From the Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, Staff and Friends of St Norbert College,

It is widely accepted that schools are indeed busy places all year round. The start to the school year seems to be the busiest time, but I think our feelings at this time overshadow any busyness, with feelings of excitement, enthusiasm and happiness, perhaps in sharing the fun of our holidays.

Last week we welcomed more than 900 students back from holidays, with nearly 200 new, young faces joining our College community. Welcome to our new students and their families and likewise to our new staff.

The College staff gathered for Mass on Thursday January 31 with the staff from St Joseph’s where Fr Peter celebrated the beginning of the new school year. At this Mass, we also commissioned those staff new to St Norbert College:

                                                                                  Mr Andrew – English

                                                                                 Miss Bell – Health and Physical Education

                                                                                 Ms Buhagiar – English and EALD

                                                                                 Ms Chalmers – English

                                                                                 Mrs Kippen – Humanities

                                                                                 Mr Vu – Mathematics

We look to the year ahead determined to excite and energise our students about learning.

It is always a delight to inform our community and to celebrate the wonderful achievements of our Year 12 students. It is with pleasure that I congratulate the Year 12 Class of 2018, staff and families on the following accolades:

• 99.2% achievement of the WACE Certificate
• St Norbert College Median ATAR 83 (ranked 13th across all WA Catholic schools and 42nd in secondary schools in WA)
• 100% of VET students achieving a Certificate II or higher
• 100% of ATAR students received an offer to a public university in the Main Round

We acknowledged a number of students for their outstanding individual achievements at our first College Assembly last Thursday. Mr Dowling, our Dean of Studies, has further details regarding these students and their achievements in his article contained in this newsletter.

As we do at all College assemblies we also reflected on one of our St Norbert College values and for this first assembly, we took the time to reflect on the value of Commitment.

As members of the St Norbert College community, we strive to live this value when we commit our best efforts towards personal performance, seeking opportunities for self-improvement and when we aspire to excellence in everything we do. This is a commitment we make for our own benefit and for the benefit of our College community.

One commitment that all families make at enrolment is attendance at the compulsory College events, the first of which is the annual College Community Mass, a wonderful occasion for all in our community to gather in prayer to ask for God’s blessings on our school year.

This year, the College Community Mass will be held on Sunday February 24 at 6.30pm in the College grounds. I look forward to sharing this special time with all of our families.

One social highlight of the year, the Year 12 Ball, was held on Friday February 1 at Fraser’s Function Centre in Kings Park. The venue and surrounds, including the stunning city lights, provided a delightful setting for our students to enjoy the company of peers and staff alike. An enjoyable night was had by all and enormous thanks must go to Miss Pisconeri, Mrs Eloff, Mrs Kremer, Ms Morris and student members of the Ball Committee, for their dedication and organisation of this event and to all in attendance for their conduct.

Today we held the annual Interhouse Swimming Carnival at HBF Stadium. This event is undoubtedly one of the big sporting highlights for the year and today was no exception. Well done to Mr Ford, our Director of Canons Sport, and his many supporting staff for their efforts in again organising a fantastic day. The all-important results from today are:

1st place: Premontre

2nd place: Kilnacrott

3rd place: Magdeburg

4th place: Tongerlo

5th place: Xanten

Congratulations to Mr McGrath, staff and students of Premontre on their enthusiasm, dedication and performances today, and to all students and staff for again making our swimming carnival such a wonderful College event.

Many of our parents and families would be aware of the announcement by the Australian Catholic Bishops to hold a Plenary Council in 2020. Between now and Ash Wednesday 2019, we have been invited to participate in the first phase of the Plenary Council - an open and inclusive process of listening, dialogue and discernment about the future of the Catholic Church in Australia. This link will allow those interested to find out more about the Plenary Council and the upcoming opportunities for the listening and dialogue sessions: http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/resources/have-your-say/. I have also included the Plenary Council Prayer below.

I thank all of our young people for starting this year with a wonderful spirit of community, enthusiasm and joy. It bodes well for an exciting year ahead.

God Bless,

Mr S Harvey (Principal)