Pastoral Academic Care (PAC) 

Junior: FUN AND LAUGHTER

Senior: HUMOUR

Wellbeing Element: Accomplishment + optimism

Character Strength: Bravery

Parent Wellbeing: having a purpose is the difference between getting by and making a life for yourself every day. It offers you fulfilment and the drive to succeed because you care about something bigger than you in your life. Purpose will always come from within, and will always be fueled by the belief that you matter as a person. Dig deep to live with meaning and purpose. What is your purpose? 

Benilde

As we almost enter Week 7 of what has been a lively and fast-paced 10-week term, it feels like the perfect time to pause and reflect on all we’ve achieved so far and to look ahead at the exciting events still to come.

The term got off to a fantastic start with our Athletics Carnival, where students ran, jumped, and cheered with great enthusiasm. It was wonderful to witness such strong House spirit and camaraderie, with students encouraging one another throughout the day. The carnival was not only a showcase of athletic talent, but a reminder of the supportive and inclusive community we are proud to be part of here at OCC.

Looking forward, there is much to anticipate. Founders’ Day is fast approaching, a significant occasion for us to honour the traditions, values, and vision upon which our school was established. We are excited for the concert which highlights the talents of our students both musically and in specific KLA’s. It offers a moment of reflection and gratitude as we celebrate the legacy that continues to shape our college today. We are also eagerly awaiting our upcoming Trivia Night on 13th June, which promises to be an evening filled with fun, teamwork, and a healthy dose of friendly competition. Open to families and students it’s a wonderful opportunity to come together and share in the spirit of community and win a prize or two in support of our wonderful year 12 students. 

In the midst of all the activity, our thoughts also turn to those in need as we support the Vinnies Winter Appeal. As the temperatures drop, we encourage everyone to contribute warm clothing, blankets, or non-perishable food items to help those facing hardship during the colder months. 

Your generosity can make a real difference.

While it’s certainly a busy term, it’s also one rich with connection, growth, and service. Let’s continue to look out for one another, embrace each moment, and finish the term with the same energy and positivity with which we began. 

Miss Elizabeth Plane 

House Leader - Benilde

La Salle

What a day for La Salle at the recent Athletics Carnival! While our numbers were a little less than we'd hoped for, and we found ourselves at the other end of the ladder results-wise, those who came absolutely did the house proud. More importantly, we had a blast!

We saw some incredible spirit and effort across the board. A huge shout-out has to go to Eli Vanucci, who truly danced like no one was watching – what fantastic energy! And special recognition to Saloan our house captain for her unfailing commitment and enthusiasm throughout the day. Our Year 12s were on point with their commando gear costumes, adding a brilliant touch of house pride. And we can't forget Harrison Newcombe, whose outrageous costume not only stole the show but stayed in character all day! Thank you to everyone who participated and supported La Salle. Your enthusiasm and house spirit shone brightly, and it was clear that fun was the real winner for us!

A big thank you to all students working hard in class and aiming for excellence. Some students are encouraged to step up and push themselves to do their best. With more assessments due and semester reports coming soon, now's the time to give your final effort to get the comments and grades you deserve.

On Tuesday 3rd June, we were delighted to welcome our primary students for another STEP Day. It was truly touching to witness an older sibling comforting and reassuring a younger student at recess. This simple yet profound moment beautifully showcased the care and concern we have for each other within our school community. It's these acts of kindness that truly embody our values.

When we participate in extracurricular activities, we aim to share our interests and do our best for the college. Please remember the commitment of our teachers in making these events happen. A note of thanks is always appreciated.

A quick note on uniforms: while it can feel like a constant reminder, we are seeing some good improvement lately. Thanks for your efforts in ensuring everyone is presenting well. The new tracksuit bottoms have been well received, they look great and are very comfy, warm and durable.

Our house meetings continue to be a place where students connect. This week, we combined to share our knowledge in a trivia quiz. We're really looking forward to seeing our tables mixed with students from each year group, combining and getting to know each other.

One La Salle

Mrs Kathryn Czinner

House Leader - La Salle                                 

Merici

What a fantastic few weeks it’s been for Merici House!

Firstly, a huge congratulations to all Merici students on an outstanding effort at the Athletics Carnival. Not only did we take out first place overall, but we also brought home the win for the House Chant following the new-look opening ceremony, which included a symbolic lighting of the firepit by our House Captains — a fitting nod to the Olympic flame. It was a brilliant display of house pride and unity, and I want to thank every student who got involved — from sprinting down the track, launching a discus, or anchoring the relay team, to cheering loudly from the side. Every contribution made a difference.

Over the past few weeks, our students have also been representing the College beyond the school grounds. A group of students headed to Sydney for Netball and showed great commitment, teamwork and sportsmanship across their matches. Likewise, our students participated in the Diocesan Soccer Gala Day in Inverell, once again doing O’Connor proud with their conduct and energy on the field. Well done to all involved, and thank you to the staff who made these opportunities possible.

This week, our Year 10 students are engaging in their retreat program, a valuable time to reflect, build community, and explore their faith journey more deeply. We hope it’s a meaningful and positive experience for all of them.

Lastly, a reminder that students will enjoy an extra long weekend this week as the staff attend our own staff retreat tomorrow (Friday). We wish all our students and families a safe and restful break across the long weekend — a great chance to recharge before heading into the last four weeks of the term.

As always, thank you for your ongoing support of Merici House and the broader O’Connor community. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s Pastoral Academic Care (PAC) teacher or myself directly.

Warm regards, 

Shane McCann

House Leader - Merici

Ursula

This newsletter entry is proudly brought to you by our fantastic House Captain, Lucas! 

The past few weeks have been packed with exciting events and vibrant school spirit. A major highlight was the Athletics Carnival, where students from all year levels came together to compete, cheer each other on, and represent their houses with pride. From sprints and relays to discus and long jump, the level of participation was outstanding, and the atmosphere was electric. It was fantastic to see so many students giving their best, whether they were aiming for a personal best or just having a go. House colours were out in force, and the friendly competition brought a great sense of camaraderie.

Aside from the carnival, our regular house meetings have been a great way to keep everyone connected and involved. They’ve given students the chance to celebrate wins, get excited about what’s coming up, and build stronger bonds across year levels. PAC lessons have also been a great opportunity for students from different year groups to connect, share ideas, and strengthen the sense of community within our house. It’s been awesome to see everyone getting involved and supporting each other through some really engaging discussions and activities.

At our recent house meeting, we ran a mini trivia night experience to build some hype for the upcoming fundraiser, and it was a massive hit! The energy in the room was unreal, with students from all year levels getting involved, shouting out answers, and backing their teams with enthusiasm. As house captains, it was hands down the best participation we’ve ever seen at an activity like this. If that was just the warm-up, the real trivia night is going to be even bigger and better!

Kind regards, 

Lucas Philip 

House Captain, Ursula