Principal's Report
Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome to 2020! 20:20 Win:Win - what a great theme for our new year. A big welcome to all new parents and carers to our school. We are so pleased to have so many of you become part of our community, a community ‘Founded on Faith, Focused on Learning.’
Education Vision 2020
Our educational vision for 2020 continues to grow our culture where learning is at the centre of all we do. On our first day our staff reflected on the following statements:
Shared Beliefs and Understanding
a All students can achieve high standards given the right time and the right support
b All teachers can teach to high standards given time and the right assistance
c High expectations and early and ongoing intervention are essential
d All leaders, teachers, and students can articulate what they do and why they lead, teach, and learn the way they do.
(Sharratt and Fullan 2012 - Parameter 1)
And
Shared Responsibility and Accountability
Everyone is responsible and accountable for every learner within and across schools.
Everyone sees themselves as responsible for achieving the goals and accountable for the learning that results from their implementation.
Intentional procedures and processes encourage system and school-wide shared responsibility and ownership for student learning.
(Sharratt and Fullan 2012 - Parameter 14)
Every student growing their learning every lesson, every day, every year. Teachers working collaboratively to enhance the learning for all. High expectations for every member of our community- students, staff, and families with the right support. Everyone in the community being able to talk about what they do and why they do it. We all have shared responsibilities and accountabilities - students, teachers, staff and parents. It needs all of us to work together to attain our vision:
Our vision is a faith filled Catholic Professional Learning Community, founded on faith & focused on learning, working collaboratively to enhance the learning for all, resulting in students who are creative, confident and informed people ready to make a real difference in our world. We believe that everyone can learn, not always at the same time or in the same way, and we strive to create learning opportunities for all.
Our Annual Improvement Plan sets out our goals to achieve this vision.
Leaders Cross and Dux 2019 Ceremony
On Friday 31st January, we held a beautiful Leaders Cross Ceremony (in the Gym because we can no longer fit in the Chapel). The Student Leaders for 2020 announced the theme for 2020 ‘20:20 Win:Win’.
The Dux for 2019 HSC Class was also announced. I have included part of my speech from the ceremony that includes many of the highlights from the HSC Class of 2019:
The HSC class of 2019 achieved excellent results showing learning growth across their years of schooling. As a cohort they displayed resilience, self reflection and the ability to own their learning. They worked collaboratively with dedicated teachers to enhance the learning of everyone and achieve their individual learning goals. I would like to congratulate the students, the teaching staff and all staff who worked with diligence and commitment to achieve the best learning outcomes for all. Here are some of the highlights from the year:
Overall there were 13 band 6's (or equivalent) including:
Nicholas Andrews Band 6 in Business Studies
Elsbeth Rathborne Band 6 in Music 1
Chyna Smith Band 6 in Mathematics Standard 2
Isabelle Stoessel Band 6 in French Beginners
Kaitlynn Turley Band 6 in Visual Arts
Olive Tutt Year 11 Student - accelerated in Mathematics. Band 6 result Mathematics and Band 5 Mathematics Extension 1
Meg Lye Band 6 result in English Advanced, Band 5 Results in Chemistry, Modern History, Mathematics, Mathematics Extension 1 and Studies of Religion II
ATAR 92.85
Maria Alkhouri Band 6 results in English Advanced, English Extension 1, Modern History and Visual Arts. Band 5 results English Extension 2 and Studies of Religion II
ATAR 94.85
And It is with great pleasure that I announce the Dux for 2019 - Aiden Wicks.
Aiden attained an ATAR of 96.15. He achieved Band 6 results in English Standard, Mathematics Extension 1 and Mathematics Extension 2. Band 5 results in Chemistry and Modern History.
Throughout the HSC Aiden showed a determination to learn and made the most of the learning opportunities presented. He was proactive in his learning, always asking questions and seeking to more fully understand difficult concepts. Aiden was collaborative in his approach to learning, he always helped others with their learning, explaining concepts to others in his classes, helping everyone to achieve their personal best.
Not only did he achieve outstanding academic results, he also immersed himself fully in the life of the College. He was the 2019 Merici House Captain, and was active in the sports arena in particular hockey. Aiden is an outstanding young person who shows maturity of thought and qualities that will continue to flourish in whatever Aiden sets his mind to in the future. I wish him well and every success.
I congratulate Aiden Wicks and the HSC class of 2019. O’Connor is founded on faith and focused on learning. 20:20 Win:Win
Welcome to New Staff
We have had a number of new staff join us this year and I look forward to working with them:
Annabel Cullen - Educational Assistant
Shane McCann - Science, TAS, Maths Teacher
Jessica Molkentin- Educational Assistant
Taryn Ramage - La Sallian Youth Minister
Cherie Stoessel - Leader of Learning (HSIE)
We also welcome back - Bryan Allerton - Science Teacher; Phoebe Biddle - Educational Assistant; Caroline Chapman - Publicity and Library Officer; Ross Conlon - Teacher; Stephen Kirkaldy - English/HSIE Teacher; Dell Smidt - PDHPE Teacher and Renee Russell - Educational Assistant.
There have been a number of changes to our leaders in the school. Below is a list of responsibilities for your information:
Pastoral Academic Care Leaders:
Year 7 Kath Czinner/James Russell
Year 8 Katie Biddle
Year 9 Lloyd Honnery
Year 10 Peter McLeish
Year 11 Mark Fulloon
Year 12 Vicki Channon
Leaders of Learning
Curriculum Eli Simpson
English Michael Wooster
Maths Stephen Chapman
HSIE Cherie Stoessel
Science Dan Fittler
TAS Jon Hawthorne
PDHPE Camilla Clydsdale
CAPA Melita Roache
VET Glenn Watson
Enrichment Jenny Roff
ICT Mark Harris
Student Support Katie Biddle
Leadership Team
Principal Regina Menz
Assistant Principal (Mission) Damian Roff
Assistant Principal (Learning) Eli Simpson
LOL (PAC&Wellbeing) Mellissa Bell
At the end of last year, Yolanda Kreuzen resigned to take up a new position at The Armidale School. I thank Yolanda for all her work at O’Connor and wish her well in her new position. Elitia Parry will be taking a year’s leave commencing on 24th February. I wish Elitia well for 2020 and look forward to her return in 2021.
Once again welcome to 2020 school year - 20:20 Win:Win
What new learning will you undertake this week?
Regina Menz