Assistant Principal's Message
NAIDOC Week
Many thanks to our ATSIC students, Mr Russell and our AEO's Matt and Kate for putting together a wonderful week of celebrations. Students and staff have been treated to a flag raising ceremony, art workshops, bush tucker, touch football and netball games, classroom lessons on indigenous culture and a beautiful liturgy praying for harmony and reconciliation. ATSIC students were also able to visit the Keeping Place to research family histories with Mrs Chapman. All in all, a wonderful week.
Year 10 into 11 Subject Choices.
On Monday August 5th there is a subject fair and selection night at O'Connor. The purpose of this evening is to inform students about the senior curriculum. It involves specific information about students patterns of study including information about particular courses and the NESA rules surrounding senior study. Students will then be required to make their initial subject selections online. This is important information for Year 10 students and parents and presents a great opportunity to dispel myths and misconception regarding the HSC and to answer any questions that may arise.
Student Led Conferencing
In my roles of Assistant Principal, PAC teacher of a Year 7 class and a parent of a Year 10 student, it has been wonderful to observe the impact of the Student Led Conferencing that has taken place this week. Feedback provided from parents and students has been very positive with an emphasis on students taking responsibility for their learning. Students have enjoyed leading the conference as it has helped with their confidence and it has provided a forum for them to honestly reflect on their strengths, areas that need improvement and strategies required to move their learning forward. Parents have enjoyed a way to discuss learning that can be used at home and seeing work samples explained to them in detail. Year 7 and 8 students have been busily preparing for conferencing next week. I strongly encourage all parents to avail themselves of this great opportunity and book a time in the next few days. Bookings can be made in the "parent" section of the College website under "parent teacher interviews" or simply following steps on the link https://sobs.com.au/pt/parent.php?schoolid=130
Real Talk
Information will be distributed soon regarding a Diocesan initiative to combat the negative impact of pornography on society. The Real Talk program aims to educate students in years 7 and 9 regarding the prevalence in and harm to society that is caused by pornography. It aims to give students strategies to resist and fight back against these negative impacts. The Real Talk program also involves parent nights. I can assure you that they are frank, surprising and the springboard for honest conversations. I believe it is important for parents to attend and participate in these sessions.
Sport
Many thanks to Mr May, Mrs Price and Mr Harper for taking the Senior Boys and Girls and the Junior Boys Football teams to Coffs Harbour for the third round of the NSW Catholic Colleges knockout. Although the 3 teams were unsuccessful all reports confirm that they were very competitive and represented the College with pride.
Term 3 is a busy time for School sport. Students are busily preparing for NSWCCC Athletics, Netball, Hockey and Basketball. Good luck to all those students involved. Please help those teachers organising these events by getting notes and money in on time.
Thank you ..
For your ongoing support & Cooperation
Damian Roff
Acting A.P