Chev Need to Knows

Chev Need to Knows 

7 February 2025

 

Dear Members of the Chevalier Community, 

 

It is only one week down, and we are already moving at quite a pace, with the Year 7 Welcome Day, Inductions and Retreats already being hosted, and most recently the Year 7 Parent Information Evening. In between these events, the College also hosted the New South Wales Waratahs for lunch and warm up before they played their Super Rugby trial against the ACT Brumbies last Saturday.

 

Another most important event, our Opening Mass and 2024 HSC High Achievers Assembly, was held yesterday. The Opening Mass is a profound moment in the annual life of our College, bringing staff, students, ex-students and their parents together in faith and community as we begin a new year. As part of our gathering, we were reminded that we are part of something greater – a shared mission inspired by the MSC charism. 

 

Father John Mulrooney’s message at this year’s Mass referenced Year 12’s theme for this year: “Share your part of the Sacred Heart.”This calls each of us to contribute our unique gifts, kindness, and compassion to the College and beyond. As Year 12 leads the way in embracing this theme, we are invited to reflect on how we can live with heart, serve with love, and build a community where all feel valued and supported.  

 

Mass was followed by our HSC High Achievers Awards. The slide presentation outlining the many wonderful achievements of our 2024 HSC cohort can be found here. As part of the ceremony, our Dux for 2024, James Murray, extended warm words of thanks to the College and his parents, while also offering some tips for future students of the HSC. James’ speech can be found here, and my words shared with the community can be read here.

 

Home Room and Vertical House System 

At Chevalier College, Home Rooms are organised vertically, bringing together students from different year levels rather than grouping them by age. This structure fosters a strong sense of connection and belonging, creating a family-like atmosphere where students form friendships beyond their year group. These relationships extend across the College, weaving a network of positive interactions that enrich the broader school community. Within their Home Room, students celebrate achievements together, share in each other’s successes, and know they have a space where they are genuinely valued. Equally, in challenging times, their Home Room provides a source of comfort, solidarity, and support. 

 

In 2024, the College undertook a review of its pastoral care structures, engaging staff in consultations throughout Semester 1 and involving over 100 students as part of a forum held in June. This review reaffirmed the importance of Vertical Home Rooms as a cornerstone of the College’s pastoral care approach. However, a key recommendation emerged: to strengthen the sense of House identity by co-locating Home Rooms within their respective Houses, rather than dispersing them across the campus. 

 

To support this change, the College introduced the role of Leader of House - a key figure dedicated to student wellbeing and pastoral care. The Leader of House plays a crucial role in fostering connections between Home Room Tutors, subject teachers, and Leaders of Learning, ensuring that every student receives the guidance and support they need to thrive. They also work in partnership with families, reinforcing the strong home-school connection that underpins student success. By collaborating closely with Home Room Tutors, Leaders of House develop a deep understanding of each student; their strengths, interests, and aspirations, helping them navigate an ever-changing world with confidence and resilience. 

 

With the introduction of this role, the position of Stage Coordinator has been phased out, allowing for a more integrated and student-centred approach to pastoral care. Each House now consists of approximately 160 students across six Home Rooms, each led by a dedicated Home Room Tutor who meets with their vertical Home Room at the start of every day, providing consistency and care. 

 

At Chevalier College, the wellbeing of every student is at the heart of all we do. We understand that for students to learn and grow, they must first feel safe, known, and supported. Through our Home Room structure and the introduction of Leaders of House, we are strengthening the pastoral care that has long been a hallmark of our College. As parents, you entrust us with your child’s education, and we take that responsibility to heart. Together, as a community, we will continue to nurture, challenge and inspire each student, ensuring they leave Chevalier with a strong sense of belonging and the confidence to embrace their future. 

 

You can view a listing of our Leaders of House and the Home Room Tutors (the vast majority of whom are the same as 2024) via the Parent Orbit app or in Parent Lounge, by following School Links / Wellbeing Links. You can also find an explanatory graphic which provides more insights into Home Room and Houses.

 

Have a great weekend. 

 

Greg Miller 

Principal 

Year 10 Vaccinations - Monday 10 February

The NSW School Vaccination Program will be visiting the College for Year 10 vaccinations on Monday 10 February.   

 

Online Consent

  • Vaccination will only be given at school if parental/guardian consent has been received. 
  • Please provide online vaccination consent for your child using this link. You must have a Service NSW account and a Medicare card to log in.

Additional details for Monday 10 February

  • Students are to wear their College sports uniform.
  • Please ensure they eat breakfast.
  • Students who have completed all mandatory steps to undertake Flipped Learning from home can attend school for the vaccination.  Following their vaccination, these students are permitted to sign out and continue study at home, OR do their flexible learning at school.  Students who wish to sign out will need parent permission as per normal processes.  Please note: this only applies to students who have completed ALL steps to learn from home.

Should you require further information, please read the NSW School Vaccination Program Newsletter. For more information, please visit NSW School Vaccination Program.

Year 11 Information Evening - Thursday 13 February

The College will be holding an information session on Thursday 13 February at 7.00pm for Year 11 parents and caregivers to discuss academic care and wellbeing throughout Stage 6.  Please save the date and stay tuned for further details.

New Parent Welcome Evening - Thursday 20 February

A Welcome Evening for parents and carers of Year 7 students and new students to the College will be held on Thursday 20 February at 6.30pm.  Parents and carers of Year 7 students and students new to the College have been sent an email. Please follow the link in the email to learn more and book your complimentary tickets.

Town Talks – Robertson and surrounds - Wednesday 26 February

 

We understand it is not always convenient to make it to the College for events, especially for those in our outlying towns and villages. 

 

Greg will be making a special visit to Robertson on Wednesday 26 February. For those in surrounding suburbs please follow the link for further information. 

 

https://events.humanitix.com/principal-town-talks-robertson-and-surrounds

ISA Round 7

ISA Round 7 is Saturday 8 February.  Team fixtures and bus information can be found in the Parent Lounge and on the Parent Orbit app under School Links >> Extra Curricular. 

 

IMPORTANT:  We aim to have the fixtures and bus times uploaded to School Links by Wednesday each week.  Please check the fixtures on a Friday afternoon/evening for any last minute changes to bus times and/or game cancellations. 

 

All buses will leave from the bus zone on Charlotte Street.  Students leaving the College should be dropped off in the JFC car park. 

Swimming Carnival - Friday 21 February

Registrations are now open! 

  • The Swimming Carnival is a compulsory school event, and all students are expected to be in attendance. 
  • Students who wish to participate in events in the 50m pool MUST register online via Sports Tracker at http://pickmyevents.com
  • All students have been emailed their Sports Tracker login details.  Any student who did not receive the email should see Coach Phillips in C1 during Break 1 or 2 on Tuesday or Thursday.
  • Students cannot register for 50m events on the day of the carnival.
  • Novelty events will be held in the 25m pool.  Students do not need to register for novelty events.
  • Sports Tracker registrations will close 12.00pm Wednesday 19 February.
  • Relay Teams will be selected by House Captains on the day.
  • Students can access Carnival Rules via the link provided in the Student Daily Notices.
  • Students can access the Sports Tracker user guide via the link provided in the Student Daily Notices
  • Further information including travel details will be provided prior to the carnival..

Year 7 – Term 1 Extracurricular opportunities

Further information and permission notes are now available via Parent Orbit for students in Year 7 who have expressed interest in the following activities:

  • Mountain Biking
  • Show Team
  • Choir
  • String Ensemble
  • Guitar Ensemble
  • Concert Band
  • Chev Gym
  • Cadets

To access the permission note please go to Payments and Events in Parent Orbit.

Students with a submitted permission note can begin attending these activities from Week 3.

 

Students who have expressed interest in Art Enrichment have received an email from Mr Combes with details.

Students who have expressed interest in Public Speaking have received an email from Mrs Painter. Information has also been provided in Daily Notices.

Further information regarding Dance Ensemble will become available in the coming weeks.

Further information regarding Debating will become available later in the Term.

Students wishing to attend Pi Shop are invited to attend from Week 3. Pi Shop is held in the Library 3:45pm – 5:00pm. No permission note necessary.  Please see Miss Parsons for more information.

Participation in Jazz band and Orchestra is by invitation. Students interested should speak with their ensemble conductor.

 

Please note that all students will have the opportunity to register for a Winter Sport during Week 6.  Summer sport will be available to Year 7 from Term 4.

 

2025 Cadet Registrations

See below for information on joining Australian Army Cadets for 2025.

 

Coach Phillips

Extra Curriculum Administrator

  • ISA Round 7 - 8 February
  • Year 10 Vaccinations - 10 February
  • Year 7 Retreat (Osborne, Reid, Riversdale) - 10 February
  • Year 7 Induction (Burford, Clancy, Giles) - 10 February
  • Year 11 Biology Excursion - 10 February
  • Year 12 Physics Excursion - 10 February 
  • Catch-up Photo Day - 13 February
  • Year 11 Information Evening - 13 February
  • Show Team Kangaroo Valley Show - 14 February
  • ISA Round 8 - 15 February
  • Welcome Event - 20 February
  • Swimming Carnival - 21 February
  • ISA Round 9 - 22 February
  • Year 10 VET Work Placement - 24 February to 28 February
  • Year 9/11 VET Induction - 24 February
  • Encore HSC Music Concert - 24 February
  • Year 12 Retreat - 26 February to 28 February
  • Twilight Swimming Carnival - 28 February
  • ISA Round 10 - 1 March