Free webinar with Paul Dillon for parents and carers looking for information about teenagers and risk taking.

Please register at:
https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/webinar/register/7016320963234/WN_sGfFzbToQoee7sx53Nh0mg ...

RISING STARS

The final RISING STARS profile acknowledges a very unique and special group of people. This alumni group are all current staff members of Holy Spirit College but they are also former students of either St. Pauls, Holy Cross or Holy Spirit.

To return to work at the school where you were educated speaks volumes about the way that this community impacts positively on the lives of those who are willing and open to sharing in the spirit. It also speaks to the sense of home and family that exists here. Amongst these staff members there is immense pride in our school and a commitment to seeing the traditions and values of the Marist Fathers and Josephite Sisters, of which this community was built upon, upheld. These staff members have a unique understanding of the past history of our school, and in the present they are a wonderful symbol of continuity.We congratulate each and every one of these staff members for their ongoing service to our school community and for being examples to our students of who we are and what we stand for at HSC in 2021.

It would also be timely at the end of term, to thank all of the Holy Spirit staff. Our administration, maintenance, support and teaching staff have worked incredibly hard to adapt to the challenges faced this term. Our teachers have endeavoured to reinvent their subjects to maximise learning potential and they have worked closely with families to navigate this difficult time. They are compassionate educators who contribute every day to ensuring that our school is a place where our students believe they have been called to RISE. We have no doubt that such a strong and spirited community will continue to produce many more varied and diverse Rising Stars long into the future. This is HSC. We are HSC.

#wearecalledtorise ...

RISING STARS
COOPER LEES Year 12 2003

Technology has kept us connected during lockdown; connected to work, school, family and friends. Social media platforms such as Facebook are used by ordinary people, businesses and even politicians who have relied on digital platforms to communicate important health and safety messages to the community. Imagine working for one of the global companies responsible for developing the technologies that make all of these things possible? Former Holy Spirit College student, Cooper Lees, has made this dream a reality.

Cooper grew up in Corrimal and he currently lives and works in the USA as a Production Engineer for Facebook. He is a graduate from the University of Wollongong, completing a Bachelor of Internet Science and Technology and he has also previously worked for ANSTO. Working for Facebook involves “a big emphasis on scripting and coding. Due to the sheer scale of the things we work on it’s best to let the machine help you get the job done.” His studies laid the foundations of how modern operating systems, programming and how computers work.

His advice for those wanting to pursue a similar career path - “If I can get here, other graduates can. You just have to do what you like doing, become really good at it. There is such a wide range of things you can do in IT, and as much as you may hate things like coding, it’s important to do it.” From small and humble beginnings as a student at Bellambi Public School and Holy Spirit College Bellambi, Cooper’s story is a great example of why as human beings we need to dream big and believe we are capable of great things.

Find out more about Cooper’s story:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10153788752189448
https://www.smh.com.au/technology/facebook-fishing-for-new-talent-in-wollongong-20131212-hv5go.html

#wearehsc #sharethespirit #RISE ...

@cathed.dow repost • Congratulations to @hscdow Year 11 student, Zara Hatton, on her media internship with Australian Catholics Magazine – including her own article published in the magazine's latest edition! ✍️

"The internship gave us insight into what professional journalism actually entails. It was such a valuable experience... I will cherish the connections made" — Zara Hatton

ℹ️ Find out more about Zara's experience and this exciting internship opportunity for students at the link in @cathed.dow’s bio.
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#cedow #holyspiritbellambi #wearehsc #RISE #sharethespirit #illawarra #holyspiritcollege #holyspiritcollegebellambi #catholicschool #catholiceducation #mediainternship #internshipopportunity #australiancatholicsmagazine #catholicyouth #australiancatholic #hscdow #year11 #youngjournalist #magazineinternship #publishedarticle #youthmagazine #faithandhope #catholiclife #journalisminternship #mediaintern #mediainternships #guesteditor #catholicschoolopportunity #youngjournalists ...

RISING STARS
BREANA MACPHERSON-RICE Year 12 2012

As a student of Holy Spirit College, Breana was the College dux in 2012. A recipient of the UNSW 2017 Greg Ashton Prize for the best performance in Environmental Humanities, Breanna graduated with Distinction from UNSW with a Bachelor of Environmental Science. Breanna says that her time at Holy Spirit has influenced her core values. As a change agent, she believes in equity, seeing a need and taking action for change. This is faith and mission in action.

Breana is fighting for global environmental change. Working in Philadelphia, USA, Breana is a Distributed Organising Director of the Sunrise Movement. Breanna oversees and organises programs empowering youth to have a say in changing government policy around climate change and the fossil fuel industry. Breanna has been committed to influencing climate change policy in the United States influencing real change in US government policy with the election of President Joe Biden. She has been working to ensure that the elections of US leaders are committed to change which will impact global environment policy for good.

Holy Spirit College has a very active Environmental group and as a community geographically located between the mountains and the sea, we have a strong understanding of the importance of stewardship. Breana’s story encourages our young people to use their voice to advocate for a better world. Holy Spirit College is proud of all of our alumni. We share these stories to inspire positivity and hope.

Read more about the Sunrise Movement:
https://www.sunrisemovement.org/

#wearehsc #sharethespirit #RISE ...

RISING STARS
PEETE JOWANIE Year 12 2018

Peete’s story is a special one. Conflict in Myanmar between the Burmese army and ethnic groups had by 2019 forced over 1.1 million people to become internally displaced people. This conflict provides the background to Peete’s story. He was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and grew up there until being granted permission to move to Australia in 2008. He did not speak English. At 9 years old and living in Wollongong, he joined a local soccer team, only ever having kicked a homemade soccer ball around the refugee camp. Soccer allowed him to connect with other children through a shared love of the game and he continued embracing such opportunities when he became a student at Holy Spirit College.

Peete continued his soccer and developed his talent for art. His HSC Body of Work for Visual Arts titled “Generation to Generation” was featured in the 2019 Exhibition for SCARF (Strategic Community Assistance for Refugee Families.) After finishing school Peete sold his body of work, and began studying a Bachelor of Nursing, which he will complete this year. His support of the refugee community in Wollongong continued through his association with SCARF and he mentors young Burmese Year 10 students by sharing his high school journey with them. We imagine that he would be a great support to many young Burmese refugees looking to him as a wonderful role model for success. However his success has only been possible through his willingness to face adversity and to persevere, drawing on his strong values. He believes in using mistakes and imperfections as motivators for improvement and positivity. He cites his struggle with learning English as an example of something he constantly has to work on to be able to grow, and this is a remarkable testament to not only his resilience but his determination to live life with purpose and optimism. We are also proud of the way that Peete gives back to others through SCARF, acknowledging the difficult journey many young people are on in a new country. Congratulations Peete on your resilience, integrity, spirit and for reminding us of what excellence can look like.

#wearehsc #sharethespirit #RISE ...

RISING STARS
KEELEY DAVIS Year 12 2018

Keeley Davis is forging ahead in raising the profile of Women’s Rugby League, with the Women’s competition gaining more momentum in Australia. It is a pleasure to watch this young woman’s role in pioneering a sport that in the past has only been played by men professionally. Keeley is a fierce and determined competitor who despite many setbacks with injuries has shown remarkable resilience to continue working hard in a sport where she is paving the way for generations of young women who will look up to her and be inspired by her journey. Keeley’s Representative honours include: NSW Country (2018-19); Australia Prime Minister's XIII (2018); Australia Jillaroos (2018-present); Australia World Cup Nines (2019), NSW Origin (2021) She was the youngest member of the 2018 Dragons inaugural Premiership team as well as the youngest member of the Australian Jillaroo team. Keeley finished the 2020 season as the recipient of the NRLW Coach's Award, a sign of respect for her talent and excellence. The staff at HSC always knew Keeley was on a pathway to huge success in women’s Rugby League due to her gift as an athlete, but our admiration for her also extends to memories of her outgoing nature, her inclusiveness and her sunny smile! We wish her well in continuing to break the glass ceiling!

Read more about Keeley:
https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/10/13/the-rapid-rise-of-youngest-jillaroo-keeley-davis/

#wearehsc #sharethespirit #RISE ...