DEBATING NEWS | Our debating teams from Year 7 and 8 showcased their brilliance in the University of Wollongong Debating Competition held on Friday, November 17. Organised by the University of Wollongong Debating Society (SWORDS), our students engaged in great debates against formidable opponents from Amity College, Kanahooka High, Smiths Hill, Corrimal High, TIGS, and Bomaderry High. Teams participated in three different debates with only 30 minutes preparation time for each one! They also had the opportunity to take part in a motion debrief workshop where they learnt new strategies that they found extremely useful. Our teams not only embraced the challenge but emerged victorious with two wins out of three rounds, leaving an their mark as ambassadors of our College. Meanwhile, in a different arena of debate excellence, our St Mary's Year 11 Team entered the State Final of the CSDA at St Patrick's College, Campbelltown. Advocating on the affirmative for the motion "That foreign aid should only be given to democratic nations," our outstanding trio—Evie, Maya, and Saskia—engaged in a nail-biting, close debate against Santa Sabina. Their remarkable performance led them to clinch second place in the State Final—a testament to their unwavering dedication and expression. A wonderful achievement and we are very proud of you. Congratulations to all our talented debaters who continue to elevate the standard of discourse and embody the spirit of excellence at our College. Your intellect shines as brightly as your future! #DebateChampions #IntellectualExcellence #CSDAStateFinal #UOWDebatingCompetition

YEAR 10 ARTWORKS | Immerse yourself in the captivating Year 10 Artworks inspired by the Gospel of Matthew, created in their Religion classes where creativity meets spirituality. Witness the fusion of faith and artistic expression at the St Francis Xavier Cathedral Exhibition, where these works of art come to life! Here is a sample. The exhibition runs until November 29, and we extend a warm invitation to ALL to experience firsthand. #Year10ArtExhibition #GospelInspiredArt #StFrancisXavierCathedral #ArtAndFaith #MustSeeArt

MODERN HISTORY | On Tuesday 7th November Year 12 Modern History visited the Sydney Jewish Museum (and past a building called ‘Versailles’, the girls were pretty excited having just covered the Treaty of Versailles and its implications). The day commenced with a lecture on the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party, engaging with relevant primary sources. Then a guided tour through the Museum exploring artefacts we heard the powerful testimony of an incredibly resilient lady and Holocaust survivor, Yvonne Engelmann. Yvonne, lost her entire family, narrowly escaped death herself, participated in a death march and overcame cruelty and illness to go on to establish a life and family here in Australia. Her messages about not succumbing to hatred, not being a bystander and being grateful for what we have really resonated, particularly in the current climate. Miss Emma Leitch and Mrs Renee Norton