Principal
Feast Day of Mary of the Cross, MacKillop, and Walkathon
Last week on Tuesday, 8 August, we celebrated Mary of the Cross, MacKillop’s Feast Day. All elements worked extremely well, we were blessed with fantastic weather and there was a great sense of community on the day.
We commenced the day with a liturgy con-celebrated by Fr Stanly Devasia and Fr Darren Howie. I thank both Stanly and Darren for their ongoing support and presence in our community. Following the Mass, we held our Walkathon which is the main driver of our fundraising efforts to support the following charities this year: Disaster Aid (a project of Rotary); Transform the Nations; Trinity Families; and Mary MacKillop Today. The charities support local, national, and international works and all make a valuable contribution to improve the lives of the people they assist.
Students and staff returned from the Walkathon after about a two-hour journey from Koonwarra to the centre of Leongatha and then returned to school and were provided lunch and then entertained by the annual staff versus students Netball game. All involved in the competition had fun and resulted in a win for the students.
I am very grateful to Nicole Dudman for all her work and leadership in all aspects of the day.
Specifically, for the Mass, thank you to Nicole Dudman who was supported by Cate Kavanagh with regard to the liturgy and ensuring students were prepared and ready. Also, my great appreciation to Beth Winterhalter and David Robinson as well as Meg Doherty and Daniel Isgro for their work in preparing and playing with our choir. The singing by the choir was appreciated by all in attendance. Thank you as well to Scott Blencowe for the sound and set-up. Also thank you again to Fr Stanly for his wonderful contribution and meaningful homily.
Thank you to all staff for their participation during the Walkathon section, including those who were at school ensuring food was prepared and ready for all participants.
Organisation of these days is an enormous task and the work undertaken by Walkathon Committee consisting of Nicole Dudman, Zac Cox, Di Malloy, Tendai Nyamunduru, Michelle Krohn, and the Student Mission Team. Additionally, thank you to our administration staff for all their work, specifically: Kaila Hutchinson, Leanne Soderlund, Adrienne Layton, Donna Wylie, Jenny Damon, Laura Kew, Emma Blunt, Tennille Homan, and Tracey Mildenhall.
Thanks to Carly Kitchingman for the photography. For the afternoon events, thank you to all involved in the Netball game. It was entertaining and it was generous of the teachers to allow the students to win.
Finally thank you to our students for their engagement and participation.
Year 11 Retreat
Our Year 11 Students have participated in their Retreat at the Don Bosco Camp in Safety Beach. All reports have been positive and the students attending have engaged in all the opportunities offered to them to connect with God, themselves, each other, and family. Thank you to Nicole Dudman for all her work in preparing the retreat and my appreciation to all the staff who worked with and supported our students in this vital experience.
National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence
Today is the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence The theme for 2023 is 'growing connections'. It supports the research findings that strong school community connections and social skills are protective factors in the prevention of bullying and help enable positive, help-seeking behaviours in students.
To acknowledge this day, we had an extended homeroom to engage in an extended learning activity to: build an understanding of what connection means; be able to recognise connections that we have in our lives; and understand how strong connections can help to prevent bullying.
Thank you to Chris Spencer for his leadership on this important action.
Sporting Achievements
Congratulations to Gemma Meadley, a member of the SSV U15 State Netball Team which competed recently in the National Championships. Gemma was not only a member of the winning team (Victoria) but was also selected as one of three Victorians for the All-Australian Team. A phenomenal honour for her.
Congratulations to Max Donohue (11) and Xavier Lindsay (11) who played in the U17 Victorian Country team against Queensland in Werribee last weekend.
Congratulations to Alicia McGrath (11) who recently competed in the Northern Territory Trap Championships winning Junior Single Barrel and Junior Double Barrel and 2nd in B Grade Double Barrel.
Deputy Principal Formative Appraisal
The last element of Jodie Connell’s formative appraisal took place on Tuesday this week with the Panel interviewing 20 staff, including Jodie, students, and parents. I along with Jodie am grateful to all who have contributed to this important opportunity to reflect on Jodie’s work in her role, celebrate successes, and discern opportunities for growth as a leader.
Principal Enrichment Leave
I will be on enrichment leave from Monday, 4 September until Friday 15 September. During this time I will be participating in the Catholic School Identity 2023 Study Program at the Catholic University Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium.
This program aims to support principals and senior leaders as they engage in the core work of enhancing Catholic identity and school improvement. Reflection for the group will focus on school and system implications for work in Australia, particularly in regard to: employment of staff; pedagogy; prayer and scripture; professional learning; and accreditation of staff members.
In my absence, John Ryan and Jodie Connell will be Acting Co-Principals, commencing Monday 4 September until the end of Term 3. I will return to Australia on 18 September.
Staff News
Ty Hall (Class of 2022), finished today as an AFL Sports Trainee and will commence a building apprenticeship.
Sapientia Domini Docet Nos
John M Freeman