Assistant Principal  -Curriculum

Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff, Students, and Friends,

In this edition of the College newsletter, I’ll show some photos of out new staff in action, followed by information about the new Stage 6 Commencement Evening.  Finally, I’ll update you on the changes to reporting this year.

New staff in action

Mr Gibney has officially welcomed our new staff at the first school assembly and in his newsletter article.  To complement this, I walked around the College on Wednesday this week and snapped a shot of them in action.

Ms Barnes in Yr 9 PDHPE

Miss Spelleken, Miss Goodchild and Mrs Henwood 

Mr Aarts with his Year 7 RE class

Mr McNamara

Ms Holmes in the library

Ms Johnson, working with Rhythm in Yr 7 Maths

Mr Towler in Year 7 HSIE

Mrs Sullivan working with Sophie in Year 9 PE

Mrs Hogan, with Michaela and Imogen in Year 8 Technology

I’d like to thank these wonderful new staff members for their enthusiasm, professionalism and hard work.  They have made a great start to the year.

Stage 6 Commencement Evening - Monday Week 5 Term 1

I know Mrs Galvin is writing about this in her section of this newsletter, so I’ll be brief.  We are re-inventing the normal Year 11 Assessment Evening this year.  Normally, students and parents/carers come in and are talked at for one hour on everything about Year 11.  This year, we are making it more interesting and engaging.  See this letter for details:

Letter to all Year 11 and Year 12 Students and Parents/Guardians

Subject: Invitation: Stage 6 Commencement Evening – Monday, Feb 23

Dear Year 11 and 12 Students, Parents, and Carers,

As we embark on the final and most significant chapter of secondary schooling, O’Connor Catholic College is proud to invite you to our Stage 6 Commencement Evening.

This event is designed to provide both students and their support networks with the essential tools, information, and connections needed to navigate the HSC journey successfully.

Event Details

• When: Monday, February 23
• Time: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
• Where: The Linkway and Drama Rooms

What to Expect

Rather than a traditional long-form presentation, the evening will be interactive. We will have six dedicated stations set up, featuring staff from a variety of departments and external pathways.

This is a fantastic opportunity to:

• Ask specific questions regarding curriculum and assessment.
• Discuss post-school pathways and career transitions.
• Connect with key staff members who will be supporting your student over the next two years.

5:30 pm – 6:00 pm: University & Pathways Fair (The Linkway)

Explore six interactive stations featuring representatives from various institutions and support services. This is your time to ask questions about early entry, courses, and apprenticeships.

• University of New England (UNE)
• University of Newcastle
• Southern Cross University
• Charles Sturt University
• Busy at Work (Apprenticeship Support provider)

• TAFE NSW

   

6:00 pm – 6:15 pm: Concurrent Information Sessions

We will transition into the Drama Rooms for two targeted presentations:

6:15 pm – 6:30 pm: Mingling & Follow-up

The evening will conclude with a chance to revisit the stations in the Linkway, follow up with staff, and chat with other families.

We look forward to seeing you there and working together to ensure a successful year for our Year 11 and 12 students.

Yours sincerely,

Rachael Galvin: Leader of Student Pathways

Stephen Chapman: Assistant Principal - Curriculum 

Reporting Changes

We have been getting feedback on reports every year, and we reflect on our practice annually.  This year, we have decided for Years 7 to 10 that there will be a form of reporting each term (either conferences/interviews or a written report).  This decision is to allow more connection between home and school and to provide students and parents/carers with more feedback.  Here’s the plan:

Reporting For Years 7 to 10, 2026

Term 1 Weeks 8 and 9:  Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences 7-10 (No written reports)

Term 2 Week 10:  Formal Written reports

Term 3 Week 4/5:  Year 10 Transition to Stage 6 Interviews

Term 3 Weeks 8 and 9: Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences 7-9 (No written reports)

Term 4 Week 10: Formal Written Reports

We feel that this plan will suit home and school better than two traditional reporting sessions (written report with conferences once a year after the Sem 1 reports).

Year 11 and Year 12 reporting has not changed significantly.  We have added conferences for Week 3 of Term 4 as the Year 11’s begin their HSC work.

Year 11 and Year 12 Reporting 2026

Early in Term 2: Written Reports go home

Term 2 Week 7:  Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences Years 11-12

End of Term 3:  Written reports for Yr 12

Start of Term 4:  Written reports for Yr 11

Term 4 Week 3:  Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences Years 11

In addition to these changes, we have extended the Stage 6 style of written reports to Year 9 and 10.  So, all students in Year 9 to Year 12 will get marks and ranks for each assessment task (typically one each term) along with a comment on each report.  Year 7 and 8 students will get the traditional reports with Approaches to Learning and a Grade.

Thank you all for your continued support of our wonderful college.

Best regards,

Mr Stephen Chapman

Assistant Principal - Curriculum

Never stop learning; for when we stop learning, we stop growing  - Jack Lewman