Principal's Report
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we come to the end of Term 3, I have been reflecting about learning, COVID and life (the big ideas!) and looking to plan for 2021. I was drawn to quote from an Emily Dickinson poem used by a speaker in a webinar I attended -
‘Forever – is composed of Nows –
‘Tis not a different time –’
It also brought to mind this part of Matthew’s Gospel (6:34), not the most inspiring or positive piece of scripture but one that has real relevance to our community today -
‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. ...
Each day has enough trouble of its own.’
Often in education we get caught up in preparing students for the future, and sometimes forget to focus on the now. We talk about preparing them for careers, for life, for society, when in fact they are living in it, in the here and now. Education should not focus solely on the future. The future ‘is composed of Nows’. We do this by asking and listening to our students’ needs. True student voice affects the way we do things, it is not a tokenistic approach that asks them about issues such as uniform or the canteen offerings. Student voice is rich and valuable when it is about learning, the way they learn and what they need to move their learning forward.
Learning conversations are the basis of our interactions with our students. At O’Connor learning encompasses our faith learning, academic learning and wellbeing. Without listening to our students, we cannot know what their needs are and how we can best support them to meet these needs.
Many of you will know these questions -
They are on the wall in my office, they form the basis of our Student Led Conferencing and our goal setting activities. Our aspiration is to know, understand and value each student, their strengths and goals. Knowing their ‘now’ and collectively and collaboratively enhancing their learning. This will mean that no matter what pathway they take they will have the capacity and the skills needed to succeed.
Year 12
Our Year 12s head into their last two weeks of formal schooling and I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate them on all they have achieved over their whole schooling life. COVID 19 has definitely thrown a curve ball at them and I have been incredibly honoured to watch them navigate and confront this challenge. The students have been working well after trials, completing coursework and consolidation of their skills and knowledge. Now is the time students can make a big difference to their final mark. The students need to work consistently and strive for achieving the best learning they can.
Congratulations to our Textiles and Design, Design and Technology, Science Extension, and Visual Arts students who have completed and submitted their major works. Major works involve determination, resilience and persistence. A huge amount of work! Well done everyone including their amazing teachers Mrs Channon, Mr Hawthorne, Mr Powers, Ms Frazier and -Mrs Wooster. Good luck to our students who have HSC performance and oral exams coming up including French and Music students.
Our end of Year 12 ceremonies will look different this year but still recognise and acknowledge all students and their contributions to our learning environment and broader community. Our Year 12 Final Assembly will be held on Friday 25th September at 12 noon and will be live streamed to the community. We hope that many of you can join us for this important event.
Year 11
Year 11 begin exams this week and continue into next week. This is a time for them to see how they are going in their learning and get specific feedback in relation to areas to improve as they begin their HSC studies in Term 4. I wish them well with their studies.
What new learning will you undertake this week?
Regina Menz
