DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

As the term draws to a close we find the days getting warmer, the afternoons stretching out lazily, colours around us intensifying and our ears filling more often with bird calls and the hum of lawn mowers beckoning us into the holidays. Were we all onsite at the moment we may have been less attuned to the subtle changes around us. Our change in circumstances does hold some blessings, those little kernels of hope and wonder. 

Term 4 will bring newness with it and we look forward with optimism. It will mean of course having to move back into some expectations and patterns that were not required during online learning. 

All students should return to Term 4 in Summer uniform. The two weeks of holidays will give everyone a chance to make sure that their summer uniform fits well. The dress length should be no more than 10cm above the knee. A white t-shirt is the only colour that can be worn under the blue polo shirt. Grey socks for the boys uniform and white for the girls. Hair that is longer than the collar should be tied back. The Winter Jacket should not be worn with the Summer uniform. Our uniform should be worn correctly at all times.

Phones should be locked in student lockers before Homeroom and remain there for the duration of the day. Our students did a magnificent job of adjusting to this rule at the start of the term and we are hopeful that this practice will continue. Masks will of course be mandatory and students must provide their own. We encourage students to have multiple masks in case of emergencies, breakages or simple forgetfulness. Students should also attend school with their MacBooks fully charged and with the protective covers intact. 

It will be wonderful to have a break over the next two weeks. This has not been an easy term but it has been a successful one. It has shown us once again that we are capable of more than we think. Thank you to each member of our school community for their contribution this term, for their commitment and for their presence. To our wonderful students who have worked diligently and tried valiantly to stay engaged in their learning we say thank you. To our families who have supported their students, who took turns at helping with online learning and assessment tasks we offer congratulations and our appreciation. To our deeply committed staff who have adjusted to each and every change with agility and dedication, who have worked on with constancy and courage, thank you, you have kept us buoyant. Despite the challenges we have continued to strive to push the boundaries of our capabilities in order to learn and grow. St Mary MacKillop College continues to be a learning environment that allows each member of the community to flourish. 

Enjoy the holidays.