Assistant Principal -

Wellbeing

A new year, a new beginning,

What a start to 2023! It was with such excitement we welcomed everyone to the school year. Our year 7 students arrived looking very excited to get involved in this next step of their learning, all smiles and ready to get to work. The Student Leadership Team have been busy welcoming back everyone, creating a great sense of community and belonging, running assemblies and being active in the opening school mass. And that was just week 1.

Last night, despite the weather, we found ourselves down at the pool cheering on our houses and creating a great sense of atmosphere at the swimming carnival. The participation across the events was remarkable. Students were keen to get involved and to celebrate each other's efforts. The day kicked off with a true sense of atmosphere, the year 12 students arrived early to decorate the Quad with streamers and chalk art everywhere and then encouraged everyone to get involved. There was a real sense of a community party about the school all day, there was music playing, dancing happening and lots of laughter everywhere you turn. The house spirit was well and truly alive with the war cries at Break A. A big congratulations has to go out to the House Captains, the Student Leadership team and all senior students who helped create a true sense of community.

This year we have had some changes to our Pastoral system and the way we start our day here at school. This move has been made after listening to lots of feedback from our students around the challenges of creating a sense of belonging to the school community and their sports houses since covid. Every senior student that was interviewed for a leadership position mentioned a need to build and foster a sense of house spirit. So in listening to this we have moved PAC into houses for each morning. I believe we witnessed the beginning of a sense of belonging yesterday, the amount of red, yellow, green and blue witnessed as we moved around the school and the sense of participation. I am excited to see where we go as a community with this move, how strong we identify as being part of not just O’Connor but of a House as well.

Many students have made a strong start to the year. There is a real sense of energy and engagement as I visit classrooms. Our teachers are beginning to embrace team and co-teaching in many faculties and as such we are seeing a shift from rows of desks to real collaborative spaces. This shift allows students to discuss their learning, deepening their connection and understanding of the content. There is nothing more exciting than seeing students talking together, challenging each other's thinking and also helping others to develop their understanding.

As of next week there will be a focus on making a positive start to learning. Our PAC teachers will be working with students to make sure that they have all the necessary tools ready for learning. I encourage you to support us in this by reminding your child to have a charged device and pens for school. We will also be looking at all things uniform. Our college expectations are clearly stated in the student diaries and all PAC teachers have gone through these with their classes last week. I thank you in advance for your support in this matter.

Things to be aware of over the coming weeks:

WEEK 3

Year 7 Transition to High School testing will be conducted online during morning classes

School photos this Thursday - all students are to be in summer uniform.

WEEK 4

20/2 - Year 7 Parent evening (more details to follow)

23/2 - Year 8 Retreat

24/2 - Year 10 Retreat

Looking forward to a busy and engaging year,

Mellissa Bell

Assistant Principal - Curriculum (Acting)