Dear parents, friends, staff and students,

In this week’s Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20), Jesus asks Peter; “Who do you say I am?” Peter responds without hesitation and does not give a long winded or complicated answer. He says simply “You are the Christ”. The title ‘Christ’ comes from the Greek word Christos (originally Hebrew ‘Messiah’) meaning the ‘anointed one’. Peter recognised that Jesus was God and was prepared to say this loudly to those around him. I have regularly spoken to students and staff and explained that one of the main aims or our college is to be Christ-centred. This means that we should place Jesus at the middle of our thoughts and actions and should consider His values in all our dealings with others. It would be interesting for each of us to look into our hearts and consider what we would say if Jesus were in front of us and asked, “who do you say I am?”. Would our answer be vague or ambiguous or would we be prepared, like Peter, to say loudly and without hesitation that Jesus is our saviour?

On Monday this week, we named the SRC students from Year 11 who will take over at the end of this term. Congratulations to the following students who have accepted a leadership role.

In the next few weeks, we will run a leadership day with these students and from that, we will confirm our college captains and various portfolios.

Earlier this week our HSC Industrial Technology - Timber students submitted their major works for marking. This process involves external markers coming to the College to inspect the student’s work and their folios. Congratulations to the timber students who now have part of their final HSC exams completed.

On Thursday, I met with our project managers and facilities staff from Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) for our regular project meeting, to discuss the major building program. I am pleased to confirm that we will soon take occupancy of the new senior girl’s toilets at the back of the property. This will enable us to re-arrange the amenities blocks to separate the senior and junior boys’ toilets. The intention is for the junior boys to take over the current senior girls, so that there will be both boys’ and girls’ toilets in the centre and at the back of the property. A soon as this can happen, we will inform the community.

At the same meeting, the builders have confirmed that we are on track to take possession of the new STEM block in early February. This is an exciting stage in the College history, and I encourage the students to look at the build from J block and the ovals and to ask me any questions they may have.

Recently we became aware that one of our families lost all of their possessions in a fire. The P&F have requested that I include the link to a GoFundMe page where community members might make a donation. Please find the link here should you wish to support this family as they try to recover from this tragedy.

On September 4, we will hold a small Father’s Day breakfast similar to the gathering we held for Mother’s Day. This will be before school on the Monday to avoid any possible clashes with our local primary schools. Please keep an eye out for the invitation.

Ite in Veritate

Mr Steve Lo Cascio