Principal's Post

Dear All,

Since last week our schedules have been amended and the realisation that we are in lockdown for the remainder of the term has had significant impact. We can tell by the number of calls relating to finances, vaccinations, Consideration of Educational Disadvantage, assessments for Year 12 Students and students struggling with anxiety. We reminded the students on Thursday about the Three C’s that constitutes our simple strategy for them.

We are all working on ways to cope with extraordinary circumstances. Keep connected and engaged with classes, do your best to complete your work, but don't be too hard on yourselves. Keep the lines of communication open, with families, with teachers and with your friends.

The lines of communication applies to parents as well. Hopefully conversations and discussions about your son’s progress, or his current academic or wellbeing needs, can provide reassurance and encouragement. Some families for the first time have had to contact school regarding school fees and financial consideration. These discussions require confidentiality and sensitivity. Please speak to the Finance Department  if you need to discuss matters relating to school fees.

Earlier in the week we concluded our interviews with families for the 2023 intake of Year 7s. Over the last couple of years we had the difficult situation where families who have sons already attending the College, did not process an application for their Grade 5 son. If this is the case, please contact Mrs Aylene Robinson immediately as a full complement of offers will be made once again this year, and it is difficult to find a place once offers have been made.

Invariably, during the interviews, families are asked why they have chosen Mazenod for their son’s education. A consistent response is they know a current student or a former student who recommends the College to them. They also recognise the character and qualities of the young men who have been educated at the school. They recognise the dignity, respect and success of that past student and would like their son to have similar attributes. It is a very affirming exercise for the staff who are involved with the interviewing process and I would like to thank the students, both current and former, for being men of integrity, which results in so many families making the College the first choice for their son.

Finally, I hope Father’s Day is a special occasion for dads, grandfathers and special persons in our student’s lives. Next week we will have the results of the Annual Dad Joke Competition. 

Yours sincerely,

Mr Tony Coghlan

Principal