Director of Mission and Identity
ISSUE 9 | 2 April 2026
Holy Week
Holy Week is the most sacred time in our Catholic story. During these days we walk with Jesus through the final moments of his earthly life, from the hope of Palm Sunday, through the humility of the Last Supper, the suffering of the Cross, and the quiet waiting of Holy Saturday. Without this journey, the joy of Easter Sunday cannot be fully understood. The Resurrection reminds us that love is stronger than suffering and that hope can emerge even from darkness.
On Wednesday, some of our students led a reflective liturgy centred on the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, inviting our community to pause, pray, and remain with Christ during this sacred time.
Families who share our faith tradition are encouraged to continue this journey to the Cross by connecting with their local parish community during Holy Week. The calendar of events at St Canice's Church is available below for those wishing to gather for the liturgies of this sacred time. https://www.stcanice.org.au/get-involved/events/
Mother’s Day Liturgy - Save the Date - 8 May
All mums, carers, grandmothers, aunts, special friends and relatives are warmly invited to our annual Mother’s Day Liturgy, which will be held at the College on Friday 8 May at 7:45 am.
We would love you to join us as we gather in prayer and gratitude for the women who nurture, guide and support the lives of our students and our community.
Student to Student Readers: The Smith Family
This week, students in Years 9-11 were invited to become Peer mentors in the Student2Student Reading program.
The full criteria is attached but students must be able to:
- Attend the Training session:
- Be a confident reader with strong communication skills.
- Exercise Empathy, patience, and understanding of diverse backgrounds.
- Be committed to attending all sessions and training.
- Have Device Access: iPad, tablet, PC, or laptop with camera and microphone (5 years old or newer).
- Ensure they follow online safety protocols.
See or email Mrs Blinco for more information or complete the online form here
Student to Student resources
student2student – Helping Kids Improve Their Reading Skills
s2s Buddy PD with Digital Eligibility.pdf
STUDENT2STUDENT POSTER Buddy.pdf
With Gratitude
As Term 1 draws to a close, it is hard to believe how quickly the weeks have passed. I feel truly blessed to be part of such a vibrant and authentically Catholic community, one that seeks to live its faith with purpose and generosity of spirit.
Throughout the term, our students have demonstrated a strong commitment to their faith through participation in Eucharist, prayer and liturgy, and through acts of service that reach beyond the College gates. Many have been involved in Vinnies sandwich making and Night Patrol, the Environmental Group, service at Matt Talbot, preparing cupcakes for St Canice’s Kitchen, and fundraising for St Jude’s and Caritas.
In the spirit of the Sisters of Charity, our students are learning that faith is not only something we profess, but something we live through compassion, justice and service to those on the margins.
These opportunities are made possible through the dedication of staff who accompany our young people and encourage them to respond with courage and generosity. If your family is in a position to make a financial contribution to support the purchasing of good for Vinnies sandwich making we would appreciate coles or woolworths vouchers, they can be sent to mission@stvincents.nsw.edu.au
Director of Mission and Identity
ISSUE 8 | 20 Mar 2026
Vinnies Sandwich Making and Night Patrol
Our College has made a significant commitment to the St Vincent de Paul Society through Vinnies Night Patrol and our fortnightly Sandwich Project.
Through the generous donations received so far, we have been able to serve approximately 250 vulnerable individuals, responding to real and immediate needs within our community.
Thank you to the families who have already sent through vouchers—your support has enabled us to continue this important outreach. Each Night Patrol shift costs approximately $130 to cater, and as with previous years, we rely on the generosity of our community. Without this support, we will be unable to sustain this vital service.
If your family is in a position to assist, please send electronic Coles or Woolworths vouchers to mission@stvincents.nsw.edu.au.
Your generosity allows us to continue serving with compassion and care.
Retreats
Next week is a significant one for our College community, with camps and Retreats taking place.
Our Year 11 and Year 12 Retreats offer an opportunity to pause, reset, and be attentive to God’s presence, deepening relationships with self, others, and with God. In these moments away, we create space to listen, reflect, and grow.
We are grateful to have Fr Ramesh accompanying our Year 12 students and Fr Joshua accompanying our Year 11 students for part of the retreat experience. Their presence will help guide our young people in prayer, reflection, and encounter, and we look forward to sharing this meaningful time together.
I also extend my sincere thanks to the staff who have thoughtfully developed these programs and who will be away from their families and other commitments to support our students in this important experience. Their generosity of spirit makes these moments of formation and grace possible.
We hold our students and staff in prayer as they enter into this time.
With gratitude,
Carolyn Blinco
Director of Mission and Identity
ISSUE 4 | 20 Feb 2026
Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.
Following the feast of pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, our House groups gathered for Ash Wednesday liturgies, where students were invited to receive ashes, a simple yet powerful sign of our humanity and our commitment to turn back to God. The ashes, traditionally made from the previous year’s Palm Sunday palms, connect the beginning of Lent with Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.
As we continue our Lenten journey, we are invited to deepen our prayer life and prepare our hearts to participate more fully in the Easter story. Lent is a time to pause, reflect and grow in faith, compassion and Generosity of Spirit through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
There are many resources to support this journey. I warmly invite you and your family to explore this Ignatian prayer resource, offering simple and meaningful ways to pray together throughout Lent.
Supporting The Sandwich Project – A Call for Vouchers
Our College has made a significant commitment to the St Vincent de Paul Society through regular service with Vinnies Night Patrol and our fortnightly Sandwich Project.
Thank you to Jane, Emma, Dayne and Andrew for your generous donations last week, your support enabled us to purchase the supplies needed to continue this important outreach. As with previous years, we rely on the generosity of our community. Without these donations, we will be unable to sustain this vital service.
If your family is in a position to assist, please send electronic Coles or Woolworths vouchers to mission@stvincents.nsw.edu.au.
Your generosity allows us to continue serving with compassion and care.
Calling all Baristas
Coffee Queens – Friday Mornings at St Vincent’s
Our much-loved Coffee Queens initiative continues to be a joyful expression of community each Friday morning, bringing staff and students together over coffee and a simple breakfast treat.
We are deeply grateful to those who have so generously led and nurtured this initiative in previous years. Their time, expertise and generosity of spirit have created something truly special within our College culture.
As the program continues to grow, we are fortunate to have a professional coffee machine and a wonderful group of staff and students developing their barista skills at various stages of proficiency. To help us build capacity and maximise both confidence and workflow, we are seeking anyone within our community who has barista /coffee van or shop experience and would be willing to assist with training and refining our processes.
If you have skills in this area and are in a position to support us, contact Carolyn Blinco at mission@stvincents.nsw.edu.au we would be most grateful.
Director of Mission and Identity
ISSUE 3 | 13 Feb 2026
Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday
Next week our Church enters the season of Lent, a sacred time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is an opportunity to pause, reflect and renew our hearts, turning more intentionally towards God and towards one another.
As a Catholic community, we join with the broader Catholic Church in supporting Caritas Australia through Project Compassion. The theme for 2026 is Unite Against Poverty, a call to stand together in solidarity and recognise that lasting change happens when we work together.
Cater House will lead a number of initiatives to deepen students’ understanding of the work of Caritas Australia while facilitating meaningful fundraising opportunities. The first of these will take place on Shrove Tuesday, 17 February, when pancakes will be sold in support of this important cause. We thank Ms Papasidero and the Cater House for their leadership and generosity in supporting this important outreach. Cater House students and their families will generously supply the pancakes for the whole school community to purchase. Students are encouraged to bring cash or card on the day, however a teacher at the pancake stall will be available to unlock and re-lock mobile phone pouches. Pancakes will be sold with various toppings:
- $2 for 1
- $5 for 3
To learn more about Project Compassion, we invite you to click here.
If your family would like to make a donation to Caritas Project Compassion, you can do so via here
On Ash Wednesday, students will gather for House-based liturgies. They will pray together and have the opportunity to receive ashes as a sign of renewal and our commitment to live the Gospel faithfully throughout the season of Lent.
Supporting The Sandwich Project – A Call for Vouchers
Our College has made a significant commitment to St Vincent de Paul Society through regular service with Vinnies Night Patrol and our fortnightly Sandwich Project. This simple but powerful act of service allows our students to respond directly to those experiencing homelessness and hardship in our community.
To sustain this important outreach, we rely on the generosity of our College community. At present, we are in urgent need of Woolworths or Coles vouchers to purchase the supplies required for sandwich making. Without these donations, we will be unable to continue providing this vital support.
If you are able to contribute, please send your electronic vouchers to mission@stvincents.nsw.edu.au
Your generosity helps us continue to serve with compassion and care.
With gratitude,
Carolyn Blinco
ISSUE 1 | 30 Jan 2026
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.
1 Peter 4:10
As we begin the year, I would like to introduce myself and say how wonderful it is to be working in partnership with you and your families. I am grateful to be joining the St Vincent’s College community in this, the 168th year of the College, supporting the growth of young women who are independent in thought, compassionate in attitude, and confident to act.
Central to our life as a College is Generosity of Spirit, inspired by the tradition of Mary Aikenhead and the Sisters of Charity. It calls us to notice those on the margins, respond with practical compassion, and act in ways that uphold the dignity of every person. As a community, we will place a particular focus on living this value throughout the year.
The College has a strong tradition of student engagement in social justice initiatives, including the Matt Talbot Kiosk, Vinnies Van, Cupcakes for St Canice’s, and the Sandwich Project. Rosters will be shared with students shortly, and we encourage conversations at home about how your family might be involved.
We have a strong history of parents of Year 11 and 12 students joining the Father/Mother–Daughter Vinnies Van roster (one Saturday per month). The roster is here. In the first instance please just add your name to one shift and place it on the reserve for other shifts. Families may also support our Night Patrol sandwich program through the donation of grocery vouchers (Woolworths or Coles) for the other two shifts a month the College has committed to.
Next week we will share details of the Opening College Mass which will be held on February 12 at St Mary’s Church, North Sydney.
Thank you for the generosity you bring to our community as we continue this important work together.
Carolyn Blinco
Director of Mission and Identity
