th anniversary celebration at Lunar Park. The event was a tremendous success, and all of our Year 8 students had a fantastic time, creating lasting memories and further strengthening the sense of community that defines our school.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Mr. Nick Pikis, who took on the role of Year 8 Leader of Wellbeing in Term 3 in my

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absence. His dedication and support played a crucial role in ensuring the well-being and emotional growth of our students, and we look forward to his continued contributions in the future.

I am also pleased to extend my congratulations to 8 Campbell for their outstanding achievement in winning the Year 8 Volleyball Competition during Term 2. Their commitment, teamwork, and sportsmanship were exemplary and served as an inspiration to us all.

Well done.

Furthermore, I would like to acknowledge and thank Gabriella Trassieh and Vincent Francis for their leadership as the Year 8 Captains. Their dedication to fostering unity, responsibility, and community spirit among their peers

was commendable.

As the year comes to a close, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all our Year 8 students for a Merry Christmas and a relaxing holiday season. You have all worked diligently and shown immense character throughout this year, and you deserve this time to unwind and rejuvenate.

In conclusion, Year 8 has been a resounding success, and I look forward to watching the continued growth and achievements of these students in the years to come.

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to our school.

Wishing all Year 8 families a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

Year 8 Spirituality Day 2023 - The Superhero in Me

YEAR 8

REPORT BY Mr Stuart Kensitt 41

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

YEAR 9

Year 9 celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Holy Spirit at Luna Park

2023 provided Year 9 students with many exciting and enriching experiences. They embarked on a trip to Canberra, celebrated the school’s 25th anniversary at Luna Park, participated in representative school sports and debating, and achieved many great milestones.

In Canberra, Year 9 explored significant landmarks like Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, and the Questacon, gaining a deeper understanding of Australian democracy and our nation’s history.

To mark our school’s 25th anniversary, the whole school community spent a thrilling day at Luna Park. The rides, food, and games created a festive atmosphere, strengthening the school’s sense of community.

Representing our school in sports, we had many students experience varying degrees of success in soccer, basketball, netball, and athletics, bringing home many fond memories. Their teamwork, discipline, and dedication made them

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proud ambassadors of our school.

inside and outside of the classroom.

Our debating team showcased their intellect and skills of persuasion, competing every Friday night for a term. Through these debates, our proud representatives honed critical thinking and communication skills and did a great job.

Through representative sports and

Year 9 was a year of achievements.

They excelled academically, actively participating in class discussions and engaging in many extracurricular activities. Their creativity shone through various art projects in their elective art classes.

In conclusion, Year 9 was a remarkable year. From the educational trip to Canberra, to the Luna Park celebration, Year 9 learned valuable lessons both

debating, Year 9 showcased their talents and embraced teamwork.

Their achievements reflect their dedication to personal growth and academic excellence. Year 9 looks forward to continuing the educational journey moving forward into Year 10.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

Year 9 Spirituality Day 2023

YEAR 9 Year 9 celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Holy Spirit at Luna Park

Year 9 Spirituality Day 2023

REPORT BY Mr Sean Devlin 43

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

YEAR 10 The year 2023 has been an exceptional journey filled with countless memories and remarkable achievements. As we reflect on this remarkable year, it is clear that our Year 10 students have continued to thrive and grow.

The school year began in celebration of Holy Spirit’s 25th year as a school with a meaningful Opening School Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral setting a tone of unity and spirituality for our whole community.

These celebrations continued later in the year with Holy Spirit Day celebrated with a day at Luna Park which was a blast, creating cherished memories for all students.

Our academic achievements have been nothing short of extraordinary.

Students have excelled in various subjects. Our teachers’ dedication and commitment have played a significant role in shaping the academic success of our students.

A group of year 10 students took part in the Write A Book In A Day initiative and showed their dedication both through the commitment they

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showed to complete their storybook in the space of a day as well as raising funds for the initiative.

Year 10 have been provided with a number of opportunities to engage with a range of activities.

“A Leadership Day with the GWS Giants” allowed our students to connect with inspirational figures from various sporting codes alongside students from other schools. Spirituality Day reinforced our commitment to faith and community, challenging the students to take up the call to leadership and allow these qualities to shine through. The Geography excursion to Cronulla, the Science excursion to the Museum of Human Disease and the PDHPE excursion to Bstreet Smart expanded our horizons and made learning an adventure and a

hands on experience.

Year 10 students exemplified the spirit of giving through contributing to a range of initiatives throughout the year, emphasising the importance of community service.

Initiatives the students engaged with were Caritas Project Compassion, CWF Jersey Day, Year 12 Outreach packs and CatholicCare Christmas Hampers.

The Year 10 cohort have strived to do their very best showcasing the power of determination and sportsmanship through their involvement in our Athletics and Swimming Carnivals and representative sports with a number of students making it to the next level in their respective sports.

These teams ignited friendly competition and school spirit.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

YEAR 10 The year finished with the Year 10 alternate program that engaged the students in a range of activities that provided them with valuable skills as well as the opportunity to give back to the community. The Surf Awareness Program, social justice outreach activities, and the dynamic Galmatic workshops furthered our commitment to making a positive impact.

Throughout the year, students were supported by a great team of Wellbeing teachers and we thank them for their continued support: 10 St Jerome- Mr Milazzo/ Ms Kumar 10 St Joseph- Mr Peck/ Ms Seminara 10 St John Vianney- M s El-Chediac/ Ms Haumer 10 St Mel- M r Derivan/ Ms Pavic/ Ms Messina

This 25th year has been a testament to our college’s enduring commitment to excellence, spirituality, community, and personal growth. The year 2023 will undoubtedly hold a special place in our hearts. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and unity of our school community. We look forward to what the future holds as we continue to build upon this year’s success and remain dedicated to continuing this legacy for another 25 years.

10 St Michael- M s McNairn/ Ms Bessiris

REPORT BY MS JOANNE ATTALAH 45

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Senior Retreat 2023 at Youthworks Christian Centre Port Hacking

YEAR 11 A Year of Milestones and Achievements

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The Year 11 school year at Holy Spirit Catholic College was marked by a series of special events, exciting sporting achievements, and the celebration of the college’s 25th anniversary at St. Mary’s Cathedral. It was a year of growth, camaraderie, and the selection of college leaders for 2024, which will undoubtedly pave the way for the school’s future successes.

this again a celebration of our 25th anniversary. This day of fun and laughter created lasting memories for all. Students and staff enjoyed thrilling rides, delicious treats, and a sense of togetherness that only such outings can foster. A sense of togetherness was also experienced at our Senior Retreat in October at Deer Park and Rathane Youthworks at Bundeena.

One of the highlights of the year was the celebration of our College’s 25th anniversary at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

This event brought together students, staff, alumni, and the wider community to commemorate the rich history and achievements of our college. The ceremony was a reflection of the values and traditions that have defined our College for a quarter of a century.

This year, Tayla Hawi, Jacinta Yammine, Marcus Hanna and Lucas Geusher had the wonderful opportunity to represent our community at World Youth Day, which took place in Portugal from August 1 to August 6. The purpose of the International celebrations are: to celebrate and put trust in the young; make a pilgrimage and encounter the Catholic community.

Another unforgettable event was the whole school outing to Luna Park,

Throughout the year, our students demonstrated exceptional talent

and dedication in various sporting competitions. Our sports teams competed at both regional and state levels, securing numerous victories.

The dedication and sportsmanship displayed by our athletes served as an inspiration to the entire school community.

The selection of college leaders for 2024 was also a significant milestone. After a rigorous process, a group of outstanding students was chosen to lead the school in the coming year. These leaders have already shown their commitment to our school’s values and will undoubtedly contribute to its continued success. These students are: School Captains: Helen Tran and Marcus Hanna; Vice Captains: Jacinta Yammine and Eliano Arbid; Social Justice leaders: Mary Castro and David Fullah; Catholic Life leaders: Angelina Ayoub and Lucas

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

Talita Fonokalafi

A day at Luna Park to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the College

A day at Luna Park

Senior Retreat 2023 at Youthworks Christian Centre Port Hacking

Geusher; Student Wellbeing leaders: Kelly Ngo and Tristan Agyei; School Spirit leaders: Talita Fonokalafi and Peter El Khawaja.

The Year 11 school year was also a time of academic and extracurricular achievements. Our students excelled in their studies, with many receiving awards for academic excellence. Additionally, they actively participated in community service projects, showcasing their commitment to making a positive impact beyond the classroom. A highlight is Helen Tran who was awarded the Victor Chang Award for her commitment to Science.

In conclusion, the Year 11 school year at Holy Spirit Catholic College was marked by special events, sporting triumphs, the celebration of our college’s 25th anniversary, and the selection of leaders for 2024. It was a year of remarkable achievements, fostering a sense of pride and unity within our school community. As we look ahead, we are confident that the lessons learned and experiences gained during this year will continue to shape the future success of our College.

YEAR 11

REPORT BY MS Bianca Perica 47

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

YEAR 12 The Year 12 Class of 2023 have been on a fantastic and sometimes challenging journey throughout their time here at Holy Spirit Catholic College and have left a significant legacy.

Having the privilege of being the Leader of Wellbeing for their final 3 years, what impressed me the most was their willingness and openness to be proud of our School. This was displayed in numerous ways including their love of Sport, Dance, Community, and most importantly social justice. They were challenged at the beginning of Year 12 to “Make it Happen” and you can be assured that they tried hard to do just that.

The many initiatives Year 12 were involved in showed the Holy Spirit Community what a great school we have and their teachers were proud of the way they conducted themselves throughout the year.

A big thank you to Mr Griffiths, Mr Doran and the Executive for their support of Year 12. This support enabled great moments throughout the year including numerous Staff

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v Students Sporting Events, Study Nights, holiday classes, Picnic Days, Breakfast BBQ’s and most importantly the ability of Year 12 to feel empowered as they approached their Higher School Certificate Exams. Ms Ibrahim our Diverse Learning Link teacher and Ms Kirk our Careers Adviser both worked extra hard over the past two years to help make the students’ time at Holy Spirit a little smoother and guide decisions regarding future pathways to either tertiary education, traineeships or work.

The Year 12 Wellbeing team were outstanding with their support, loyalty and care of the Year 12 cohort. They journeyed with these students through the highs and the lows and they showed how a strong, supportive pastoral care team can result in the fine young adults that

have now completed their time at Holy Spirit.

Thank you to the hardworking Wellbeing Team of Year 12 12 Campbell - Ms Lofts / Ms Samuel 12 Chisholm - Mr Pikis 12 LaSalle - Ms Beeston 12 Mackillop - Ms Rumore / Ms McDonald 12 McCormack - Ms Kirk / Ms Ibrahim 12 Therry - Mr Trapanese Great schools only happen when the passion of the teaching staff is reflected in the students, and Holy Spirit is a great school. It is evident that the wonderful group Year 12 evolved into was a result of the effort and hard work from

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

all of their teachers. There was an extraordinary level of investment made into them as people and students by this community.

I want to remind Year 12 of a few key lessons I hope they have taken from our time together. The most important thing is that you are all fantastic young men and women.

You are going to be successful if you work hard. Never look back with regret but learn from your mistakes.

Everyone makes mistakes but how you respond to them demonstrates the person that you are.

I wish them all the best.

YEAR 12 “Journey with compassion, have hope for the future and know that the Holy Spirit Community is with you every step of the way.”

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The students’ faces say it all - no words required.

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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

HOLY SPIRIT DAY 26TH MAY On Thursday 26th May we came together as a College community to celebrate the gift of the Eucharist to celebrate our Holy Spirit Feast Day.

We were blessed to be joined by Father Peter Ha, Parish Priest of St Therese Lakemba who presided over this Mass. The readings of the day focused on Sunday’s Pentecost scriptures as this is the foundation of the Holy Spirit. It is at Pentecost when the Disciples receive the gift of fire tongues, enabling them to go out into the world and speak to others spreading the good news. It is our calling now to continue this calling.

It is important to acknowledge the outstanding gifts and talents of the many people who helped to bring this mass together. Firstly, to Mr Bjazevich and Ms Moore for their leadership in

guiding the talented musicians and choir in their music ministry. Also to all the students who read, set our sacred space, gave offertory and helped set up and clean up after the Mass - thank you. I would like to thank the staff who acted as Eucharistic ministers to ensure that the gift of the Eucharist was received.

Finally, a big thank you to Joseph in Year 10 who served as an altar server to support Fr Peter throughout the Mass. Your support helped to ensure that the Mass ran smoothly. We appreciate you giving your gifts to our College community.

Friday 26th May will be a day that is

remembered for a long time. Well, that is what many of the students have told me when they left for home. Luna Park didn’t disappoint, the weather didn’t impose itself and the Spirit permeated all the activities undertaken by both staff and students. Holy Spirit Day 2023 was a wonderful celebration befitting our 25 years.

I would like to congratulate all students on their behaviour, willingness to follow safety instructions and the way they also showed great respect to the public who were there on the day. The Luna Park smile had nothing on the smiles of our students.

a wonderful celebration befitting our 25 years REPORT BY Holy Spirit Day Committee

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Showcase

Tuesday 20 June The Holy Spirit CAPA faculty once again wove its annual magic, with a mesmerising showcase for 2023, aptly named ‘Express Yourself.’ This year’s event was nothing short of a resounding success, a reverberating celebration of the talent within the Creative and Performing Arts. Over 100 gifted performers took the stage, a vibrant tapestry of Drama, Dance, Music, and Visual Arts students, each a shining star in their own right.

Year 10 studied Portraiture and the Archibald Prize, an annual competition which focuses on paintings of significant figures. Eliza Albarchini (Year 10) chose to paint her grandfather in front of a fig tree using acrylic paints.

Our heartfelt gratitude extends to every student who graced the spotlight, but the applause doesn’t stop there. It ripples out to the families and friends whose unwavering support added that extra sparkle to the evening. As if that weren’t enough, the Visual Arts students bestowed upon us their breathtaking masterpieces, adorning the Sr. Berenice Gallery with a touch of the extraordinary.

REPORT BY Mr Luke Bjazevich 52

Year 11 Visual Design students designed skateboards that explored culture.

During Semester 1, Year 9 Visual Arts students studied Still Life and the symbolic meaning of objects within the works.

In this graphite pencil drawing, Valeria Sarralde Cardona (Year 9) composed a collection of personal items which hold importance to her.

Evangalene Gebrael reimagined album covers in the style of Keith Haring.

Reign Benzon took inspiration from Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam.

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Zekol Chen, Peter Do and Mikyla Cabingan (Year 10) performing Uptown Funk

Showcase Cast

Timothy Prasetiyo (Year 10)

Luka Bilandzic (Year 12) 53

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YEAR 8 DRAMA PRESENTATION THURSDAY 14 SEPT

During Terms 2 and 3, students from Years 8 to 12 auditioned and rehearsed for a performance of the play ‘April Aardvark’ by Nathaniel Moncrieff.

Students in Year 8 study ‘April Aardvark’ in English, so the students were familiar with this play which explores important themes about bullying and the responsible use of social media.

Raven Amigable, Angelina Malla, Alicia Wirenkyi, Chanel Adouni and Anita Taouk

Students collaborated with peers as they learnt acting and performance skills. The rehearsals culminated in two impressive performances; a matinee for Year 8 and Year 6 students and an evening performance for families and friends.

Well done to the students who participated in the production: Rachael Conway (Year 12), Raven Amigable (Year 12), Talita Fonokalafi (Year 11), Chanel Adouni (Year 10), Alliya Fulitod (Year 10), Anita Taouk (Year 9), Mafoa Fatani (Year 8), Angela Lambropoulos (Year 8), Angelina Malla (Year 8), Isabella Trovato (Year 8), Keira Winata (Year 8), Alicia Wirenkyi (Year 8).

Thank you to the following students who assisted with the stage crew: Susana Fonokalafi (Year 11), Mary Castro (Year 11), Jacob Ghajar (Year 11), Joanna Chinamoothoo (Year 10), Tone Ghanem (Year 9), Tolen Ghanem (Year 9), Chloe Tarchichi (Year 8) and Tirizah Kama (Year 8).

REPORT BY Mr Luke Bjazevich 54

The student’s faces say it all - no words required.

Alliya Fulitod and Rachael Conway

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Cast of ‘April Aardvark’

Cast of ‘April Aardvark’

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YEAR 11

FAITH LEADERS

Nora Barchini - 11 Chisholm

Year 11 Faith Leaders are also commonly referred to as Youth Group Leaders. This is an age-specific religious ministry of faith groups or other religious organisations, usually from ages 12 to 30, whose mission is to involve and engage with young people who attend their places of worship, or who live in their community.

Alanah El Hajje - 11 Therry

Brianna Farah - 11 Lasalle

REPORT BY MS Tarnya Grana 56

Hermela Gebramichael - 11 Campbell

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Tayla Hawi - 11 Lasalle

Mark JaaJaa - 11 MacKillop

Angelina Moila - 11 Campbell

Ofa Kaufusi - 11 MacKillop

Monica Najjar - 11 Lasalle

Vasiliki Michalopoulos - 11 Therry

Rana Sarayeldin - 11 Therry

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Social Justice The Holy Spirit College Community has participated in a number of Social Justice initiatives throughout the year to not only reflect the vision of the College, but to live out the mission to ‘inspire all members of the community to be enlivened by the Holy Spirit’.

The social justice initiatives seek to promote love for thy neighbour and faith formation amongst students.

10:10 Conference at the Waterview in Bicentennial Park

The 10:10 Project A selected group of students from Year 10 have commenced ‘The 10:10 Project’ at the beginning of the year to uphold the message of John 10:10, which emphasises the need to live life to the full through a love and understanding of faith.

Participating students attend two faith formation sessions a term, which are held by representatives from Sydney Catholic Schools to give Year 10 Catholic students across the Diocese an opportunity to talk freely about society, life and the faith in an emotionally safe and judgement-free environment.

Purpose High Purpose High is another faith formation initiative implemented at the College for a selected group of Year 11 students that seeks to promote the fundamental teaching of love in the Catholic faith and how this grants us purpose in our lives. This initiative provides students with a safe and open platform to discuss important aspects of the faith that guide students in their daily lives, such as love, relationships, leadership and social issues.

‘Purpose High’ Initiative

World Youth Day 2023 initiatives This year, World Youth Day was held in Portugal.

Tayla Hawi, Marcus Hanna, Lucas Geusher and Jacinta Yammine from Year 11 travelled to Portugal to represent the College at World Youth Day. In the lead up to the event, the College held a number of fundraising initiatives in Term 1 and 2 to support the students attending, including a Sausage Sizzle, Food Stalls and the sale of raffle tickets to win a signed Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Jersey.

It is through such initiatives whereby the College community is able to come together to support one another in faith, charity and respect.

REPORT BY MS Laura El-Chediac 58

Jacinta Yammine and Tayla Hawi Year 11 students at 2023 World Youth Day Lisbon, Portugal

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Tayla Hawi and Jacinta Yammine enjoying the sights prior to their 2023 World Youth Day Lisbon, Portugal experience at the Colosseum Rome, Italy

2023 World Youth Day Lisbon, Portugal

Marcus Hanna and Lucas Geusher meeting new friends at World Youth Day 2023

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WORLD YOUTH DAY 2023

The World Youth Day pilgrims with Bulldog’s player Jacob Kiraz at the WYD Raffle draw

This year World Youth Day was held in the warm and sunny city of Lisbon, Portugal. Representing the Holy Spirit Catholic College community were four passionate and excited Year 11 students Lucas Geusher, Marcus Hanna, Tayla Hawi and Jacinta Yammine. The theme of the celebration was ‘Mary arose and went with haste’ and our students did just that.

“World Youth Day 2023 was an experience of a lifetime, it was something that I’ll never forget. My favourite place there was Assisi. Assisi is the most calming and gracious place on Earth. Being in the hometown of St Francis, walking along the paths he did, visiting his home and being in his presence, was breathtaking. The most memorable moment for me would have to be in Fatima, during the retreat at the end of the trip. We participated in the candlelight procession, walking alongside thousands of people.”

Jacinta Yammine To help get them there, we must send a huge thank you to the parents of the pilgrims for their constant support, the Holy Spirit College staff, students and wider community who generously donated towards the fundraising initiatives. This included a College barbecue and purchasing raffle tickets to win a car or the signed Bulldogs jersey. This was an experience of a lifetime that these students will remember forever.

REPORT BY MS Tarnya Grana 60

Jacinta Yammine and Tayla Hawi at the Basilica of John Lateran - Founded in 324.

Basilica of St Paul, Rome

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Lucas Geusher - Lisbon, Portugal

Lucas Geusher and Marcus Hanna in Praca do Comercio Lisbon - ready to start celebrating World Youth Day 2023

Venice Castello. A beautiful and charming Venice district that is known for its historical landmarks, traditional neighbourhoods, and vibrant cultural scene.

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Holy Spirit Catholic College students who volunteer as Army and Navy cadets stand before the College assembly to honour the fallen

Holy Spirit students proudly represented the College at the Lakemba Club ANZAC Day Ceremony.

College Captains Tsion Gibato and Karam Chami were involved in wreath laying and flag bearing respectively.

Zalfa Chami and Elysia Deeb, both of Year 9, carried the College Banner and Jacob Maroun assisted with flag bearing. Some of our future students were also involved in the ceremony. Thank you to the students and their parents for joining us.

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ANZAC DAY The annual ANZAC Day assembly that is held at the College, provides an opportunity to gather as a community to remember the sacrifices of those who went to war and who gave their lives in serving our country.

In this year’s ANZAC assembly we commemorated Australian service in the Vietnam War and the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. It was during this time that over 600,000 men and women represented Australia in this conflict with over 3,000 wounded and 523 men never returning home.

In his address to the College, Mr Griffiths, the College Principal,

reflected on 523 men and women who gave their lives in service in Vietnam.

We were reminded of the Anzac values of courage, compassion, mateship and selflessness and the many men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice, some of whom were only a little older than our Year 12 students.

We are grateful for the contribution of one of our Amadeus Music Tutors Eamon Penner-Dilworth for his moving rendition of the Rouse and Last Post

and for our cadets Georgia Zgheyb, Jacob Maroun, Alejandro Guttirrez, Shane Sarayeldin, Zekol Chen, Josif Lambropoulos, Peter Do and Matteo Gutierrez for their involvement in the Catafalque Party and performing their duties with distinction on the day.

While we remember the sacrifices of those who have gone to war to protect our country, we continue to hope and pray for peace in our world today.

Lest we forget.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

REPORT BY MS Carol Mattar 63

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Photobooth fun!

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MOTHER’S DAY This year we had a sellout crowd for our College’s Annual Mothers’ Day celebrations.

The event began with a beautiful liturgy that focused on the strength of mothers and the significance of our own mother Mary, who accepted the calling to bring Jesus into this world.

The liturgy was led by a number of students who had the chance to bring their prayers forth for their mothers and mother figures. Students were also given the chance to give a rose to them, to say a heartfelt thank you for the hard work, love and compassion that they receive.

Mother’s Day High Tea that left an indelible mark on all the cherished mothers and mother figures who attended.

Following this, our Year 12 Hospitality students orchestrated an exquisite

Mums and their children had the opportunity to take a photo in our

The sacred space for the Mother’s Day Liturgy

The beautifully decorated tables were laden with delicious treats such as freshly baked scones, petit fours, quiches and other treats.The event not only showcased the students’ culinary talents but also underscored their deep respect for the women who shape our lives.

Middle photo caption to read - The divine table settings and food catered by our Year 12 Hospitality students

specially crafted “photo booth” which enabled a special snapshot of the day to be taken home and enjoyed forever. This opportunity was a wonderful way for the community to come together and recognise the special women who are amongst us and for our students to acknowledge them through prayer and celebration.

Our College hall set up to welcome our community

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Our amazing Year 11 Hospitality Food and Beverage students

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FATHER’S DAY Father’s Day is a special occasion at our school, not just for the fathers but for the entire school community.

This year, the celebration took on a whole new level of delight, thanks to our Year 11 Hospitality students who catered a wonderful Father’s Day Buffet Breakfast. The event was filled with delicious food, fun activities, and memorable moments that warmed the hearts of all who attended.

We first came together for prayer.

The morning began with a liturgy to commemorate the importance of the role of fathers in our lives and to highlight the significance of Joseph, who stepped up to support Mary and raise Jesus in his love and guidance.

Sacred Space

The highlight of the celebration was the scrumptious breakfast that awaited our guests. The Year 11 Hospitality students had meticulously prepared an array of delightful dishes, ranging from fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon to fresh fruit platters and a variety of pastries. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and there was something to satisfy every palate.

creating personalised keyrings for the fathers. These keyrings served as wonderful keepsakes, featuring the memorable photographs taken at the photobooth. This unique touch added a sentimental and personal element to the event.

One of the highlights of the morning was the photo booth, where guests could create lasting memories. The students were on hand to assist in

Father’s Day Liturgy in the Theatre

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PEER SUPPORT During Terms 1 and 2, the Year 7 cohort participated in the Peer Support Program. Each week, groups of Year 7 students met with their Year 10 Peer Leaders to work through a range of activities that were focused on building connections, developing resilience and addressing a range of behaviours, including the prevention of bullying.

Meeting in small groups allowed meaningful connections to form, assisting students with their transition to secondary school. Over a period of 10 weeks, students acknowledged their strengths and achievements, identified people who can support them and learned how to view challenges as opportunities for growth. Students were also taught to develop, maintain and repair friendships, understand a range of behaviours including bullying, and learn strategies in order to respond appropriately in a variety of situations.

REPORT BY MS Annika Debono, MR Ciaran Murphy AND MS Lydia Nassif

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CHESS REPORT Chess provides students with a great opportunity to implement their strategic skills and to think on their feet. This year’s SCS Chess Gala Day provided an opportunity for students to test these skills against a large number of other students at Marist College Eastwood.

Our teams were unfortunately outmatched on the day, however, outside of their competition matches, students played a number of friendly rounds with others in a great display of the sportsmanship of all involved.

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Back Row (L to R) -Aaron Gomes, Thomas Ha, William Redwood, Zaijan Esprescion, Evan Nguyen Front Row (L to R) - Ranveer Kamboj, Andy Ng, Peter El Khawaja, Bryan Nhan Absent - The Tuan Dang, Daniel Melek, Raymond Lu, David Nguyen, Jason El Zoghby, Finn Fordyce, Kevin Ha, Phu Nguyen, Edson Santana Coach - Mr Ciaran Murphy

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GARDENING The College continues to focus on our environment through the various units of work in TAS, Food Technology, Hospitality and Science.

This year we have begun planting our new garden that we hope will provide both educational opportunities and healthy produce that will be used not only for our classes, but also be shared with visitors to our College.

Onions, carrots and other assorted herbs have been planted and are close to being harvested for consumption. More recently, the College has planted fruit trees and other ornamentals with the hope of having fresh fruit available to use across our kitchens later in the year or early 2024. In the new year we will be offering a small group of students interested in gardening, an opportunity to be involved in maintaining our garden and to continue to provide further focus on sustainability across the College. Students are encouraged to look for this opportunity into the new 2024 school year.

Planting out the new garden that we hope will provide both educational opportunities and lots of healthy produce.

The Year 12 and Year 11 Construction students created a wonderful new garden bed in front of the hall. This was then planted by students during Outreach Day at the College.

New covered walkway and garden bed in front of the College Hall.

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Write a Book in a Day Students writing and editing

On Monday the 21st of August, 32 students participated in the Write a Book in a Day Competition where they collectively wrote and illustrated five novellas in twelve hours. Students attended several meetings in preparation, before meeting on the day at 8am and finishing at 8pm.

Groups were challenged with a set of writing parameters in the morning, to be adhered to in their unique narratives. These books were donated to The Kids’ Cancer Project, for kids receiving treatment in hospital.

These students then raised money by promoting and hosting a Bake Sale on Tuesday 5th September and a Sausage Sizzle on Wednesday the 6th of September. Thanks to the contributions and efforts of all involved, these events were highly successful in fundraising for a worthy cause. Well done to an outstanding group of HSCC students who worked very hard throughout the entire process.

Sausage sizzle fundraiser by our senior writers

HSCC’s talented writers and illustrators competing in the 2023 Write a Book in a Day Competition

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Oratory Report The 2023 season was nothing short of unforgettable. There may come a time when I truly run out of superlatives to describe the efforts of our fine group of Holy Spirit orators. However, the time has not yet come, as 2023 was yet again a year where words like ‘impossible’ were simply not part of the HSCC orator vernacular. Having been involved in debating and public speaking for almost a decade, the gifts and talents of our students never ceases to amaze me. From the start of the year where Mary Castro (Year 11) represented the College in the CSDA Public Speaking Zone Final, all the way to the end of the year where HSCC Oratory yet again left its mark on the CSDA Debating Competition. As you can see, 2023 was definitely a season to remember.

It would be remiss of me to end my Yearbook report without thanking all the teachers who voluntarily gave up their Friday nights each week, worked tirelessly to support and mentor our students, and to those who adjudicated at various points throughout the season. I would like to sincerely thank Mr Kevin Griffiths, Mr Stephen Doran, Mr Tonny On, Ms Barbara Bessiris, Ms Danielle Cooper and Ms Velinda Morabito. I would also like to thank the numerous students who were a part of Oratory Support. Without your invaluable contribution our incredible Debating and Public Speaking would not be able to function.

REPORT BY Mr Peter Solomakos

L to R - Mary Castro and Vasiliki Michalopolous Absent - Oliver Al Masri and Terry Dang Teacher - Mr Peter Solomakos

If you speak, you can influence.

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~25 YEARS~

PAST AND PRESENT

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~25 YEARS~

2023

YEAR BOOK HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

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It has been another successful year for the College All Sydney Conference Champions Senior Boys’ Basketball SCS Conference Championship victories in: Senior Boys’ Basketball Premiers Junior Boys’ Rugby 7’s Premiers Senior Girls’ Aussie Rules Premiers Conference Grand Finalist and Runners Up in: Senior Boys’ Rugby 7’s

2023 Individual Achievements

Monica Najjar and Mia Youssef in their Lebanon Rugby League Jerseys

A focused Mr Rumore

Jessica Fernandez winning one of her many Tennis Tournaments

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8 students represented at CCC Level in Tennis, Golf, Rugby League and Athletics.

•• 21 students represented at SCS Conference Teams in Cross Country, Rugby League, Golf, Tennis and Athletics.

•• 7 College Athletics Records as well as 1 SCS Record were broken.

•• There were numerous individual outstanding performances and these are highlighted in relevant Representative Sports reports. Also the following students have made Representative Teams in the wider sporting community.

Golf: Shashank Koirala NSW U18’s State Team that were National Champions Tennis: Jessica Fernandez Winner in the Singles and Doubles in the JP 250 Junior State Cup and the JP 250 Margaret Court Cup, Runner up in the Singles in the JT Signature 500 Junior Championship.

Rugby League: Danny Ata, Murad Dahdal, Simon Zanzoul and Christopher Makhlouf (Harold Matthews Squads), Mia Youssef and Monica Najjar (Lebanon Female Team) Basketball: Isaiah Taituha U18’s Bankstown Bruins Representative Team.

Rugby Union: Michael Lina, Adi Macanavere, Dontae Siofele, Talita Fonokalafi and Paul Fatani (State Cup Representative Teams).

Volleyball: Elvena Abel SWSAS U18’s Academy Squad and U16’s Phoenix State Team.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 2023 YEARBOOK

SPORT COORDINATOR’S REPORT It is a great pleasure to celebrate the College’s sporting achievements and to acknowledge the contributions of all the coaches and students during the 2023 season. There was much to be proud of and much recognised in the sporting arena at Holy Spirit College.

Students all shared a common goal of striving to be either part of a representative team or to participate in the College’s weekly sports program.

Taking pride in giving your best and by doing this you have all enhanced the reputation of the College. The College is very grateful and we recognize all these contributions, the time, energy, enthusiasm and passion that you personally gave during the sporting year.

In recent years there has been a great change in the organising of sport and the opportunities offered to students.

Each Thursday afternoon all students in Years 7 to 10 participated in our sporting program in their Wellbeing groups with a wider range of sports which rotated every 5 weeks. The sporting activities offered by the College in 2023 are listed below and we are always trying to introduce new sporting opportunities for our students.

School Sports Australian Rules Skills, Basketball Skills, Cricket Skills, Dance, Futsal Soccer, Netball Skills, Gym and Fitness Activities, Martial Arts, Squash, Softball, Soccer Skills,

School games, Ten Pin Bowling, Tennis, Touch Football, Volleyball Skills, Gymnastics, Circuit classes, Boot Camp, Lawn Bowls, Park games, PCYC, Indoor Games, Female Self Defense and Compulsory Swimming for Year 7 and Year 8.

SCS Representative Sports Volleyball, Touch Football, Swimming, Dance, Netball, Soccer, Cross Country, Basketball, Aussie Rules, Softball, Tennis, Athletics, Chess, Rugby 7’s, Rugby League, Table Tennis, Tennis, Golf, Oz Tag, Badminton and Futsal.

For our students Sport was an opportunity to make new found friends, to have fun and a chance to be part of a team, not just to perform as an individual but to work together to achieve a common goal of doing our best for the team. Yet for some it was a chance to challenge yourself to do your best and to see what you can really achieve. Many of life’s lessons are learnt through participation in sport.

It teaches each one of us the value of teamwork and the need to support one another, how to cope with success and failure, and through endurance

and persistence, it ultimately leads to bettering ourselves as a person.

We had approximately 400 students willing to learn these lessons from representative sport this year. This demonstrates the vast opportunities that are provided and the great array of talent possessed by the students of Holy Spirit Catholic College.

Finally, thanks to Mr. Griffiths for his ongoing support of the College’s Sporting program. Most of all my sincere thanks and gratitude to all our wonderful coaches for their tireless hard work, generosity and dedication with the students during the year. Without them none of these achievements and opportunities would have been possible for our students.

Thanks to everyone for all the great Sporting Memories.

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Junior Girls Basketball Our Junior Girls Basketball team faced strong opponents this season, but their unwavering teamwork, courage, and consistency shone brightly throughout the season. While victory didn’t always grace their path, the girls consistently exhibited their passion and commitment to each other as a cohesive team.

What truly stands out about this team is their unwavering dedication and their unbreakable spirit. Their commitment to motivating each other never wavered, exemplifying the true meaning of teamwork. Beyond the game, they built connections and made new friendships, all the while demonstrating qualities of respect, responsibility, and aspiration.

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Back Row (L to R) - Chelsea Maroun, Esther Mikaele, Charlotte Maroun, Emily Hua Front Row (L to R) - Mary Roumanos, Mariana Gemayel, Angelica Chidiac, Serena El Drouby Absent - Elizabeth Hadid-Taofua, Therese Shiner, Nael Tadesse Coach - Ms Febionia Cicek

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

Intermediate GIRLS

Basketball

The Intermediate Girls Basketball team started the season strong, securing two wins in their first two games. The girls faced challenging teams, but their teamwork remained courageous and consistent throughout the season. While they didn’t win every match, they consistently displayed their passion and commitment to each other as a team.

Notable players such as Kina Takau and Nickol Carcallas demonstrated initiative in supporting and leading the team in each match. In every game, the girls adapted and showcased their skills and abilities. Despite the challenges, these experiences provided valuable opportunities for personal growth.

Back Row (L to R) - Christina Khoury, Talia Ah-Hen, Gabriella El-Khoury, Angelina Sipura, Aaliyah Petrovski, Kina Takau Front Row (L to R) - Desiyah Siofele, Elisabeth Gebreyohannes, Nickol Carcallas, Joanne Fadel, Mary Nicholas, Tolen Ghanem Coach - Mr Van Nguyen

It deserves mention that the whole team throughout the season continued their dedication and desire to do their best. Even if they didn’t win, the girls persevered and did their best to motivate each other to never give up. It was without a doubt that the girls showed their true spirit within themselves to work together but most importantly, build connections and new friendships with each other showing respect, responsibility and aspiration.

As the season drew to a close, the girls reflected on their shared experiences, both the joys and the hardships. They exhibited inquisitive mindsets, maintaining a positive attitude and displaying excellent sportsmanship. It’s evident that these girls will continue to grow and flourish as individuals, embodying a strong sense of the Holy Spirit and determination.

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SENIOR Girls Basketball This senior girls’ basketball season was about heart and sportsmanship, not just the win-loss record. While they didn’t make it to the finals, these girls gave it their all.

From day one, they put in hard work and determination, making each practice count and every game a chance to show their love for the sport. Their teamwork was exceptional, win or lose, they supported each other, pushing their limits.

What truly stood out was their sportsmanship.

They respected their opponents and referees, showing that the game is about more than just winning. They left a positive impact on the entire basketball community.

As the season came to a close, it wasn’t about trophies. These girls will be remembered for their resilience, grace, and kindness. They’ve taught us that success is not always measured by the score but by the character you bring to the game.

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Mathew Assad 82

Back Row (L to R) - Evangelene Gebrael, Talita Fonokalafi, Hermela Gebramichael Second Row (L to R) - Angelina Moila, Monique Poulivaati, Jaewyn Takau Front Row (L to R) - Atiyahna Tuigamala-Nicholas, Susana Fonokalafi, Sienna Dawson, Ofa Kaufusi Absent - Celestial Afualo, Crystal Hanna, Victoria Taituha Coach - Mr Mathew Assad

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

JUNIOR Boys Basketball The Junior Boys Basketball team had an exciting and challenging season that was filled with ups and downs. Despite facing formidable opponents, the team managed to secure several wins and showcased remarkable teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the season. While the win-loss record may not be as impressive as we had hoped for, it’s essential to note that our team demonstrated tremendous growth and improvement over the course of the season. The players consistently gave their best efforts and displayed great dedication to their training and games.

Back Row (L to R) - Daniel El-Helou, Anthony Khoury, Cooper Clarke-Duffy, Eleftherios Giannas Front Row (L to R) - Motu Fifita, Luca Harvie, Antonio Karam, William Fotiadis Absent - Anthony Hajj, Joshua Khoury, Daniel Taouk Coach - Mr Paul Rumore

The following students, Eleftherios Giannas and Motulalo Fifita were our outstanding and most consistent players. Their contribution and spirit can not be overstated and was at times inspirational which motivated the entire team to perform to the best of their ability.

The Junior Boys Basketball team showed exceptional unity and camaraderie. The players’ commitment to improving their skills and supporting one another was evident in every game. The coaching staff is proud of the progress made by each player throughout the season, both as athletes and individuals.

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Paul Rumore 83

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Intermediate

Boys Basketball Our Intermediate Boys Basketball team proudly represented Holy Spirit Catholic College in the Sydney Catholic Schools competition and had a commendable season, reaching the semifinals.

The season was packed with intense matches and thrilling moments that showcased the team’s resilience and skill.

Throughout the season, the boys demonstrated a remarkable level of teamwork, with each player contributing to the overall success of the team. It was truly a good season, marked by growth and improvement that reflected the dedication of all the players.

A standout player who deserves special recognition is Dennis Achirem, who emerged as the Most Valuable Player (MVP). Dennis consistently delivered stellar performances, leading the team both on and off the court. His efforts were instrumental in propelling the team to the semifinals.

Congratulations to the Intermediate Boys Basketball Team of Holy Spirit Catholic College on a well-played season.

REPORT BY COACH, MR NICHOLAS PIKIS 84

Back Row (L to R) - Kali Koroitamana, Antonio Nakhle, Maxwell Afualo, Joseph Succar Front Row (L to R) - Jacob Hanna, Andy Tran, Christopher Nader, James Bakoulis Absent - Brendan Jabbour, Dennis Achirem Coach - Mr Nicholas Pikis

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

SENIOR Boys Basketball After being crowned Conference Champions in 2022, the Senior Boys Basketball Team looked to take it a step further and become the 2023 Sydney Catholic Schools Champions.

The team, brimming with talent and confidence, went through the regular season with just one loss to a skilled St Charbel’s team. The inevitable grand final against St Charbel went down to the wire with both teams trading buckets throughout. All hope seemed lost when two of our star players, Derek Achirem and Christian Eid, fouled out at a crucial part of the game.

Holy Spirit Catholic College Senior Boys Basketball Team (from left): Coach Mr Lobrio, Marcus Hanna, Agious Adegeh, Christian Eid (c), David Sipura, Derek Achirem, Isaiah Taituha, Jason Adouni, Benjamin Geusher.

In true Holy Spirit fashion, the boys showed unwavering determination and resilience with Agious Adegeh knocking down clutch free throws to secure the win and once again, crowning them Conference Champions.

We had one final test - Sydney Catholic Schools Championships - where the champions of the four conferences faced off to determine the best team in Sydney Catholic Schools.

The first game was against Penshurst Marist. The boys started off the game spectacularly with solid defence that denied Penshurst from gaining any momentum. The final score was 50 - 40, setting up a grand final showdown against Clancy College.

We knew that Clancy would be a tough team to beat.

The game plan was simple: Defence.

From the tip-off to the final buzzer, the team played with an intensity and focus that left Clancy bewildered. Special mention to David Sipura who led the team defensively and secured valuable rebounds on both ends of the floor, and Isaiah Taituha’s deadly 3-point shooting which earned him Finals MVP. The final score was 51 - 38, Holy Spirit win.

Congratulations to the boys on an amazing achievement. Each played a vital role in the team’s success. I’m privileged to have shared this experience with them and wish them every success in their basketball endeavours.

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Alain Lobrio 85

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Junior Girls Touch The Junior Girls Touch Team embarked on their school sports journey with a promising start, securing a notable victory in their first game.

This early triumph set a positive tone for the season ahead. In their debut match against Trinity Auburn, the girls showcased exceptional teamwork and unwavering determination on the field, leaving a lasting impression with their impressive coordination and well-deserved win.

Despite this initial success, the team encountered a series of challenges in the following games.

Each match brought new tests as they faced opponents who pushed their skills and determination to the fullest. These encounters, though tough, served as opportunities for growth and learning.

Throughout the season, the Junior Girls Touch team’s resilience and dedication remained unwavering. They consistently faced adversity head-on, continuously striving for improvement with each passing game. Their collective spirit and sportsmanship became the hallmark of their journey.

The season, with its mix of triumphant moments and challenging situations, served as a valuable learning experience for the Junior Girls Touch team. Their ability to bounce back from setbacks and maintain a positive attitude and sportsmanship will undoubtedly benefit them in their future sporting endeavours

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Mariam Khoury 86

Back Row (L to R) - Mckayla Magat, Lilli Shenouda, Grace Dahdal, Mariam Akkawi, Adi (Dee) Macanavere Front Row (L to R) - Sara-Rose Succar, Annabella Saliba, Naomi Tohme, Riana Raffoul Absent - Angel El-Ters, Natalle Nicolas Coach - Ms Mariam Khoury

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

Intermediate girls touch

The girls’ intermediate touch football team had a challenging season, securing only one victory throughout the campaign. However, their unwavering dedication and consistent effort were evident in every game, demonstrating remarkable improvement over the season.

Despite the limited number of wins, this team consistently exhibited qualities that transcended the scoreboard. Their determination and positive attitude remained unshaken, and they approached each game with enthusiasm and a commitment to learn and grow. This resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to their character and sportsmanship.

While the win-loss record may not fully reflect their progress, the girls’ intermediate touch football team’s season was undeniably marked by improvement, effort, and a collective spirit. The lessons learned, both individually and as a team, will undoubtedly serve them well in future seasons.

Back Row (L to R) - Sienna Ayoub, Georgia Hassiotis, Teresa Nasr, Rianon Chase, Zalfa Chami Front Row (L to R) - Maryanne Ayoub, Mariah Makhlouta, Sarah Haddad, Jacinta Youssef, Alyssa Saad Absent - Aaliyah Hines Coach - Mr Sean Devlin

A special mention goes to Rianon Chase who emerged as a beacon of excellence within the team.

Her exceptional skills, leadership on the field, and relentless work ethic were instrumental in the team’s progress. Rianon consistently demonstrated a strong understanding of the game, displaying impressive ball-handling, speed, and decision-making abilities.

Her performance undoubtedly inspired her teammates to strive for excellence.

An enjoyable season was had by all and it was great to see the girls improving with each game.

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Sean Devlin 87

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

SENIOR Girls Touch The Senior Girls Touch Football Team delivered a stellar performance in Term 1, marked by a string of closely contested victories that highlighted the team’s exceptional prowess and unwavering commitment. Throughout Term 1, the girls exhibited impressive coordination and communication on the field, executing plays with precision and determination.

The regular season witnessed a series of nailbiting matches, with each win hard-earned and well-deserved. The team’s agility and strategic acumen were on full display, captivating both spectators and opponents alike. Guided by the coaching staff’s expertise, the players consistently demonstrated their capability to adapt and excel.

In the semi-final game, the team showcased remarkable resilience and competitive spirit.

Despite a closely fought battle, victory narrowly slipped from our grasp. The players exhibited tremendous effort until the final whistle, leaving everything on the field. Though the result was not in our favour, the team’s performance was nothing short of commendable.

Beyond the scoreboard, the Touch Girls Touch Football team maintained a positive and inclusive team culture. Players exemplified sportsmanship, displaying respect for opponents and fostering a sense of camaraderie that was truly commendable.

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Aldo Trapanese 88

Back Row (L to R) - Samantha Haddad, Rebecca Adouni, Summar Saad, Angelina Almaoui Front Row (L to R) - Clara Raffoul, Monica Najjar, Isabella Nader Absent - Aleigha Badreddine, Rebecca Haddad, Tia Mardini, Terina Nasr, Mia Youssef Coach - Mr Aldo Trapanese

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

JUNIOR BOYS Touch The Junior Boys touch season got underway in Term 1 and they showed incredible passion and energy for the sport. The boys were extremely incredible and won every game over the season, however they narrowly missed winning the finals, instead, coming second.

The boys’ support and sportsmanship towards their teammates and the opposing teams was great to witness. The Junior Boys Touch team’s determination and commitment held strong throughout the season.

Back Row (L to R) - Christian Tesoriero, Jake Abdennour, Joseph Hage Front Row (L to R) - Pierre Nasr, Anthony Yammine, Joseph Ayoub, Dontae Siofele Absent - Jordan Badran, Kosta Sarigiannidis, Jaedyn Tuigamala-Nicholas, Nawfal Watfa Coach - Ms Marina Succar

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Marina Succar 89

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Intermediate BOYS touch

The intermediate Boys’ Touch Football team had an outstanding season during Term 1. The team displayed remarkable skill, resilience, and enthusiasm in every game they played and their dedication and hard work were evident throughout the season.

The Boys’ Touch Football Team had an exceptional season, losing only three games during the entire season. Their commitment to improving their skills, their remarkable teamwork and their unwavering determination were evident in every match they played. The top three standout players for the season were Danny Ata, Murad Dahdal, Bates Boaza, and Pio Sinisa.

Danny Ata emerged as the standout player of the season, consistently delivering exceptional performances in each game. His agility, strategic thinking, and superb ball-handling skills made him a force to be reckoned with on the field.

Murad Dahdal’s performance was consistently outstanding throughout the season. His efforts were an inspiration to the entire team. Bates and Pio were equally remarkable, providing strong support and exhibiting exceptional teamwork.

Their dedication and hard work were pivotal in the team’s overall success.

While the Boys’ Touch Football Team had an impressive season, they also faced challenging opponents in some matches. What truly stood out however, was the team’s resilience and sportsmanship. They consistently played with their hearts, giving their best in each game. Even in the face of adversity, they showed enthusiasm and maintained a positive attitude, never giving up and always striving to improve. This unwavering spirit was instrumental in the team’s success.

Their exceptional enthusiasm and commitment to always giving their best, no matter the circumstances, made them an exemplar of sportsmanship. This season will undoubtedly be remembered as a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication to the game. Well done boys.

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Aline Haddad 90

Back Row (L to R) - Danny Ata, Joshua Kakoliris, Pio Sinisa, Bates Boaza, Daniel Tarchichi Front Row (L to R) - Sebastian Chidiac, Joshua Carcasona Clemente, Murad Dahdal, Anthony Abou Arrage, Sebastien Tawk, Gabriel Tahitua Absent - Peter Vassilopoulos Coach - Ms Aline Haddad

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

SENIOR BOYS Touch The senior boys’ touch football team had an amazing year, filled with fun and success. These guys showed us that you can excel in sports while having a blast playing with your friends.

From the very beginning, it was clear that this team was something special. They practised hard and worked together very well. Their skills and teamwork were so impressive that they often outplayed their opponents. What set them apart was the strong friendship and trust they had in each other, which made all the difference.

Mr Christopher Spirou

What made this season unforgettable was the incredible camaraderie among these seniors. They weren’t just teammates; they were friends who loved the game and each other. You could always find them on the sidelines, laughing, cheering, and lifting each other up. Their unity was contagious and made every game special.

In the end, this senior boys’ touch football team had an exceptional term. Their amazing performances and the friendships they formed will be remembered for a long time. Congratulations to these young men for showing us that success in sports is not just about winning but also about having a great time playing alongside your buddies.

REPORT BY COACH, MR CHRISTOPHER SPIROU 91

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

JUNIOR BOYS SOCCER The Junior Boys Soccer team faced a challenging season with strong commitment and dedication.

They faced difficult opponents in the contests yet they never stopped pushing themselves. The Junior Boys Soccer team never failed in their dedication to sportsmanship and collaboration in the face of these obstacles. They saw every game as a chance to develop and improve.

Back Row (L to R) - William Fotiadis, Luca Harvie, Nawfal Watfa Second Row (L to R) - Nicholas Bonaddio, Christopher Georgiou, Chris Nicolopoulos, Kavin Doan, Eric Kargba Front Row (L to R) - Samuel Parkinson, Jacob Merheb, Joseph Ayoub, Pradi Dhungana, Marco Coco Absent - Michael Bonanno, Mahdi Fakoury, Eshean Gomes, Luciano Mauro, Daniel Taouk Coach - Ms Marina Succar

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Marina Succar 92

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

Intermediate BOYS SOCCER

The Intermediate Boys Soccer team faced a challenging season, securing one win, against St Charbel’s, out of seven games. While the win-loss record may not have been in their favour, the season was marked by their unwavering determination and remarkable growth as a team.

The matches presented them with challenging opponents, and they consistently pushed themselves to the limit. Despite these challenges, the Intermediate Boys Soccer team never wavered in their commitment to teamwork and sportsmanship.

They viewed every game as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Intermediate Boys Soccer

As the season concluded, the Intermediate Boys Soccer team emerged as a stronger, more united group. The season may not have yielded the desired win-loss record, but it was a crucial stepping stone in their journey of growth and development as athletes, and served as a valuable lesson in resilience and perseverance for the team.

Back Row (L to R) - John Mark El Karaan, Samuel Maroun, Francesco Coco, Tobias Chiu, Brendan Jabbour, Marcelino Ayrout Front Row (L to R) - Samuel Deo, Chris Fajloun, Pierson Tsaridis, Charbel Naoum, Sebastien Tawk Absent - Dennis Achirem, Michael Al-Chidiac, Anthony Constantinou, Vas Hassiotis, Michael Okonkwo, Samuel Solomon, Anthony Taouk, Peter Vassilopoulos Coach - Ms Mariam Khoury

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Mariam Khoury 93

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

SENIOR BOYS SOCCER The Senior Boys’ Soccer Team had a fantastic season. They gave it their all and had a blast playing together. This year, they taught us that putting in effort and enjoying the game are what really matter, not just winning.

From the very first game to the last, these seniors showed us their dedication. They played as a team, used smart strategies, and displayed impressive skills. Even when they faced tough opponents, their hard work and unity helped them succeed.

What made this season special was how much fun they had together. On and off the field, they formed strong friendships, supporting each other through thick and thin. You could always find them cheering and laughing on the sidelines. Their bond was their secret weapon, making them even stronger.

In the end, the Senior Boys’ Soccer team’s season was about more than just the final scores. It was about the effort they put in and the joy they found in playing with their friends. Congratulations to these young men for showing us that giving your best and having a good time with your buddies is the real victory in sports.

REPORT BY COACH, MR CHRISTOPHER SPIROU 94

Back Row (L to R) - Steven Tran, Emanuele Solomon Second Row (L to R) - Bradley Santana, Ralph Okonkwo, Pushkar Bhardwaj, Tristan Agyei Front Row (L to R) - Aleksandar Dimovski, Frankie Crisafi, Charbel Kairouz, Danny Ibrahim, Sean Woodard Absent - Amir Bteddini, Shashank Koirala, David Sipura, Jayden Tran Coach - Mr Christopher Spirou

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

JUNIOR GIRLS SOCCER Our Junior Girls Soccer team, proudly representing Holy Spirit Catholic College in the Sydney Catholic Schools competition, facing a challenging yet rewarding season with numerous first-time players. Notwithstanding the obstacles, the team managed commendable victories, showcasing continuous improvement throughout the season.

A major acknowledgment is extended to Sara-Rose Succar, Lara Deo, and Lili Shenouda for their exceptional leadership and consistent performances throughout the season.

Congratulations to the Junior Girls Soccer at Holy Spirit Catholic College for a season well played.

Back Row (L to R) - Mariam Akkawi, Mary Fakher, Susana Takau, Chanelle Kwarteng Second Row (L to R) - Faith Ziri, Sara-Rose Succar, Lilli Shenouda, Lara Deo, Natalia Carossi Front Row (L to R) - Makayla El-Chami, Riana Raffoul, Mariana Gemayel, Angelica Chidiac, Serena El Drouby, Nicole Getachew Coach - Mr Nicholas Pikis

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Nicholas Pikis 95

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Intermediate GIRLS SOCCER

The Intermediate Girls Soccer team faced a challenging Term 2 season, encountering formidable opponents and experiencing some significant setbacks. Despite this, the team’s determination to develop their skills and their unyielding work ethic were the cornerstones of their journey.

Throughout the season, the players exhibited a commendable commitment to self-improvement.

Practices were characterised by a collective drive to refine techniques and deepen their understanding of soccer. Each member pushed themselves to reach new heights, demonstrating a remarkable work ethic that served as an inspiration to all.

While victories may have been elusive, every match served as a valuable learning opportunity. The team met each defeat with a steadfast resolve to bounce back stronger. These experiences, though challenging, ultimately contributed to the players’ growth and development on the field.

Off the field, the team’s camaraderie and sportsmanship were exemplary. Despite the setbacks faced, the players maintained a positive and supportive atmosphere, embodying the values that define our team culture

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Aldo Trapanese 96

Back Row (L to R) - Mary-Joyce Kairouz, Brianna Aboughanem, Teresa Nasr, Georgia Hassiotis, Tolen Ghanem, Alyssa Saad Front Row (L to R) - Catherine Sarayeldin, Elysia Deeb, Julia Merheb, Mary Nicholas, Aaliyah Hines, Elisabeth Gebreyohannes Absent - Maryanne Ayoub, Karen Gerges, Izabel Dawson Coach - Mr Aldo Trapanese

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

SENIOR GIRLS SOCCER Throughout the season, our senior girls’ soccer team displayed unwavering dedication and sportsmanship.

Every practice was a chance to improve, and every match was an opportunity to show their love for the game.

What truly made them stand out was their strong teamwork and support for each other, on and off the field. They faced challenges with determination and celebrated even small victories with enthusiasm.

While the season has ended, the real victory lies in the life lessons learned. This group of girls showed us the importance of determination, teamwork, and a positive attitude.

As the season concluded, it marked the end of a memorable chapter. These girls may not have won every game, but they most certainly won our admiration and respect.

Back Row (L to R) - Georgia Poa, Isabella Fotiadis, Lisa-Marie Marta, Isabella Sleiman, Janelle Fajloun, Jacinta Yammine Front Row (L to R) - Samantha Haddad, Tayla Hawi, Katherine Moussa, Clara Raffoul, Angelina Almaoui Absent - Mariah Chabchoul, Norma El-Helou, Pamela Hajj, Crystal Hanna, Terina Nasr Coach - Mr Mathew Assad

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Mathew Assad 97

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

JUNIOR BOYS

RUGBY LEAGUE Our U13’s Rugby League Team embarked on a memorable journey during Term 2, showcasing their unwavering dedication to the sport. They gave their very best on and off the field, leaving a profound impact that resonated with all of us.

This season, this remarkable group of young athletes transformed into a tight-knit team, bonded by their shared love for the game. Every practice session was an opportunity for growth, not just in skills but in camaraderie. They faced challenging opponents, demonstrating resilience, sportsmanship, and passion for the sport.

While victories may not have always come easily, the U13 Rugby League Team proved that with hard work, unity, and relentless determination, they could achieve greatness. They played their best on the field, setting an example for sportsmanship and teamwork.

As we bid farewell to the season, we celebrate the incredible achievements of our U13 Rugby League Team. They have not only excelled in the sport but have also embodied values that extend far beyond the playing field. We look forward to a bright future for these young athletes, confident that their journey has just begun. Congratulations to our U13 Rugby League Team for a season of outstanding performances and the enduring bonds they have formed along the way.

Thank you to the following older students who assisted with the team, training them each week: Year 12 students Paul Fatani, Mataira Tutaka, Jimione (Jimi) Sasalu and Year 10 student Marleigh Leao.

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Joanne Atallah 98

Back Row (L to R) - Daniel El-Helou, Christian Tesoriero, Anthony Hasham, Joseph Hage Second Row (L to R) - Marcus Haddad, Petros Tsintis, Noah Moila, James Ghosn, Pierre Nasr Front Row (L to R) - Anthony Yammine, Antonio Karam, Eli Shalak, Lolofoou Fatani, Dontae Siofele, Julian George Absent - Khalil Alnadi, Adam Badreddine, Nicholas Gentry, Agape Pola Chan Coach - Ms Joanne Atallah

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

INTERMEDIATE boys

RUGBY LEAGUE The U15’s Rugby League Team had an exciting season, filled with memorable moments and unexpected injuries. The team, consisting of energetic and talented young men, went through the regular season with only one loss and, therefore, qualified for the finals.

The Quarter-Final game against a tough De la Salle Revesby squad was the highlight of the season.

Both teams displayed high-level skills, teamwork and effort, exchanging tries throughout an intense game. In the final minute, all hope seemed lost when Revesby scored a try to take the lead. Despite that the team remained determined and focused, and displayed incredible resiliency as co-captains Danny Ata and Murad Dahdal linked up to score an unbelievable game-winning try at the buzzer.

Unfortunately, this outstanding win didn’t come without cost as key players experienced injuries which would come to hurt us in the semi finals. The Semi-Final saw the boys face Marcellin Randwick where they were defeated by the narrowest of margins. It was an unfortunate end to an amazing season, however the boys should be proud of what they achieved despite the numerous setbacks and injuries, and also with how they carried themselves both on and off the field. They truly embodied and exhibited the values and character of Holy Spirit Catholic College.

Back Row (L to R) - Murad Dahdal, Kali Koroitamana, Sebastian Chidiac, Andy Tran, Mark Gayed, Alexander Gebrael Second Row (L to R) - Danny Ata, Antonio Nakhle, Bates Boaza, Maxwell Afualo, Pio Sinisa, Joshua Kakoliris Front Row (L to R) - George Yammine, Joshua Carcasona Clemente, Miljoe Kargba, Leonardo Bitar, Anthony Abou Arrage, Milo Lina Coach - Mr Alain Lobrio

Special mentions to Sebastian Chidiac for his fearless ball-running, Murad Dahdal for his excellent leadership and Danny Ata for his exceptional ballhandling and kicking game.

I want to congratulate and thank each member of the team, all students played a role in the team’s success.

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Alain Lobrio 99

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

SENIOR boys

RUGBY LEAGUE The Boys Senior Rugby League team embarked on the 2023 season with tremendous promise, displaying exceptional skill and determination on the field. Their early performances were marked by strategic plays and unwavering teamwork, setting a strong foundation for the season ahead.

As the season unfolded, the competition intensified, with each match becoming a hard-fought battle against formidable opponents. Despite their valiant efforts, victory often remained just out of reach, highlighting the high level of play in the league.

Ultimately, despite their promising start, the team narrowly missed out on the semifinals. The players demonstrated tremendous resilience and fortitude, leaving everything on the field in pursuit of that elusive spot. Their sportsmanship throughout the season was commendable, a true testament to their dedication to the sport.

REPORT BY COACH, MR ALDO TRAPANESE 100

Mr Aldo Trapanese

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

JUNIOR GIRLS NETBALL Throughout the Term 2 season, the Junior Girls Netball team displayed remarkable enthusiasm and drive for the game. Their passion for netball was evident in every match, practice, and team gathering.

Despite not clinching many victories, their unyielding spirit and determination were truly commendable.

The girls continuously developed their skills, adapted to various game situations, and grew as individual players and as a team. The improvement they showcased was a testament to their hard work and dedication.

However, what truly stood out this season was the exceptional sportsmanship and camaraderie displayed by the team. The girls consistently supported and encouraged each other, demonstrating that they valued teamwork and unity above all else. Their actions on and off the court showcased the true essence of sportsmanship, making the school proud.

Back Row (L to R) - Setesi Latu, Dee Macanavere Second Row (L to R) - Chelsea Maroun, Grace Dahdal, Charlotte Maroun, Chloe Tarchichi Front Row (L to R) - Mirette Mekhaiel, Nadeen El Hajje, Rose Onetaka Absent - Grace Moussa, Leiana Taria-Rima Coach - Ms Febionia Cicek

REPORT BY COACH, MS FEBIONA CICEK 101

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

INTERMEDIATE GIRLS NETBALL Term 2 saw the commencement of the Netball Season with the Intermediate Girls showing wonderful enthusiasm and drive for the game.

While the girls did not win many games, they had some very close matches and showed great improvement throughout the season. What was pleasing to see was the sportsmanship and support that the girls demonstrated towards their teammates and the other teams. The Intermediate Netball team had the following members: Elvena Abel, Talia AhHen, Rianon Chase, Haya Dhaher, Joanne Fadel, Christine Khoury, Giselle Konadu, Desiyah Siofele, Cecilia Takau and Kina Takau.

From left, Kina Takau, Desiyah Siofele, Giselle Konadu, Elvena Abel and Haya Dhaher.

From left, Coach Mrs Gleeson, Haya Dhaher, Joanne Fadel, Christine Khoury, Rianon Chase, Talia Ah-Hen and Kina Takau.

REPORT BY COACH, Ms ANNE Gleeson 102

Back Row (L to R) - Haya Daher, Talia Ah-Hen, Elvena Abel, Giselle Konadu, Christina Khoury Front Row (L to R) - Kina Takau, Rianon Chase, Joanne Fadel, Desiyah Siofele, Cecilia Takau Coach - Mrs Anne Gleeson

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

SENIOR GIRLS NETBALL The Senior Girls’ Netball Team is an exceptional group of young ladies who have displayed outstanding sportsmanship, dedication, and teamwork throughout the season. These girls exemplify the values of class and respect in their interactions with both peers and opponents, making them a true embodiment of what it means to be student-athletes.

A prevailing sense of camaraderie and joy is palpable among the team members, as they consistently approach their matches with enthusiasm and a shared commitment to giving their best. The backbone of the team, the dynamic three; Atiyahna, Jaewyn and Victoria ensured that every shot found its mark, contributing significantly to the team’s success, not only with their successful shots but also with their positive vibes and attitudes towards their teammates.

Ofa and Angelina shone as stars on the court, consistently delivering impressive attacks against their formidable opponents. Leading this exceptional group is the super-fit Mia, who masterfully controls the game. Mia’s outstanding performance earned her the Player of the Match distinction.

Back Row (L to R) - Angelina Moila, Tehine Tutaka, Hermela Gebramichael, Monique Poulivaati Front Row (L to R) - Ofa Kaufusi, Jaewyn Takau, Monica Najjar, Atiyahna Tuigamala Nicholas Absent - Aleigha Badreddine, Tia Mardini, Terina Nasr, Victoria Taituha, Mia Youssef Coach - Ms Aline Haddad

Tehine, the team’s superstar goalkeeper, along with the dynamic and charismatic Tia, formed an impenetrable defensive duo, ensuring a winning streak that left the competition in awe. Special recognition goes to Monique, who, despite being a newcomer to netball, showcased her outstanding talents.

Aleigha and Monica consistently pushed themselves to their limits, demonstrating unwavering dedication to the team. Lastly, heartfelt thanks go to Hermela, who not only showed up week after week but also provided invaluable support as the team’s scorekeeper and their most enthusiastic cheerleader.

The Senior Girls’ Netball Team is not just a team; they are a testament to the spirit of sportsmanship, unity, and determination. Their accomplishments this season are a source of pride for the entire school community. I am super proud to have coached them this season.

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Aline Haddad 103

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

JUNIOR BOYS OZTAG The 2023 Oztag season for our team was nothing short of a thrilling adventure. From the first whistle to the final try, we experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, but ultimately, it was a season to remember.

The Holy Spirit Junior Oztag team showed skill and dedication attending weekly training sessions and remaining undefeated during the season. The team’s captains Pierre Nasr & Noah Moila demonstrated leadership of the team of talented players.

Our team was formed during late term 3 with a mix of experienced players and newcomers. We began our training regimen to build cohesion and understanding among the players. The key to our success was a strong sense of teamwork and unity, both on and off the field.

The season was a true testament to our dedication and hard work. We maintained an impressive win-loss record, which catapulted us to the top of the table for some time. Our attack consistently penetrated the opposition while our defence thwarted numerous attempts.

This season taught the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

The 2023 Oztag season was a remarkable journey for the Junior Boys. Their relentless efforts, unity, and unyielding spirit led the team to a well deserved result. As I reflect on the season, I look forward to even greater challenges in the future, confident that the boys’ passion for the sport will continue to drive them to success.

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Luke Bjazevich 104

Back Row (L to R) - Jack Rodrigues, Joseph Hage, Christian Tesoriero, Pierre Nasr Second Row (L to R) - Nathan Taouk, George Elbetti, Petros Tsintis Front Row (L to R) - Jacob Merheb, Joseph Ayoub, Lolofoou Fatani, Noah Moila Absent - Daniel Taouk Coach - Mr Luke Bjazevich

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

INTERMEDIATE BOYS OZTAG The Intermediate Boys OzTag team with a combination of year 8 and 9 students, showed continuous dedication, commitment, resilience and sportsmanship throughout the OzTag journey. The team displayed a blend of athleticism and strategic collaboration throughout the season. They showed their dedication to the sport with their quick sprints and strong defensive plays during their on-field performances. Their dedication to the game, sense of solidarity, and unwavering spirit are admirable and demonstrate the desire to continue becoming more successful.

Back Row (L to R) - Joseph Succar, Joshua Kakoliris, Antonio Nakhle, Kali Koroitamana Second Row (L to R) - Emmanuel Kavourmas, Romeo Nasr, Andy Tran, George Yammine Front Row (L to R) - Anthony Abou Arrage, James Bruno, Dontae Siofele, Miljoe Kargba, Joshua Carcasona Clemente Coach - Ms Marina Succar

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Marina Succar 105

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

SENIOR BOYS OZTAG The team, consisting of a blend of year 11 and year 10 boys, faced a challenging start as they navigated through a dynamic mix of personalities and skill levels. Despite the initial hiccups in finding common ground, these young athletes displayed resilience and commitment, ultimately bonding as a formidable unit.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this competition was the unwavering spirit displayed by each player. Regardless of the outcomes and individual performances, the boys consistently poured their hearts and souls into the game. Their enthusiasm on the field was infectious, igniting a collective drive to secure victory. No player sought the limelight, and every participant gave their best, emphasising teamwork above individual glory.

While it’s difficult to single out stars from this remarkable group, the collective effort and cohesion of the team is evident in each match. The boys exemplified the true essence of sportsmanship, displaying respect for their opponents, the referees, and the rules of the game. The unwavering enthusiasm, commitment, and collective drive to succeed demonstrated by these young athletes are a source of inspiration for their peers and a reflection of the values instilled through this sport.

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Aline Haddad 106

Back Row (L to R) - Danny Ata, Bates Boaza, Pushkar Bhardwaj Second Row (L to R) - Jerome Saad, Jacob Hanna, Alexander Gebrael, Bradley Santana Front Row (L to R) - Sebastien Tawk, Peter El Khawaja, Ashton Bou Mansour, Murad Dahdal, Sean Woodard Absent - James Bakoulis, Moe Boaza, Jayden Dinh, Pio Sinisa, Peter Vassilopoulos Coach - Ms Aline Haddad

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

JUNIOR GIRLS OZTAG The Junior girls Oz-tag team has had a very promising start to the competition. There were some well earned victories that saw an increase in the girls overall confidence in both themselves and their team and even the losses were taken gracefully as a resounding lesson to keep their heads up and not back down. Some girls are new to the game and new to representative sport but have shown exceptional determination and eagerness in being a part of the Holy Spirit team. All team members play their role well and give tremendous effort with moments of brilliance from each player.

Each week the girls build on their understanding on what is to be one as a team and with each training session and game that is played, they demonstrate that unity proudly. They support each other even when some doubt their capabilities and carry themselves so wonderfully as a team to that final bell.

Back Row (L to R) - Nadine El Hajje, Esther Mikaele, Mariam Akkawi Second Row (L to R) - Serena El Drouby, Angelica Chidiac, Emily Hua, Faith Ziri Front Row (L to R) - Mariana Gemayel, Jiya Bhambi, Naomi Tohme, Annabella Saliba, Riana Raffoul Coach - Ms Barbara James

With a couple games left to play in this competition, I am confident these girls will continue to display greatness in each game and I am privileged to be a part of their journey in what has been an incredible experience to date.

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Barbara James 107

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

INTERMEDIATE GIRLS OZTAG This season, our Intermediate Girls team exemplified dedication and growth. From the outset, their commitment to training set a standard of excellence.

Their hard work translated seamlessly onto the field, where we witnessed moments of brilliance in every game. The girls’ teamwork and communication were exceptional, revealing a deep understanding of the game and each other’s strengths.

During matches, their determination and sportsmanship shone through. They faced challenges with resilience and adapted brilliantly under pressure. I am immensely proud of this team.

Their achievements this season are a direct result of their tireless efforts, both on and off the field. Each player demonstrated remarkable growth, not only as athletes but as individuals.

They embody the true spirit of Oz Tag, and with continued hard work, I have no doubt they’ll continue to excel in future challenges. Here’s to even greater achievements ahead.

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Aldo Trapanese 108

Back Row (L to R) - Rianon Chase, Sienna Ayoub, Mckayla Magat, Grace Dahdal, Zalfa Chami Front Row (L to R) - Georgia Abouharb, Sara-Rose Succar, Jezelle George, Sarah Haddad, Mariah Makhlouta, Lilli Shenouda Coach - Mr Aldo Trapanese

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

SENIOR GIRLS OZTAG The Senior Girl’s OzTag team completed a decent season, displaying a mix of wins and losses. While the season had its ups and downs, the team’s dedication, resilience, and sportsmanship were consistently evident throughout.

Throughout the season, the team showcased a combination of athleticism and strategic teamwork.

Their on-field performances featured swift sprints and solid defensive plays, demonstrating their commitment to the sport. The team experienced a mix of wins and losses, reflecting the competitive nature of the sport. While victories were earned with hard-fought determination, they also encountered occasional defeats. It is essential to note that these losses served as valuable learning opportunities and inspired the team to improve further. ​​

Back Row (L to R) - Teresa Nasr, Georgia Hassiotis, Angelina Moila, Marleigh Leao, Maryanne Ayoub Second Row (L to R) - Alyssa Saad, Talia Ah-Hen, Hermela Gebramichael, Ofa Kaufusi, Giselle Konadu, Kina Takau Coach - Mr Aldo Trapanese

The Senior Girl’s OzTag team maintained a high level of team spirit and sportsmanship throughout the season. Regardless of the match outcomes, they supported one another and displayed great camaraderie both on and off the field. In summary, the Senior Girl’s OzTag team had a decent season marked by a balance of wins and losses.

Their commitment to the sport, teamwork, and unwavering spirit are commendable and reflect their determination to continually improve.

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Mariam Khoury 109

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

JUNIOR BOYS VOLLEYBALL The 2023 season for our Junior Boys Volleyball team has come and gone, and I could not be any prouder of this team of fine young men. The boys performed admirably throughout the season, demonstrating great team spirit and a ‘never say die’ attitude, however for our team, this year was a case of so close, yet so far.

For most of these young men experiencing competitive volleyball for the first time was challenging. However, they embraced the challenge with open arms and performed admirably. Each week their pursuit for improvement was evident, and this was demonstrated through their extraordinary levels of commitment, camaraderie and hard work both on and off the court. It was these pillars that laid the foundations for their successes as a team.

Each player, regardless of experience, approached each match as an opportunity for growth and character development. This was reflected in their ever improving skills, sense of unity and good sportsmanship throughout the season. They are a testament to not only themselves but the College.

While the 2023 season was a mixed bag of results, a big congratulations must go to all of the boys for what was a tough season filled with many great memories.

Your determination, camaraderie, and spirited play, has no doubt showcased your great potential. You have all been a pleasure to coach and I thank you for your commitment to the team. I look forward to continuing to improve on our performances next season!

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Peter Solomakos 110

The Junior Boys Volleyball team and Coach, Mr Peter Solomakos

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

INTERMEDIATE

BOYS VOLLEYBALL The season for our intermediate boys’ volleyball team has come to a close, and it was a remarkable journey. These young athletes showed great determination and teamwork throughout their matches.

In every game, their hard work and dedication were evident. They improved their skills and played with passion, making us proud with each match.

One standout quality of this team was their unity.

They supported one another both on and off the court, creating a positive and encouraging atmosphere. Their strong camaraderie was a driving force behind their success.

The season was filled with exciting and competitive games. This team faced challenges head-on, always focused on their goals and displaying excellent sportsmanship.

As the season concluded, we reflect on their incredible journey. Although the season is finished, the memories and the lessons learned will last a lifetime. The intermediate boys’ volleyball team, through their determination, teamwork, and spirited play, have left a lasting impression and showcased their great potential.

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Matthew Assad 111

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

SENIOR BOYS VOLLEYBALL The Senior Boys Volleyball team had an incredible 2023 season filled with intense nail-biters and exhilarating victories. The team demonstrated exceptional skill and an unwavering commitment to excellence, making each game a highlight reel of precision serves, powerful spikes and remarkable teamwork.

The players’ dedication to their craft and their work ethic was truly commendable as their willingness to learn and adapt played a crucial role in their success - it was inspiring to witness their growth and improvement throughout the season. Along with exceptional talent and hard work, the team’s camaraderie and support for one another was also key, creating an environment to succeed.

Whether it was a hard-fought battle or a resounding victory, the boys displayed true Holy Spirit nature in their determination and remarkable sportsmanship.

They never backed down from adversity and instead faced them head on and never gave up.

The senior boys volleyball team’s achievements have left an indelible mark on our school’s athletic legacy. It was an honour to have coached them and congratulate them on a remarkable season.

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Alain Lobrio 112

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

JUNIOR GIRLS VOLLEYBALL In a season characterised by relentless dedication but marked by limited victories, the junior girls’ volleyball team has demonstrated an inspiring commitment that deserves recognition.

Throughout the season, these young athletes exhibited a remarkable level of commitment, evident in their unwavering dedication during every training session and game. Their relentless pursuit of improvement and unity as a team was truly commendable.

The season was challenging, with the team facing more losses than wins. However, they saw these losses not as defeats but as opportunities for growth and character development. Their positivity and mutual support remained unwavering. The team used each game as a stepping stone to become better players and better teammates.

Back Row (L to R) - Hayley Nguyen, Lioney Chhantyal, Chanelle Kwarteng, Layla Naguit, Amelia Bteddini Front Row (L to R) - Zoe Nicolopoulos, Isata Sankoh, Olivia Vuong, Eleni Michael, Sophia My Hoang Absent - Isabella Tawk Coach - Ms Natalie Michos

What stood out the most was their sense of unity and good sportsmanship throughout the season. In the face of adversity, they stood by each other, both on and off the court. This spirit of togetherness inspired not only their fellow students but the entire school community.

While the wins may have been few, the lasting bonds and invaluable experiences shared by this young girls’ volleyball team made this season truly exceptional. The true success of this team lies in the lessons learned, the friendships formed, and the unwavering commitment they exhibited throughout the season.

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Natalie Michos 113

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

INTERMEDIATE

girls VOLLEYBALL The 2023 intermediate girls volleyball season has drawn to a close, and it’s with great pride and excitement that I present a summary of the incredible journey this talented team has embarked upon. Throughout the season, our players have demonstrated remarkable teamwork and resilience, which has led to a highly successful campaign.

From the very first serve, it was evident that our girls meant business. Their commitment to teamwork was the cornerstone of their success. The players communicated effectively on and off the court, displaying a level of unity and camaraderie that is truly remarkable. Whether it was a perfectly executed spike, a diving save, or a crucial dig, the team had each other’s backs.

The team possessed unwavering determination and this was on full display during crucial matches, where they turned adversity into opportunities for growth as a team.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this season was the equal contribution from every player on the team. Whether a “seasoned veteran” or a newcomer to the sport, each athlete brought something unique to the table. This collective effort made it difficult for opponents to predict our plays, and it showcased the depth of our talent pool.

The intermediate girls volleyball team can look back on this season with immense pride. They’ve not only secured impressive victories but have also grown as individuals and as a team. The spirit, resilience, and teamwork they’ve displayed are commendable..

Congratulations on an outstanding season, and may your dedication and unity continue to lead to future triumphs on the volleyball court.

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Sean Devlin 114

Back Row (L to R) - Kyhana Tokorangi, Anne Vu, Rolianne Igmat, Elisabeth Gebreyohannes, Vivian Nghiem Front Row (L to R) - Valeria Sarralde Cardona, Aaliyah Cabusas, Nickol Carcallas, Joanne Fadel, Dexie Barrion, Audrey Fadeli Coach - Mr Sean Devlin

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

SENIOR GIRLS VOLLEYBALL The senior girls’ volleyball team has been amazing athletes throughout term 4. They’ve shown a lot of dedication, worked together well, and have become really good at the game. Each individual brings their strength each week to dig, set and spike their way to victory. Elvena Abels’ service and spiking are just A++, Alyssa Dang’s sets very accurately and with the rest of the team serving so well, we are a force.

And where would Mrs McNairn be without her manager Connie Karagiannis and scorer Sophia Hernandez?

The team’s success comes from their consistent hard work training during lunch times, and in each game they show their love for the sport. They’re committed to getting better, both as individuals and as a team.

Back Row (L to R) - Evangalene Gebrael, Elvena Abel, Atiyahna Tuigamala Nicholas Second Row (L to R) - Maryanne Valanidas, Monique Poulivaati, Connie Karagiannis, Brittany Urteaga Front Row (L to R) - Jaewyn Takau, Reign Benzon, Mikyla Cabingan, Alyssa Dang, Valencia Ang, Susana Fonokalafi Absent -Sophia Hernandez Coach MsJan McNairn

These girls are great at working together. They get along both on and off the volleyball court, which helps them play really well during games. They support each other and help each other grow, not just in volleyball but also as people.

The senior girls’ volleyball team has been nominated to play in the State Cup in November and we wish them well, and once again hopefully their performance at the State Cup will be amazing.

The senior girls’ volleyball team is a fantastic example of what you can achieve when you work together and never give up. Their story shows that hard work and teamwork really pay off, and they’ve made our school really proud.

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Jan McNairn 115

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

INTERMEDIATE GIRLS AFL Whilst results may not have gone the way of the intermediate girls AFL team, their effort and application could not be faulted. They represented themselves and the college to the highest of standards both during the games and on the journey to Tempe oval each Thursday. They should be proud of each other and the fair play, integrity and spirit that each of them displayed.

Intermediate Girls AFL

Throughout the competition, the team played two very strong Woolwich teams, Rosebank and Domremy. The group improved from game to game and I encourage them all to continue participating in school rep AFL into next year.

Back Row (L to R) - Talia Ah-Hen, Elvena Abel, Sienna Ayoub Second Row (L to R) - Elysia Deeb, Catherine Sarayeldin, Desiyah Siofele, Ngaoro Southon, Brianna Aboughanem, Zalfa Chami Front Row (L to R) - Mary Nicholas, Julia Merheb, Joanne Fadel, Eunice Lagrimas, Sophia Hernandez, Sarah Haddad, Mariah Makhlouta Absent - Mabinty Camara, Giselle Konadu, Rianon Chase, Tolen Ghanem, Brianna Nakad, Tatiana Frangie, Kina Takau, Jayla Voros Toga Coach - Mr Cathal Derivan

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Cathal Derivan 116

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

SENIOR GIRLS AFL The senior girls’ AFL team achieved a remarkable feat by securing victory in every single game of the competition, cementing their status as the conference champions. This momentous victory marked the second consecutive conference win for this team, affirming their dominance year after year.

From the outset, this talented group of young athletes demonstrated an unmatched level of commitment to their sport. Each game was a display of their dedication to excellence, showcasing their ability to adapt and overcome challenges.

First match together in 2023 with Coach, Ms Pamela Galanis

With this latest achievement, they have solidified their legacy in the annals of the sport and established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, setting the bar high for future generations of athletes within their conference.

Last match together and conference winners 2023

REPORT BY COACH, Ms PAMELA Galanis 117

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

JUNIOR BOYS AFL Our Junior Boys AFL Team, proudly representing Holy Spirit Catholic College in the Sydney Catholic Schools competition, faced a challenging yet rewarding season with the entire team being firsttime players. Although the team did not secure any victories, they demonstrated continuous improvement throughout the season.

A special acknowledgment is extended to Anthony Hashem, Agape Pola Chan, and Jack Rodrigues for their consistently exceptional efforts throughout the season.

Congratulations to the Junior Boys AFL Team at Holy Spirit Catholic College for a season played in excellent spirit.

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Nick Pikis 118

Back Row (L to R) - Cooper Clarke-Duffy, William Redwood, Ranveer Kamboj Second Row (L to R) - Agape Pola Chan, Anthony Hasham, Jack Rodrigues, Daniel El-Helou Front Row (L to R) - Nahailel Abay, Lolofoou Fatani, Antonio Karam, Heyab Berhane, George Elbetti Coach - Mr Nicholas Pikis

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

INTERMEDIATE BOYS AFL Although the intermediate Boys AFL team’s outcomes may not have been what they had hoped for, their effort and dedication were credible. During the games and on the weekly trip to Tempe oval, they upheld the highest standards of self-representation and college integrity. They should be proud of one another for the honesty, decency, and spirit shown by all members of the team.

Back Row (L to R) - Jayden Dinh, Joshua Kakoliris, Antonio Nakhle, Tatum Hamad Goodfellow, Jacob Hanna Second Row (L to R) - Kali Koroitamana, Mateen Abu, Romeo Nasr, George Yammine, Andy Tran, Thomas Drinias Front Row - James Bakoulis, Anthony Abou Arrage, James Bruno, Christopher Nader, Miljoe Kargba, Joshua Carcasona Clemente, Emmanuel Kavourmas Absent - Malaki Hines, Dennis Achirem Coach - Ms Marina Succar

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Marina Succar 119

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

JUNIOR GIRLS RUGBY 7s The Junior Girls had a successful rugby 7s season.

After winning most of our games, we lost the semi final to St Vincents.

Thanks to all the team members for their commitment throughout the season, and we wish them well for their future sporting endeavours.

Special mention to Dee and Esther who scored many tries each, while Gabriella, Sitesi and Riana were strong defensively.

Thank you girls, it was a pleasure to be your coach.

Back Row (L to R) - Dee Macanavere, Esther Mikaele, Setesi Latu Second Row (L to R) - Faith Ziri, Susana Takau, Mariam Akkawi Front Row (L to R) - Angelica Chidiac, Riana Raffoul, Mckayla Magat, Gabriella Constantinou Absent - Angel El-Ters, Elizabeth Hadid-Taofua, Natalle Nicolas Coach - Ms Kadey Adams

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Kadey Adams 120

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

INTERMEDIATE girls RUGBY 7s The Girls Intermediate 7s team embarked on the Term 3 competition with an impressive start, showcasing exceptional skill and teamwork on the field. Their early performances were marked by strategic plays and a remarkable display of talent, laying a strong foundation for the season ahead.

As the campaign progressed, the competition grew more intense. The team faced formidable opponents, each match a closely contested battle. Despite their valiant efforts, the margin of victory often hung by a thread, illustrating the high level of play in the league.

Ultimately, despite their promising start, the team narrowly missed out on the coveted semifinals.

The players exhibited tremendous resilience and determination, leaving everything on the field in their pursuit of that elusive spot. Their sportsmanship and unwavering commitment throughout the competition were commendable, a true testament to their dedication to the sport.

Back Row (L to R) - Kina Takau, Giselle Konadu, Teresa Nasr, Georgia, Hassiotis, Cecilia Takau Front Row (L to R) - Marleigh Leao, Mary-Joyce Kairouz, Aaliyah Hines, Jezelle George, Tolen Ghanem, Dior Nicolas, Rianon Chase Absent - Karen Gerges, Kristina Gerges, Roina Togagae Coach - Mr Aldo Trapanese

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Aldo Trapanese 121

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

JUNIOR BOYS RUGBY 7s The Junior Boys’ 7’s Rugby Team had an exceptional season, culminating in their well-deserved title as conference champions. Over the course of the season, this remarkable team showcased their prowess in both attack and defence, with only one loss to their name. Their success can be attributed to the outstanding leadership of Dontae, Jaedyn, and Noah, who, as rugby players, played pivotal roles in guiding the team to victory.

Junior Conference and Sydney Champions

The team’s performance this season was marked by an impressive balance between an explosive attacking game and an unwavering defence. They consistently displayed a commitment to mastering the fundamentals of rugby while also exhibiting remarkable adaptability on the field. This potent combination made them a formidable force against any opponent.

Dontae, Jaedyn, and Noah emerged as the team’s key figures, displaying a high level skill and leadership. Dontae’s ability to execute crucial plays, Jaedyn’s unparalleled vision and agility, and Noah’s strategic prowess were instrumental in shaping the team’s success.

Undoubtedly, Jaedyn stood out as the player of the competition. His talent, work ethic and consistent game-changing performances were pivotal in securing the championship. Jaedyn’s contributions both on and off the field set the standard for excellence and inspired his teammates to elevate their game.

The Junior Boys’ 7’s Rugby Team’s journey to becoming conference champions was a testament to their commitment, teamwork, and exceptional skills.

The whole team needs to be congratulated on the way they played the game and how they represented the school with pride.

REPORT BY COACH, Mr Sean Devlin 122

Back Row (L to R) - Motu Fifita, Patrick Grant Second Row (L to R) - William Fotiadis, Christian Tesoriero, Jake Abdennour, Pierre Nasr Front Row (L to R) - Joseph Hage, Noah Moila, Dontae Siofele, Petros Tsinitis Absent - Khalil Alnadi, Jaedyn Tuigamala –Nicholas Coach - Mr Sean Devlin

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

INTERMEDIATE BOYS RUGBY 7s

The Intermediate Boys’ Rugby 7s team demonstrated extraordinary dedication, resilience, and raw talent throughout their journey, which commenced with humble beginnings. Despite the majority of the boys having no prior competitive rugby experience, they consistently showcased their commitment and passion for the sport, culminating in a welldeserved third-place finish. This report highlights the remarkable achievements of this exceptional team.

The dedication of these young athletes was palpable, as they poured their hearts and souls into forming a unified, determined group.

The team’s progress was nothing short of spectacular. With each game, they defied expectations by securing victory after victory.

Their tenacity and ever-improving teamwork were on full display. The boys’ hard work paid off, and they consistently outperformed even the most experienced opponents.

Two standout players emerged as pillars of strength for the team. Murad, the team leader, consistently displayed exceptional performance in every match.

Jerome, known for his remarkable sacrifice and commitment, made his presence felt both on and off the field. The team’s wings were invulnerable, thanks to the speed and talent of Bates and Pio who was the player of the season. Despite facing opponents larger and stronger, Moetaua, John Mark, Mark, and Elias fearlessly stood their ground, earning respect for their indomitable spirits. Danny Ata, despite a late start due to injury, proved to be one of the team’s exceptional players, consistently delivering outstanding results. Milo exhibited great promise at the beginning but was unfortunately limited to only two games due to injury.

The Intermediate Boys’ Rugby 7s team’s journey epitomises the power of determination, teamwork, and passion. Every member of the team, from the star players to those who faced adversity, played a pivotal role in their success. The boys’ achievements serve as a testament to their unyielding spirit and will continue to inspire both the team and the broader school community for years to come.

Intermediate Boys Rugby 7s

Back Row (L to R) - John Mark El Karaan, Maxwell Afualo, Pio Sinisa Second Row (L to R) - Jerome Saad, Bates Boaza, Daniel Tarchichi, Moe Boaza Front Row (L to R) - Mark Gayed, Murad Dahdal, Sebastien Tawk, Milo Lina, Danny Ata Absent - Sebastian Chidiac, Elias Kazzi, Lachlan Sueni Coach - Ms Aline Haddad

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Aline Haddad 123

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

SENIOR BOYS RUGBY 7s The senior boys rugby 7’s team’s season was nothing short of sensational. Their matches were not just displays of athletic skill but also masterclasses in strategy and teamwork. Whether it was their lightning-fast sprints down the field or their strong defensive formations, this team consistently delivered a great rugby performance.

Amidst the adrenaline on the field, the team’s record of victories was truly remarkable. Only two teams managed to break through their powerful defence and snatch victory from their grasp. These rare losses, instead of dampening their spirits, served as crucial learning experiences that spurred them on to greater heights.

Their championship win in the diocese was the pinnacle of their season, a crowning achievement that recognised their dedication and the countless hours they had poured into practice. Asked to partake in the highly anticipated conference rounds, the Senior Boys Rugby 7’s team carries with them the confidence and determination that comes with being champions.

REPORT BY COACH, Ms Mariam Khoury 124

Back Row (L to R) - Jeremiah Laupepa, Bradley Santana, Sean Woodard Second Row (L to R) - Elias Atieh, Mark Sipura, Isaiah Taituha, Jayden Daaboul Front Row (L to R) - Antony Taouk, Peter El Khawaja, Joshua Sarkis, Johnny Endicott Absent - Joshua El Zakhem, Christian Wirenkyi, Simon Zanzoul Coach - Ms Mariam Khoury

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

NSWCCC GOLF TOURNAMENT The New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) Golf Championship held at Belmont Golf Club in July 2023 was a prestigious event that showcased the talents of young golfers from various Catholic schools across New South Wales. The tournament, known for its competitive spirit and high skill level, attracted golfers who demonstrated exceptional prowess from all over the state.

One of the standout performances of the NSWCCC Golf Championship was from Shashank Koirala, representing Holy Spirit Catholic College with distinction. Shashank Koirala displayed exceptional skill, composure, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament, ultimately securing a commendable second-place finish. He narrowly missed out on the NSW School boys’ team and was named the team’s reserve player.

Shashank lining up a shot while representing New South Wales

Shashank’s conduct on and off the course was exemplary. He displayed sportsmanship, respect for fellow competitors, and a positive attitude throughout the championship, earning the admiration of both players and organisers.

We extend our congratulations to Shashank Koirala for his outstanding performance in the NSWCCC Golf Championship and wish him continued success in his golfing journey.

Shashank in action

Shashank Koirala (second from the right) with the winning NSW Team.

125

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Dance Eisteddfod The 2023 Holy Spirit Dance Troupe brought the house down this year at the Sydney Catholic Schools Dance Eisteddfod, held in Term 2, Week 4. It was a showcase of passion, dedication, and pure talent. Our two remarkable dance teachers, Ms. Bec and Mr. Joel, along with the exceptional guidance of Celestial Afualo (Yr 12), played pivotal roles in choreographing awe-inspiring routines. Mrs. McNairn’s impeccable organisational skills ensured that students were not only well-prepared but also looked every bit the part, ready for the stage.

The journey to the Eisteddfod wasn’t a walk in the park. It required the dance ensemble teams to put in extra hours and work tirelessly to ensure they were ready to compete at the highest level.

Many lunchtimes were dedicated to perfecting their moves, both in the dance room and H Block, as the students poured their hearts and souls into their performances.

The 2023 SCS Dance Troupe consisted of an outstanding group of students, many of whom took on multiple dance sections, showcasing their versatility and skill. The categories they competed in included Junior Jazz, Senior Jazz, Lyrical/ Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Folk. Their passion for dance shone through every routine, and their commitment to perfection was evident in every step.

Junior Jazz Ensemble

REPORT BY Ms Jan McNairn

126

Year 8: Georgia Abouharb Melina Alevris Joya Ayrout Gabriella Constantinou Ilario Corbelli Nicole De Lautour Dalal Hmairi Dontae Siofele Anna Tran Gabriella Trassieh Isabella Trovato Jaedyn TuigamalaNicholas Charlotte Williams Sophie Zraik Year 9: Erica Le Year 10: Maxwell Afualo Christina Al Chidiac Annabel Bruno Mary Karam Pio Sinisa Desiyah Siofele Kina Takau Year 11: Jody Hua Ofa Kaufisi Angelina Molia Atiyana Nicholas Chet Nwaogazi Stella Reynolds Patricia Sanga Jaewyn Takau

Year 12: Celestial Afualo Paul Fatani Jimione (Jimi) Sasalu Dah-Von Siofele Victoria Taituha Mataira Tutaka The 2023 placing were as follows: 1st Place: Senior Jazz 1st Place: Folk / Polynesian Highly Commended: Lyrical/Contemporary Highly Commended: Hip Hop As well as the ensemble teams competing, two of our students also competed in the solo events: Jasmin Fulitod who performed a funky hip hop routine and achieved a Highly Commended and Layla Baba who performed a captivating jazz routine, placing 2nd.

Lyrical/Contemporary Ensemble

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

Senior Jazz Ensemble

Folk Polynesian Ensemble

Hip Hop Ensemble

Back Row (L to R) - Erica Le, Jody Hua, Patricia Sanga, Christina Al Chidiac, Gabriella Constantinou Second Row (L to R) - Mary Karam, Joya Ayrout, Dalal Hmairi, Stella Reynolds, Anna Tran, Gabriella Trassieh Front Row (L to R) - Georgia Abouharb, Isabella Trovato, Annabel Bruno, Sophie Zraik, Nicole De Latour Absent - Illaria Corbelli, Chet Nwaogazi, Charlotte Williams Dance Teacher - Ms Jan McNairn

Senior Jazz Ensemble

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Dance Eisteddfod

Folk Polynesian Ensemble

Hip Hop Ensemble

REPORT BY Ms Jan McNairn

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Jasmine Fulitod

Lailah Baba

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SCS/CCC NSW

Representatives During the year many of our most talented students have been shining in the world of sports. Their dedication and hard work have certainly paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievements.

Tennis: First and foremost, a heartfelt congratulations to Jessica Fernandez for her exceptional performance at the NSWCCC Tennis trials. Jessica, who was ranked as the 1st seed, demonstrated her remarkable skills and determination by winning all 6 of her matches. Her outstanding performance has earned her a welldeserved spot in the upcoming NSW All Schools state championships, which were played in Bathurst in March.She was ranked first in her age group in the NSWCCC competition which highlighted her amazing natural talent and was extremely competitive in the All School Competitions.

Golf: Shashank Koirala, has represented SCS at the CCC level once again this year. He is renowned as an outstanding golfer and more notably for his sportsmanlike manner on and off the course.

Shashank has excelled in CCC Golf and was awarded a Blues Award in 2022 and named the best golfer in all NSW Catholic schools. He competed strongly in the NSW CCC Competition finishing second and even being named as a reserve for the NSW Team. We are sure Shashank will have a bright future in Professional Golf.

Rugby League: We would also like to highlight the outstanding accomplishments of the following students selected for the SCS Sides: Christopher Makhlouf Opens , Danny Ata and Murad Dahdal Under 15’s, .Mia Youssef for the Opens Girls.

Their selection for these Representative teams is a testament to their hard work and commitment to Rugby League, and they represented our school admirably.

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Cross Country: Jessica Fernandez, Sean Woodard and Daniel Melek, have shown their prowess by achieving impressive results. Jessica finished 2nd at the Conference level and 5th overall, Sean Woodard was ranked 3rd at the Conference level, while Daniel secured 2nd at the Conference level and 7th overall. Both Jessica and Daniel were valued members of the SCS Cross Country Team.

Athletics: We would like to congratulate the following students who made it through to the Sydney Catholic Schools Athletics Carnival: Mark Sipura (Discus), Mataira Tutaka (Discus & Shot Put), Tehine Tutaka ( Discus & Shot Put), Danny Ata (100m), Patrick Grant (Long Jump), Kina Takau (Javelin), Christian Tesoriero (100m) and Jessica Fernandez (400m).

At the Sydney Catholic Schools Conferences Carnival there were some outstanding performances which saw the following students being selected to represent at the NSWCCC Carnival in mid September. Mataira Tutaka for Opens discus, Tehine Tutaka Under 16’s Discus and Patrick Grant in the Under 14’s Long Jump.

These students were selected to represent at the NSWCCC Athletics carnival.Congratulations and well done to these talented athletes.

Once again, congratulations to all our talented athletes for their remarkable achievements. Your dedication, sportsmanship, and commitment to excellence are truly commendable. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours and upcoming competitions.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

SCS Cross Country Medal winners - Sean Woodard, Daniel Melek and Jessica Fernandez

SCS Athletics Carnival - Tangikina Takau

SCS Athletics Carnival - Mataira Tutaka

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Cross Country On Tuesday 23rd of May students represented the College in the annual Sydney Catholic Schools Cross Country at Sydney Motor Park, Eastern Creek. The students were tested by the extremely tough track, yet they undoubtedly enjoyed the competitive challenge of every race on what was a beautiful day.

The College was represented by a small, committed group of students. Jessica Fernandez (Under 14’s) who came fifth overall in her age group and second in the Central Conference Group. Daniel Malek (Under 17’s) who came seventh overall in his age group and second in the Central Conference Group.

Both were successful in being selected for the SCS Cross Country Squad. Another great performance was achieved by Sean Woodard who was ranked in the top group for the Under 16’s, receiving a medal. We are proud of all our athletes and it was wonderful to see the great spirit of the team, cheering on their fellow runners.

Jessica Fernandez

I would like to thank Mr. Lobrio and Ms. Mihaljavic who attended on the day and assisted with the Cross Country squad this year. Also many thanks to Mia Youssef and Mataira Tutaka who assisted SCS on the day at checkpoints and marshalling of competitors.

It was fantastic to see a good number of competitors and they should be proud of their personal achievements.

Angela Lambropolous

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Daniel Melek

Hannah Asamoah-Acheampong and Terina Nasr

Janus Paija

Josif Lambropoulos

Samual Solomon

Joanne Fadel

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SWIMMING

CARNIVAL 2022 On 2nd of December 2022, the College held its annual swimming carnival at Auburn Aquatic Centre for the first time in a number of years since Covid. Although the weather was overcast, this did not dampen the fantastic spirit shown by all competitors. This year saw participation by a larger number of students and their involvement regardless of their ability should be commended.

There was a great deal of enthusiasm and a high level of participation in the numerous novelty events during the day which saw an increase in the level of house spirit. The annual swim along procession by the Senior students was a great deal of fun and enjoyed by participants and spectators alike.

The Year 11 group of able helpers worked tirelessly to ensure that the day was a great success and ran smoothly. I would personally like to thank and congratulate every one of them for doing a most commendable job.

The Carnival was won by CHISHOLM House, and we congratulate them on their success which was due to the high rate of participation by all its competitors.

The Final House Points were Chisholm (Gold) Campbell (Orange)

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La Salle (Red)

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Mc Cormack(Purple)

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MacKillop (Blue)

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Therry (Green)

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The following students were rewarded for their efforts and were Age Champions for 2022.

Under 12’s Girls Selena Salloum (Campbell) Under 13’s Girls Catherine Sarayeldin (Therry) Under 13’s Boys Sebastian Chidiac (Chisholm) Under 14’s Girls Nickol Carcallas (Chisholm) Under 14’s Boys Nickol Carcallas (Chisholm) Under 15’s Girls Rana Sarayeldin (Therry) Under 15’s Boys Peter Do (Chisholm) Under 16’s Girls Terina Nasr (Campbell) Under 16’s Boys Jacob Maroun (Chisholm) Under 17’s/Opens Girls Not awarded Under 17’s Boys David Sipura (McCormack) Benjamin Geusher(MacKillop) Finally, I would like to personally thank all the staff for attending and assisting in making our swimming carnival such a wonderful experience for our students. Without their dedication and enthusiasm these events would not be such a memorable occasion

Tatiana Frangie, John-Paul Sukkar and Sebastian Chidiac

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Once again congratulations to all students for the way they conducted themselves and participated at our annual swimming carnival.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

Off and racing

Quick Start in the Senior Girls event

Mr. John English

Year 12 enjoying their final swim

Mr Richard Berto with Year 12

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ATHLETICS CARNIVAL The Annual Athletics Carnival was held at the Sydney Olympic Park on the Athletics Warm Up Track and we could not be happier with the enthusiasm shown by our students on the day, starting with their House colours cheering. The day saw students being involved in track and field events which saw seven records broken in various age groups, highlighting great individual talent. There also was a willingness by the students to participate in our carnival that showed the true spirit of the College and made our carnival immensely enjoyable and a fantastic community day.

While the Carnival presented an opportunity for the College to select its Athletics squads through competitive Track and Field events, it also presented an opportunity for all our students to enjoy themselves and participate in various events in a different environment at a world class athletics facility. The number of students who competed in the majority of events in some Age Champions, saw a few competitors rivalling to be Age Champion.

The 2023 House Champions were MacKillop (Blue) House who were very dominant on the day.

2023 Age Champions: Girl’s Under 12’s Under 13’s Under 14’s Under 15’s Under 16’s Under 17’s Senior Opens

Boy’s

Under 12’s Under 13’s Under 14’s Under 15’s Under 16’s Under 17’s Senior Opens

Champion Faith Ziri & Nadeen El Hajje Rebecca Bou Francis Jessica Fernandez Tangikina Takau Tehine Tutaka & Monica Najjar Mia Youssef Susanna Fonokalafi

Champion

Lolofoou Fatani Eleftherios Giannas Patrick Grant Dennis Achirem Josif Lambropoulos Jon Tran Mataira Tutaka

2023 Record Breakers:

The following students should be recognised and applauded for their fine achievement by breaking a record on the day of the Carnival.

Under 15’s Javelin Tangikina Takau Opens Discus & Shot Put Mataira Tutaka Under 17’s 400m Mia Youssef Under 14’s 400m Jessica Fernandez Under 17’s High Jump & 100m Christopher Makhlouf

I wish to thank the Year 12 Leaders who organised the magnificent mascots which added a spectacular and humorous dimension to our carnival. This year saw a large number of students dressing up which was one of the best displays of mascots the College has experienced at our Athletics Carnival making it a memorable occasion. It was a day that showed the wonderful spirit within our College community and highlighted that we have many talented athletes.

REPORT BY Mr PAUL Rumore Under 17’s 100m race

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Girls enjoying the Year 12 Mascot Race

Year 12 Mascot Race

Tangikina Takau pitching the record breaking throw

Ralph Okonkwo - Long Jump

Eleftherios Giannas competing in the High Jump event

Dior Nicolas leaping like a gazelle

Shot Put - Daniel Melek

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SCS Athletics Carnival On the 22nd of August, our students represented the College at the Annual SCS Athletics Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic track. We had an enjoyable day with excellent weather and I was impressed by the participation rate from those students who represented the college. They all showed great spirit with many students volunteering to fill vacant positions in both track and field events. All students performed to the best of their ability, and we are proud of all the students’ efforts.

We had a number of notable performances on the day in a very competitive Athletics meet.

Tehine Tutaka 1st in Discus and Shot Put Mataira Tutaka 1st in Discus and Shot Put, 3rd in 100 m heat Patrick Grant 2nd in Long Jump, Jessica Fernandez 2nd in 400m, Mark Sipura 2nd in Discus,

I would like to pass on my great appreciation to the students from the Year 11 SLR Class who assisted on the day with running the carnival. Their tireless efforts and assistance was noticed and they too represented the College with distinction. Many thanks to all the staff who assisted with the team at the carnivals Ms Galanis , Ms Andonenas and Mr Lobrio. Without their efforts and dedication the teams would not have performed so admirably.

We would like to congratulate the following students who made it through to the Sydney Catholic Schools Athletics Carnival: Mark Sipura (Discus), Mataira Tutaka (Discus & Shot Put), Tehine Tutaka (Discus & Shot Put), Danny Ata (100m), Patrick Grant (Long Jump), Tangikina Takau (Javelin), Christian Tesoriero (100m) and Jessica Fernandez (400m).

At the Sydney Catholic Schools Conferences Carnival there were some outstanding performances:

Danny Ata 2nd in 100m,

Mataira Tutaka 1st Opens discus and broke the record

Tangikina Takau 3rd in Discus and High Jump, Javelin,

Tahine Tutaka 1st Under 16’s Discus

Malaki Hines 3rd in 400m,

Patrick Grant 2nd Under 14’s Long Jump

Elizabeth Hadid-Taofua 3rd in Shot Put, Eleftherios Giannas 3rd in Long Jump, Jack Rodriguies 3rd in 200m, Jaewyn Takau 3rd in Shot Put, Lucas Geusher 3rd in Long Jump Boys Open Relay 3rd in 4 X 100 m Relay.

U12’s Relay Race at Sydney Olympic Park

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Mataira Tutaka - Opens Discus & Shot Put and Seniors Open 2023 Age Champion

Mia Youssef broke the Under 17’s 400m race and is the 2023 Age Champion

Joanne Fadel - 400m

Patrick Grant

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TABLE TENNIS The SCS Table Tennis gala day occurred at Olympic Park, with students in the junior, intermediate, and senior divisions competing both individually and as teams of two.

Notable achievements on the daySenior Boys Team (Peter El Khawajah/Daniel Melek) progressed to the semi-finals Joanne Fadel (Intermediate girls) progressed to singles repechage final All players displayed excellent sportsmanship on the day, with a number of friendly discussions taking place of tips and feedback between teams.

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Back Row (L to R) - Peter El Khawaja, Vasiliki Michalopoulos Front Row (L to R) - Ella Burgess, Joanne Fadel Coach - Mr Ciaran Murphy

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS • 20323 YEARBOOK

STAFF PHOTOS

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STAFF PHOTOS

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~25 YEARS~

2023

YEAR BOOK HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COLLEGE

39 Croydon St, Lakemba NSW 2195 144

(02) 9740 8099