Wellbeing - Whole School

We are All in this Together

Last week at the College we celebrated Harmony Week. It is a week that shines the focus and encourages people to participate in their community, to respect different cultures and religions and to foster a sense of belonging for everyone. And so we should. We are one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. Our diversity is unique, and it is one of our nation's greatest strengths.

In our assembly last Friday, Mr Adrian Byrne (Deputy Principal) addressed the College and the importance of our diversity, citing recent racial issues in the National Rugby League as prime examples that attitudes MUST BE challenged and changed. After this, Mr Macquire Tatola (Head of Rugby Development), spoke about his family and his Tongan cultural heritage and challenged the Middle School students to learn something new about a peer’s culture and to truly embrace how diverse our community is.

Below is a small extract from Mr Tatola’s address:

'Malo lelei' - Hello, how are you?

 

Harmony Day is just one day in the year where we highlight the importance of celebrating cultures. But don’t stop there. Always be proud of who you are and where you come from. Be welcoming of another’s background and heritage. In doing so, you will ‘let your light shine’ and be the role models that we want in our community.

It is during these College Assembly occasions that I am reminded as to how proud I am of the diversity we have here at the College. However, it is important that we harness the spirit and enthusiasm of Harmony Day every day of the year. Where we see racial vilification, we must take a stand. Harmony Day reinforces the importance of Inclusivity - remembering that it is one of our Touchstones. Part of the agreement for your sons being enrolled here is that we welcome and value all members regardless of race, religion amongst many others. It is a part of who we are. It is about community participation, and they’ve seen that through homeroom and PCL sessions this week. But, above all, it is about respect for each other.

Below is a statement from one of our boys during PCL sessions:

In 8CRI1 we learnt that Harmony Day is about celebrating and noticing and respecting people’s differences. We learnt that everyone fits in and has a place and that nobody should ever feel left out.                                                                 Louis Gilroy

Our country is a great country, and so is our College, but it is only as great as our people. We have all come so far, and together we can go so much further. When we talk about letting your sons’ light shine, it is not just about them, it is the way they engage in order for us all in the community to ‘let OUR light shine.’

Alexandros Sinadinos

Director of Middle School

‘Relationships, Safety and Bullying’ Surveys       

Please note that students in Years 5-12, parents/carers and staff will have the opportunity to participate in the annual survey on Friday 5 April. An email will be sent to members of the College community on the Friday morning providing a link that will allow access to the survey, which will take approximately five to ten minutes to complete. The surveys will be open until 11:00 PM on Monday 8 April.

Students will be given the opportunity to complete the survey in their Pastoral Care Lesson; they can anonymously report occasions of bullying during 2024.

Similar surveys have been conducted in past years, providing the opportunity for longitudinal comparisons. The data provided in the responses from students, parents/carers and staff will be extremely useful in providing further evidence to affirm current practices while also giving feedback on how the College can develop in the areas identified within the survey.

Lenten Dances

With a week remaining, I am happy to report that there are over 1400 students across Years 7 to 10 who have purchased a ticket for the upcoming Lenten Dances. A reminder that the sale of tickets for the upcoming Lenten dances closes at 6:00 PM this evening.

Please note that all students will be required to hand in their mobile phone and will be checked for prohibited items (cigarettes, vapes, alcohol, drugs) prior to entering the venue. 

I ask that boys bring a copy of their ticket and have their mobile phones in a labelled snap-lock bag (name and homeroom) so the devices can be effectively returned at the end of the evening. Boys should also ensure that they read the expectations that are printed on the parent letter prior to attending. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Robert Simpson

Director of Senior School