From the Principal
Please, Thank You and Sorry
In late December 2018, one of our wonderful teachers, Ms Joanne McLoughlin, got married. The wedding was conducted in her hometown at the magnificent Galway Cathedral in Ireland. During Mass, the Irish Priest spoke of a family values’ homily delivered by Pope Francis to young couples in 2014.
Three words were mentioned as keys to a good family life. Showing good manners by saying ‘please’; expressing gratitude by saying ‘thank you’ and having the good grace and courage to say ‘sorry’. Please and thank you come naturally for many but the capacity to reflect on our own actions and say ‘sorry’ can be more challenging.
Every celebration of the Mass begins with prayer for forgiveness. We pray ‘Lord have Mercy’ and are reminded that ‘God is full of gentleness and forgiveness’. These are beautiful words and a wonderful way for us to conduct our lives both at home and at school.
During last week’s secondary assembly our Year 12 students symbolically welcomed our Year 7s to the college via a ‘spirit tunnel’. Walking through a guard of honour is special and recognises the warmth of the welcome extended to students new to the secondary school. One third of our Year 7 cohort know the school well through their primary school experience but it is still a significant transition for all students as they progress with their schooling. Thank you to our Year 12 students for their welcome to our new secondary students and best wishes to our Year 7 cohort as they begin the next phase of their schooling.
Recognising the Class of 2018
A holistic education with an appropriate balance between spiritual, academic and co-curricular domains is the essence of any good Catholic school. To be a good Catholic school we must first be a good school. Our learning programs must be of a high standard and we were certainly thrilled for last year’s Year 12 cohort.
The Class of 2018 received their results just prior to Christmas. Since we first published the results, further information has become available. Based on the median ATAR of 87.45, the College was ranked 17, continuing the College’s pattern of consistently being placed in the top twenty schools in the State.
The College was deemed to be a Top Performing School in the following subjects:
- Human Biology
- Italian: Second Language
- Literature
- Media Production & Analysis
- Physics
- Religion & Life
At assembly last week, we recognised our high achievers. It was a privilege to once again view the magnificent art work of Sophia Johnson, who achieved the Subject Exhibition for Visual Arts, awarded to the student with the top examination mark. We also celebrated Charlotte Beers’ VET Certificate of Excellence for her outstanding achievement in Primary, Environmental and Animal Care Industries. This certificate is well deserved and recognises the College’s focus on diversifying offerings for students interested in the VET pathway.
Under the guidance of Mrs Kath Negus (Vice Principal/Head of Secondary) and Mrs Jessica Bouwman (Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning), a very thorough analysis is being undertaken of our results.
Congratulations to the Class of 2018 and to all our families and staff for their excellent guidance and support.
Robert Henderson
Principal
Open Day 2019
