Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week we farewelled our Year 12 students. Our Parish Masses on Tuesday night were a beautiful acknowledgement of the faith life of our College and today we held our Final Assembly for Year 12. My Principal’s Report for this final newsletter for Term 3 is my speech I gave at the Assembly -

2020 Win:Win 

Parents, Friends, Staff, Students and our Graduating Class -  Year 12 2020

I normally get up and give my speech saying how resilient and hard working our year 12 students have been, and that is the truth. Prior to 2020 we would rate HSC as one of the milestones that shows grit and determination. This year, yes 2020 win win, has redefined what grit and determination means for our world and for you, our graduating class. 

Year 12 generally means jerseys, studying, the last sporting events like Swimming carnivals and athletics, graduation, formals, schoolies and the prospect of new horizons. COVID-19 has really changed the final year at school in 2020 and for many of you there’s a sense of loss of these ‘coming of age’ experiences. It’s important to remember that the HSC is not the be-all and end-all in education or the end of learning. 

I was particularly impressed with Year 12 2020 and how they started the year, think back to the mass participation at the Swimming Carnival, how quickly students settled into solid and strong study patterns and how they approached their assessment tasks. The way they started 2020, meant that when we went to connected learning from home, the students were well placed to take on the challenges it presented. The self-discipline needed by them to continue to study was enormous and they took it on with strength and courage. The way they took on the challenges that COVID presented has shaped and formed the Year 12 class they have become. I know personally how committed these students are to each other, to learning and to life.

Students, as you transition from school into your new world, the world you head into is one with much uncertainty. Former President Barack Obama addressed a ceremony for graduates in June this year and said

"If the world’s going to get better, it’s going to be up to you."

How exciting, how frightening and how challenging! Year 12 2020 I am confident that you will go on and make a difference to our world. Be courageous, be brave, make mistakes and dust yourself off for the next adventure. There is nothing wrong with aiming high, and failing; but there is waste in failing because you didn’t try in the first place. So dare to dream.

Even though we are farewelling you today do not forget about that small thing coming up the HSC exams. Study hard and try your best. When the results come out be pleased with all you have achieved. Don’t be defined by your results or your ATAR, recognise that there are many different pathways and no pathway is better than another. Be proud of all you have achieved in your thirteen years of schooling.

We should all be so proud of the Class of 2020: their dedication to their studies and more importantly, their resilience. If the purpose of school is to prepare young people for life, whatever it throws at them, they have shown they are prepared!

Year 12 when you look back at your time at O’Connor I hope you look back with great memories and remember that you will always be part of the O’Connor community . A community founded on faith and focused on learning. 

As you leave O’Connor:

Accept there will be setbacks along the way, but rise above them. 

Accept that you can make a difference in your life and in the world, 

Accept that God walks with you in this journey and 

Simply do your best

Good luck in your upcoming exams and for the future.

I wish you well, O’Connor Community I present to you Year 12 2020.

I’d now like to recognise the student leadership team of 2020 and to thank them for everything they have done. 

College Captains - Ellen Hawthorne and Liam Smith

Vice Captains - Samuel Bible and Emily Meehan

Faith and Service Captains - Ruth Toakley and Kieran Wicks

Arts Captains - Georgia MacMahon and Madeleine Holmes

Sports Captains - Nathan Czinner and Tori Brazier

Term 4

Today we farewell Mrs Eli Simpson and thank her for her contribution to the learning community of O’Connor. Mrs Simpson has been instrumental in bringing our vision for learning to life. She is an outstanding learner, educator and leader. Mrs Simpson is taking up a senior leadership role at Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie in the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese. 

Mr Stephen Chapman will take on the role of Assistant Principal (Learning) and Mr Mark Harris will take on the role as Leader of Learning (Mathematics). I look forward to working with Stephen and Mark in their new roles.

Last week we farewelled Mr Andrew May who has taken 6 months leave commencing on taking on a role with the Australian Army in Darwin. This means he will be on leave for Term 4 2020 and Term 1 2021.

We welcome Ms Elizabeth Campbell who will work in the English faculty and Mrs Delwyn Smidt who will work in HSIE faculty.

Monday 12th October is a Staff Development Day. 

This means it is a Pupil Free Day for students in Year 7 - 11. The College will be open for Year 12 students to study in preparation for their HSC exams. 

I wish everyone a safe and relaxing holiday and look forward to working with you in Term 4.

What new learning will you undertake this week?

Regina Menz