As we enter the Term 2 holiday period, I would like to thank and congratulate our students, staff and parents for the flexibility and cooperation that you have all shown over the course of the term. This has certainly been a time of learning for all involved even though it may not have been in the way that we anticipated back in March. Our staff have changed their delivery between face to face and remote teaching and then incorporated facets of both once we returned. Our Year 7 enrolment interviews and Parent/Teacher/Student meetings have all been held electronically and our subject selection information for Year 10 into 11 was also completed via recordings and online. Our reports were released electronically and have incorporated the change to the Compass platform. As a staff, we have looked at how we address feedback to students and this discussion has occurred as a part of general conversation between colleagues as well as formally from a staff development day in Term 1.

It is all of these things that help to create an environment where the students are at the centre of what we do. Many of our senior class teachers will offer HSC classes during this holiday break and all staff have shown a deep regard and concern for the welfare of the students they teach. Many parents have commented on the positive approach that the College has taken in assisting students in their return. Whilst all our supports exist, I ask that you continue to speak with your own children about how they are coping and the practices and habits that they are using to help them get through these times. Anecdotally across many schools, there is a reported increase in students who are experiencing anxiety and depression as result of changes to their routines and their experiences. Please contact the College upon our return if you feel there is something we need to know, or suggestions of what we might do to assist your child. Whilst I cannot guarantee all requests, if we don’t know, we can't help. 

In speaking of all these things listed above, we are currently in the middle of the Year 10 subject selection process. This process has been coordinated by our Curriculum Coordinator, Ms Tolomeo. The students have received their options and booklets and have had opportunities to hear information on each course. They have had an opportunity to book a meeting time with a member of the College Leadership Team to get guidance or raise questions. Many parents may not be aware that last year we introduced an academic prediction system, where students have been given feedback on their progress from their reports in Year 9 regarding the types of subjects they will automatically qualify for inclusion in Year 11. This allows for them to plan for improvement and organise themselves early in order to ‘get to where they want to be’. This selection process will continue into the start of term 3.

Whilst public masses have been resumed over the last few weeks, they still have restricted numbers. Bishop Brian Mascord has continued the YouTube channel where the faithful can watch him celebrate mass with us, and on our behalf. The link to this mass is here. Please log into this site each weekend and join Bishop Brian online for the celebration of the Eucharist.

Finally, I hope all of you have a relaxing break after this disjointed term. Whilst many parents will be under work related pressures, please try to find time to just ‘be’ with your children and share their experiences. In the Marist Tradition, we refer to this characteristic as ‘Presence’. I wish you the best and remind you again of the words of St Mary of the Cross; “Do all you can with the means at your disposal and calmly leave the rest to God”.

Mr Steve Lo Cascio