Principal's Report
Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome to 2021. Our student leaders announced their theme on Monday ‘NOW’. When they were deciding upon a theme and reflecting on the year that 2020 was, it became apparent that one way to stay resilient in uncertain times is to live in the "NOW". What a fantastic theme! Well done Year 12. #2021NOW. A big welcome to all new parents and carers to our school. We are so pleased to have so many of you become part of our community, a community ‘Founded on Faith, Focused on Learning.’
Education Vision 2021
Our educational vision for 2021 continues to grow our culture where learning is at the centre of all we do. On our first day our staff reflected on the following statements:
Shared Beliefs and Understanding
a All students can achieve high standards given the right time and the right support
b All teachers can teach to high standards given time and the right assistance
c High expectations and early and ongoing intervention are essential
d All leaders, teachers, and students can articulate what they do and why they lead, teach, and learn the way they do.
(Sharratt and Fullan 2012 - Parameter 1)
Shared Responsibility and Accountability
- Everyone is responsible and accountable for every learner within and across schools.
- Everyone sees themselves as responsible for achieving the goals and accountable for the learning that results from their implementation.
- Intentional procedures and processes encourage system and school-wide shared responsibility and ownership for student learning.
(Sharratt and Fullan 2012 - Parameter 14)
Our vision is strong and permeates all we do
Our vision is a faith filled Catholic Professional Learning Community, founded on faith & focused on learning, working collaboratively to enhance the learning for all, resulting in students who are creative, confident and informed people ready to make a real difference in our world. We believe that everyone can learn, not always at the same time or in the same way, and we strive to create learning opportunities for all.
Our Annual Improvement Plan sets out our goals to achieve this vision.
We started off the year looking at a new framework for our students across our Diocese, Living Well Learning Well. This document sets out a philosophy underpinning our ideals and values. Our work during the staff development days looked at the following ‘Rules for Living and Learning’ and centred on three key ideas -
Together we worked on the expectations for students to ensure that this is true for every student. A copy of an example of the expectations can be found in the student diary.
Parents and Carers play a vital role in supporting your child/children to meet these ideals to ensure our school is one where every student is safe, valued, respected and cared for and is a learner.
Below is an excerpt from Living Well Learning Well, giving some ideas about parents and carers role in this -
Leaders Cross and Dux 2021 Ceremony
On Monday 1st February, we held a beautiful Leaders Cross Ceremony. The Student Leaders for 2021 announced the theme for 2021 ‘NOW’.
The Dux for 2020 HSC Class was also announced. I have included part of my speech from the ceremony that includes many of the highlights from the HSC Class of 2020:
The HSC class of 2020 achieved excellent results showing learning growth across their years of schooling. The way they approached the setbacks and challenges COVID presented showed amazing resilience. They collaborated and supported each other and built strong and solid relationships with their teachers that enhanced the learning of everyone and helped them to achieve their individual learning goals . I would like to congratulate the students, the teaching staff and all staff who worked with diligence and commitment to achieve the best learning outcomes for all. Here are some of the highlights from the year:
Overall there were 20 band 6s (or equivalent) including;
Chloe Brown Band 6 Hospitality (Kitchen Operations and Cookery)
Ellen Hawthorne Band 6 Textiles and Design
Emily Meehan Band 6 Textiles and Design and Major Work selected for TexStyle Exhibition 2020
Bethany Rohde Band 6 Agriculture
Charles Serow Band 6 Construction
Kieran Wicks Band 6 Mathematics Extension 2
Samuel Bible ATAR 90.10 Band 6 Business Studies, Legal Studies and Studies of Religion 2
Olive Tutt ATAR 90.10 Band 6 French Beginners, Mathematics Advanced
Liam Smith ATAR 94.35 Band 6 Mathematics Extension 1,
Mathematics Extension 2
Henry Schultz Band 6 Maths Extension 1 and Mathematics Extension 2
Ruth Toakley ATAR 95.70 Band 6 Modern History and Studies of Religion 2 Band 5 English Advanced, Maths Advanced and Physics.
And It is with great pleasure that I announce the Dux for 2020 - Bethanie Rice
Bethanie attained an ATAR of 96.00. She achieved Band 6 result in Maths Extension 1, Mathematics Extension 2, Studies of Religion 2, Band 5 English Advanced and Chemistry.
Throughout the HSC Bethanie showed a willingness to learn and made the most of the learning opportunities presented. She was proactive in her learning, always asking questions and seeking to more fully understand difficult concepts. Bethanie’s approach to her learning was a model for other students to follow and her ability to think critically extended not just her learning but others around her. Bethanie shows a great deal of humility and never sought the limelight. She worked consistently throughout the COVID learning at home time always seeking feedback to improve her learning and grow her understanding. We are lucky to have Bethanie working at O’Connor in 2021 as a learning mentor to continue to support our students to achieve their learning goals.
Bethanie is a person with integrity and maturity who we know will continue to make a difference to those around her. I wish her well and every success.
I congratulate Bethanie Rice and the HSC class of 2020. O’Connor is founded on faith and focused on learning. The future is NOW!
Welcome to New Staff
We have had a number of new staff join us this year and I look forward to working with them:
Georgia MacMahon and Caitlin Honeysett - Lasallian Youth Ministers
Natalie Gurr - Inclusion Support Teacher
Elizabeth Plane - English and Drama
Jessica Suann - Music
Dea Trigwell-Lindley - HSIE (replacing Andrew May Term 1)
Jason Newcombe - Psychologist (Starting date TBC)
Bethanie Rice - Learning Mentor
PHOTO (above): (L to R) Natalie Gurr, Jessica Suann, Elizabeth Plane, Dea Trigwell-Lindley
PHOTO (below): Caitlin Honeysett and Georgian MacMahon
There have been a number of changes to our leaders in the school. Below is a list of responsibilities for your information:
Leaders of Learning
English Lauren Donnelly
Maths Mark Harris
HSIE Cherie Stoessel
Science Daniel Fittler/Lilly Moar
TAS Jon Hawthorne
PDHPE Camilla Clydsdale
CAPA Melita Roache
VETinschool Jim Healey
EVET Lilly Moar
Enrichment Jenny Roff
ICT Mark Harris
Year 7 Natalie Mellowship-Brown
Year 8 Kath Czinner
Year 9 James Russell
Year 10 Amanda Bell/Frank Patricks
Year 11 Vicki Channon
Year 12 Mark Fulloon
Leadership Team
Principal Regina Menz
AP Damian Roff
AP/Leader of Pedagogy Stephen Chapman
LOL (PAC&Wellbeing) Mellissa Bell
LOL (Inclusion) Katie Biddle
Once again welcome to the 2021 school year - NOW!
What new learning will you undertake this week?
Regina Menz