Dear Parents/Guardians,

At the end of Term 2 Assembly this week, my address to the students focussed on the importance of being proud to be a member of the Academy of Mary Immaculate community. It was essentially borne from an email that we received from a member of the public highlighting the actions of some of our students. I have reproduced the email below as well as part of my address.

"To the Principal,

I work for … and as you can imagine travel constantly on our network, seeing every facet of life. I do not take the time to write these types of letters, but was wonderfully impressed with a group of students from your school. Tonight, at Nth Melbourne train station a group of students were chatting away waiting for their trip home. I noticed a visually impaired elderly man walking up the platform. It was a full platform (peak hour) and no one was really noticing this man …. Except a group of your students. A couple of older students looked up the platform and arranged a clear path, another small group asked ‘do you need a hand to get on to the train?’ and two girls who were sitting, jumped up to offer seats on the platform. Simple respectful things, but unfortunately, I don’t see them as much anymore. Absolute credit to your school and obviously your values".

Emails such as this certainly put a spring in my step and actions such as the ones that have been described, are essential to our identity and success and having pride at the Academy. Our school is more than just a set of buildings where we learn; it is a vibrant community where we grow, strive for excellence, and build lasting relationships. Taking pride in our school means embodying its values and spirit both within these walls and beyond them.

Equally important are the relationships we foster within our school. Our school is a community, and the strength of any community lies in the respect, kindness, and support we show one another. Building good relationships means being there for our peers, celebrating their successes, and offering a helping hand when needed. It means showing sportsmanship, whether we win or lose, and treating our teachers, staff, and fellow students with the utmost respect. Good relationships are built on trust, empathy, and mutual respect, and these are the foundations of a positive school culture. When we support each other, we create a safe and encouraging environment where everyone can thrive.

Pride in our school also extends to how we conduct ourselves outside its boundaries. When we are out in the community, we are ambassadors of our school. Our actions, words, and attitudes reflect on our school as a whole. We need to wear our school uniform with honour, and we need to speak about our experiences with gratitude, and always conduct ourselves in a manner that makes everyone proud to be part of the Academy. Whether it’s participating in community service, engaging in local events, or simply interacting with others, we need to demonstrate respect, responsibility, and integrity. By doing so, we show the world the true character of our school and inspire others to see it in a positive light…”

With the above as a context, I do invite and encourage all students and their parents/guardians to find some time over the next two weeks to reflect on all actions, efforts and achievements so far this year. This reflection should then inform all students of the approach they need to employ in Semester 2 to continue to improve in all aspects of their personal development and their studies here at the Academy.

Uniform

While most of the students have been wearing the winter uniform correctly over the course of this term, there are still a few students who need to address the following:

Jewellery – no ankle bracelets, wrist bracelets, inappropriate and/or multiple earrings (one earring in each lobe of the ear is permitted) necklaces, nose rings, etc.
Shoulder length hair or longer should be tied up at all times;
No extreme hair styles or colours;
Skirts should be at mid-knee length or longer;
Fitted pants are not to be rolled up;
Top shirt buttons buttoned up;
Tie not worn at ‘half-mast’;
No make-up;
No eye lash extensions; and
No fake nails

I would ask you to encourage your daughters to ensure their uniform always looks its best, including whilst they are travelling to and from school. I would also encourage your daughters to use the holidays to address any items of uniform that may not be up to standard. Students will continue to receive infringements and detentions when their uniform does not meet the Academy standards, and I would prefer not to go down the path of sending students home if they are continually out of uniform. Your support with this matter is much appreciated.

Attendance

We have been in touch with a number of students and their parents over the course of this semester where we have some concerns about their daughter’s attendance at the College, or the regularity of them arriving late. Regular attendance at school is crucial for several reasons which have been outlined below:

Attending school regularly ensures that students do not miss out on the building blocks of a good education. Consistent attendance allows students to stay engaged with the curriculum and build a strong foundation of knowledge. Regular participation in class also enables students to interact with teachers and their peers, ask questions and seek clarification, all of which contribute to better academic performance.
Learning is a cumulative process, and missing school disrupts the continuity of learning. When students are absent or late, they may miss key concepts or skills that are built upon in subsequent lessons. Regular attendance helps students maintain a consistent learning pace and ensures that they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to progress effectively from week to week.
School is not just about academics; it also provides a crucial environment for social interaction and the development of social skills. Regular attendance allows students to establish relationships with their peers, engage in group activities and participate in discussions and collaborative tasks. These interactions foster teamwork, communication, empathy and other vital skills that are essential for personal growth and success in the future.
Crucially too, regular attendance at school also cultivates discipline and responsibility in students. It teaches them the importance of being punctual, adhering to timetables and fulfilling commitments. By attending school consistently, students develop habits that contribute to their overall work ethic, which can positively impact their future endeavours, such as tertiary education or employment.
At the Academy, we provide various resources and support systems for students. Regular attendance ensures that students have access to these resources and can take full advantage of the educational and extra-curricular opportunities available to them. Additionally, our teachers and support staff can provide the best individualised support and guidance to students when they attend regularly.
Attendance is often a factor used in evaluating students' performance and progress. Regular attendance allows teachers to assess students' understanding, provide feedback and identify areas where additional support may be needed. It also helps Mentor Group teachers and Wellbeing Leaders to monitor students' overall engagement and well-being, enabling them to intervene if any concerns arise.

Regular attendance does set the foundation for lifelong learning and personal growth and therefore we ask parents to ensure that students attend school, in a timely manner as close to 100% of the time as possible.

Student-Parent-Teacher-Conferences – Change of Date

Parents/Guardians are asked to note that there has been a change of date with Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences for Semester 2 as per the details below:

Friday 16 August (8:30am – 4:00pm) – No Classes (No change from original date);

Tuesday 20 August (4:00pm – 8:30pm) (Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences originally scheduled for Monday 19 August);

Wednesday 21 August - TIL Day for Teaching Staff / No Classes (Originally scheduled for Tuesday 20 August) No classes for students with the exception of 9 Melba, who are undertaking Certificate training.

I wish all students and families a very happy Term 2 break. For those lucky enough to be escaping the freezing conditions in Victoria, enjoy your time away. For those who are remaining in Melbourne, rug up and experience what this beautiful city has to offer. Most of all, regardless of what you are doing and where you are going, remain safe and we look forward to seeing you all back at the Academy at the beginning of Term 3.

As always, please remember, never hesitate to be in touch should you have any queries or concerns.

Sam Di Camillo

Deputy Principal

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