YEAR 12 GRADUATION AND MAJOR AWARDS

It was wonderful to finally be able to hold an event in person with our Year 12s! And what an incredibly significant event it was for our Year 12s who were able to have a small prayer liturgy led by Father Michael, hear from peers and key staff and receive Graduation Certificates, various other certificates and, for a number of Year 12s, awards – both major and minor.

I commend our Year 12s on their mammoth efforts throughout this incredibly challenging and disjointed year. In both my speech and Mr Dowdell’s, Year 12 Coordinator, the emphasis was upon, not only thanks to parents/carers, but also the development of resilience that has occurred this year and the need to put the many skills and characteristics they have learnt over the years into their immediate and long term futures beyond school.

I look forward to hearing about the many opportunities provided to our Year 12 students in the short and long term.

COLLEGE UNIFORM (also see the link later in this newsletter)

Please ensure you have seen recent updates about our new College Uniform – especially current Year 9 and 10 families.

As has been communicated over the past 2 years – uniform changes for Year 7 2021, and Years 10 and 11, 2021 (our current Year 9 and 10 students) will come into force from the beginning of next year.

It’s great to know that over 100 fitting appointments have already been made, but if you have any queries please contact the College.

Layby Schemes do exist, and, as per our arrangements for College Fees, if families are experiencing financial challenges and need to have a private conversation with myself then please arrange a time with me through the College Office.

TELL THEM FROM ME SURVEY

I would like to thank all parents/carers, students and staff who recently completed a “Tell them from me Survey” for our College.

Our College Executive has just been provided with a report covering the various comments, feedback and suggestions. We are reading and exploring these in earnest and will more thoroughly explore ratings and comments over the coming fortnight.

My preliminary analysis is that there is certainly an overwhelming satisfaction with the College and praise for many of our programmes, initiatives and our staff (teaching, administration and leadership). It is clear, however, that COVID-19 has certainly impacted upon the extra-curricular offerings and some aspects of both teaching and communication between the College and home. For example, the use of the College Diary this year has not been as effective due to concerns around hygiene.

With communication noted as an area for enhancement, I am therefore  pleased to announce that I have commissioned a company to redesign and create a new website for the College – this will aim to improve upon the current site we use – and will be launched early in Term One next year.

Other common suggestions and patterns in the survey will be analysed and considered in the coming weeks. The College remains committed to listening and responding to feedback.

BISHOP’S STUDENT EXCELLENCE AWARD

This is the third year that the Bishop’s Student Excellence Award has been run. The successful recipients are students in each Diocesan Secondary School who are presented with the most prestigious award that can go to a Year 12 student at their school.

As such, by virtue of Jemma Abernethy receiving our ‘Alan McManus Award for All-Round Excellence’, Jemma was the College’s nominee for being recognised at a ceremony in Wollongong.

Like so many of our Year 12 students, Jemma has been very generous with her time and volunteered across a very broad range of areas. Equally she has demonstrated great commitment to her studies and has excelled in student leadership roles and various external programs. She was a most worthy recipient. We congratulate Jemma and wish her every success in her future.

PRAYER

Following on from last fortnight’s newsletter I include here the National Prayer celebrating 200 years of Catholic Education:

200 YEARS - FAITH IN THE FUTURE OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA

Almighty and all-loving God, with gratitude for the endeavours of Catholic education in the past, with confidence in our Catholic pre-schools, schools and universities today, and with faith in their continuing contribution in the future, we celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in this Great South Land. 

As our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your providential care for your children in this land in inspiring priests, religious and lay people to found and staff our schools in ages past. Through them the Good News of your Son was brought to the young even in colonial times – and ever since. 

As Christ the Teacher, you grace the staff and leaders of Catholic education today. As they build on the achievements of their predecessors direct them in their present efforts to ensure that every young Australian has the opportunity for an excellent education and formation in faith. 

As our Inspiring Spirit, you lead us into the future. In the century ahead grant those teaching and learning in our schools, those planning and leading, and the families and community that entrust their young people to us, a love of learning and a willingness to be the face of Christ in the world of tomorrow. 

Pour out your abundant blessings upon all involved in the ministry of Catholic education. 

• Amen. 

Our Lady of the Southern Cross – pray for us. 

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Patron of Catholic Education in Australia – pray for us.