Principal's Report

Dear Parents, carers and community members,

Welcome to Term 4.  We are already 3 weeks into the final term of learning for 2024. I am pleased to report that students and staff have commenced the term in good spirits.

Year 12 students are well into undertaking their HSC examinations, which commenced on the second day of term.  The students settled well into a routine for the HSC exams even though being nervous and/or anxious prior to starting their first HSC examination which was English. Feedback from students has been positive and the NESA exam supervisors have been pleased with the student’s attitude to the examination process and their timely arrival in readiness for each exam. These HSC are fast coming to a completion with the last few of our students having their last exam on Thursday 7th October. 

On Friday the 8th October they will all come together with the students of Yr12 2024 for one final celebration, the Yr12 formal to be held at the Services club. A very special evening where we take the time to celebrate with all students. A night of reflection, fun and relation where stories are shared by the students of their time at school. A lot of the stories shared are from student participation in important school activities like camps, retreats, Sporting carnivals days, and founders day to name a few.

On Wednesday 23rd of October we held the Senior leaders Commissioning Mass celebrated by Fr Damian. What a special occasion for the leaders and their families as the parents of all our leaders for 2025 were presented their badges by their parents.  All these leaders went through a rigorous selection process and have been appointed to a specific role and will play important roles in leading the wider school community and a significant role in leading and developing our House System implemented for the first time this year.

Captains

Abigail Van Eyk

Joshua Bible

House Captains

Benilde - Michaela Gerard & Safal Timalsena

LaSalle - Saloan Paul & Tommy Schaefer

Merici - Hannah Friedman & Oliver Martin

Ursula - Bernard May & Lucas Philp

Faith & Service Captain - Freya Giles

Arts Captain - Maya Teege

Sports Captain - Sophie Mitchell

Each of these students has shown commitment and passion for O’Connor Catholic College and all who serve our community.  They will be wonderful leaders and ambassadors for the O'Connor community over the next 12 months.

During this commissioning mass we also took the opportunity to commission our Lasallian Youth Leaders for 2025.

Benilde - Madeleine Cowley, Brittany Doran, Skye Barley, Lalina ward, Vanessa Riggall, Eloise Krug

Merici - Malakye Wright- Pearson, Ethan Archer, Regan Nugent, Leah Jones

LaSalle - Hayley Bliss, Sierra Donnelly, Sienna Bastian, Rhys Fischer, Lucy Selby

Ursula - Elizabeth Shepherd, Caitlin Michell, Jessica Race, Bella McKay.

Congratulations to all these young people.

Important Announcements

Building works – The Angela Building refurbishment is progressing well and on time at present. Walls have started going up inside the building, carpets, paint and wall covering determined. Furniture for the building has started to be organised and ordered. 

Students leaving during the school day. - Year 7 to 9 students that need to leave school during the school day must be collected/signed out by a parent or adult/family member. College has a duty of care and must ensure that all students leave with a responsible adult on the contact list for their child

Year 10 to 12 students that need to leave during the school need to provide a note from their parent/carer to the office prior to signing out.

Staffing – with stage 1 of the movement to a Vertical House system in 2024, we have turned our focus to fully transitioning in 2025. This has required the college to move away from Year Leaders Wellbeing to Leaders of House for 2025. The school has gone through a rigorous process to identify the best people for these new leadership roles, which includes four Leaders of House and a Leader of Engagement.

I am proud to announce the following staff members have been appointed to the following positions for 2025.

Leaders of House, replacing current Year leaders

Benilde - Elizabeth Plane

LaSalle - Kath Czinner

Merici - Shane McCann

Ursula - Jessica Armfield

Leader of Engagement - Amanda McFarlane

I can also confirm the following staff members have been appointed to permanent roles in the following positions. 

Leader of Religious Education (REC) - Andrew May

Leader of Pedagogy - Natalie Mellowship-Brown

Leader of Learning Engagement and Wellbeing - Felicity Magann

Finally can I thank all community members, especially parents, carers and students for their continued support for O’Connor, you are what makes this college great. Thank you must also go to all the teaching and support staff, who have worked tirelessly to ensure all students receive the best education possible. May all our students continue to learn and grow as we move towards the end of the school year. 

Students continue to work hard and be the best you can be.

Kind Regards 

Mr. Phillip Gibney

Principal