Acting-Principal Message

Prayer for Saint Mary Mackillop

(Feast Day 8 August)

God of all pilgrim people, you raise up women and men to meet the needs of every age. In Mary MacKillop, we celebrate a journey of deep love and sensitivity to your will. Like her, may we learn to grow in appreciation of the fullness of your love and the depth of your mystery.

Help us to transform the ordinariness of our lives as we reach out to others through the daily challenges of our journey towards you. 

Amen

Dear Kildare Community,

We have had a calm and productive start to Term 3. Students have been focused on their learning and treating each other with care around the College.

Our Year 12 students have now completed their second week of Trial HSC exams and have been managing this challenge with a positive mindset. We are looking forward to welcoming Year 12 back to normal classes next Tuesday for their final weeks of schooling. 

Year 10 subject selections for 2024 closed on Wednesday this week. Next steps in the process include interviews on Friday 25th August. Year 10 students will not attend school on this day, which allows for the opportunity for every student, together with their parents, to meet with an expert to discuss their selections and ensure they are set up for the optimal individual pathway for them. More information will be shared with parents about how to book an interview time over the next week.

We have been incredibly proud of our students who have represented the College across a number of sports and events over the last couple of weeks. We have received several communications from members of the wider community complementing our students on their manners, leadership, respectful nature and sportsmanship. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff who coach sporting teams. These staff go above and beyond to provide these extracurricular opportunities for our students and we are very grateful for their commitment and efforts.

Last week, our staff had the opportunity to engage in a professional learning session with Donna Richards from the Australian Childhood Foundation, learning about the impacts of childhood trauma on students’ readiness to learn. This was an amazing opportunity for our staff to learn about trauma informed practice and about strategies to support students with emotional regulation. Our staff work incredibly hard to support the learning and wellbeing of all of our students and this was a great example of our dedication to keep up with the latest research about what works.

Next Tuesday, our Acting Leader of Mission David Chaston has organised a Mass for our Kildare Community to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.  Students and families are invited to join us at the Mt Erin Chapel at 1.40 pm on Tuesday 15th August.