Principal's Message

FAREWELL BISHOP HANNA

The Feast of the Assumption Mass on Monday last week was a very fitting opportunity for the College community, Mater Dei Primary School and representatives of Sacred Heart Primary School to farewell Bishop Hanna, who will retire next month. Bishop, who concelebrated the Mass with Fr John Baptist and Archbishop Carroll, spoke in his homily about the importance of Mary, our College Patron, in modelling a life of fidelity and service.

After Mass, Bishop Hanna was presented with a farewell gift by the Principals of the three schools, who thanked him for his support and commitment to Catholic education and wished him every blessing for his retirement. The school communities showed their gratitude and appreciation for Bishop Hanna with a rousing standing ovation as he left the Hall to share morning tea with invited guests, staff and parents.

As Bishop Hanna prepares for retirement we pray for him:

You have served the Lord with gladness – tirelessly,

faithfully, and with great compassion for

His flock.

Your investment in the lives of others 

has truly made a difference;

You have given hope and encouragement to so many.

As the day dawns on the next chapter

in your life,

may God continue to richly bless you and watch over you,

may the God of peace grant you peace now and always. Amen

All families are invited to attend the Mass on Wednesday, 31st August at 5.00pm at the Cathedral to celebrate Bishop Hanna’s service to our Diocese and to wish him well in his retirement.  Refreshments will be served afterwards at Our Lady of Fatima Hall.

UPDATE ON BUILDING PROJECT

Expressions of Interest have been called for our new classroom block, to be constructed between the Hall and the Tennis Courts. It is anticipated that construction will begin during Term 4. The new facility will provide six learning spaces that can be opened up to accommodate a full year group, two breakout areas and storage.

Plans are also underway for the construction of our College Chapel adjacent to Mater Dei Primary School. It will accommodate a House or Year Group, as well as including a meeting room and an office. An outdoor reflection area will incorporate Fr Plunkett’s cross. The Chapel will be available to both the College and the Mater Dei Primary School communities.

JAPANESE CULTURAL VISIT

We have been fortunate to have two teachers and eight students from Nishiawakura Village School with us during the last week on a Homestay Program. The newsletter also includes information about this very successful and enjoyable visit, which was arranged by Mrs Kirsty Fuller.

YEAR 12 PARENT/CARER AND STUDENT EXIT SURVEYS

As we draw to the end of the Year 12 Course at the end of Week 9 this term, it is important that we gather information from this cohort of students and their parents/carers to assist with future planning. This will again take the form of an online survey that takes about 15 minutes to complete. Parents and students will be contacted by email by the external company conducting the survey. The Parent/Carer Survey will open on Monday 29 August and close on Friday 9 September. Students will complete the survey on Monday morning, 29 August.

NAPLAN

All students have received two reports, the mandatory national Student Report and the Additional Student Report.

They came to the College in a sealed envelope which was sent to parents after the results had been checked. The report package received included a hard copy of each Additional Student Report for the College records, which can be used to check student results.

The Student report – information for parents brochure can be downloaded from the ACARA NAPLAN website, which also contains information about reporting of NAPLAN results on the BOSTES website.

NAPLAN provides useful feedback about individual student and Years 7 and Year 9 cohort performance in the areas of Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation and Numeracy. The data is used, in conjunction with data from a variety of other sources, to assist with teacher planning and focus in each of the above areas.

YEAR 12

The Leadership Team and I met with Year 12 last week to emphasise the importance of finishing their last term well. This includes using the remaining weeks to revise and practise their written responses ahead of the HSC examinations in October. A number of students are finishing their major works and projects and polishing performance pieces ahead of Practical HSC examinations this term. We wish them every success and keep them in our prayers.

The meeting was also an opportunity to remind our graduating class of our expectations and high standards around student behaviour as we enter their last weeks at the College. The term will conclude with the Graduation Mass and Awards on Thursday 22 September.

PRAYERS PLEASE

• I am pleased to share the news that Damon Apps continues to improve and will be recovering back in Wagga. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.
• This week is Refugees and Migrant Sunday and we remember all who live in terror and fear. We pray for Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants and for all who work to bring respect, dignity and hope.
• Sunday, 4 September is Father’s Day and also the date of our Webber Youth Mass as 5.30pm at Sacred Heart Church. We pray for all dads and those who are a father figure:

God, bless all the fathers in the world.

Guide them to be good role models and loving to all their children.

Help them to be a father like You are.

Give them grace and patience to handle situations in a loving way. 

Amen

Mrs Val Thomas

Principal