From the Principal Leader
Dear staff, students, parents and carers,
We have all enjoyed a very positive start to Term 3 where the college has been alive with a wonderful high energy. The Year 12 students have been working hard completing their courses and revising in preparation for the HSC Trials starting next week. I am extremely proud of their focus to succeed and perform to the best of their ability whilst rallying to support one another. I am constantly reinforcing the theme “Better Together’ to encourage them to know they are not alone with the unwavering support of their teachers, families and peers. Their ability to know that whilst this important exam will form the final part of their HSC assessment, it will also provide essential feedback about the content areas that still require further development and the final precision on question deconstruction and response skills. Year 12 2025 are an incredible cohort that show a wonderful spirit of fun and enthusiasm whilst never losing the focus on their achievements in the HSC. The year group has remained settled despite the fact that we have moved the West Wing in preparation for our new building which will commence towards the end of Term 4 2025. Year 12, you are ready for this next stage and I am confident you will give your best effort and remain open to learning further in these final stages towards the HSC in October. Ladies, in the spirit of courage modelling Caroline Chisholm, give it everything you’ve got !
We are reminded of the power of courage in Joshua 1:9, where God speaks directly to Joshua as he prepares to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." – Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Courage is not simply the absence of fear, but the strength to move forward in the presence of it—trusting that God is with us. Joshua faced a daunting task, stepping into leadership after Moses and leading people into unfamiliar and potentially dangerous territory. Yet God's reassurance—His constant presence—was the foundation of Joshua's courage.
Best wishes to Year 12 2025 for your HSC Trial exams on behalf of the CCC community.
HSC Dance and Drama Showcase
Last Monday 28th July our HSC Dance and Drama students showcased their practical performances to their families, staff and friends in our Performance Space at the college. This year the students demonstrated an exceptional level of skill and a passion for both Dance and Drama as their HSC subject. The creative expression is always outstanding and this year the students did not disappoint.
I would like to commend all students for their commitment and dedication to these demanding courses, as well as their ability to work in positive partnership with their teachers Mrs Brooke Hughes (Dance) and Mr Louis Cassel (Drama) along with their peers in group performances. Your standard is most impressive and you now have a few remaining weeks to apply the final feedback you have received from your teachers, peer coaches, visiting teachers and of course your class/workshop peers. I am confident that you will all now refine your performance into a final performance that is truly reflective of your exceptional ability and skill for the HSC external markers. Having viewed your performances, we are all confident that you will continue to apply your feedback in order to bring your absolute best performance on HSC marking day and we wish you all the very best as you prepare for this.
Finally I would like to acknowledge the following Chisholm students from Year 9 and 10 who performed dances choreographed by our Year 12 Dance students: Alyssa Judd, Ava Abaraca, Alyssa Darroch, Zara Baulman, Olivia Francica, Lillie Smith, Mackenzie Clarke, Yvette Naudi and Brodie Wall. All of these young ladies have given up much of their own personal time to support our Year 12 students in the HSC Dance course and presented the choreographed work in a polished form to an excellent standard. Thank you on behalf of the Year 12 Dance class, Mrs Hughes, and the Chisholm community.
The HSC Drama students attended a workshop with HSC Drama students from schools across the Parramatta Diocese in Week 10 of last term organised by Beth Rosser (Drama Expert teacher, CAPTIVATE CSPD Team). This was an opportunity to gain constructive feedback from HSC drama students and teachers from a range of schools. This was an outstanding learning and growth experience for our Chisholm girls who were open to feedback on how to further improve their group performance in the lead up to HSC markers coming into the college to assess them in the coming weeks. I would like to extend my gratitude to Mr Louis Cassel (HSC Drama Teacher) and Georgia Willett (Drama tutor) who have worked tirelessly to ensure our students are always looking for creative and innovative ideas to further tweak their performance so they are able to truly shine and excel for their HSC performance. Your passion and dedication to our Chisholm girls will ensure they are confident and well prepared for both their individual and group performances. Special mention and commendation to Mia Kuster for her Video Drama titled ‘Vanishing Voices’ and Gia Alvarez for her Video Drama titled ‘Transendencia’ which were both truly intriguing, breathtaking cinematography and challenging in their themes. I am very proud that you have both taken up the challenge of creating such difficult yet exceptional bodies of work for your HSC Drama assessment. Huge shout out to Mrs Woods for her amazing assistance on the evening back stage, and our fabulous IT TECH team Mr Mathew Beatty and Mr John Pascacio for your wonderful support with lighting and sound expertise making everything spectacular for the performers and audience. Our thanks and appreciation to Mrs Sara Lemaire for your constant support as a co-drama teacher , Mrs Belinda Pranjic (Creative Arts Leader) and the Creative Arts team members for your constant support, care and guidance to the staff and students
I would like to congratulate the HSC 2025 Drama and Dance classes and their teachers Mr Cassel and Mrs Hughes for your outstanding efforts, dedication and high level performances. I hope you will be able to maintain your commitment and efforts over the coming weeks as the HSC marking days draw closer. We have every faith in you that you will continue to grow and remain open to final feedback to enable you to peak in your HSC practical performance. Congratulations and best wishes as you continue working diligently towards your end goal of achieveing personal exellence in the HSC.
OUR LEARNING GOALS
During the last 2 years it has been our college priority to focus on student learning growth and improvement across all year groups 7-12. The introduction of the Student Learning Performance (SLP) has assisted students and teachers in assessing learning growth across the 5 areas that reflect dimensions of learning that assist students know that their organisation, management of learning, ability to work both independently and in teams, and competition of their Learning Preparation (LP previously ‘homework’), are all aspects of their learning that they have control over. I am pleased that students are using their SLP areas when they assess their own progress across all courses and are affirmed with merit points when progress growth occurs.
As a staff, our professional learning about effective explicit instruction, feedback and cognitive load has empowered the staff in each Key Learning Area (KLA) to develop a key focus that promotes high quality teaching and learning, with a clear focus on each student's learning growth. LP is work completed after class that prepares a student for the next learning session rather than simply completing classwork. It is in this way that every student should come to class with a readiness to be stretched and challenged to grow further. Teachers are focused on not making the learning too easy, as this does not lead to growth. It is when we take the girls into learning that may challenge and stretch them that will allow them to experience further growth. This visualisation shows the phases of learning and ultimately we would like our girls to experience learning that takes them into the Learning Zone, or technically known as the zone of proximal development. When students work in the Learning Zone they proceed to the Growth Zone. Teachers are always discerning that learning is not too easy, and that cognitive load is ‘chunked’ so students can process this and not be too overwhelmed by the learning experience, before they move on to new learning in the lesson/s. As a college, we are encouraging our students to complete Learning Preparation and form good learning habits from Year 7. Your ongoing support on this is greatly appreciated to ensure your daughter is well prepared for her next day of learning and is able to be stretched to grow further in all courses.
BEST WISHES FOR YOUR HSC TRIAL EXAMS YEAR 12 2025
As you approach your HSC Trial Examinations, I want to acknowledge the dedication, perseverance, and resilience you have all shown throughout your senior years especially. These upcoming exams are an opportunity to demonstrate the depth of your learning to date, and to refine your preparation for the final HSC exams in October. Remember that success is not defined solely by a mark, but by the courage you show in striving for your personal best. Trust in the hard work you’ve done thus far, lean on your teachers and each other, and take care of your wellbeing. We are proud of you and believe in all that you can achieve. Go forward with confidence Year 12 2025 - you are simply the best and you've got this!
PRAYERS FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNWELL
Our continued prayers for staff and students in our Chisholm community who are experiencing health challenges at the moment. We ask for God’s divine healing and strength at this time our staff, students and families.
Thank you for your continued support and positive communication.
May the presence of the Holy Spirit be with you, always keeping you safe in God’s care.
I look forward to seeing you all at the Year 7-10 Awards Ceremony next week in our beautiful Performance Centre on Tuesday 5th August commencing 8:45am.
Mrs Tania Cairns
Principal Leader