A time to reflect academically and spiritually.
Interim Reports
As College Interim Reports for all students become available, I would encourage parents to put some time aside to sit with your son in order to genuinely analyse the ‘story within’. While only limited amounts of formal assessments have been completed at this early stage of the year, the Interim Report gives a snapshot on student progress to date. Based on the professional judgement of respective teachers, and guided by class performance to this stage, the Interim Report presents a picture of a student’s application, effort and general organisation.
It may be very timely for parents to sit down with their son in order to discuss all aspects of their particular Interim Report. Such a discussion can be used to celebrate those areas in which effort and achievement are positive; and likewise, to highlight those areas in which improvements need to be made. The analysis of reports should be used as the basis for meaningful discussions about establishing consistent and genuine levels of application with a view to achieving personal excellence at school. The Interim Report is less about achievement (marks and grades) and more about presenting a picture about attitude to class work with a view to forming positive and successful approach to studies. The expansion of Student Work Attributes (SWA) and the associated SWA Matrix that accompanies the Student Reports will be of great help in such an honest analysis. Striving for their personal best should be the aim of every student and fully appreciating what is required to improve in terms of work habits and application will be very helpful in this regard.
I am sure that as parents, you would have similar expectations of your son. It is vitally important that an organised approach to study, a positive attitude and genuine levels of application and commitment are established as the basis for student achievement. Once again, I would encourage parents to use their child’s Interim Report as a means to acknowledge and affirm areas of success and achievement while challenging ways in which further improvements can be made.
The College has a staggered timeline for the distribution for Interim Reports to coincide with respective Parent Teacher Student Interviews (PTSI). In the last fortnight, the Year 11 and 12 Interim Reports were made available via SEQTA prior to the PTSI that were held on 24 March. Similarly, the Interim Reports for Years 4 - 6 were made available prior to the Junior School PTSI that occurred this week. On both occasions, it was pleasing to see the number of parents who availed themselves of the opportunity to discuss their son’s progress.
This week, the Interim Reports for students in Year 7-10 were made available via SEQTA prior to the scheduled PTSI on Tuesday, 20 April. Details of these interviews, and specific instructions on how to book particular interview times have been sent via email to respective parents and are contained elsewhere in this newsletter. Once again, I would encourage parents to avail themselves of this opportunity to engage with the College and further discuss aspects of their son’s learning and progress.
Easter
For all Christians, Easter is a solemn time when we remember the suffering and death of Jesus Christ before celebrating his triumphant resurrection. On the evening of Holy Thursday, we specifically recall the Last Supper and the simple, yet powerful example of Christ ‘breaking bread’ and sharing a meal with his followers. On Good Friday, many Catholics will walk the Stations of the Cross, deeply reflecting on the suffering of Jesus and of all humanity. Easter Sunday allows us to celebrate Jesus Christ rising again - his death and subsequent resurrection are central to our Faith and a reminder that we too can begin anew. In respective Religious Education classes this week, our students have been challenged to reflect on the personal challenge of renewal that Easter brings. I pray that we can all experience the hope and renewal that comes with the celebration of Easter. In fact, given the circumstances that our world continues to find itself in, the Easter message could be particularly relevant.
In his recent Easter message, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB reflected on Easter being a time when we can return to trusting in God. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus spoke the following words to his disciples on the night before He died. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still and trust in Me.” (John 14:1) The Archbishop goes on to say:
“It is not always easy to follow this advice given to us by Jesus. The challenges we face, not just because of the pandemic but because of the many other difficulties and problems that each of us faces in our personal, family and community lives, often overwhelm us. As is the case in so much of what we say about our Christian faith, our lived experience differs from the high ideals we profess. The reality for many of us, at least some of the time, is that we are afraid and we are uncertain.
…The faith we seek and the peace which Jesus promises to give us are precious gifts, always on offer to us – but they are never forced upon us.”
I take this opportunity to thank the staff, students and their families for their extraordinary efforts and support during this condensed, busy first term. I trust that everyone has a relaxing term break and invite you to appreciate a Holy Easter. Please note that students will have a staggered commencement for the start of Term 2:
- Years 4 – 6 return on Tuesday, 20 April at 8:30am
- Years 11 & 12 return on Tuesday, 20 April at 9:35am
- Years 7 – 10 return on Wednesday, 21 April at 8:30am (due to Years 7 – 10 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews scheduled for Tuesday, 20 April from 9:30am to 7:30pm)
Live Jesus in our hearts
Mr. Darren O’Neill
Principal
