Assistant Principal

Year 12 Exams 

Firstly a huge congratulations to our Year 12 students for the incredible energy and positivity you have brought to your HSC exams! Facing such a major milestone with a proactive mindset, bright spirits, and unwavering enthusiasm is a true testament to your strength and character. You have approached every paper not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity to show how far you have come. Be immensely proud of your dedication and upbeat attitude, you have set a wonderful example for the whole school community, and we are cheering you on all the way to the finish line!

Important Reminder: College Attendance Procedures

As we move towards the end of the year, we kindly ask all families to review our College attendance procedures to ensure every student is accounted for and safe.

• Absences: Please explain any absences via the Compass app/website or by contacting the office (02 8522 1500 or info@stalscronulla.catholic.edu.au). Automated text messages are sent at 10:00AM for unexplained morning absences, followed by weekly email reminders. Please note that after 7 days, absences can only be explained by contacting the office directly or replying to our automated/homeroom emails.
• Lateness: School begins promptly at 8:35AM, and gates are locked at this time. Students arriving late must present through the office, and parents are asked to explain the late arrival. Please be aware that general traffic is not considered an acceptable excuse. Unexplained or unacceptable lateness will accumulate each fortnight, and students who are late more than once in a fortnight will receive a 30-minute afternoon detention.
• Early Departure: If your child needs to leave early, please provide written permission, an entry on Compass, or call the office in advance. Kindly specify how your child is departing (e.g., driving, being picked up, walking) so staff can process their departure smoothly. Handwritten notes must be signed by the student’s Leader of Wellbeing before school. Students should not be contacting parents during school hours via mobiles or personal devices. If students are unwell they are to present to the office sickbay to ensure they can be properly cared for.
• Appointments & Extended Leave: Appointments (such as physio or dental, as well as Thursday sport hours) should be made outside of school time whenever possible. For extended leave of 5 or more consecutive days, families must notify the College prior to the trip so we can assess educational impact and assist with learning continuity. Please remember that travel is not an acceptable reason to miss scheduled assessments.

Current College Attendance levels

• College - 92.4%
• Year 11 - 92.7%
• Year 9 - 91.8%
• Year 8 - 91.5%
• Year 7 - 93.6%

Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation in keeping our students safe and engaged in their learning!

Parent Resources

Empowering Parents: Explore the Generation Next Podcast Series

Navigating the complexities of modern parenting, from managing screen time to supporting mental health can feel overwhelming. To support families through these daily challenges, Generation Next offers an insightful and practical podcast series hosted by leading experts, including psychologist, author, and Macquarie University Adjunct Fellow Dr. Brad Marshall.

Designed specifically for parents, carers, and educators, Generation Next’s podcast content delivers evidence-based advice, practical strategies, and expert conversations across a wide range of youth wellbeing topics.

Key Topics Covered in the Series

• Digital Wellbeing & Screen Time: Featured in the Raising Kids Online series with Dr. Brad Marshall, episodes delve into how technology affects young minds, what screens are replacing in early childhood development, screen use in schools, and the emerging impact of AI.
• Mental Health & Emotional Regulation: Experts unpack common challenges such as anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and supporting young people with language and literacy difficulties.
• Building Resilience & Focus: Discussions explore practical approaches to strengthening attention spans in a digitally distracted world, encouraging real-world social connection, and fostering healthy habits.
• Youth Issues: Episodes address critical topics including body image, eating disorders, and healthy relationships.

Each concise episode brings together frontline specialists, such as general practitioners, speech pathologists, and psychologists to break down complex developmental topics into actionable tips you can use at home. Whether you're looking to establish healthier screen routines or gain a better understanding of your child's emotional needs, Generation Next provides trusted, expert guidance to help your family thrive.

Supporting Teen Wellbeing: Partners in Parenting Program by headspace

Developed in partnership with Monash University, Partners in Parenting is a free, evidence-based online course offered by headspace to help parents and carers support their high school–aged young person’s mental health and wellbeing. The program features 10 flexible, interactive modules—each taking just 15 to 25 minutes to complete at your own pace—covering key topics such as managing strong emotions, setting boundaries, handling conflicts, improving communication, and balancing independence. Designed to build your parenting confidence and skills, this self-guided resource can be easily accessed anytime by creating a free account on the headspace platform.

Strengthening Family Wellbeing: Explore The Resilience Project’s Family Hub

When schools and families speak the same language around mental health, young people thrive. To help bridge classroom learning with positive habits at home, The Resilience Project (TRP) provides access to its interactive Family Hub 3.0—a whole-community platform designed to support daily wellbeing for both children and parents.

The Family Hub centers around four core, evidence-based pillars: Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness (GEM), and Emotional Literacy.

What You’ll Find in the Family Hub:

• Short Expert Videos: Feature-packed, bite-sized videos hosted by Hugh van Cuylenburg and Martin Heppell covering topics such as Parenting with Empathy, Navigating Big Feelings, Building Cooperation, and Celebrating Differences.
• Daily Conversation Prompts: Simple mealtime questions to weave gratitude, kindness, and emotional awareness into your family’s routine (e.g., "What made you smile today?" or "How did you show kindness today?").
• Printable Family Activities: Engaging activities designed for parents and children to complete together to reinforce emotional regulation and mindfulness.

• Embrace Parent Masterclass: In partnership with The Embrace Collective, the hub includes a 5-minute video hosted by dad and comedian Nazeem Hussain offering practical tips for parents on fostering positive body image, healthy food mindsets, and navigating social media at home.

   

Building Lifelong Habits Together

By embedding small, consistent practices into everyday home routines, families can build resilience, improve self-awareness, and enhance social connections.

To explore the videos, conversation starters, and downloadable resources, visit The Resilience Project Family Hub.

Important Safety Notice: Drive Cautiously During School Peak Hours

With reduced parking and drop-off sites currently available around the school, we ask our entire community to exercise heightened caution and patience, especially during the start and end of the school day.

Please be aware that the area around the office off Gunnamatta Road is of particular concern, as large numbers of students are now exiting via this route. To ensure everyone’s safety, please keep the following in mind:

• Driveway Access: The office driveway must not be accessed by cars around the end of the school day. Please do not move or drive around witches hats if they are placed in the driveway.
• Turnarounds & Drop-Offs: If you are using the surrounding area to drop off students or perform 3-point turns, please drive extremely slowly and maintain maximum vigilance for pedestrians.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students, families, and staff safe during these busy times!

Chewing Gum

Please be aware that chewing gum is strictly prohibited on college grounds. To ensure our campus stays clean and well-maintained, school leadership will be conducting a targeted enforcement blitz starting next week. Any student found with chewing gum will be automatically placed on Friday afternoon detention. We ask all students to leave gum at home and appreciate parent support in reinforcing this policy.