Principal's Report

Dear Families,

As we begin a new school year, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all members of our College community, particularly our Year 7 students and those who have joined us across other year groups. It has been a genuine joy to see the excitement, optimism and energy that our new students have brought to the College. The way they have embraced new routines, formed friendships and engaged in their learning has set a very positive tone for 2026.

Already, our Year 7 students have had the opportunity to deepen friendships and build resilience through the Year 7 Camp - an important milestone in their transition to secondary school. Our College Swimming Carnival was another wonderful community event, filled with house spirit, participation and encouragement. These experiences are more than events on a calendar; they are opportunities for connection, belonging and character formation.

Across the College, students are engaging in a wide range of opportunities that enrich their educational journey. Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural opportunities continue to strengthen understanding, pride and respect within our community. The Year 12 Legal Studies excursion to Sydney has provided our senior students with authentic learning experiences beyond the classroom, deepening their understanding of the legal system in a real-world context.

Our co-curricular offerings are also thriving. Chess Club is fostering strategic thinking and perseverance; Environmental Club is empowering students to take practical action in caring for our common home; and Study Club is supporting students in developing strong habits of organisation, discipline and academic growth. Each of these opportunities contributes to the formation of well-rounded young people.

As we settle into the rhythm of the school year, we also find ourselves in the sacred season of Lent. Lent is a time of reflection, prayer, fasting and almsgiving - a time to pause and re-centre our lives on Christ. In the Gospel of Matthew we are reminded:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

For us as Catholics, Lent calls us to examine what we value most. It invites us to consider where we are placing our energy and attention, and how we are growing in our relationship with God and with one another. In a busy school environment, this season challenges us to act with compassion, seek forgiveness, and commit ourselves to becoming the people God calls us to be.

As a College community, our focus this year is to continue building a strong academic culture underpinned by high expectations - of our students and of ourselves as staff. High expectations are not about pressure for its own sake; they are about belief. They reflect our deep conviction that every young person in our care is capable of growth, excellence and meaningful contribution.

Lifting student expectations is essential if we are to prepare our young people for the complex world in which they will live and work. The future will demand adaptability, resilience and integrity. It will require not only knowledge, but the capacity to apply that knowledge in thoughtful and responsible ways.

At the heart of our academic culture are the 6Cs:

Critical Thinking – analysing, questioning and solving problems with insight and discernment.
Collaboration – working effectively and respectfully with others.
Communication – expressing ideas clearly and confidently in a range of contexts.
Creativity – thinking innovatively and approaching challenges with imagination.
Character – demonstrating resilience, integrity and personal responsibility.
Citizenship – understanding our responsibility to contribute positively to our community and the wider world.

These competencies align beautifully with our Catholic identity. As we strive for academic excellence, we do so not only to achieve strong results, but to form young people of character and faith - young men and women who will make a difference in their families, workplaces and communities.

As we journey through Lent and continue into this new school year, may we remain united in purpose: to nurture faith, foster excellence and support every student to flourish. I thank you for your ongoing partnership and look forward to all that 2026 will bring for our College community.

God bless,

Michael Whitton

College Principal