FEBRUARY 2008 Lucy Holloway, top HSC of 98.9 with her parents Presentation of the in the middle) is CSSML (Crux Sancta Sit Mihi Lux) which The 150th Anniversary celebrations of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan gave us special reason to celebrate this year. The 150th Anniversary celebrations of us special reason to celebrate this year. A highlight of those celebrations was the August concert held at MSB, which choir from Seiwa, Japan. A special feature many former and current Performing Arts Our eight Houses have certainly strengthened their connections with the Good Samaritan Congregations during the year, with each House ‘adopting’ a particular ministry of the Sisters to support, and choosing a Sister as House Patron. These cant and exciting developments as we continue to develop our understanding of the rich heritage we share. the year. I want to congratulate and thank Mary Jane Trujillo for her ongoing ACHIEVEMENTS EXCELLENCE L to R Year 11 Bonnie Broom eld, Year 10 Francesca Gallagher (also overall Sportswoman for 2007), Year 9 Allanah Cowie, Year 8 Amanda May, Year 7 Alexandra Walsh Sports Awards were presented by World Class Trampoline Coach and Virginia DeCourcy (L) and Claire Achermann (R) presenter, Christine Ernst, Mary Ward Lucy made several trips to the stage during the Yr 12 Academic Assembly receiving the Academic Excellence Prize, Chemistry, Advanced English, Mathematics, Mathematics Ext 1, Modern History, Physics and Studies of Religion prizes. She also received the Caltex Best All Rounder and a $4000 University of NSW scholarship. Top all-rounders, students who scored 90 or above in 10 or more units in 2007 HSC. Award, Zonta Award and Speaker Award by Zonta, and prizes for All Round Excellence, Ancient History, English Ext 1, English Ext 2, as the Atkinson Vinden Heazlewoods received prizes for All Round Excellence, PDHPE and Visual Arts. MSB enjoyed excellent results in the 2007 HSC, with 40 students receiving 82 mentions Sister Hyacinth Roche Scholarship Winner of the 2007 House Trophy: Terracina Yr 7 Sr Christopher Burrows Scholarship Sophia Gilbert from St Gerard’s Sr Helen Foley Senior Scholarship YEAR 11 YEAR 9 YEAR 8 YEAR 7 Benedictine Spirituality calls for the community of the open mind and the open heart. 1. Creative work 2. Holy leisure 3. Wise stewardship 4. Loving community A series of celebrations over 12 months marked the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict by Archbishop John Bede Polding in Sydney. Sr Joan Chittister osb from the Benedictine community in Lake Eire, Pennsylvania was one of the lecturers. Sr Joan Chittister, who writes for the National Catholic Reporter, delivered A highlight of the 150 year celebrations was the August concert which Australia and Seiwa Japan. There was a special commendation given to Music Ensembles, Choir, Concert Band and soloists in Japan who had practised for months. The Seiwa choir, dressed in kimonos sang Japanese children’s songs and blew bubbles St Mary Star of the Sea from Wollongong sang Angel Santa Maria from Northcote in Victoria sang Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen St Scholastica’s Glebe opened the concert with an Aboriginal dance and dedication Sr Clara McLaughlin (Mother Berchmans) 25 Jan 1856 - 3 Aug 1931 Daughter of Irish Australian pioneers; she was the advance guard of the feminist movement. She was rst to develop vocational and An incredible business woman, she negotiated the purchase of Pennant Hills property, built the novitiate Maredsous Gallagher (6 Feb 1905 – 27 Jun 1990) rst novices at Pennant Hills, she graduated with BA (University of Sydney 1934) majors in History and Latin with English, Maths and Economics, a most unusual combination for women. In 1941 graduated MA in Latin while teaching at St Scholastica’s Glebe and at the Training College. In 1945 became Principal of Santa Maria College Northcote, then, was in charge of novices from 1948-1966. scholarship. A former novice wrote that her Scripture Arcadia Sr Catherine Teresa Mercovich (17 Mar 1899 - 12 May 1977) Sr Catherine was the pioneer superior of the Japanese Benedictines post WWII. The Sisters rst went to Japan in 1948 in response to an appeal made by the Bishop of Nagasaki to start a school there. They opened a convent and a dispensary for the poor. They gave of themselves to the sick and poor, and practised hospitality, recognising Under her care, Sisters Xavier, Monica and John opened “Our Lady of the Cherry Blossom Kindergarten” painting it green, pasting yellow strips of paper and bedecking rooms with cherry blossoms. In ’63 Japan Broadcasting Commission chose it as the model kindergarten for the year. and high school for girls August 1952 Sr Christopher Burrows, (9 Feb 1922 - present) Born in Sydney, educated at St Brigid’s Marrickville she immersed herself in sport and social activities. She rst principal of Mount St Benedict College 1966 – 73 and was admired for her strength, intelligence, Terracina Sr Marcella Kenny (20 Nov 1862 - 9 Mar 1955) A native of Moruya, con rmed by Archbishop Polding, educated at Rosebank, Marcella Kenney was the rst girl from nancial acumen of a man said one of the lawyers. She was a powerful Sr Clare Slattery Clare Slattery was St Scholastica’s Training College greatest cial historian for the centenary, She wrote papers “Catholic Primary Education in Australia” of the religious community. not entirely staffed by religious and in 1964 became principal th (south of Canberra), Stanbrook Sr Helen Lombard (12 Oct 1936 - 5 Jun 2000) 1981-1993. She was Provost and was on the board of governors of Notre Dame University, WA. She possessed an absence of self-pity. She was never a victim: even when criticized and blamed. She excellence. Sr Helen was a woman of great integrity, committed to practising what she preached. Her brilliance was never oppressive. The re that burned within her started many other res. She empowered others to use their talents with greater effect. She was a lover of learning, a desirer of God and an Benedictines throughout Australia and North America for their wisdom and insight. She is credited with initiating a period of renewal within the Benedictine community. New Norcia The sisters have made a huge difference to the community school was once an orphanage Nelson Martinez from East Timor Mr Greenwell, Ms Lander and Miss McCarry, MSB teachers, visited the kinder school in 2007. They saw how the Sisters school. They were surprised at the level of learning the children A team of Year 8 girls, Mary Ward, Patricia Tournament of Minds PASS Physical Activity was introduced as part of the Federal government Act for Compulsory Sport which requires schools to provide 2 hours of physical activity per week. After surveying the student body, Bennies girls participated in rock climbing, golf, ice skating, cheerleading, funk dance, squash, inline skating, tennis, trampolining, Goodooga Class of 2008 students, Danielle Keen, Amelia Friend Goodooga in far western NSW. They experienced life able to look at things through an Aboriginal perspective and understand why certain beliefs are held. The importance of the land to the Aboriginal people is so great World Youth Day is the largest youth event in the world and will be held in Sydney from 15-20 July 2008. WYD08 will be the rst visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Australia and we very much look forward to welcoming him to the “Southern Land of the Holy Spirit”. attended the Broken Bay Lighthouse Festival in August, a Photo by Andrew Introna The 9/11 Bomb Scare Mount St Benedict College was in the news September 11th when a man tried to take control of a Greyhound bus threatening the driver with a bomb on board on Pennant Hills Road. The bus driver managed to stop him from wrenching the steering wheel and sending the bus into oncoming c just outside the College gates. c was disrupted for several hours as bomb squads searched all the luggage. The passengers c congestion from Mount St Benedict Day, which celebrates the Feast of St Benedict, was a fantastic day of celebration and community. Mass was celebrated by Fr George from St Leo’s College, Wahroonga and a great Talent Quest was held in the afternoon. Year 12s organised a wonderful mini-fête that involved rides, food stalls, specialty tents and events, badge-making, show bags and sponge-throwing. All funds were donated to our College House causes and Year 12s are to be commended on their excellent organisation and commitment to such a huge event. QUEEN’S Scout Jessica Micallef became a Queen’s Scout in 2007. The Queen’s Scout Award is the highest youth award achievable in the Scouting movement in several countries. It is awarded in realms of the Commonwealth, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, where the Scouts operate under the ceremonial leadership of the monarch. The requirements involve achieving challenges from several areas such as community involvement, adventurous activities, personal growth and leadership development. expertise, guidance and examination for my Queen’s Scout Award, which I am glad to say was approved on the was presented on the 9th of November.” Venturer Scout Leader Simon Edward with Jessica Micallef injections this year. They were offered cancer, which comes in three injections over seven months. The vaccine is most effective when given to girls in that age per cent of cervical cancer, which kills about cases a year requiring invasive surgery. Caitlin and Lara D’Arcy, identical Gem” about her parents’ and her Pot regime in Cambodia 1975-79. The was named Australian Newcomer of the Year at the 2007 Australian Book Industry Awards. Alice spoke to Yr 11 Emily and Rebecca D’Arcy, l a r i n e t u t h o r I hate needles but…. it’s not all that bad The College has farewelled Mr Brian Loughland, Dean of Mission. He has built community, hosting Mother Daughter breakfasts, Father Daughter functions, Grandparents’ Day and really meaningful liturgies. to be just and compassionate. They At Bennies he’s seen a Jubilee Year, a 35th Year celebration, launching of new facilities, a 40th Anniversary, and a Sesquicentenary. He’s been the RE Coordinator, Director then Dean of Mission, Deputy Principal, Admin Co- ordinator, Acting History Co-ordinator for half a year, and Acting Principal. hamper delivery, Graduations, Mrs Eileen Kelly Mrs Eileen Kelly, Learning Support Fr Terry O’Brien Many Bennies girls will remember Fr Terry O’Brien, Parish Priest of St Agatha’s, Pennant Hills who often conducted Masses at the College. Sadly, Fr Terry passed in October 2007 after a battle with cancer. Many rm Tom and John We bid farewell to two of the Maintenance team. Tom Warner eld in the 400m hurdles to Catherine Cox (Class of ’94) Catherine celebrated a fabulous win over New Zealand in the World Her motto is “Enjoy your sport.” Georgia Casey in the 2008 U16 NSW State Team. This team will play at the U16 Australian Nationals in Adelaide in January. Sarah and Felicity Bright reunions Carolyn Warner (Booty), Catherine Hays (Taggart) and Donna Tulevski did a with a tour of the school. They located their Yr 12 banner of many hands, found Class of 1987 Year 12 and 1985 Year 10 20 Year Reunion Sat 8 March 2008 45-47 Rawson St, www.msben.nsw.edu.au/ Class of 1982 Year 12 and 1980 Year 10 25 Year Reunion Sat 15 February 2008 Pennant Hills Bowling Club 52 Yarrara Rd Pennant Hills www.msben.nsw.edu.au/ Beyond Bennies March 5, 7pm Women’s Day, where ex-students What a great opportunity to hear about what the girls have accomplished and how they got there. It has always been such a great event and one that should not be missed! The careers the girls have pursued are so varied every year, it is never boring. Thinking of having a Reunion? Are you from Class of 1973 (35 years), Class of 1978 (30 years), Class of 1983 (25 years), Class of 1988 (20 years), Class of 1993 (15 years) Development Of ce 9980 0415 or mjtrujillo@msben.nsw.edu.au Have you any news you would like to share? Please contact us and let us know. Weddings, babies, books written, achievements, etc, most welcome! Sunday March 16 Mount St Benedict College Displays of students’ work Tours of the College www.msben.nsw.edu.au Bennies Buzz published by Development Of ce Mount St Benedict College 449C Pennant Hills Rd Pennant Hills, NSW 2120 P: 9980 0444 www.msben.nsw.edu.au