O'Connor Catholic College Newsletter

Pastoral Academic Care (PAC) 

Junior: TIME TARGETS 

 

Senior: LEARNING Es

 

Wellbeing Element:  ACCOMPLISHMENT + OPTIMISM 

 

Character Strength:  Perseverance 

 

Parent Wellbeing: understanding and accepting yourself, understanding the world around you and understanding where you fit within the world and with others, provides you with a reason to get out of bed each morning and do what you do with passion. What are your understandings of these things? What is your sense of purpose in life? What can you do to make a positive difference every day, no matter how small? 

 

Year 7

As we move towards the end of term 4, reports are very much to the fore in teachers' thoughts. Students should be putting the finishing touches to their learning tasks or getting in some last minute preparation in advance of their final assessments for the year. Reports will be issued online through the Compass portal and will be available for parents and carers to view at the end of the term. 

 

Year 7’s will have Learn To Swim / Lifesaving courses in Week 9 (week commencing Monday 9th December) at Monckton Aquatic Centre. This Lifesaving program is implemented by a select group of our Year 10 students who have undertaken training with our experienced staff. Periods 1 and 2 will run as normal for Week 9 and students must be prepared for learning with the necessary equipment for each subject. Periods 3 - 5 will be cancelled as students will walk to the Aquatic Centre, accompanied by staff and senior students.

 

In Week 10, the final week of term, we will have our annual Presentation Day on Tuesday 17th December, where all student achievements and merits are celebrated across all subjects. Please remember that all students must wear the formal summer uniform on this day.  Wednesday and Thursday of Week 10 will be ‘Term 5’ activities, where students choose from a list of activities ran by our teaching and support staff. The activity list is currently being finalised. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a maximum of 4 activities across the 2 days. Information will be released via Compass from Week 7. 

 

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all parents and carers for their support throughout the year with getting the best from your young people. It is when we work closely together as a team that we achieve best for the young people in our care. I have seen great growth across the board in all of our year 7 students and this is a credit to the parents and carers, the staff at O’Connor and of course, the students themselves. 

I’d like to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas holidays.

 

Mr. Shane McCann

Year 7 Leader of Learning - Wellbeing

Year 8

As we begin the second half of term 4 we begin to look towards the end of the year which is always an extremely busy time. 

 

Year 8 will have lifesaving in Week 9 which means Periods 3-5 will be cancelled for that week. Students need to remember to still bring their equipment for Periods 1 and 2 so meaningful work can be achieved in this last week. Information will be released soon via Compass. 

 

Week 10 will see O’Connor participating in the annual Presentation Day where all student achievements are celebrated across all subjects. Please remember that all students need to wear the formal summer uniform for the day including leather shoes. Wednesday and Thursday will be Term 5 activities (activity list is currently being finalised) students will have the opportunity to participate in a maximum of 4 activities across the 2 days. Information will be released via Compass from Week 7. 

 

As we speed towards the end of the year I would like to thank all the parents and careers that have supported the year 8 students throughout this year. As I move into a House Leader role next year I look forward to continuing to work with the Benilde students of the year group. As for the other students who will move onto new house leaders, you are in amazing hands and I will pass all relevant information to these leaders. But remember I am always here for you and I am excited to continue to see you grow into amazing young adults and leaders. 

 

Have a wonderful Christmas holiday and as always, be safe! 

 

Miss Libby Plane

Year 8, Leader of Learning - Wellbeing

Year 9

As we pass the halfway mark of the term, I have observed some great efforts, hard work and commitment. As the term comes to an end we often see some people who may be exhausted and need some extra support. It is always important to take time to care for yourself, your peers, your teachers and your friendships. 

Friendships are a huge part of your social and emotional life, especially in secondary school. Positive, healthy friendships can make a big difference to your mental health and wellbeing. Some friendships may naturally drift apart, while others might end more suddenly. This can be difficult. Learning how to cope with these changes in a healthy way is important. It’s okay to experience changes in your friendships. Here are a few tips from the website Reachout.com to help you navigate the ups and downs of friendships:

  1. Give it some time – Sometimes, space can help both sides gain clarity. Take a step back and see how things feel after a little while.
  2. Try to see the situation from a different point of view – Understanding the other person’s feelings can help you handle the situation with more empathy.
  3. Talk about how you’re feeling – Communication is key. If you're feeling upset or confused, it can help to talk it through with a trusted friend, family member, or school counsellor.
  4. Be open to meeting new people – Friendships evolve, and you might find new connections that are just as meaningful. Stay open to making new friends and expanding your social circle.

I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible growth and maturity I've seen in our year group over the past few years. From Year 7 to Year 9, each student  has taken on new challenges, faced obstacles with resilience, and developed not just as students, but as young people.

 

As I transition into my new role as House Leader, I’m excited to continue working closely with all of you. While my responsibilities will expand to include students from across different year groups, my commitment to supporting and guiding each student remains the same. I look forward to seeing our Year group continue to thrive and lead in the years to come.

 

Mrs Kathryn Czinner

Year 9, Leader of Learning - Wellbeing

 

Year 10

 

Well done year 10 for being halfway through the term! Enjoy the last few weeks of your junior learning before stepping into stage 6, TAFE, Sbats, apprenticeships or another pathway! 

 

At our last year meeting we discussed “lollipop” moments. This concept was introduced to us on our Retreat day earlier this year but it’s an idea that is valuable and important! A lollipop moment are those moments of kindness and leadership which leave an impact on another but you may not remember. They have a lasting impact on the recipient and can greatly improve another’s day. 

 

We have a big few weeks coming up! Presentation day, all my own work, transition week and some of our students are also supporting life saving week! 

It’s vital that our students take all opportunities that are coming their way and end the term well! 

 

I am beyond lucky to have had the opportunity to work with our fantastic year 10 students this year and I hope you all have a safe, restful and fun holiday! 

 

Miss Jessica Armfield

Year 10, Leader of Learning - Wellbeing

 

Year 12

Earlier this week our Year 12 students were emailed and given some reminders of a few College expectations that have, as the term has progressed, have begun to slip a little.  We would like to take this opportunity to share these reminders with our families. If you have any questions or concerns about any of these, please feel free to reach out to either myself or Mr Meyers via email or by phoning the college.

 

  • Please remember that the College uniform requirements have changed now that you are in Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12).
  • It is expected that you will only be wearing the OCC sports uniform if you are enrolled into a subject for which it is necessary (e.g. PDHPE), and beyond that, that you are only wearing it on the days where your lessons for that subject/s requires it (if your PDHPE lesson is timtabled in U13, for example, you are expected to be in your normal summer uniform). The participation in sport outside of school hours, including sport organised by OCC is not a valid reason to be in your sports uniform.
  • The uniform requirements also explicitly state that the wearing of non OCC items (e.g. Canterbury/other branded shorts, trackpants, hats) is not acceptable. Students are also expected to be wearing black leather shoes with their summer/winter uniforms. 
  • College expectations are that students are only signing out on a Wednesday afternoon - you are required to present to the front office to sign out. This reminder has been shared a few times this term and unfortunately we still have multiple students not doing this repeatedly each week. 
  • College expectations are that students are on site for ALL study lessons, except for Period 5 Wednesday. Signing in late because you have Study in the morning, or signing out early because you have study in the afternoon does not demonstrate your participation in the culture of learning here at O'Connor. 
  • You are expected to have completed a "permission to drive" form and handed it into the front office - if we do not have your details and you are seen driving to/from school, I will need to contact your parents to discuss this.
  • All students should be parking in the student car park - not on Kirkwood Street.

 

We thank you in advance for your cooperation regarding the above.

 

Mrs Amanda McFarland and Mr Bruce Myers 

Year 12 2025, Leader of Learning - Wellbeing