Principal

Year 7 Mass of Welcome

Last Wednesday, 8 March, we held a Mass of Welcome for our Year 7 students and their families. This was a great night with 185 people indicating they would attend and I think we had close to that actually be with us. Speaking to parents it was clear they were appreciative of the start their children have experienced. Both new and current families that I spoke with noted the care their children have experienced, with a number saying that they have already seen a positive change in their child.

Thank you to Fr Darren Howie, Wonthaggi Parish Priest, for celebrating Mass. Thanks to all involved in the organisation, presentation and set-up of the night – Claire Cassidy, Nicole Dudman, Zac Cox, Scott Blencowe, Cate Kavanagh and Robert Damon. My appreciation as well to our Year 7 Homeroom teachers for their presence – Lloyd Pendergast, Jon Bowman, Jackie Van Dillen and Julia Leslie. Finally, thanks to our Kara Schwennesen and Amanda Campbell for the preparation of the supper food.

Athletics

On Tuesday we held our House Athletics Carnival. The day was extremely well organised and there was high participation by the students present on the day. The battle for the House Championship was close all day, with only 70 points separating first and fourth with MacDonald House winning the day.

We were not able to present medals to age-level champions on the day and will wait for our next whole school assembly to make the announcement. 

Thank you to Jay Baker for his leadership and organisation and he received great support from Donna Wylie, Ruby Adams, and Ty Hall. Thank you to all staff for their work on the day.

School Review

This year we are undergoing our School Review with the sole purpose being to ensure a high leverage, high impact Strategic Improvement Plan is developed for the next four years. The review will take place during June and is undertaken by staff at DOSCEL. 

The Critical Components of School Review 2023 are:

1. Self-Reflection (Pre-Review) –this is in relation to our Strategic Intent - In the spirit of Mary MacKillop, the College strives to develop the God-given potential in every person. To achieve this, the College commits to the Diocesan priorities of accelerated growth for every student, every teacher being an expert teacher and every leader an instructional leader.

The reflection will focus on the following key questions: what was our impact over the past 4 years and what do we, therefore, understand about our context as the starting point for the next improvement period?

1. Feedback/Feedforward (Review) –Reviewers assist leaders to determine a “point in time” in the school’s improvement journey against evidentiary characteristics foundational to student success and then set targets for improvement.
2. Strategic Planning (Post Review) –Developing an approach that codifies where we want to be for our students in 4 years time and how we will get there.

We started the first phase late last year and work was continued last Friday, 10 March, with all staff. Sessions focussed on the following: An overview of the purpose and process of the review; Analysis of our Learning and Teaching data; and a reflection on what recent surveys revealed in regard to our in the area of Catholic Identity and Religious Education.

I will continue to update you about this project as it progresses.

Masterplan

Late last year the College commenced the process of reviewing its building and facilities masterplan in collaboration with our architects Crosier Scott. Consultation has commenced with staff and the Advisory Committee. The process will look to engage students and families to provide input. Ultimately final approval of the masterplan will by DOSCEL, our governing body.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN tests are being undertaken this week and will continue next week. The data that is made available from these tests are a valuable “snapshot” of students’ capacities in a variety of numeracy and literacy metrics. Thank you to Laura Higgins for her leadership in this process and thank you to the students for their cooperation and staff for the professional manner in which the tests were conducted.

Bus Shelter

Our new Bus Shelter is now completed and is available for use from today. Thank you to our architects Crosier Scott and TS Construction Pty Ltd, the building company, for their work to bring this to completion. Thank you as well to Leanne Soderlund at our school for her work as well.

We look forward to using the structure, particularly during inclement weather.

COVID-19

As you are aware there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases recently and we are now at the start of a period of higher risk of contracting influenza. 

Therefore, I respectfully remind staff, students, families, and visitors that if they are feeling unwell they should not attend the school until their symptoms resolve and should get tested.

The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians report their positive Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) result to the Department of Health online, or by calling 1800 675 398. 

Students (or their parents, guardians or carers) should also report a positive result to their school. 

RAT kits are now available for all Victorians from most local councils. People can get two (2) free packs (10 tests) for themselves and two (2) free packs (10 tests) for each member of their household.

As a result of RAT kits now being available to all Victorians through local councils, schools will no longer receive RAT kit supplies from the Victorian Government.

Staff News

Welcome to Rachel Rosse who joined us last week as a Language Assistant to support Di Hancock and Edson Letendrie in French classes.

We also welcome Jeff Sewell who commenced this week and is teaching Mathematics and Science in Years 9 and 10

Sapientia Domini Docet Nos

John M Freeman