E-News
Welcome to this Week's College E-Newsletter!
Term 3 is flying by, and we are excited to share the latest news, achievements, events and celebrations from across our College community.
It has been a busy and exciting term, with College Photos, NAIDOC Week celebrations and our Year 12 Retreat providing plenty of opportunities for learning, connection and celebration.
We hope you enjoy reading this edition of our newsletter and staying connected with the wonderful things happening across our College.
We are reminded of the richness that comes from a holistic education at Mother Teresa Catholic College, one that challenges students academically, nurtures their talents and encourages them to live out our College motto: Strong in Faith and Love.
CHALLENGE CONNECT CONTRIBUTE
College Events
NAIDOC Week Celebrations
Our College community came together to celebrate NAIDOC Week under this year’s theme, 50 Years of Deadly. The celebration provided an opportunity for our students and staff to recognise and celebrate the rich history, culture and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, while continuing our commitment to reconciliation.
We were honoured to welcome Aunty Phyllis Winmar, who led a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country during our College Assembly. Aunty Phyllis then shared her family story, Kooba Djer-Djer – Red Robin and Blue Wren, with our Junior School students, providing a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with culture and storytelling.
Students were also treated to an interactive performance by the Indigenous Binar Futures Dance Group. Students enthusiastically participated in traditional Bee Sting and Kangaroo dances, creating a joyful and engaging celebration of culture through movement and music.
Another special moment was the unveiling of our new College Cross, beautifully painted by talented College father, Laurence Collard. Our Student Leaders shared the story and meaning behind this significant artwork, which reflects our Catholic identity, Houses and our ongoing journey of faith, connection and reconciliation.
Following the Assembly, our First Nations families were warmly invited to join Principal Jay Sutton and staff for a special morning tea, providing an opportunity to come together, connect and celebrate as a community.
Our Food Technologies students and staff also embraced the occasion by preparing a wonderful selection of culture-inspired treats for students to enjoy at recess. The menu included damper with berry compote, lemon myrtle shortbread and gluten-free wattleseed brownies, showcasing native Australian ingredients and flavours.
A special thank you to Deputy Principal Naomi Larsen, Paige Alava, Kylee Visser and Greg Cranwell for their care and dedication in organising such a memorable celebration. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to making the day a meaningful celebration of culture, community and reconciliation at MTCC.
Celebrating the Assumption of Mary
On Friday, 14 August, our College community celebrated the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Assumption marks the belief that Mary, at the end of her earthly life, was taken body and soul into Heaven. It is a beautiful celebration of Mary’s unique role in God’s plan and a reminder of the hope we have in the promise of eternal life.
Throughout her life, Mary showed deep faith, courage, humility and trust in God. From her response to God’s call to her unwavering presence throughout Jesus’ life, Mary provides an enduring example of what it means to live with love and faith.
As a Catholic community, we give thanks to Mary’s example and ask for her prayers as we strive to follow her example of faithful service, compassion and love for others.
May Mary continue to guide and inspire our students, staff and families as we live out our College values of being 'Strong in Faith and Love'.
Sustainability - Schools’ Tree Day
We celebrated Schools’ Tree Day on Friday, 24 July by planting a few butterfly bushes, brainstorming the importance of trees and hugging our favourite tree.
The Year 4 students have been busy planting some small native plants which SERCUL (South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare) provided to our school as part of the Phosphorus Awareness Project grant it receives from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), which aims to educate the community about the environmental impacts of too many nutrients entering our waterways.
This year’s Keep Australia Beautiful Week theme was ‘Beautiful Spaces- Happy Places’ where we learnt how enjoying time in nature and clean environments improves our physical and mental wellbeing. During their Sustainability lesson, each student shared an area in the school that made them feel happy and then, in groups, they chose to be out in nature and improve a space to make it more beautiful.
The Kindy students are enjoying their weekly Sustainability lesson, learning about what our vegetables need to grow. They now have a beautiful space in their playground with flowers, garden beds overflowing with vegetables they planted and are caring for, as well as their own compost bin and worm farm.
It was lovely to see so many students coming into the Sustainability area at recess and lunchtime to spend some time with the chickens, tiger worms and looking at the flowers and vegetables growing. It is a quiet, calming space where they can sit, watch, listen or help with some of the jobs with the Green Team.
Junior School
Junior School House Athletics Carnival
We held our Junior School House Athletics Carnival on Thursday, 20 August and what a fantastic day it was! Our students embraced the excitement of competition, showing plenty of enthusiasm, determination and House spirit.
From running races and tunnel ball to Vortex throwing and the much-loved Tug-o-War, there were plenty of opportunities for our students to get involved, have fun and cheer on their House teams.
It was wonderful to see so many families joining us to support and encourage our students throughout the day.
A special thank you to our Secondary School helpers and dedicated staff for volunteering their time, assisting with events and helping make the carnival such a success.
Well done to all of our Junior School students for giving their best, showing great sportsmanship and making the day such a memorable one!
Junior Interschool Cross-Country
Congratulations to our selected students, who proudly represented Mother Teresa Catholic College at the Interschool Cross Country Carnival, where they competed against other local schools.
This event was a wonderful opportunity for students to challenge themselves, demonstrate perseverance and sportsmanship and celebrate the hard work they have put into their training in our morning run club.
A special mention to Harper A and Brodie E who took out Champion place for Year 6 girl and boy!.
Junior School Runners Club
Our Primary Runners Club was a weekly highlight last term, with students showing great commitment each week.
In Week 3, we recognised the students who kept showing up, challenging themselves and building their running skills. A big congratulations to Parker, who finished the term with an incredible 120 laps!
We are so proud of everyone who took part and gave their best each week.
Year 1 Djiripin Class NAIDOC Week
As part of our NAIDOC Week celebrations, the Year 1 Djiripin students created beautiful drawings of a yongka—the Noongar word for kangaroo, particularly the western grey kangaroo. In Noongar culture, the yongka is an important animal that represents a deep spiritual connection to the land, or Boodja. Students loved learning how to say this Noongar word and creating their wonderful kangaroo drawings while celebrating Noongar language, culture, and connection to Country.
Junior School Angelico Art Exhibition Entries
This year, three individual students from the Primary School had their artwork selected for the Angelico Art Exhibition. Noah R (Year 4) created Bonsai Tree using acrylic paints and oil pastels. Lucy D (Year 3) created Falling into Perspective, a drawing completed with coloured pencils, crayons and watercolour paints. Quinn K (Year 1) created Lines and Shapes by cutting out 2D shapes and adding line details to each shape using a white pencil.
In addition, a collaborative artwork was created by 27 students from Years 3 to 6 to represent the colours of the colour wheel. The individual drawings within this piece were inspired by Draw All You Can cards and featured black marker illustrations enhanced with crayons, textas and coloured pencils. We are incredibly proud of these students for showcasing their creativity and representing our school at the Angelico Art Exhibition.
Year 1 SciTech Excursion
Our Year 1 students had a wonderful day exploring SciTech!
The students were excited to discover the many interactive exhibits and enjoyed learning about science through hands-on experiences.
A highlight of the day was visiting the Planetarium, where students were immersed in an exciting journey through space and had the opportunity to learn more about our universe. They also enjoyed the Dinoshadows Puppet Show, which brought prehistoric creatures to life in a fun and engaging way.
Throughout the excursion, it was fantastic to see our Year 1 students asking questions, making discoveries and sharing their excitement with their friends. They eagerly explored the exhibits, tested out new ideas and enjoyed learning together.
The excursion was a wonderful opportunity to extend our classroom learning beyond the College and experience science in an interactive and engaging environment. Days like these encourage our students to be curious, ask questions and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
It was certainly a fun, educational and memorable day for our Year 1 students!
JS Literacy Intervention update
MiniLit has started in the Junior School!
MiniLit is a small-group, evidence-based intervention designed to support students in developing essential reading skills, including phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Children have been selected by teachers to participate in our MiniLit Literacy Programme based on the results of a couple of short reading assessments provided with the program.
The small groups of children will work for 45 minutes, four to five times a week under the direction of an Education Assistant who has received training in implementing the program effectively.
This initiative is starting in Year 1 and will expand to further year groups as resourcing becomes available. We are excited to see the progress students make!
Secondary School
Emerging Young Artists in the Spotlight
Students, families and staff attended the opening night of the Emerge Youth Art Awards 2026 at Tresillian Arts Centre on Saturday, 25 July. It was a wonderfully busy evening, with an impressive 164 artworks by young Western Australian artists on display.
Three of our Year 9 students, Madeleine, Emma and Amelia, were selected to exhibit their pet portraits. It was wonderful to see them proudly viewing their work alongside their families and experiencing the excitement of a public art exhibition.
Congratulations to all three students on this fantastic achievement!
Secondary School Angelico Art Exhibition Entries
Six of our talented Visual Arts students whose artworks were selected for the 2026 Angelico Exhibition, presented as part of Spirit of the Arts: Year 12 Mia, Year 11 Elizabeth, Eoin, Chloe, Abryse, Year 8 Coral Kingdoms Group Entry.
These students were invited to exhibit their work and attend the Angelico Awards Night at the Forrest Centre on Tuesday, 18 August. This prestigious annual exhibition celebrates the creativity and artistic achievements of Catholic school students from across Western Australia. This year our College were invited to host the special occasion. Our Year 12 students handed out Exhibition programs, served canapés, provided entertainment and presented awards to the recipients on stage.
A special highlight was the Year 8 Visual Arts collaborative group entry, Coral Kingdoms. This vibrant artwork combines 23 individually created panels to form one unified underwater composition. Each student contributed their own ideas and artistic techniques while working collaboratively to celebrate creativity, community and care for creation.
KIC iCareer Project
Earlier in the term, students Aiden A and Bianca P took part in the iCAREER Project, a seven-day Senior Secondary pathway program for Year 10 students from our partner schools who were considering a VET pathway.
The program provided students with valuable insight into the world of work through visits to a range of industries across the Kwinana region. Students had the opportunity to experience real workplaces, explore different career opportunities and gain a better understanding of what industry looked like.
The Kwinana industry community demonstrated a strong commitment to engaging young people and supporting students as they considered their future careers. Students also participated in practical workshops designed to build the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to prepare for the workforce.
For Aiden and Bianca, the iCAREER Project was a valuable opportunity to explore different industries, discover potential career pathways and gain a clearer understanding of the opportunities available through VET.
Melissa Clements Visit - Fine Artist
Our Year 11 Visual Arts students were privileged to participate in a special oil painting workshop with visiting fine artist Melissa Clements.
Melissa shared her journey as a professional artist, giving students an insight into her creative inspiration, artistic process and experiences exhibiting and being recognised in major national art prizes, including the prestigious Archibald Prize.
Students then had the opportunity to further develop their own oil painting skills, learning new techniques and approaches from an accomplished contemporary artist.
It was a valuable opportunity for our young artists to learn from an industry professional, develop their skills and be encouraged to pursue their creative passions.
Thank you, Melissa, for sharing your knowledge, experience and passion for art with our students!
Year 12 Retreat at Woodman Point
In Week 3, our Year 12 students spent three meaningful days at Woodman Point in Coogee, taking time to reflect, connect and grow together as a cohort.
The retreat provided students with the opportunity to step away from the busyness of their final year and focus on the journey they have shared. Through group bonding activities, heartfelt letters from their parents and meaningful conversations, students reflected on their experiences and the friendships they have built along the way.
One of the highlights was gathering together on the beach to watch the sunset, creating a special moment for students to pause, appreciate the present and celebrate their time together.
It was a beautiful few days of faith, reflection, connection and memories that our Year 12 students will carry with them as they enter the final months of their MTCC journey.
Year 12 Chemistry Students Shine in Titration Stakes Competition
Our Year 12 Chemistry students recently put their skills to the test in the Titration Stakes Competition, with 310 students from across the state taking part.
After many hours of dedicated training, our students achieved some excellent results. Agna S was our top performer, achieving a High Distinction and 31st place overall. Stig K achieved a Distinction in 84th place, while Inisha L received a Credit in 134th place. Ella A, Mia R and Mena L also achieved Competent results.
Our top team performed strongly, placing 42nd out of 105 teams representing approximately 40 schools.
Chemistry Teacher Peter Van Kwast was proud of the students' efforts, noting that while the competition brought plenty of excitement, the team also enjoyed celebrating together afterwards.
The students' excellent performance, dedication and good humour throughout the event are a credit to their character. Well done to all our Year 12 Chemistry students!
Dance Students Shine on the Stage
Term 3 has been an exciting time for ‘Dance’ at Mother Teresa Catholic College, with our talented students representing the College at both the ‘Catholic Performing Arts Festival’ and the ‘School to StageFestival’.
On Friday, 7 August, students from Years 7–12 performed in the Dance section of the Catholic Performing Arts Festival at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, alongside schools from across Perth.
Our 3 troupes — Year 7 and 8 Jazz, Year 8 and 9 Hip Hop, and Year 11 and 12 Lyrical delivered outstanding performances, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of our students.
The students began rehearsing at the end of Term 1 and demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment, attending rehearsals every Wednesday morning from 7:30am. Their hard work and preparation truly came together on stage.
A special acknowledgement goes to our six Year 12 students — Georgia, Imogen, Grace, Tahlia, Abbey and Caitlen who choreographed the dance items and played an important role in preparing and mentoring the younger students. One of the most rewarding aspects of the experience was seeing strong relationships develop across year levels, with senior students taking on leadership roles and younger students learning from and performing alongside them.
The Dance team also recently represented the College at the School to Stage Festival, dedicating their weekend to performing and demonstrating outstanding professionalism, skill and enthusiasm. Their efforts were rewarded with several impressive results:
Year 12 Hip Hop – Honourable Mention
Year 10 Duo – First Place
Caitlyn Gibson (Year 11) – Second Place, Individual
These achievements are a wonderful reflection of the dedication of our Dance students and the passion and commitment of their teachers, Jenna Teixeira and Jade Llanos.
Congratulations to Ella L, Charlee R-S, Caitlyn G, Ella M, Jordi S, Emily B, Annabel A, Abbey L, Caitlen C, Tahlia D, Grace C and Imogen B on their outstanding achievements.
Our Dance students should be incredibly proud of the way they represented Mother Teresa Catholic College. Their talent, hard work, professionalism and support for one another are a credit to our College community. We look forward to seeing where their passion for Dance takes them next!
Reminders
Book Week Parade Wednesday, 26 August
Junior School Learning Journey Thursday, 27 August
Year 11 Retreat Friday, 28 August
P&F Father’s Day Stalls Monday, 31 August - Friday, 4 September
Mother Teresa Feast Day Thursday, 3 September
Pre-Kindergarten Father’s Day Friday, 4 September
Year 8 Father’s Day Breakfast Friday, 4 September
R U OK Day Thursday, 10 September
OLNA Round 2: 7-18 September
Learning Hub News
Book Week Dress-Up Parade
Our Junior School Book Week Dress-Up Parade will take place on:
Wednesday, 26 August 8:50am, Junior School Verandah
Students are encouraged to dress as a favourite book character or choose a costume inspired by a much-loved story.
We are also delighted that Secondary students who would like to dress up are very welcome to participate. Secondary students are encouraged to come along, support our Junior School students and help create a wonderful Book Week atmosphere.
Prizes will be awarded for:
Best Dressed Junior Student Entry per Year group (Kindy – Year 6)
Best Dressed Secondary Student Entry (Year 7 – 12) (First; second; third place prizes)
Best Staff Entry (First; second; third place)
These prizes can be collected in the library on Friday, 28 August, after school.
We look forward to seeing an amazing collection of characters, costumes and stories come to life!
LET'S CREATE OUR OWN ‘SYMPHONY OF STORIES’
Book Week is a wonderful opportunity to remind our students that every story has something to teach us, somewhere to take us and someone to inspire us.
We encourage families to celebrate Book Week at home by:
Reading together
Talking about favourite books and characters
Exploring new genres and authors
Creating something inspired by a story
Sharing stories and poems
Making time to enjoy the simple pleasure of reading
Thank you for supporting our Library and encouraging your children to develop a lifelong love of reading.
Celebrate. Read. Create. Share.
Let your imagination take centre stage and help us make Book Week 2026 – Symphony of Stories a celebration to remember!
MTCC Parents & Friends
Father’s Day Stalls are coming!
Our popular Father’s Day Stalls are back, giving students the opportunity to choose a special gift for Dad, Grandad or another important father figure in their life.
The Secondary School Father’s Day Stall will be held on the following 2 days:
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Date: Monday, 31 August
Time: During Recess and Lunch breaks
Location: ‘Old Canteen’ behind the Learning Hub (look for signage)
Date: Tuesday, 1 September
Time: 8:00am – 8:20am (Before School) and during Recess and Lunch breaks
Location: ‘Old Canteen’ behind the Learning Hub (look for signage)
Pre-purchased ‘stall gift tickets’ are preferred via the Humanitix link below. Cash and EFTPOS purchases will also be available on the day.
The Junior School Father’s Day Stall will be held on the following 3 days:
JUNIOR SCHOOL
Dates: Tuesday, 1 September, Wednesday, 2 September and Friday, 4 September
Students will visit the Stall during their allocated class time with their classroom teacher (class time-slots will be released closer to the event).
Junior School ‘stall gift tickets’ are pre-purchase only via the Humanitix link below. There will be no cash or EFTPOS sales available on the day.
There will be a fantastic range of Father’s Day gifts available, though stock is limited so we strongly encourage families to pre-purchase.
Tickets are $5.00 each for one item.
To purchase your Father’s Day tickets, please click this link: https://events.humanitix.com/mtcc-father-s-day-stalls-2026
Stay Connected and Get Involved
If you don’t want to miss a single thing happening this year, make sure you’re following us on:
Facebook and Instagram - Parents & Friends of Mother Teresa
Get Involved and We Need You!
Here’s the honest truth - we’ve got big plans but we can’t do it alone.
We are putting out a massive call for committee members. The more hands we have, the lighter the load and the bigger and better our events can be. Whether you’ve got a little time or a lot, there’s a place for you here.
Join the committee: https://forms.gle/7btE9gB257ZHfoZE8
Receive volunteer opportunity emails throughout the year: https://forms.gle/GAy2fNYtmwcZcMgF7
Even if you can’t commit to everything, showing up when you can makes a real difference. This is your community too, and we’d love to build it alongside you.
Next P&F Meeting
The whole College community is invited to our next meeting on Wednesday, 18 November 5:30pm inside the Learning Hub. Please join us!
Community News
Celebrating Lyla’s State Touch Rugby Selection
Congratulations to our Year 7 student, Lyla T, who has been selected to represent Western Australia in the WA State Touch Rugby Team!
Lyla will travel to New South Wales next month to compete against some of the best young touch rugby players from across Australia. This is an incredible achievement and a wonderful recognition of her talent, dedication and hard work.
We are so proud to support Lyla as she takes on this exciting opportunity. We wish her and the WA team all the very best for the competition!
Good luck, Lyla! We’ll be cheering you on!
Addison Represents WA on International Athletics Tour
Congratulations to Addison R, who was recently selected to represent Western Australia as part of the Athletics West Junior International Tour Team.
During the July school holidays, Addison travelled with the team to compete at the Selangor State Athletics Association Junior Athletics Championships in a three-day competition.
Addison competed in an impressive six events across the three days, achieving fantastic results. She secured Gold in the 4 x 400m Relay and Bronze in the 4 x 100m Relay.
This is an outstanding achievement and a wonderful opportunity for Addison to compete at an international level. We are incredibly proud of her dedication, determination and sporting success.
Rockingham Youth Centre
Young people are invited to take advantage of a range of upcoming programs, courses and opportunities available throughout Term 3 and beyond.
New Wednesday Hangout Program
A new Hangout Program is now available every Wednesday from 2:30pm–5:30pm, providing young people with a welcoming space to connect, socialise and participate in a range of activities.
Activities include:
Craft activities
Board games
Table tennis
Pool
Level Up Certified Courses
A number of new Level Up Certified Courses are also being trialled, including:
Introductory Lash Course
Introductory Brow Course
Public Speaking Course
The Public Speaking Course, being offered in October, may be particularly beneficial for young people looking to build their confidence and communication skills. This could be valuable for students in leadership roles as well as those preparing for job interviews or class presentations.
YAL 2027 Scholarship Opportunity
Applications are now open for the YAL 2027 Scholarship Program, which is available to Year 9–11 students for 2027.
The YAL Scholarship Program supports young people aged 15–24 who are working towards their educational goals and aspirations but may be facing barriers that make their journey more challenging.
Students and families can find more information through YAL Connect Scholarships. For further information, contact Sarah at s.bergin@yal.org.au.
A copy of the Term 3 Program is also available for families to view, with further details about the programs and activities on offer.
For any questions about these opportunities, please contact the program team.
See the Term 3 Program here.
Young Voices Awards Success
Congratulations to Chloe R (Year 10) on achieving Highly Commended in the Senior Digital Category of the 2026 Young Voices Awards, presented by Australian Catholics magazine in partnership with Australian Catholic University (ACU).
Chloe was recognised for her digital submission, "Music is the Heart that Guides Faith and Justice", which explored the theme "To go boldly: The path of faith and justice." In a highly competitive category, Chloe's creativity, insight, and thoughtful response impressed the judging panel.
We are incredibly proud of Chloe's achievement and commend her for representing Mother Teresa Catholic College with excellence.
Representing Australia at Worlds
We are proud to celebrate Miss Jo as she competes at the World Masters Championships in South Korea, representing Australia on the international stage.
Miss Jo is competing across the 100m, 200m and 400m, as well as taking part in relay events alongside athletes from across the country.
Making the experience even more special, Miss Jo is joined by her daughter and MTCC alumna, Holly, who is supporting the team as her Team Manager while also capturing and sharing the journey through social media.
It is wonderful to see this mother-daughter duo sharing such a memorable experience together while representing Australia in athletics.
Jo has finished and ranked 12th out of 22 women in her age group in the world! Congratulations Miss Jo.
Evalyn Represents Australia in Taekwondo
We are proud to share the outstanding achievements of Year 5 student Evalyn V-B, who recently represented Australia in Taekwondo during an international competition in Thailand.
Evalyn returned home with an impressive collection of medals, including:
Gold – Speed Punching
Silver – Freestyle Poomsae
Bronze – Individual Poomsae
Bronze – Sparring
This was Evalyn’s first international competition, making her achievements even more remarkable.
Evalyn would like to thank the staff and families at MTCC for their wonderful support and encouragement. It has been heartwarming to see the support she received both before she departed and upon her return to school.
Congratulations, Evalyn, on an incredible achievement!
Settlers Hill Therapy Centre
Settlers Hill Dental Therapy Centre will be reopening on a part-time basis from Monday, 20 July.
The hours will be: Monday, Thursday and Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm.
If you have any queries, please contact the centre:
Phone: 9523-2146
Email: settlershilldtc@health.wa.gov.au
For dental emergencies on Tuesday or Wednesday, please phone 9537-2619. For after-hours emergencies, please phone 1800 098 818.
Parish News
MASS TIMES
MONDAY: NO SERVICE
TUESDAY: 9:00am
WEDNESDAY: 9:00am
THURSDAY: 8:00am
FRIDAY: 9:00am
SATURDAY: 6:00am
SUNDAY: 9:30am & 5:00pm
RECONCILIATION
SATURDAY: 5:30pm to 5:50pm
