Pastoral Academic Care (PAC) 

This fortnight we hear from Year 7, 9 and 11 PAC Leaders of Learning.  

Pastoral Academic Care (PAC) Focus - POSITIVE SELF-TALK

Well Being Element - Positive Emotion + gratitude

Character Strength - Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence

Parent Wellbeing:  Showing and having empathy for other peoples’ needs and feelings in our communities is the social glue that binds us together. We are hard wired to be at our best when working cooperatively with others to accomplish mutual goals. People feel valued when others show them empathy, which in turn, releases the powerful feel good brain chemical serotonin, which boost everyone’s wellbeing. Who showed empathy for you today? Acknowledgement: Rievich & Shatte

Year 7

Mrs Kath Czinner

Year 7 has had a busy Term 2 with plenty of firsts in the life of O’Connor. After an extended period of no formal testing due to COVID, our students sat the NAPLAN tests in Reading, Writing, Conventions and Numeracy. This is indeed a learning experience as the students gained experience and were guided in the expected ethics and behaviours when sitting for formal examinations. At all stages the students are encouraged to do their best. 

Congratulations to Year 7 on a fun and reverent Year 7 retreat. Students worked with Lasallian Youth Leaders, Lasallian Youth Ministers and each other to find out more about Catholic faith, each other and themselves. The retreat gave us an opportunity to meet other students in Year 7 and form new friendships.

The Athletics carnival was a highlight for our year group. The participation from the group was tremendous. The eagerness, determination and drive was evident as many crossed the finish line with pure exhaustion. The whole school showed house and school spirit in a fun filled day.

The Eisteddfod gave another opportunity for students to shine. The Drama group and Music groups participated with enthusiasm and were able to gain wonderful experiences. The Netball day was also a highlight with many of our students giving their best in a friendly competition. The Catholic schools Mass was celebrated together with many of our group sharing their talents.

As always we focus on our learning. This semester our teachers are to write the Semester reports. Students will be assessed on their approaches to learning, assessment of learning and the learning strategies demonstrated. 

Year 7 have been achieving some great things at O’Connor this Term, especially focusing on their learning. Well done to those students who have received commendation awards so far this term the awards will be given out at the end of the term in a dedicated Year meeting.

“ From little things , big things grow.”

Kath Czinner

Year 9

Mr Mark Fulloon

I would like to start with congratulating all of Year 9 with their work for their NAPLAN testing in Week 3. Students were organised and prepared for these tests and as a cohort demonstrated a high level of respect and cooperation in the test centre environment. Last Friday the O’Connor athletics carnival was held here at school and the whole school community came together to compete in their chosen track and field events. 

It was great to see students competing in their age and house groups to display their athletic talents. Year 9 had plenty of students competing on the day and some students went out of their way to represent their houses by competing in as many of the events as they could. It is always a great day and a good way to see students competing against one another and contributing to a larger school community event.

It now time for students to focus on their academic pursuits and work towards achieving their best in their chosen subjects. Teachers will be writing academic reports soon to indicate to parents and carers how their students are progressing in Semester 1 of their Stage 5 courses. I hope students continue to work to the best of their abilities in class and are also involved in as many opportunities that are presented to them here at school.

Mark Fulloon (On behalf of the entire Year 9 PAC Team).

Year 11

Miss Amanda Bell and Frank Patricks

Catholic Schools Week 

Year 11 were honored to attend this year's Catholic Schools Mass held at St Mary and St Josephs Cathedral. His Holiness Bishop Kennedy presided over the service, highlighting the wonderful achievements that Catholic schools have attained in the last year. Our wonderful students represented the College with maturity and respect, embracing the warmth of spirituality that was clearly evident during the service. The commitment to proudly express their faith was evident in song and their sound responses throughout the entire service. As parish members they instilled to the entire community how good it is to be a part of the O’Connor Cathollic College community. 

Reconciliation Week

 We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. Let us acknowledge the need for reconciliation in Australia. 

Reconciliation has elements of truth, justice, forgiveness, healing, reparation, and love.

Please watch the following clip ‘Took the Children Away’ By Archie Roach.

Supporting reconciliation means acknowledging the wrongs of the past and working to overcome the division (often called "the gap") and inequality between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Differences are biggest in health, income, living standards and life expectancy, but also prejudice and racism. Thank you to Mr Russell for his contribution here.

What's great about O’Connor?

Anonymous Year 11 Student

O'Connor Catholic College is a top notch school because the Principal is a well thought out woman who takes her time in making things the best she can. Another reason O’Connor is extraordinary is because the other students/teachers care for and appreciate the privileges that come from being an attendee at OCC. The ground is well kept from the groundsmen who nourishe the grass and plants around the school. One last thing is, it is an open school that does not discriminate against anyone no matter where you are from or your background.

Anonymous Year 11 Student

What I like about O’Connor is the community I’m in with, friendship groups to the year group and being able to have the feeling of being welcome to the school community. Most importantly, is the canteen as it is yum.

Anonymous Year 11 Student

Provides lots of different opportunities in a friendly environment with teachers who are there to motivate and offer assistance.  Lots of chances to go on excursions and attend events, such as show judging in Ag, and lots of clubs to join as well.

Anonymous Year 11 Student

After being at O'Connor for over 4 years now, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing most of the elective departments O'Connor has to offer and my favorite is the CAPA department. I’ve always been a dramatic child and being a part of both ‘Mary Poppins’ (2020) and ‘School Of  Rock’ (the current musical) have been two of the most amazing experiences. Not only have I been able to express myself as an individual, but I've made new friends and gained so many new skills while doing something I enjoy. I like that I can always count on the teachers throughout the school to care for my well-being and support me academically as a senior student. The teachers and peers at school are huge assets to our environment and I’m grateful for the community that has been created here at School. 

Where is this school life going?

Year 11, you are halfway through your second last year at school and in a very short time you will be representing the College as the Year 12 Senior Leaders and with this brings responsibility. All the students that are in younger years are looking up to you for guidance and leadership. They want to know and be shown how things are done to achieve the best outcomes for themselves. You, as a year group, have consistently shown you are more than capable of achieving great things. It is these great things that are seen by others. You have resources all around you to achieve the very best you are, make sure you access them and don’t forget if you need someone to talk to, speak up.

Dear Lord,

You have given Year 11 the opportunity to show the world what it means to be great. Allow Year 11 to walk in your footsteps and use every opportunity that is given to them to make this world a better place. Let them be brave enough to stare adversity in the eye and overcome their fears, as I know that because you are with Year 11, they can achieve what you have asked of Them without hesitation.

St Angela Merici…………. Pray for us

St John Baptist De La Salle…………… Pray for us

St Mary of the Cross Mackillop…………… Pray for us

Live Jesus in our hearts…………… Forever

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit   Amen.