From the Principal

Dear Parents, Carers, Students, Staff and Friends of St Norbert College

I write this newsletter article during my last day of Long Service Leave. I have enjoyed 10 days away from my desk and spent most of it relaxing in Bali. It is always such an eye opener to see the warmth, friendliness and kindness of the Balinese people. They are grateful for everything they have and go out of their way to ensure that the visitors to their island home have the best experiences and service possible. It made me reflect on what we take for granted and our expectations and entitlements. There were a number of people I met that were fasting as part of Ramadan, a great challenge in the heat and humidity in Bali. As we journey through Lent, let us take time to reflect, renew and recommit to being better people preparing for the risen Christ on Easter Sunday. Instead of giving up things, try to find ways to give to others and yourself. Visit a lonely friend or relative or put aside a few quiet moments in the day to pray. As a family, perhaps eat dinner together without distractions and share the glimmers of your day. There are certainly many simple acts that we can all do to make a big impact on others.

Thank you to all families who attended our Community Mass on Sunday, 23 February. Thank you to Fr Peter and the Norbertines for celebrating the mass, opening our 60th anniversary, on a beautiful Bunuru evening in front of our newest building, Gennep. Special thanks to Mrs Colette Miranda for co-ordinating the event with the assistance of Ms Margaret Kyd and Mrs Jenny Palermo. The Parent Committee, ably led by Ms Florence Dunsford was assisted by our ex-students representing SNESA Football Club in preparing the sausage sizzle.

We held our Open Day on Friday 28 February. Our visitors to the College were very complimentary of what they saw of our facilities and more importantly the student ambassadors that were the tour guides. Thank you to all staff and students who have showcased our College so far this term. Interviews for Year 7, 2027 will commence in coming weeks. Please submit applications for students currently in Year 4 (or below) as soon as possible-this includes for siblings of current St Norbert College students. We already have substantial waiting lists.

On Tuesday 4 March, our staff began training in the Berry Street Education Model. It is a two year program that equips both mainstream and specialist schools with practical, classroom-based strategies to increase the engagement of all students, including those with complex, unmet learning needs. The focus of the first day was to support students’ self-regulation and getting them ‘ready to learn’. Future sessions will focus on relationships and wellbeing to increase student engagement and significantly improve academic achievement. Want to know more?  https://www.berrystreet.org.au/

While I was away, I sadly missed the Inter-House Swimming Carnival. Congratulations to Xanten House on a great win. A full report on the Carnival is included later in the newsletter but I thank Mr Sam Mancini for co-ordinating the day and all staff for their contributions.

Our Year 7 & Year 9 students are currently completing their NAPLAN assessments. Please keep them in your prayers and I am confident that they will do their best.

On Friday, 21 March at 7:30pm, Br John Anthoni Samy O.Praem  will be Ordained  to the Priesthood at St Joseph’s Priory Church.  He will celebrate a his first Mass of Thanksgiving in St Joseph’s Priory Church on Saturday, 22 March, at 6.30pm. all are welcome.  This is a most significant event for the Norbertine Canons of Queens Park and the culmination of years of preparation and study by Br John. Please continue to keep him and the Norbertines in your prayers. 

Ms S Rainford

(Principal)