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From the Principal

20 October 2023

Term 4 is always such a busy term – lots of events, deadlines and celebrations. As the sun begins to make an appearance, we take the opportunity to reflect on all we have achieved throughout the year and set goals for next year. Students will be busy consolidating their learning, studying for exams and then preparing for 2024 with two weeks of the ‘Headstart’ program.
In the past week, we have had the opportunity to welcome our Year 7 2024 cohort onsite as a group for the first time, whilst also farewelling the Year 12s of 2023. A true reminder of just how quickly our young people grow and how important their time at school is. It was fantastic to see the partnership with our new families already commencing and high school friendships already forming. We look forward to officially welcoming our new Year 7s into our community.
The celebrations for our Year 12s this week highlighted what accomplished young adults they are, reinforcing the sturdy foundation they have built in their time at the College. Over the coming weeks they will be busy preparing for their final examinations or entering the workforce in their trades. As they begin their new journey, the Year 12s are reminded of the words of the great Saint Teresa of Calcutta: “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” A reminder that no matter where life takes us, we should approach every task, no matter how big or small, with love, dedication and a deep-rooted faith in our own potential to make a positive impact on the world. Congratulations to the Class of 2023 – we are so proud of you!
The ‘Time to Shine’ program explicitly focuses on the spiritual, social, emotional and academic development of our students equipping them with strategies and skills to support their growth.
Whilst this term has certainly already been eventful, we cannot forget our Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews at the end of last term. These interviews are an important part of our partnership with families in supporting our young people to continually improve through a cycle of reflection and goal setting. Do not loose sight of the feedback as an anchor for the final months of this year. Focus on celebrating all achievements and aiming to be a little better each day. Thank you to our families for their support and taking the time to meet with our staff over those two days of interviews.
Our young people’s world is constantly evolving and sometimes it is hard to keep up. Social media plays such a big part in their lives – it is where they get their news, where they socialise and where they share study notes. We strongly encourage parents to develop strategies for engaging with social media alongside their children. The eSafety Commission offers a number of different recommendations and resources for families to support and guide their children on social media. Please take the time to read through the site and have the relevant conversations with your children.

This weekend we look forward to the St James the Apostle Parish Fete, an event that draws together the six schools and the local community, as we celebrate our faith and support for one another. We look forward to seeing many of you there.

Rose Connolly

Principal