Assistant Principal

Winter Uniform Expectations for Terms 2 and 3

As we move into the cooler months, all students are reminded of the importance of wearing the full St Aloysius College winter uniform with pride. Our uniform is a visible expression of belonging, respect, and commitment to the standards of our College community, and maintaining these expectations helps create a consistent and positive culture across the school. I would like to thank the vast majority of families and students who support the College in this area of school life.

Students and families were reminded of this change at the end of last term in communications from the College, school assemblies and the College Newsletter. Students were given a grace period of two weeks as some stock ran low at our uniform supplier, however, this has now been rectified and all students should be compliant with the uniform expectations of the College.

During Terms 2 and 3, all students are required to wear the long‑sleeved College shirt, neatly tucked in at all times. This applies both in the classroom and around the school grounds. A tidy presentation reflects personal responsibility and supports the respectful learning environment we strive to uphold.

Students must also wear the College blazer to and from school each day, regardless of whether they are travelling by car, public transport, or walking. The blazer is the formal outer garment of the winter uniform and should be worn as the first layer of presentation when arriving at and departing from the College. Jumpers may be worn for additional warmth but are not a substitute for the blazer when travelling to and from school.

We thank families for supporting these expectations and helping students present themselves with the dignity, pride, and unity that define the St Aloysius Way. 

Building Resilience at Home – Parent and Carer Workshop

We are pleased to invite all parents and carers to attend our upcoming Building Resilience at Home Workshop, presented by members of The Resilience Project. This 60‑minute in‑person session is an important part of our whole‑school approach to supporting student wellbeing and strengthening the partnership between school and home.

The workshop is designed to help families connect the learning that happens in the classroom with everyday life at home, ensuring students experience consistent language, strategies, and support. Parents and carers will gain a clearer understanding of how The Resilience Project is delivered at St Aloysius and how the GEM principles—Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness—can be woven into daily routines to promote positive mental health.

During the session, families will receive:

• An overview of the TRP program and how it operates within our College
• Practical tips and strategies to support children’s wellbeing at home
• Simple ideas to strengthen your own personal wellbeing

We warmly encourage all families to attend this valuable workshop and join us in building a shared, supportive approach to resilience and wellbeing across our community.

If you would like to attend please use this LINK to register your attendance – see attached flyer below. 

Thank You to Dr Jaimie Northam – Parent Information Evening

We extend our sincere thanks to Dr Jaimie Northam, Clinical Psychologist, for presenting to our parent community on Wednesday evening. Her session, focused on recognising mental health distress in young people, offered valuable insights into the signs, behaviours, and patterns that may indicate a young person is struggling, as well as practical ways families can respond with care and confidence.

Dr Northam’s expertise and clear, compassionate approach provided parents and carers with a deeper understanding of the challenges many adolescents face, along with strategies to support early identification and help-seeking. Her presentation reinforced the importance of open communication, strong relationships, and a shared commitment between home and school in promoting student wellbeing.

We are grateful to Dr Northam for her time and for the meaningful contribution she has made to strengthening our community’s capacity to support young people during periods of emotional difficulty.

It was also great to see the support of our parents to one another in their shared journey of parenting.  

The Importance of Parent–Teacher Interviews for Years 11 and 12

As our senior students continue their journey through the most significant stage of their schooling, the upcoming Parent–Teacher Interviews for Years 11 and 12 provide an invaluable opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school. These conversations play a crucial role in supporting students’ academic progress, wellbeing, and readiness for the demands of senior study.

Parent–Teacher Interviews allow families to engage directly with classroom teachers to discuss achievement, learning habits, areas for growth, and strategies that can enhance performance in the lead‑up to assessment blocks, HSC coursework, and final examinations. For many students, this mid‑year point is a critical time to refine routines, consolidate understanding, and ensure they are on track to meet their goals.

These interviews also help build a shared understanding of each student’s strengths, challenges, and aspirations. When teachers and families work together with consistent expectations and clear communication, students benefit from a strong support network that encourages confidence, resilience, and sustained effort.

We encourage all parents and carers of Year 11 and 12 students to attend these important interviews and take advantage of the opportunity to collaborate closely with teachers as we guide our senior learners toward their best possible outcomes.

Parent Teacher Interviews for Years 11 and 12 will take place on Tuesday, 26 May from 1:30pm - 7.00pm in the College Learning Centre and bookings can be made through Compass when they are released early next week. 

What Our Staff Are Working On During Staff Development Days

Staff Development Days are an essential part of our commitment to delivering high‑quality teaching and learning at St Aloysius College. These days provide teachers with the dedicated time needed to strengthen their practice, collaborate meaningfully, and ensure our programs reflect the most current educational expectations. This term, staff are focusing on three key areas that directly support student learning and wellbeing.

1. Strengthening Consistency in Classroom and School‑Wide Practices

A major focus of our professional learning is building consistent expectations and routines across all learning spaces. Staff are engaging with the work of Dr Bill Rogers and Tom Bennett, two leading voices in behaviour leadership and school culture. Their research emphasises calm, predictable, relationship‑centred approaches that help students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. By aligning our practices across the College, we ensure students experience clarity, fairness, and continuity in every classroom.

2. Enhancing Classroom Instruction Through Evidence‑Based Strategies

Teachers are also deepening their instructional practice using Tom Sherrington’s WalkThrus and his work on Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction. These frameworks provide practical, high‑impact strategies that improve lesson design, modelling, questioning, practice, and feedback. Staff are working collaboratively to refine their use of these techniques so that learning is more explicit, engaging, and effective for all students.

3. Developing New Teaching Programs for the NESA Syllabus Rollout

With NESA continuing to release new syllabuses across multiple subject areas, staff are dedicating significant time to writing, resourcing, and quality‑assuring updated teaching programs. This work includes designing new learning sequences, assessments, and classroom resources that align with syllabus requirements while reflecting the St Aloysius Way. These programs ensure our students experience a curriculum that is rigorous, contemporary, and responsive to their needs