Principal's Report
Dear parents, friends, staff and students,
Welcome back to 2024.
This week’s Gospel (Mark 1:29-39) finishes off with the statement:
“‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils”.
Each week as I prepare the newsletter, I read the following Sunday’s Gospel and readings to see if there is a message that speaks to me at that moment. Sometimes, the message is broad but clear. At other times it can be obscure and deeper reflection is required. In reading the scripture slowly a number of times, we are praying using a form referred to as Lectio Divina (divine reading). This allows the spirit to speak to us with a message that we might need at that point in time. In doing this, the quote above jumped out at me. It ties into my message to the students at our first assembly.
We begin each year at the first College assembly with a theme that I ask the staff and students to carry throughout the next 12 months. These themes are designed around improvement in each of us as individuals and how we think or function with those around us. Over the past few years, I have asked students to ‘find their spark’, to ‘develop routines’ or to ‘build a growth mindset’. In 2024, our theme is “get off the couch and get into the game”. This theme is based on a similar phrase said by Pope Francis at the 2016
World Youth Day and has become so important in modern times as students become absorbed into being spectators in their own lives. Our theme is designed to encourage students to make an active choice to put effort into their studies, sport, relationships, faith or whatever their goal may be. The theme was highlighted with the couch on the stage. This couch has been placed into the College library and every student has been encouraged to physically sit on the couch and then to make a deliberate (more so metaphorical) decision to ‘get up’. I will refer to this theme throughout the year and ask parents to discuss with your children how they might be more active in improving their own lives in a positive way. Just as Jesus “went all through Galilee preaching” we also need to go out and get involved.This week we welcomed our new Year 7 students and a number of new members of other years. These students will now experience the true meaning of belonging to the College community. I have asked the rest of the community to extend the welcome and assist them where possible. We also welcome a number of staff who will join us in 2024. Welcome to: Mr Jack Brown (HSIE), Ms Caprice Fishburn (Sci), Mr Benjamin Lange (Maths Coord), Mr Joel Martin (SSO), Mr Peter Pullicino (SSO), Mr Tasmyn Reynolds (SSO), Ms Rachael Shakespeare (HSIE), Mr Matthew Siamondo – (Sci), Ms Leah St Clair (HSIE) & Mr Chris Whicker (Admin Coord).
We also have a number of teachers returning or changing roles for this year:
Ms Taylah Belgre (HSIE), Ms Clare Dyer (TAS), Ms Jaysmine Frascella (TAS- term 1), Ms Mary Jackson (SSO), Ms Tara Pontin (Assist PDHPE & sport first 3 weeks), Mr William Taylor (Eng/RE term 1), Mr David Teuma (LOL Curric – Admin), Miss Bec Toogood (Acting PC) and Mr Adam Withnall (Acting Yr 7 Coord).
We welcome all of these new members to our community and thank them for making the decision to join us.
Next week we will host our High Achievers’ Assembly which recognises the notable results for the HSC class of 2023. In the next newsletter we will again acknowledge many of these.
