Principal's Report
Dear Parents and Carers
On Tuesday 3rd of July, I had the privilege of accompanying three Year 11 Students to the opening of Headspace in Armidale. Claudia Ley, Imogen Dagg and Alanah Bowden represented O’Connor at the opening. Claudia gave a speech that was written by Alanah with help from Claudia and Imogen. In it she said:
Headspace coming to Armidale creates a wider range of programs and solutions targeting specific areas of needs for our youth, which is exactly the kind of facility Armidale has needed for sometime now. With the new instalment of this facility there will be a stronger push to the acknowledgement of the wellbeing of teenagers and their contribution to our society. This will help to ensure brighter and better pathways for the future of the youth of Armidale.
Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds, along with assistance in promoting young people's’ wellbeing. This covers four core areas: mental health, physical health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug services. Headspace Armidale is located in the Centacare building at Rusden St Armidale. Young people from 12 - 25 can self refer and they offer a range of services.
As well as the new Headspace facility, all students, parents and staff can access support for managing mental health issues, through Centacare. Darren Moss (our counsellor from Centacare) is at O’Connor on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The referral process is easy and the forms can be accessed by contacting the school office. Centacare also offer many programs, such as ‘Surviving your Adolescents’, which can be accessed through their website http://centacarenenw.com.au/.
If you or a family member are in need of support please do not hesitate to contact us. Contact details for other support networks are:
Lifeline Australia phone 13 11 14
Kids Helpline phone 1800 551800 or webchat https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/
Beyond Blue phone 1300 22 4636
Or your GP or the emergency department of the hospital.
Staff Changes for Term 3
I informed you of most of the changes last newsletter but just wanted to remind and update you -
Mrs Mellissa Bell who has gained a position working in teacher education at UNE. Mrs Bell will continue in her role at CSO two days and so will help mentor the new Student Support Teacher.
We welcome Mrs Katie Biddle to our school as Student Support Teacher. Mrs Biddle is an experienced educator and is currently the Student Support Teacher at St Mary's Catholic Primary School and a Lecturer at UNE in inclusive education. She brings to the role a wealth of understanding and knowledge of the learning needs of Students with disability and we look forward to her joining O'Connor Catholic College Community.
Mrs Ruth Patrick is taking a year’s leave to work in a school in Nepal. Miss Camilla Clydsdale will be the acting Leader of Learning (PDHPE) for the year. Mr James Russell will be the Year 11 Pastoral Academic Care Leader and will take Year 11 through Year 12 as well. Miss Yolanda Kreuzen will take on the role of Year 8 Pastoral Academic Care Leader for the remainder of the year. I thank these staff for taking on these new roles. We have appointed Mr Lloyd Honnery in the PDHPE position and we look forward to welcoming him to O’Connor in Term 3. Ms Toni Widders has accepted a full time position at Oorala Centre at UNE. I thank Ms Widders for all her work this semester and wish her well for the future.
Students and Staff return on Monday 23rd July. Please note this is NOT a Staff Development Day.
Annual Report 2017
The 2017 Annual School Report is now available on our website.
Wishing you all safe and relaxing school holidays.
What new learning will you undertake this week?
Regina Menz