Principal's Message

Interim Reports

The College Interim Reports for all students are now being compiled and a staggered timeline for their distribution has been set to coincide with respective Parent Teacher Student Interviews (PTSI). In the last week, the Year 11 and 12 Interim Reports were made available via SEQTA prior to the ‘face to face’ PTSI that were held on Wednesday evening. It was wonderful to see the large number of parents in attendance with their sons, taking the opportunity to sit with their son’s teachers and engage in sincere and focussed conversation about progress and achievement. Similarly, the Interim Reports for Years 4 - 10 will be released in the final week prior to the term break and well ahead of the ‘face to face’ PTSI scheduled for Monday, 28 April. Details of these Interviews, and specific instructions on how to book particular interview times will be sent to parents with the Interim Reports.  Once again, these PTSI present a wonderful opportunity for parents to engage with the College and further discuss aspects of their son’s learning and progress.

I would encourage parents to put some time aside to engage with your son and genuinely analyse the ‘story within’ the Interim Reports. While mindful that only limited amounts of formal assessments have been completed at this early stage of the year, the Interim Report gives a snapshot on student progress to date. Based on the professional judgement of respective teachers, and guided by class performance to this point, the Interim Report presents a picture of a student’s application, effort and general organisation.

It may be very timely for parents to sit with their son to discuss all aspects of their Interim Report. Such a discussion can be used to celebrate those areas in which effort and achievement are positive; and likewise, to highlight those areas in which improvements need to be made. The analysis of reports should be used as the basis for meaningful discussions about establishing consistent and genuine levels of application with a view to achieving personal excellence at school. The Interim Report is less about recording achievement (Marks and Grades), and more about presenting a picture of consistent effort and attitude to class work with a view to forming a positive and successful approach to studies. Striving for ‘their personal best’ should be the aim of every student and fully appreciating what is required in order to improve, in terms of work habits and application, will be very helpful in this regard.

I am sure that as parents, you would have similar expectations of your son. It is vitally important that an organised approach to study, a positive attitude and genuine levels of application and commitment are established as the basis for student achievement. Once again, I would encourage parents to use their child’s Interim Report as a means by which to acknowledge and affirm areas of success and achievement while challenging ways in which further improvements can be made. 

Live Jesus in our hearts.

Mr Darren O’Neill 

Principal