Pastoral Bulletin
Welcome to Week 3 of Term 2 2023
General School News
- We hope you all enjoyed the long weekend and are ready for another great week!
- A big thank you to Margaret Marton and all those involved in our ANZAC Day Liturgy. It was a beautiful service, paying our respects to the fallen and those who have represented our country. A special mention to Brigadier Mansford for his ongoing contribution to our community.
- Thank you to all students and their families who attended the ANZAC Day dawn service.
- Good luck to all students competing in Tuesday's TCS Cross Country trial. This event will be hosted at St Mary’s. Great news for our athletes who have the home course advantage.
- Congratulations to students on a great start to Term 2 and adhering to uniform expectations. It is wonderful to look around and see students representing St Mary’s so well. High expectations don’t stop after the first two weeks and we encourage students to keep themselves looking sharp as the term progresses.
- This a reminder to all parents to please use the stop, drop and go when dropping off their student at school. There have been instances of parents parking in the bakery carpark opposite the school, disobeying the no-exit signs, and exiting onto the roundabout area, causing major safety issues.
- We are also experiencing similar concerns with the Trade Training Centre carpark. This carpark is only to be used for authorised vehicles; it should not be used as a drop off or pick up site.
- We thank Mrs Maddie Byrnes who is acting Head of Humanities for the next few weeks whilst Mrs Ross is acting Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning.
Regards,
Leah McBryde
Assistant Principal, Junior Years (7 - 9) | lmcbryde@cns.catholic.edu.au
Justin Brennan
Acting Assistant Principal, Senior Years (10 -12) | jbrennan2@cns.catholic.edu.au
Year 7
- Congratulations to the students who participated in the Cross Country, it was pleasing to see the high level of participation. Good luck to our representatives participating at the TCS Cross Country.
- A friendly reminder to check email correspondence detailing Sport & House uniform requirements for Year 7 as per the HPE department.
- Lastly, we would like to remind all students that it is important to respect each other, especially when interacting socially. Name calling or teasing no matter what the circumstances are, is not appropriate. These behaviours not only affect the emotional wellbeing of our learners, but increase the likelihood of escalating situations. These behaviours will result in consequences in accordance with policies.
Regards
Nathan Haydon
Head of Year 7
Year 8
- Year 8 camp was an amazing success! It was great to see students and staff having the opportunity to have fun and engage as a community.
- Congratulations to the SMCC winners going on to compete in the TCS Cross Country this Tuesday. Good luck!
- Thank you to students and families who attended the ANZAC Day dawn service.
- Assessment Planners have now been sent out to students and families. Please encourage your students to be proactive in their organisation. Student diaries are a great way of keeping a record of due dates, allowing parents to to check in with their students progress.
Regards
Andy Winter
Head of Year 8
Year 9
- Assessment planners have been distributed to students and families. I recommend students identify key information regarding assessment for each subject and write key dates into their student diaries. This assessment planner is also a great way for parents to check-in with their students regarding assessments and when they are due.
- Thank you to students and families who made it to the ANZAC Day Dawn Service. It was great to see students participating in community based activities and paying their respects.
- This term as part of our PG Challenges we will be creating door decorations. These door decorations will be a way for our PGs to showcase their house pride and earn points toward the end of term pizza party. Can’t wait to see what we come up with!
Regards
Saripha Curro
Head of Year 9
Year 10
- The feedback from the students in the Transition to Senior and Wellbeing survey has identified a number of topics that we, as a College, can speak to the students about. Last Thursday, our Careers Advisor, Rebecca Ambrose, spoke to the students regarding tips and tricks on how to find part time employment. This week, we have the Acting Assistant Principal - Curriculum (Janet Ross) and the Trade Training Centre Leader (Justin Brennan) introducing some of the key language used in senior schooling. In particular, Janet and Justin will be introducing the students to the concepts of a QCE and what ATAR and VET pathways are.
- There will be more detailed information shared and opportunities to engage in discussion with both students and parents regarding these important topics later in the year. However, I feel it is important for families to start to have discussions about what options are available at the end of Year 10. Below is a very simplistic overview of the options available for students. I hope that it is a useful conversation starter.
- Leave school, explore other study alternatives (eg. TAFE) or gain employment (job/apprenticeship).
- A university pathway (ATAR) - choosing subjects that will allow for students to enter university after successful completion of Year 12.
- A trade pathway (VET) - three days a week completing core subjects at school, one day a week doing a Trade Certificate and one day a week doing work experience.
- A combination pathway - Students complete the core subjects while also electing to take 1 or more VET Certificate. This option may impact ATAR eligibility and is approved on a case by case situation.
- Assessment planners have been emailed to both parents and students. I highly recommend printing the Year 10 document, highlighting the relevant assessment tasks and sticking it to the fridge for easy reference.
Regards
John Cahill
Head of Year 10
Year 11
- This Tuesday, the TCS Cross Country is taking place. Good luck to our year group age winners!
- Thank you to students and families who made it to the ANZAC Day Dawn Service. It was great to see students participating in community based activities and paying their respects.
- Assessment planners have been distributed to students and families. I would encourage students to identify key dates and make a note in their diaries or calendars. These assessment planners are also a great way for parents to check-in with their students regarding their progress and ability to meet deadlines.
- Our focus this term is Servant Leadership. It will start in SEL on Tuesday and continue for 2 more sessions; the aim is to get students to understand the concept of servant leadership, discuss qualities and leadership styles, hear about inspirational people, keeping in mind that applications for the yr12 captains and prefects positions will be due by the end of the term. More details about the process will be shared with students later on.
Regards
Sophie McQueen
Head of Year 11
Year 12
- Thank you to students and families who attended the ANZAC Day Dawn Service. It was great to hear of students participating in community based activities and paying their respects.
- Please be aware that this is a busy time for Year 12 with a number of assignments on the go and an end of Unit 3 Maths exam on Monday week 4. I encourage all students to plan their time well, to get enough sleep, to eat well and to exercise regularly.
- Thank you to those students who continue to set high standards for themselves by being on time, appropriately dressed and are respectful towards others.
Regards
Peter Vollugi
Head of Year 12