10FeetTall – Newsletter/ June 2025

COLLEGE NEWSLETTER

June 2025

Message from the Head of College

Dear College Community,

During the Feast of Pentecost, we commemorate the moment when the Holy Spirit descended from Heaven and rested upon the disciples as tongues of fire.

As Christians, we should find strength from within, knowing that we are never truly alone. Those who feel isolated often experience fear, but when we recognise that the Lord is there to support us, we can find peace.

We must remember that though the Lord ascends to Heaven, He sends us the Holy Spirit to guide us. Since our baptism, He has been with us, never leaving our side, providing us with assurance, peace, and confidence, no matter what challenges arise. When we express our concerns about His departure, He reassures us with two important truths:

First, He is preparing a unique place for each of us in Heaven. To earn that place, we must continue walking with Him, steering clear of negative influences and bad habits. We should strive to be kind to our friends and family, act with integrity in our work, and allow our lives to reflect the Lord’s goodness.

The second truth is that at the end of this world, we will all meet Him again. He will return, and we will be reunited with Him to live in Heaven forever, filled with joy, happiness, and peace.

I encourage all of you to reflect on your journey with the Lord in this life. Let your life be a testament to His love. Avoid getting caught up in bad habits, negative influences, or harmful words. Always strive to be faithful and good. Pray regularly, and immerse yourself in His word.

It saddens me to hear that some young ones experiment with wine or other substances. This is a dangerous path to take. Engaging in such habits can destroy your life. As Christians, we are free from these chains; do not allow anything to enslave you. These temptations can lead to a lifetime of struggle.

Instead, choose the path that brings you joy, happiness, and the ability to live and work healthily while being a witness for Christ in your life. May the Lord grant you the assurance of His resurrection and ascension, and may you always feel His presence through the Holy Spirit.

May the Lord bless you abundantly, and may we glorify our Lord, the Lamb of God, forever and ever.

Fr. Tadros Sharobeam

Head of College

Message from the Principal

Greetings College Community,

As Term 2 has now come to a close, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible support I have received form our community.

I am truly humbled and deeply moved by the endorsement I have received from our students, parents and carers, and staff who have called, messaged, and personally congratulated me on my official appointment as Principal of our beloved St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox College.

Every gesture has not gone unnoticed. It fills me with gratitude to witness how wonderful and supportive this community is. It also reminds me that you deserve nothing but the best; the best leadership, the best service, and the best care.

I am fully aware of the great responsibility that comes with this role, and I ask that you keep me and our strong team in your prayers. I know I cannot achieve anything without this team, and without the partnership and support of our students and families. Together, we can continue building something truly special under the guidance of the Board of Governors of SMCO.

In this role, I am reminded of the importance of faith and surrendering our path to Lord Jesus Christ’s guidance. The words from Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) continue to inspire me:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

With Lord Jesus Christ at the centre of our College, and with the unwavering dedication of our students, staff, and families, I have no doubt we will continue to grow in excellence, unity, and service.

This term has been filled with outstanding achievements and memorable experiences that reflect the spirit of our college. We were honoured to be part of the Thanksgiving Australia Dinner with Fr Daoud Lamei, a special evening that brought our community together in celebration of faith, culture, and connection.

Our commitment to truth, love, and unity was further reflected during Reconciliation Week, where students and staff came together to learn, reflect, and walk in respect alongside Australia’s First Nations peoples.

Our Year 4 students had the chance to step back in time during an engaging First Fleet experience, gaining a deeper understanding of Australia’s early history. Meanwhile, our Year 7 students embraced new challenges, friendships, and personal growth during their highly anticipated camp, which left them with memories to last a lifetime.

Our senior students demonstrated perseverance and focus during the Semester 1 Year 9 to 11 exams, and I commend them for their efforts and dedication.

In Sports, we celebrated a milestone with our first-ever Primary Cross Country Team, who represented our college with determination. The term also saw exciting soccer highlights, a fantastic basketball clinic for Years 4, 5, and 6, and a wonderful display of sportsmanship across all activities and so much more.

It was also a delightful moment to recognise the leadership of our students during the SRC Ceremony, as they stepped forward to represent their peers and make a positive impact.

I encourage all families to stay informed by familiarising themselves with the important dates for next term and revisiting our Child Safety Information, ensuring we continue to foster a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment for every student.

I wish all our students, staff, and families a joyful, safe, and restful winter break. Thank you for your continued support, your partnership, and your commitment to our shared mission. I look forward to welcoming you all back for an exciting Term 3.

May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and guide you always.

Blessings,

Germaine Saad

Principal

Thanksgiving Australia Dinner with Fr Daoud Lamei

The Thanksgiving Australia Dinner at Melrose Events was a truly special evening, bringing people together in a wonderful celebration of faith and community. We were especially blessed to hear from Fr Daoud Lamei, who was the guest speaker for the night.

A highlight of the evening was seeing some of our own students from the Coptic Choir take the stage. They proudly represented the College, performing a heartfelt medley of Resurrection hymns in Coptic, Arabic, and English. Their voices and presence beautifully shared the spirit of our faith and culture with everyone in the room.

Madonna Kadas

CORE Teacher

Child Safety Information - Important

Child Safety:

Information for Families and the College Community

St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox College is committed to providing an environment where students are safe and feel safe. We have a zero tolerance for child abuse and are committed to protecting children from harm.

Our comprehensive child safety framework outlines our College strategies to support student safety and wellbeing. The framework includes the following policies, codes and procedures that are available on our College’s website (under Home/Policies page):

- Child Safety Policy

- Student Wellbeing Policy

-Child Safety Code of Conduct, which outlines acceptable and unacceptable behaviours for all staff, volunteers and contractors at our College.

- Child safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy and Procedure

- Complaints and Grievances Policy

- Anit-Bullying and Harassment Policy

- Visitors Policy

- Working With Children Check Policy

- Mandatory Reporting Policy

In addition to the above policies, the College has in place other policies to ensure that our students are safe in all the College environments – physical and virtual, onsite and offsite while in our care. Such policies include, but not limited to:

- Child Safety Risk Register, where risks to student safety are identified and mitigated

- Student Supervision Policy

- Excursions and Camps Policy

- Cyber Safety Policy

- Behaviour Management Policy

Our students and their families are important partners in keeping our students safe. These regular newsletter reminders are one of the ways we ensure our school community is aware of:

- our commitment to child safety, and

- how to provide feedback or raise child safety concerns.

We value feedback and ideas on how we can continuously strengthen our child safety framework and strategies.

If you have any suggestions or comments, please contact one of our Child Safety Champions/Officers on 9301 0999 or wellbeing@stmarys.vic.edu.au .

Hanan Khreish

Policy and Compliance Leader

سلامة الطفل - معلومات للعائلات ومجتمع الكلية

سلامة الطفل - معلومات للعائلات ومجتمع الكلية

تلتزم كلية سانت ماري القبطية الأرثوذكسية بتوفير بيئة يتمتع فيها الطلاب بالأمان والشعور بالأمان نحن لا نتسامح مطلقا مع إساءة معاملة الأطفال ونلتزم بحماية الأطفال من الأذى

يحدد إطار عمل سلامة الطفل الشامل لدينا استراتيجيات كليتنا لدعم سلامة الطلاب ورفاهيتهم. يتضمن إطار العمل السياسات والقواعد والإجراءات التالية المتوفرة على

:(website موقع كليتنا (ضمن الصفحة الرئيسية\ صفحة السياسات

سياسة سلامة الطفل -

سياسة رفاهية الطالب -

مدونة قواعد سلوك سلامة الطفل ، والتي تحدد السلوكيات المقبولة وغير المقبولة لجميع الموظفين والمتطوعين والمقاولين في كليتنا

سياسة وإجراءات التزامات الاستجابة والإبلاغ عن سلامة الطفل -

سياسة الشكاوى والتظلمات -

سياسة التنمر والتحرش -

سياسة الزوار -

سياسة التحقق من العمل مع الأطفال -

سياسة الإبلاغ الإلزامي -

بالإضافة إلى السياسات المذكورة أعلاه ، تطبق الكلية سياسات أخرى لضمان سلامة طلابنا في جميع بيئات الكلية - الطبيعيه والافتراضية عبر الإنترنت ، في موقع المدرسه وخارجه أثناء رعايتنا. تشمل هذه السياسات، على سبيل المثال لا الحصر

سجل مخاطر سلامة الطفل، حيث يتم تحديد المخاطر على سلامة الطلاب والتخفيف من حدتها

سياسة الإشراف على الطلاب -

سياسة الرحلات والمخيمات -

سياسة السلامة السيبرانية -

سياسة إدارة السلوك -

إن طلابنا وعائلاتهم شركاء مهمون في الحفاظ على سلامة طلابنا. تعد هذه التذكيرات المنتظمة من خلال جريده الكليه الإخبارية إحدى الطرق التي نضمن أن مجتمع مدرستنا على دراية بما يلي

التزامنا بسلامة الأطفال ، و -

كيفية تقديم الملاحظات أو إثارة مخاوف تتعلق بسلامة الطفل -

نحن نقدر التعليقات والأفكار حول كيفية تعزيز إطار عمل واستراتيجيات سلامة الأطفال باستمرار.

إذا كان لديك أي اقتراحات أو تعليقات ، فيرجى الاتصال بأحد أبطال \ مسؤولي سلامة الأطفال لدينا

على 93010999 أو على الرابط التالي

wellbeing@stmarys.vic.edu.au

Hanan Khreish

Policy and Compliance Leader

Reminder

Semester 2 Risk Minimisation Plan Update

For Students with Medical Condition/s

All students at risk of asthma, anaphylaxis or allergy have risk minimisation plans prepared by the College to reduce the risk of exposure to allergens affecting their health while they are under our care. Due to the nature of these types of medical conditions, changes with respect to these conditions can occur at any time, and therefore, the College needs to update such medical information twice a year, and now is the time for 2025s second update in preparation for Semester Two. It is the parents’ or carers’ responsibility to provide this important information to the College.

All parents and carers of students with such conditions have recently received by mail their child’s Risk Minimisation Plan. This is a friendly reminder to discuss and update the Risk Minimisation Plan together with your child’s doctor, sign and return the plan to the College by Tuesday, 22nd July, 2025.

This update will ensure that we have accurate information about the student’s condition and the required treatment while in our care to enable us to respond effectively to medical emergencies.

Hanan Khreish

Policy and Compliance Leader

تذكير هام

تحديث خطة تقليل المخاطر - الفصل الدراسي الثاني

للطلاب الذين يعانون من حالة/حالات طبية

جميع الطلاب المعرضين لخطر الإصابة بالربو أو الحساسية المفرطة أو الحساسية لديهم خطط لتقليل

المخاطر أعدتها الكلية لتقليل مخاطر التعرض لمسببات الحساسية التي تؤثر على صحتهم أثناء

وجودهم تحت رعايتنا. نظرا لطبيعة هذه الأنواع من الحالات الطبية ، يمكن أن تحدث تغييرات فيما

يتعلق بهذه الحالات في أي وقت ، وبالتالي ، تحتاج الكلية إلى تحديث هذه المعلومات الطبية مرتين في

السنة ، والآن هو الوقت المناسب للتحديث الثاني لعام 2025 استعدادا للفصل الدراسي الثاني. تقع

على عاتق الوالدين أو مقدمي الرعاية مسؤولية تقديم هذه المعلومات المهمة للكليه

تلقى جميع أولياء الأمور ومقدمي الرعاية للطلاب الذين يعانون من مثل هذه الحالات مؤخرا عن طريق

البريد خطة تقليل المخاطر الخاصة بأطفالهم. هذا تذكير ودي لمناقشة وتحديث خطة تقليل المخاطر مع

طبيب طفلكم / طفلتكم ، والتوقيع على الخطة وإعادتها إلى الكلية بحلول يوم الثلاثاء 22 تموز/ يوليو

2025. سيضمن هذا التحديث حصولنا على معلومات دقيقة حول حالة الطالب/ الطالبه والعلاج

المطلوب أثناء رعايتنا له/ لها لتمكيننا من الاستجابة بفعالية لحالات الطوارئ الطبية

Hanan Khreish

Policy and Compliance Leader

Walking Together: Reconciliation Week

Reconciliation Week, held from 27 May to 3 June, was a special opportunity for our community to reflect on the ongoing journey towards healing and justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

As a Christian college, we believe that reconciliation reflects the heart of God; a heart grounded in truth, love, and restoration.

We honour the rich history, enduring cultures, and incredible contributions of First Nations peoples, and we commit to walking together with humility and respect. Through prayer, learning, and listening, we strive to be peacemakers, living out Christ’s call to love our neighbour and pursue unity.

During the week, students also learned about key moments in Australia’s reconciliation journey, including:

✔ The 1967 Referendum, recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census

✔ The landmark Mabo Decision, overturning the myth of 'terra nullius'

✔ National Sorry Day, a time to acknowledge and reflect on the impact of the Stolen Generations.

Together, we continue to grow in understanding, compassion, and our shared responsibility to build a more just and unified future.

Nashwa Maroky

Year 3 Teacher

Year 4 Students Step Back in Time with First Fleet Experience

Our Year 4 learners recently took part in an engaging and educational First Fleet incursion, hosted by The History Box.Stepping back in time to the 18th century, students explored life aboard the ships of the First Fleet and gained insight into the experiences of convicts, officers, and settlers arriving in Australia.

Through hands-on artefacts, role-play, and storytelling, the incursion brought history to life in a memorable and interactive way. The experience sparked curiosity, deepened understanding, and helped students connect with a significant chapter of Australia’s past.

Shanice Odayar

Year 4 Teacher

Year 7 Camp

As written by our budding journalists in Year 7

This year’s camp was amazing! We did so many fun activities and had a great time participating in all of them. But if I had to choose one moment I enjoyed the most, it would definitely be canoeing.

I really liked canoeing because it was a bit challenging, and the cool breeze on the water felt so refreshing. I especially loved the games and challenges the instructors gave us. For example, we played a game of tag where one group was called the “sharks” and the others were the “seals.” The sharks’ boats had to tag the seals' boats three times.

Once you got tagged, you became a shark too and helped tag the other seals! Another challenge we did was lining up our boats whenever the instructor blew the whistle twice.

It was such a fun and unforgettable experience!

Holli Jano 7A

A camp fire, I just couldn’t believe it! The warmth defrosted me in the chill of the night, with the sounds of nature surrounding us.

Was that a possum I saw in the tall trees?

The best part had to be the damper, cooking right in the embers of the fire. How could something as simple as flour and water taste so delicious?

This is just one of the many great memories from our Year 7 camp at Lady Northcote. It truly was the best!

Helen Youssef 7C

Semester 1 Year 9 - 11 Exams

We are so pleased with the commitment, perseverance, and love of learning shown by our students at St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox College.

An extra special thank you to all our dedicated staff who have worked tirelessly to prepare and coordinate this important part of the academic journey. Your efforts do not go unnoticed!

"Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you." — Proverbs 4:25 (NKJV)

May God bless our students with clarity, focus and peace during this exam season.

Making History: Our First-Ever Primary Cross Country Team Shines

A huge congratulations to our amazing Year 4, 5, and 6 students who proudly represented the College at the Regional Cross Country Carnival! These students made history as the very first to represent our College in any Interschool sport at the primary level.

Their determination, resilience, and sportsmanship were on full display as they gave it their all on the course. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the way they carried themselves. What a fantastic achievement!

Daniel Fornito

Year 6 Teacher

Term 2 Soccer Highlights

What a massive season on the pitch! Across multiple inter-school tournaments, our Year 7–12 soccer teams brought incredible energy, skill, and sportsmanship. 5 out of 7 teams finished 2nd overall, an outstanding achievement and a testament to the talent and growth of our students.

Senior Boys showed grit and heart, finishing just one goal shy of the top spot.

Senior Girls dominated their first match 8-0 and placed 2nd overall on goal difference.

Year 7 Boys made a strong debut with a mix of wins and a narrow loss in the final minutes.

Year 8 Boys delivered thrilling matches and three back-to-back wins before a close final loss.

Year 7/8 Girls competed with bravery and teamwork in their first tournament outing.

A huge shoutout to all players for their teamwork, effort, and pride in every match. The skills, friendships, and memories made this term will last well beyond the final whistle.

Paul Di Lizi

Health & PE Teachers

Hoops of Fun: Years 4–6 Shoot for Success! 🏀

As part of our College’s Physical Education program, students in Years 4, 5, and 6 recently took part in exciting basketball clinics designed to build essential skills; including dribbling, passing, shooting, and teamwork.

These high-energy sessions encouraged active participation, boosted student confidence, and fostered a genuine love for sport.

The courts were full of enthusiasm and team spirit, with students demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship and a willingness to learn.

The clinics were not only educational but also a whole lot of fun, leaving everyone with big smiles and sharper basketball skills!

Daniel Fornito

Year 6 Teacher

Year 6 Blasts Off! A Stellar Day at ScienceWorks

Our Year 6 students recently embarked on an exciting day of discovery at ScienceWorks, where learning and fun collided in the best way possible!

The excursion offered a hands-on science adventure, packed with fascinating exhibits and interactive displays. One of the highlights was exploring the wonders of our Solar System and stepping inside the Planetarium for a breathtaking, immersive journey through space.

The day brought classroom concepts to life, sparking curiosity and imagination in science, technology, and the universe beyond. It was an unforgettable experience that inspired many budding scientists, engineers, and inventors of the future!

Dina Yousif

Year 6 Teacher

Debating Drama & Victory! Round 3 & 4 Highlights

Round 3 – Monday, 5th May 2025

It was a strange round, but one full of wins and standout performances!

Our B Grade team faced Bacchus Marsh and delivered a convincing win on the Secret Topic:

“Esports and mainstream professional sports should only be legal for participants aged 21 and above.”

Arguing for the topic, the team impressed the adjudicators with their strong reasoning and teamwork. Merola Youssef was particularly outstanding and was awarded Best Speaker. She was well supported by Maria Abdelmalak and Eman Morgan, and together they secured a clear victory.

In the C and D Grade categories, we won by walkover, as Strathmore was unfortunately unable to field a team due to illness.

Round 4 – Unexpected Twists & More Success

In a reversal of Round 3, our B Grade team won by walkover after Bacchus Marsh failed to field a team.

In C Grade, Eman Morgan, Amira Boulos, and Cassandra Sawa debated the negative side of the topic:

In C Grade, Eman Morgan, Amira Boulos, and Cassandra Sawa debated the negative side of the topic:

“Celebrities should be fined for lying or spreading false information in public statements.”

Our team presented a strong, cohesive argument and walked away with the win—plus, Amira Boulos was named Best Speaker!

In D Grade, the team tackled the negative side of the challenging topic:

“Australia should ban the use of herbicides and pesticides in agriculture.”

Although they didn’t win this round, Tiana Kadas, Clara Tadrus, and Noah Moucha delivered a passionate and thoughtful performance. A special congratulations to Noah, who was awarded Best Speaker for this round. With one final round to go, we look forward to sharing the final standings for all our teams! A big thank you to Mr. Ashraf and Ms. Mariam Saad for their invaluable support of our Debate teams.

Murray Stone

Director of Debating & Teacher of English

Badges & Beaming Smiles!

We extend a huge congratulations to all of our 2025 SRC recipients, who proudly received their student leadership badges in today’s special assembly!

There was a wonderful sense of pride and joy in the room as Father Tadros officially introduced our 2025 Secondary College Captains, along with our Primary Head Boy and Head Girl. It was heartwarming to see proud parents and carers watching on, capturing the moment their children were recognised for their leadership potential.

These badges are more than just symbols, they represent the trust, responsibility, and bright future each of these students carries. We’re excited to see them grow and shine as the leaders of tomorrow!

Mervet Boulos

Head of Primary

Acting Head of Middle School

Strings, Songs & Standing Ovations!

Our College assembly was recently filled with music, magic, and memorable moments, thanks to the incredible talents of our student musicians!

Sisters in Sync: Two gifted sisters, Lilis Aho (Year 8) on violin and Mery Aho (Year 10) on cello, delivered a captivating performance that left the audience in awe. Joined by their strings teacher, Miss Laura Pollock, the trio performed a stunning medley of Clare’s Song and City Lights. Their harmonious blend of strings created a moving and unforgettable moment that was warmly received by all in attendance.

Middle School Band Takes the Spotlight: At the final assembly for Semester One, the Middle School Band brought infectious energy and joy to the stage with their fantastic renditions of Put Your Records On and Choir.

Their performance had everyone clapping along and truly captured the spirit of celebration.

A big round of applause to our amazing performers:

Drummer: Matthew Toma
Pianists: David Gorges & Yonel Sarkis
Guitarist: Patricia Soloumi
Singers: Mallna Kahsay & Adona Teshome

A heartfelt thank you also goes out to our dedicated instrumental teachers who coached, inspired, and supported these students every step of the way.

Together, you all ended the term on a high note - bravo!

Sandra Mlikota

Head of Music

Year 7 & Year 8 English Incursion

The incursion was a high-energy, thought-provoking experience! As part of our English Year 7 - Year 8 programs, students took part in an exciting Slam Poetry Incursion designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and give voice to personal expression.

Led by a professional slam poet, this interactive session introduces students to the art of spoken word poetry, blending rhythm, performance, and powerful storytelling.

Students will explore themes such as identity, social justice, resilience, and self-expression, while developing their own unique poetic voice.

The incursion supports literacy, public speaking, and emotional literacy in a dynamic and engaging format.

Shemalah Anthony

Head of English