Principal Report

Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome to 2019! A big welcome to all new parents and carers to our school. We are so pleased to have so many of you have become part of our community, a community ‘Founded on Faith, Focused on Learning.’

Education Vision 2018

Our educational vision for 2019 embeds our work we have been undertaking to make learning the centre of all we do. On our first day our staff reflected on the following statement:

Shared Beliefs and Understanding

1. All students can achieve high standards given the right time and the right support
2. All teachers can teach to high standards given time and the right assistance
3. High expectations and early and ongoing intervention are essential
4. All leaders, teachers, and students can articulate what they do and why they lead,   teach, and learn the way they do.

(Sharratt and Fullan 2012 - Parameter 1)

At O’Connor, our work is focussed on this statement. Every student growing their learning every lesson, every day, every year. Teachers working collaboratively to enhance the learning for all. High expectations for every member of our community- students, staff, and families with the right support. Finally, everyone in the community being able to talk about what they do and why they do it.

Our educational vision is the same as last year and embodies our shared beliefs:

Our vision is a faith filled Catholic Professional Learning Community, founded on faith & focused on learning, working collaboratively to enhance the learning for all, resulting in students who are creative, confident and informed people ready to make a real difference in our world. We believe that everyone can learn, not always at the same time or in the same way, and we strive to create learning opportunities for all.

Our Annual Improvement Plan sets out our goals to achieve this vision. The goals for 2019 are  

Faith

To ensure meaningful embedding and exploration of Catholic Principles and Values.

To foster faith opportunities for the whole school community.

Learning

To develop guaranteed and viable curriculum.

To ensure the learning experience is engaging and differentiated.

Collaboration

To ensure pastoral academic care supports the learning community to succeed

To foster collaborative Professional Learning Teams that authentically engage with learning.

Leaders Cross and Dux 2018 Ceremony

On Friday 2nd February, we held a beautiful Leaders Cross Ceremony. The Student Leaders for 2019 announced the theme for 2019 ‘The Power of Yet’. This theme encapsulates the grit and resilience we want our whole school community to embrace. Instead of giving up, try and try again-

‘I don’t understand this English text ….yet’

‘I can’t solve this Mathematics problem ….yet’

‘I didn’t make the sport team ….yet’

The Power of Yet encourages us all to continue to strive for our goal even when it appears beyond us.

The Dux for 2018 HSC Class was also announced. I have included part of my speech from the ceremony that includes many of the highlights from the HSC Class of 2018:

The HSC class of 2018 achieved excellent results showing learning growth across their years of schooling. In 2018 80% of all courses achieved results in the top 2 bands. This demonstrates how talented our students were across a range of areas.

The HSC Class of 2018 displayed resilience, self reflection and the ability to own their learning, and their teachers worked hard to help them achieve their individual learning goals. I would like to congratulate the students, the teaching staff and all staff who worked with diligence and commitment to achieve the best learning outcomes for all. Here are some of the highlights from the year:

Connor Dennehy

Band 6 - PDHPE

 Brydie Hawthorne

Band 6 - Hospitality

Ryan McCormack

Notional Band 6 Extension 2 Maths

Liam Skinner

Notional Band 6 - Extension 2 Maths

Sophie Warner

Band 6 - Business Services

James Wood - Band 6 - Hospitality

Emily Wooster - Band 6 -

Textiles and Design

Katherine Hosking - Band 6 - German Beginners and PDHPE

Jacob Minehan - ATAR 91.65 Notional Band 6 Extension 2 Mathematics, E4 Mathematics Ext 1 Band 5 - Physics, Chemistry , English Standard

DUX for 2018

It is with great pleasure that I announce the Dux for 2018 - Cameron Roan

Cameron attained an ATAR of 95.25. He achieved Band 6 result in Mathematics 2. Achieved E3 for Ext 1 Mathematics and Band 5 results in Physics, Chemistry and English Advanced.

Cameron has worked with determination throughout his whole secondary schooling. He topped the academic awards for his cohort from Yr 7 through to Year 12. Throughout the HSC Cameron showed a willingness to learn and made the most of the learning opportunities presented. He was proactive in his learning, always asking questions and seeking to more fully understand difficult concepts.

Cameron’s approach to his learning was a model for other students to follow and his ability to think critically extended not just his learning but others around him. Cameron shows a great deal of humility and never sought the limelight. In his discussion with the Armidale Express about his HSC and ATAR results, Cameron was quick to point out that it was not about him but the whole community, students and staff.

Cameron’s hard work and dedication has paid off in him winning a civilian scholarship to study Aeronautical Engineering at ADFA (Australian Defence Force Academy). Cameron is a person with integrity who we know will continue to accept challenges and seek solutions. I wish him well and every success.

I congratulate Cameron Roan and the HSC class of 2018. O’Connor is founded on faith and focused on learning. The Power of Yet!

Welcome to New Staff

We have had a number of new staff join us this year and I look forward to working with them:

Jessica Armfield - Term 1 PDHPE,

Eliza Clark - Youth Minister,

Lauren Clarke - HSIE/ENG/PDHPE,

Cath Deshon - Literacy + 7RE/ENG,

Lauren Donnelly - English,

Brydie Hawthorne - Youth Minister,

Frank Patricks- HSIE/TAS,

Nick Troon - Music Ministry (Wed), 

Sarah Watson - Educational Assistant.

Leaders of Learning

Curriculum - Mitchell Smidt

English - Michael Wooster

Maths - Stephen Chapman

HSIE - Lorna Ahern

Science - Lilly Moar

TAS - Jon Hawthorne

PDHPE - Camilla Clydsdale

CAPA - Melita Roache

VET - Ian Yensch

Enrichment - Jenny Roff

ICT & Compass  - Mark Harris

Leadership Team

Principal - Regina Menz

Assistant Principal - Simon Fleming

Religious Education Coordinator - Damian Roff

Leader of Pedagogy - Eli Simpson

LOL (PAC & Wellbeing) - Mellissa Bell

Once again welcome to 2019 school year.

What new learning will you undertake this week?

Regina Menz