Welcome to Semester 2
A very warm welcome back to all boys and their families as we look forward to a positive and productive second half of the year. Term 3 is an important time for our students as they make important choices in the selection of elective subjects and choose their senior courses for next year. Our graduating Class of 2021 Year 12 students will be challenged to ‘pick up the pace’ as they move towards the completion their respective courses, finalise work projects and portfolios, or begin preparing for important examinations later in the year. Regardless of which pathway they have chosen, this term should be viewed as the culmination of many years of endeavour and application. As our Year 12s progress towards graduation, we pray that each of them is able to reflect upon their journey with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Our Senior boys have been wonderful role models for the future leaders of the College, and I am very confident that they will continue to work hard as they strive to achieve their best in all areas.
Our Year 10 students will have a special focus this term as they formally begin the process of career guidance and course selection. The decisions that they make will be important in ensuring that they enjoy a sense of purpose and fulfilment as they prepare to graduate two years from now. We trust that they will reflect on the advice given to them, research all available options, and we wish them the gift of discernment at this time. Personalised course counselling appointments will soon be available for each Year 10 student, and will continue over the next few weeks. This provides an important opportunity for each boy and his parents to meet with a key staff member in order to discuss his future directions in relation to specific aspects of his current progress and likely future success. The addition of a consistently applied matrix for assessing Student Work Attributes and the associated calculation of a student’s Attribute Point Average (APA) will certainly help in such academic goal setting and course selection considerations. The APA was included on all Student Reports and provides a general picture of how well a student is engaging in his schoolwork, behaving in class, contributing to the learning process, relating positively to peers and staff, managing their own learning and striving for personal excellence.
Similarly, our Year 6 boys will begin specific work and examine different learning styles to prepare them for the transition into Secondary School. We wish them well at this important stage of their educational journey.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our Year 7-12 parents who made appointments to meet with respective College Staff at the Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews scheduled earlier this week. These occasions allow for meaningful and constructive conversations about student progress and highlight the importance of positive family/College relationships. Valuable information about your child’s progress can always be obtained through direct communication with respective Teachers. I strongly encourage parents to stay in regular contact with Teachers through personal interviews, via the telephone or email.
Staffing
The start of term usually brings some significant changes in staffing. Throughout this term, the following College Staff will all be enjoying periods of leave. We wish them well of their extended break.
- Mr Chris Brennan (Religious Education – Leave, Term 3)
- Mrs Danielle Pieraccini (Media - Parental Leave)
- Mrs Kimberley Lloyd (Music - Parental Leave)
We extend a very warm welcome to a number of Staff members who have commenced at the College at the start of Term 3:
- Mr Joel Bass (Music)
- Mr Joel Blakely (Media)
- Ms Laura Colston (Psychologist – Secondary School)
- Mr Galvin Francisco (Mathematics)
- Mrs Jan Hurley (Business Manager)
- Ms Jessica Mullahey (HASS)
- Mr Dan Quartermaine (Mathematics)
- Mr Matthew Riley (Religious Education)
- Miss Kayla Scantlebury (Psychologist – Junior School)
- Mr Rhys Spedding (Grounds)
- Mr Sam Testa (Digital Technologies)
We also welcome back Mr Rohan Van Dongen (Materials and Design) who is returning from extended leave.
I wish all of our boys well for a most successful Semester 2, and trust that due reward will follow on from their hard work and focussed application.
Live Jesus in our hearts
Mr. Darren O’Neill
Principal