Principal's Address
The end of Term 2 offers students an opportunity to reflect on their academic performance in Semester 1. Reports will be released via Compass to indicate a students’ learning habits thus far in each course. We encourage parents to also use the Canvas platform to see the work submitted by students during the semester and the specific feedback given by teachers to improve their learning. As always, our aim is for all students to maximise their participation and engagement in learning to help them grow toward their highest personal standard.
This term has also seen students shine through their involvement in extra-curricular activities. The College’s teams have enjoyed significant state or regional success in the:
- UN Youth Regional Conference
- Rotary and University of Newcastle Science and Engineering Competition
- Schools Cup NSW Senior Boys AFL Competition
- Basketball NSW Opens Boys State Finals
The diligence of these teams reflects the College’s broader development of a culture where every student strives to contribute, learn and achieve together. We congratulate them on their success. We also wish our Senior Boys and Senior Girls well in the Football NSW Futsal State Championships and our Junior and Senior Girls’ Netball teams well in the upcoming NSWCCC Netball Championships.
In addition, the generosity of our College community has been evident in recent weeks. Staff and students’ support of the St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal, including our ‘freeze out’ last Friday, was impressive. The initial fundraising for Ronald McDonald House and support of Pat Umback in Year 7 has also demonstrated what we can achieve when we selflessly commit to kindness and support of others in our community. We commend everyone who has contributed through their organisation, kind words and donations.
The College has also been busy planning for 2027. Staff have been indicating their intentions for next year and our Year 11 students are being encouraged next week to consider their potential as our next cohort of student leaders. Every student can contribute positively to the life of the College and act as an exemplar to others by focusing on service, attendance, effort and virtue.
The leadership qualities we discuss with Year 11 are exemplified in the life of Jesus, and the recent Feast of the Sacred Heart, on the 12th of June, was a reminder to us all of His divine love and sacrifice.
As Pope Francis wrote in his encyclical, Dilexit Nos in 2024:
living as we do in an age of superficiality, rushing frenetically from one thing to another without really knowing why, and ending up as insatiable consumers and slaves to the mechanisms of a market unconcerned about the deeper meaning of our lives, all of us need to rediscover the importance of the heart.
The feast of the Sacred Heart and the recent efforts of our students reminds us that the Word of God is alive in our community and that it remains at the core of what we do.
Finally, we wish all of our families the best for the last week of Term 2 and for the upcoming school holidays. Staff and students return for Term 3 on Monday, 20th of July. We extend our thanks for the efforts of Term 2, hope for a restful break and look forward to renewed focus and purpose in Term 3.
Mr Shaun Ellis | Acting Principal