Last week I mentioned that our Year 11 students would be participating in two days of Leadership training as part of their transition to Year 12 for 2024. The first of these days were conducted today, which involved presentations and activities that looked into the importance of leadership in our lives, reflecting on our own individual roles as leaders in our community, styles of leadership and identifying members of our own community who might be best suited to assuming official leadership roles as a member of our 2024 Student Representative Council. Today’s workshops will be followed up on Monday with a team building day at Teen Ranch for all Year 11 students. The Teen Ranch experience will allow students to engage in a range of activities to further demonstrate their individual and group leadership skills as a means of providing staff and students another opportunity to develop a deeper appreciation of the individual talents of students with respect to problem solving, cooperation, leadership and teamwork. Thanks to Mr Harpley and Ms Gardner for their work in preparing the days and for all staff and students for their support and cooperation.

Further to this leadership development, Luna Clara Da Silva and D’Arcy Brennan from Year 11 attended a Breakfast with Premier Chris Minns yesterday morning. This is an annual event conducted by the Greater Narellan Business Chamber and provided an opportunity for students and staff to meet with the Premier and listen to a range of presentations relating to the vision for the local area in terms of the impact of the Western Sydney Airport development and key infrastructure policies for the Macarthur. Thanks to the students and staff who attended this very informative and early start to the day.

Year 12 have almost finished their HSC trial exams, which conclude on Monday. Their return on Tuesday will see them take part in a “Retreat Reconnector” program during sport time. This is an opportunity for them to reflect on the work that they started in November last year and how that has contributed to their journey through Year 12. Thanks to Mrs Meharg, Mrs Pearce and the staff and students who will be involved in this program.

Whilst this time of the year is an important one for our senior students, there are also some important events and initiatives for our Junior cohort that occur at this time of the year. Next Wednesday (August 16) will see our Stage 5 Subject selection evening for 2024 take place. This will provide valuable information, particularly for Year 8 students going into Year 9 in 2024, with respect to their elective subjects. This will commence at 6.30pm and be held in the College Hall. Thanks to Ms Miller, Ms Toogood and the KLA Coordinators who have assisted in the preparation for this night. Next week will also see a number of students participate in the MISA Golf Championships (Wednesday), Stage 5 Visual Arts excursion (Thursday) and MISA Youth of the Year Public Speaking(Thursday). Again, thanks to all those staff and student.

As always, should you have any questions or suggestions about how we can continue to support your son or daughter with their learning or wellbeing, please contact your son or daughter’s Pastoral Advisor, Year Coordinator or the Front Office staff.