Principal News

Welcome back to Term 2! 

Our hope is that students and staff return to school refreshed and ready to come back to a term focused on learning, training and further opportunities to develop their spirituality, critical thinking skills, resilience and ability to participate in the life of the community.

By this time in the school year, we expect that all Year 7’s will have settled into the school and know the routines while Year 8 students are beginning to think about what elective subjects they will choose to focus on for Stage 5 studies. Year 9 are consolidating their junior years. They do not have too much longer to go before they move into Year 10- a year where most students begin to focus more seriously on what they will choose to do as senior students.  Year 10 students have many important choices to make for their final years at Marian, including whether to choose a pathway focused on an ATAR, Vocational Education options, School-Based Apprenticeships or a combination of any or all of these. For our senior students, we know that Year 11 and 12 pass very quickly and we wish senior students  all the best as they navigate these exciting years before graduation.

So you see how very important it is for all students to make the most of school, attend regularly and take up the many  opportunities offered to explore the different learning and wellbeing activities  that school offers. There are very few  other such times in life where students will have so many different electives and  subjects available to try out in the company of peers, friends and with the support of teachers - activities that are academic, vocational, spiritual, sporting, creative, recreational and pastoral. On this note, I would like to commend all of our students, staff and leaders involved in their participation and support of Griffith’s Anzac Day Memorial Service on the 25th of April. We were very proud of all of our representatives and our student leaders who undertook individual roles during the ceremony.

Marian teachers and school support staff work very hard to provide our students with the tools to really flourish, setting students up with skills to assist them navigate the world of work, study training and citizenship. Students graduating into the world today will be expected to be life-long learners. The research shows that full participation and a sound foundation in schooling and vocational training sets them up for success throughout their life. This is the main reason for the rules and regulations around compulsory schooling that are set by the Australian government. They have been included in this newsletter for your information. The information has been sourced from the NSW Education Website.

Compulsory schooling

Parents or carers of children of compulsory school age are responsible for ensuring their child attends school every day. Children must commence school by age 6 and then complete year 10. After Year 10 and until they turn 17, students must be:

• in school or registered for home schooling or
• in approved education or training (e.g. TAFE, traineeship, apprenticeship) or
• in full-time, paid employment (average 25 hours/week) or
• in a combination of work, education and/or training.

Enrolled students 17 years and over are required to attend school regularly to meet Higher School Certificate course requirements.

Opening Day for the New Buildings: The new McAuley Centre for Technological and Applied Studies and the Marian Administration Centre will be officially opened at a formal ceremony on May 26th at 10am. The Most Reverend  Bishop Mark Edwards OMI will officiate and bless the new buildings, while the Honourable Senator Deborah O'Neill will make a formal address on behalf of the Australian Government. Also invited  are: Parish Priest-Father Grace and College Chaplain-Father Cyprian, as well as representatives for local, state and federal governments; Catholic Schools-New South Wales; Catholic Education-Diocese of Wagga; the Mercy Sisters and former Principals; the Marist Association Australia; former Principal Mr Alan Le Brocque; and Business Manager-Mrs Joanne Smith. After the formal opening has taken place on the 26th, we will provide opportunities for community members and parents to tour the school later this year.

Staff Appraisal Processes

Professional development and feedback is a very important part of all learning and development and essential for the ongoing success and professional wellbeing of all learners and employees. Catholic Education-Diocese of Wagga Wagga has introduced formal appraisal processes for all senior school leaders-commencing in the next 18 months with Principals, Assistant Principals and Leaders of Faith Formation and Mission. Other senior College leaders will follow. Based on years of experience, Principals are appraised in their second and fourth years of their terms, with Assistant Principals and other senior leaders following an adjusted cycle depending on the role. Mrs Lora Segrave will be undertaking this appraisal process in the next two months, based on her years of service, with myself and Mr Gabriel Abdala undertaking similar processes in the first half of 2024. Information from CEDWW about the process has been included below.

CEDWW School Appraisal Processes

The appraisal process seeks information from a variety of people

associated with the school. The process aims to highlight the positive aspects of

leadership offered and identify areas for further Development.

Input will be sought from members of staff and parents in the completion of an anonymous survey. As well as the data gathered from surveys, the Appraisal panel will interview a sample of staff and school community members as part of the Validation Day. The process will be led by a panel consisting of the Principal of the school (Panel Chair) and the CEDWW System Performance Leader responsible for that school. Based on information gathered in the process, the panel will provide a Validation Report to the Assistant Principal outlining strengths, as well as areas for professional development and learning. A Growth Plan for future focus will be developed with the Assistant Principal.

Anzac Day Assembly and Acknowledgement of College Leaders 

Dr Penny Ludicke

Principal