Dear parents, friends, staff and students,

This week’s Gospel (Matthew 23: 1-12) once again reminds us of the concept of servant leadership and equality amongst people. It follows from the readings last week where Jesus was challenged in an attempt to trick Him into making a political statement. Jesus’ criticism this week of the scribes and pharisees is not a reflection of their authority or guidance but is a question of their application. His message continually comes through that we must treat people with equal dignity and ensure that all are looked after and cared for. This notion compels us to continually think of those who may be less powerful or on the margins and consider how we, as a whole community, might cater for them. This definitely does not have an easy or simplistic answer but it should continue to be the basis for discernment and decision making. As I have stated in previous newsletters, the opening to the Gospel of St John – “In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God” (Sophos – wisdom) needs to sit with us in all that we do.

My apologies to all members of our community for the last-minute closure of the College last Tuesday. As you would now know, we became aware around 7 am that we had a total loss of power to the site following a severe storm during the early hours of the morning. We followed initial procedures to try to ascertain the length of time we would be without power and were told to prepare to be in blackout until 4pm. When we realised we would be without internet, servers, compass, air conditioning, lighting, emergency notifications (bells, sirens, alarms etc) and students would not be able to access Google classroom or any digital texts, the decision was taken to protect their learning and safety with the notification to parents. We even had difficulty opening the front gates and the students who remained at school told us that it was very difficult to use the toilets in the dark. This was not a decision taken lightly and one that I would not envisage likely to happen too often. Thank you for your flexibility on Tuesday and your understanding for an unusual event.

Next Friday and the following Monday the staff will be working on the new NESA syllabuses that will come into effect over the next few years. These planning days are allowed in each school to assist teachers in the development of meaningful programs as the new syllabuses are launched. Whilst each school is free to determine where they are best located, we have taken the approach that having them together in the middle of term four is not only the most appropriate for staff, but it also gives students an opportunity to stop and take a breath in the middle of a draining term. We will evaluate this timing after the event but if it proves opportune, we will place the same days onto next year’s calendar. With enough notice, families may also look to use this as a long weekend leading into the Christmas and end of year seasons.

Next Tuesday evening, November 7, we will be holding our final P&F meeting for 2024. As always, this is an opportunity to hear what has been happening at the College and become involved in discussions. The meeting will occur in room I3 (at the turning circle) and will begin at 7pm. I encourage parents to attend and be part of this meeting.

Ite in Veritate

Mr Steve Lo Cascio