Assistant Principal -
Wellbeing

Mrs Mellissa Bell

What a busy start to the year we have had here at school. Between our Dux and Cross Mass, Ash Wednesday and a swimming carnival, we have welcomed our new Principal, Phillip Gibney and over 100 year 7 students and many others across the year groups to our community this year. It is such a privilege to be part of a growing school community, one founded on our rich Catholic faith, but also very much centred on learning.

We have begun teaching in all areas of our new building, with the undercroft becoming eight learning spaces as we begin the refurbishment of the Angela building. I have spent the last three weeks in awe of the number of students who have willingly assisted me in setting up spaces, packing up books from our library, conducting chair audits and helping place desks etc into storage. It has been (and believe me, continues to be) a huge task, but we are definitely able to say we are almost ready for the builders to come and recreate learning spaces that meet the needs of modern learners.

Our student leadership team has announced their theme for 2024 -

They have set the challenge to all of us to take these four key words and see how we can fulfill them as members of the school community. They have continued to pose the question - “How will you finish this year off with a BANG?”

This week they have created an opportunity for us to celebrate Valentine's Day, and in doing so have continued to work on house and school culture. Many of our new students have been able to get involved in such activities, helping them to feel connected and foster a sense of belonging to the O’Connor family.

And this is just the beginning….

Things we have planned to help continue to build and foster our community over coming weeks include:

February 19 - Year 11 evening - with a focus on assessment and learning

February 20 - 23 - Retreat experiences with our LYL’s and La Salle faith formation team for yr7-9

February 26 - A Community Engagement Evening - where we warmly invite all families to come to the College from 5:30 - 7:30 for a BBQ and social gathering. This is a great opportunity to meet staff and other parents, to walk through some of the facilities, to perhaps join in some House games. Our School Advisory Council will have information available to those who may be interested in getting involved. We will have some information stalls for Compass support. Come and sit under the elms and listen to some music.

February 27 & 28 - Tutankhamun Roadshow

I am excited to see what 2024 brings and how we can work together to continue to build on the strong culture of this College.