Principal's Message

St Aloysius Parish Cronulla - Holy Week & Easter Celebrations 2026

Our Living Heritage: The Lasallian Heart of St Aloysius College

At St Aloysius College, Cronulla, our identity is not merely defined by our location or our uniform, but by a 300-year-old educational mission. As a Lasallian school, we are part of a global network inspired by the vision of St John Baptist de La Salle, the patron saint of teachers.

To be Lasallian is to ensure that every student is seen, known, and loved. This mission is anchored by five Core Principles that underpin everything we do here at the College, from the classroom to the sporting field.

1. Faith in the Presence of God

We begin our assemblies and many of our lessons with the reminder: "Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God." This isn't just a ritual; it is a commitment to seeing the sacred in the everyday. We strive to nurture a community where students develop a personal relationship with God and a respect for the spiritual journey of others.

2. Quality Education

Our commitment to the "St Aloysius Way"—including our focus on Rosenshine’s Principles and explicit teaching—is a direct expression of this principle. De La Salle revolutionized teaching by insisting on excellence and practical learning. We continue that legacy by holding high expectations for every student, ensuring they have the tools to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

3. Concern for the Poor and Social Justice

A Lasallian education calls us to look beyond ourselves. We challenge our students to be aware of the injustices in our world and to respond with compassion. Whether through local community service or broader social justice  fundraising initiatives, we teach our students that their talents are meant to be used in service of those who are marginalized or in need.

4. Respect for All Persons

St Aloysius College is a place where "Everyone Belongs." We uphold the dignity of every individual, recognizing that each person is made in the image of God. This principle is lived out through our restorative wellbeing practices and the mutual respect shared between staff and students. We celebrate diversity and foster an environment free from judgment.

5. Inclusive Community

The "Lasallian Family" is a term we use often because it describes our reality. We are a community that walks together. This inclusivity is seen in the way we support one another through challenges and how we celebrate each other's successes, whether they be in the HSC, NAPLAN, sport or the creative arts.

"To touch the hearts of your pupils and be the means of their salvation is the greatest miracle you can perform." — St John Baptist de La Salle

As we continue our journey this year, these five principles remain our compass. They ensure that St Aloysius College is not just a place of academic instruction, but a "human and Catholic Christian Co-educational school" where every young person can truly flourish.

Year 7 and 9 NAPLAN: Resilience and Progress

Congratulations to our Year 7 and 9 students who successfully completed their NAPLAN assessments last week. Despite encountering some unexpected IT challenges across the State, our students remained exceptionally focused and composed throughout each task. Their maturity and persistence in the face of these technical hurdles were truly commendable.

It is important to remember that NAPLAN is not a "pass or fail" exercise; rather, it provides a valuable snapshot of student learning progress. At St Aloysius, we view these results as one piece of a larger diagnostic puzzle. Our staff look forward to analyzing this data alongside our internal College assessments to further refine and target our literacy and numeracy support programs. Many of these tailored interventions are already in operation, ensuring every student has the tools they need to flourish.

A sincere thank you to Mr. Munro for his tireless work in overseeing the complex logistics of the NAPLAN block. I would also like to acknowledge Mrs. Slater (Head of Learning) and Mrs. Heffernan (Head of Diverse Learning) for their vital support and collaboration in ensuring the week ran as smoothly as possible for our students.

Year 7 Interim Reports: A Snapshot of Progress

We would like to remind our Year 7 parents and carers that the Term 1 Interim Reports are now available for viewing via the Compass Parent Portal.

As our newest students conclude their first term at the College, these reports provide a vital "snapshot" of their transition into secondary schooling. Unlike the comprehensive end-of-semester reports, the Interim Report is designed to give you timely feedback on how your child is settling into the academic and social routines of St Aloysius.

What the Interim Report Covers:

• Learning Disposition: An insight into your child's attitude toward their studies and their engagement in the classroom.
• Application & Effort: How consistently they are applying themselves to tasks and homework.

• Organisational Skills: Their ability to manage the increased demands of a high school timetable, including bringing the correct equipment and meeting deadlines.

   

Next Steps for Parents

We encourage you to sit down with your son/daughter to review the report together. Use this as an opportunity to celebrate their early successes and to discuss any areas where they might set goals for Term 2.

Should you have any specific concerns or wish to discuss a particular subject further, please feel free to reach out (via phone: 8522 1500) to the relevant classroom teacher or your child’s Homeroom teacher.

Senior Assessment Blocks

As our Year 12 students conclude their intensive HSC assessment block, we now turn our support to Year 11, who have officially commenced their first Senior College assessment period (running from Friday, 27 March to Thursday, 2 April).

This is a significant milestone for our Year 11 students. We remind them of their responsibility to manage their schedules with precision—arriving well before the commencement of each session and utilizing the time between exams effectively.

To support this, the Learning Centre remains open with extended hours from 7:30am to 4:00pm daily. It has been heartening to see so many students taking advantage of this space, engaging in both disciplined individual study and collaborative peer sessions.

From Assessment to Growth: The Power of Feedback - All students

Once these assessments are concluded, the real work of learning begins. Early next term, it is crucial that students across Years 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 actively seek and act upon effective feedback.

I strongly encourage all students to enter into meaningful professional dialogue with their classroom teachers. These conversations should focus on two key areas:

• Celebrating Success: Recognizing what has been mastered and performed well.
• Targeted Improvement: Identifying the specific "next steps" required to elevate their work in Term 2.

The Formula for Academic Success

At St Aloysius College, our overarching goal is sustained, incremental improvement. We believe that academic success is not a matter of chance, but a result of specific habits.

Students who commit to this cycle of reflection and feedback—coupled with a consistent attendance rate above 95%—place themselves in the best possible position to thrive academically. We look forward to seeing our students take ownership of this journey as we move into the new term.

Enrolment Reminder: Year 11 (2027) Key Closing Dates

A friendly reminder to our families at Our Lady of Mercy, Burraneer and De La Salle College, Caringbah, who have a son or daughter currently in Year 10.

As you begin to look toward the final years of secondary schooling, we invite you to join our vibrant  College community. Please take note of the upcoming deadline for enrollment applications at St Aloysius College, Cronulla:

• Year 11 (2027) Applications Close: Friday, 22 May (Term 2, Week 5)

We encourage families to submit their documentation via Compass promptly to ensure a smooth transition into our Senior pathways. For any inquiries regarding the application process or to book a tour of our senior facilities, please contact our Enrolment Officer at the College (phone: 8522 1500).

Staffing News: Welcoming Ms Taylor Patsas

I am delighted to officially introduce Ms Taylor Patsas, who joins our HSIE department for the remainder of the year.

Ms. Patsas is a dedicated HSIE teacher joining us from Canada. She brings a fresh, international perspective to our History and Geography classrooms, and we are excited to have her expertise as part of our teaching team. Taylor has already spent time this week getting to know our students and immersing herself in the St Aloysius Way.

A message from Ms Patsas to our community:

"It has been a sincere pleasure meeting and getting to know the students before the Easter break. As a Canadian educator recently arrived in Australia, I am incredibly excited to see the amazing accomplishments and learning we will achieve together throughout the rest of the year. I look forward to meeting parents and guardians in person at our upcoming parent-teacher conferences."

 

We are very pleased to have Taylor with us and know that our students will benefit greatly from her passion for global history and geography.

A Message of Hope: Wishing You a Blessed Easter

On behalf of the staff at St Aloysius College, I would like to wish all our parents, carers, and students a deeply Holy and Happy Easter.

As we enter the Lenten culmination, we move through the sacrifice of Good Friday and the patient waiting of Holy Saturday toward the glorious light of the Resurrection. May the joy of the risen Christ bring renewed hope, peace, and abundant blessings to your homes and families.

We also wish to express our sincere gratitude for the partnership and support you have shown the College throughout this busy first term. It is through this shared commitment that our students truly flourish.

End of Term & Commencement Details

To assist with your planning for the upcoming break, please note the following key dates and documents:

• End of Term Letters: Please find attached a copy of the End of Term Letter for Years 7–11 and a specific End of Term Letter for Year 12.
• Last Day of Term 1: Classes conclude this Thursday, 2 April, at our usual sport dismissal time of 2:30pm.

Term 2

• Staff Development Day: Monday, 20 April, is a designated Staff Development Day. Staff will be engaged in professional learning on-site. If you require supervision for your child on this day, please contact the College Office.
• First Day of Term 2: We look forward to welcoming all students back for the commencement of classes on Tuesday, 21 April in full winter uniform.

May the peace of the Lord be with you all during this holiday break.

As always…Up Up Cronulla.

God Bless.

Stephen Mahoney

Principal