DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

It would be an understatement to say that we are all looking forward to a break. It has been a wonderful term full of learning opportunities and exciting events. I am grateful to our staff who continue to provide an excellent educating community and who thoroughly deserve some time off.

Over the holidays we ask that our students make sure that their uniform is in good order and that arrangements are made to purchase or acquire further uniform items if need be. Of particular note is the number of our students who are wearing black runners instead of school shoes. These are not part of our uniform and students should only be wearing alternate versions of the school shoe where they have written directions from a medical specialist.

A reminder too that in the colder months students may choose to wear a beanie or a scarf. The school beanie is the only permitted version and scarves should be either black or blue and most certainly not grey. 

In the last two weeks of school we have seen a spike in phone related incidents. Students are reporting the misuse of social media to teachers at an increased rate. We have seen students making videos at school during the day and posting these to social media sites. This is of great concern to us as a school. Not only are phones not permitted to be carried during the school day but it also can be a breach of a person's privacy to post their image without consent. When there are negative messages attached to these images it is even worse and in some cases makes this a matter for the police. Perhaps the school holidays offer the time and space for young people to have a break from social media, we know that studies support the benefits of less time on screens. Regardless of use during the school holidays, students should return to Term 3 with the clear understanding that phones are not permitted during the day. They should be locked in lockers before Homeroom. 

I have unfortunately had to speak with the staff at Coles this week because they are concerned that our students are shoplifting. Students are reminded that they should come directly to school in the morning and should not be at Coles unless they are dropped off there by their parent or they have a note. Students should not be leaving the school grounds to go to Coles and certainly, if dropped off at school, parents would expect the students to be coming to school not going to Coles. Families are encouraged to use our Canteen service as an alternative to bringing lunch from home. 

Whilst these three items are definitely areas of concern I am always encouraged by the generosity and openness of our students and the wonderful support we have from families. St Mary MacKillop College is a good school and we continue to work, with constancy and courage, to ensure that it is always a place of welcome, a place of respect and a place of learning. 

I sincerely wish all students, families and staff a restful break.