Dear Parents and Carers,

This newsletter is the third and final newsletter of Term 1, 2024. This year we moved to trialing 3 newsletters a term published each Week 2, Week 6 and Week 10 and we hope that this new schedule has worked for everyone. We will review this after Term 2 and make a decision as to whether to continue with the 3 per term or revert to a newsletter each fortnight.

It is hard to believe that our students have already completed a quarter of their school year, with Year 12 only having two terms to go before completing their schooling. The term has been a very full one, with the school participating in a number of significant events over recent weeks, including NAPLAN, Harmony Day, Year 6 Transition Programs and our Holy Thursday Easter Liturgy to name only a few. College Captains Dahlia Abbas, Mason Salvestro, Amilia Catanzariti and Nicholas Minato attended the Griffith Council Welcome for new student leaders earlier this year and received leader badges from Mayor Doug Curran. All Year 12 students have been busy organising fundraising events for students throughout the term while continuing to focus on their studies. It has been a long term but a highly productive one.

We farewell much loved teacher of Science Mr Gregory Webb who moves to Toowoomba with his family at the end of term and wish him all the best in this new stage of his life. We are looking forward to welcoming Ms Stephanie Carte (PDHPE) next term and are currently negotiating contracts with two teachers of science to join us a little later this year.

Assessment and Feedback

Week 11 includes opportunities for parents and carers to participate in parent/student/teacher conferences for Year 7-10 students. Based on feedback from parents, we have extended the interview time for zoom conversations to ten minutes. We also strongly encourage parents to use these interim conversations as opportunities to clarify or address any specific concerns they may have in a subject area or with assessment. There will be full school reports using a 5 point grade scale provided later in Term 2 followed by face to face parent teacher interview evenings with classroom and pastoral teachers. The Term 1 zoom conferences are only one of a number of reporting or feedback points during the year and the focus for this term centres on engagement, participation, motivation and organisation. We also encourage parents to continue to reach out throughout the year if there are any specific concerns or questions around your child’s learning.

MCC- Parent Advisory Council

The College has been blessed with a number of parents who have willingly given service and expertise to participate in the MCC College Advisory Council for a number of years. Outgoing members this year include Council Chair Mr Ralph Twaddell and Secretary Mr Anthony Salmon. We are very grateful to Ralph and Anthony for their generous service and excellent support to the school and community. We are also calling for nominations from parents who would be interested in participating on the advisory committee. Members usually volunteer for a period of 2-4 years. The MCC Council now meets 4 times a year, each Monday Week 6 at 6pm during term time with the AGM held in the Term 2 meeting. While the council meets in person, we will provide zoom options to allow more access and flexibility for members to attend in their busy lives. Please check the information provided for further details on the role of the Council and its members including nomination forms for those interested in volunteering their time.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12CChMdT3eAf_6XlSFvpz_Fs5Udi79YVR/view?usp=drive_link

School attendance

Schools, parents and students all have specific obligations regarding school attendance that are mandated by law in NSW. These laws cover students from the age of 6 until the age of 17 and/or the end of Year 10. The research clearly shows that the more years of formal education and training that students have, the better outcomes, employment and vocational opportunities are available to them throughout their life. Education provides students with new knowledge and perspectives, critical thinking, practical, creative and sporting life skills, personal growth, enhanced wellbeing, citizenship and social competencies. It is a fundamental human right for all children and young people and it is a very important component of developing equity and opportunities for all.

We know that sometimes some students struggle with attending school and encourage you to make contact with the school pastoral leaders if you are concerned about your child’s attendance. Please click on the link below for the CEDWW policy on School Attendance that provides further information on the responsibilities of schools and parents. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have a concern in this area regarding your child’s attendance and would like to work with us to address this.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12-nmlHhp8D7lkjfeIzDAQsIdPkD05T4W/view?usp=drive_link

Dr Penny Ludicke

Principal

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