College News

'Student Voice' Panel 

Cyan McLuchlin and Ehan Boshoff participated in the 'Student Voice' panel at the Catholic Secondary Schools Forum in Sydney on the 15th of November. Congratulations Cyan and Ehan for being outstanding ambassadors for our learning community. 

ANCQ Chemistry Quiz

A number of our students at O'Connor recently participated in the ANCQ Chemistry Quiz and received their certificates at this week's assembly on Friday. 

L to R: Will Wood,  Henry Schultz,  Kieren Wicks, Liam Smith and Emily Kurikka.

Sam Bible participates in State Constitutional Convention

Photo: Armidale Express.

Sam Bible has recently returned from Sydney after attending The NSW Constitutional Convention at NSW Parliament House.  He was one of 100 students in the state who was selected to attend.  The Convention gives students a hands-on opportunity to gain insight into the workings of constitutional law and the role of the Parliament in that process. Sam is keen to study law and politics at University and through this experience, he found that constitutional law is very complex and not easy to change. In addition to debating constitutional issues in the NSW Legislative Assembly Chamber, the students also benefited from having access to University of Sydney law expert, Prof. Anne Twomey who gave them an extra insight into the nature of constitutional law. 

Year 12 Formal

Last Friday our Year 12 students gathered together with family and friends to commemorate and celebrate the end of their formal schooling. It was a special night and was well supported with many tables filled. Thank you to Fathers Roel and Sampson, and everyone else who attended and made it a great night. 

National Acumen Challenge Major Winners!  MATHEMATICS

During Term 3, around 30 Year 7 students competed in the National Acumen Challenge.  This is a big online competition to allow students interested in Mathematics to achieve different levels on a range of arithmetic and fraction topics.  Students achieve awards at different levels.  The organisation who runs the challenge analyses student performance and awards a small number of students major awards.  In 2019 at O'Connor, we are honoured to have two major award winners.  Manon Perrin (Year 7) was presented with an Achievement Award while Josephine Ryan (Year 7) received an Improvement Award.  They have been presented with an award medallion and certificate, sponsored by Casio. 

Congratulations, Manon and Josephine!

L to R: Manon Perin and Josphine Ryan with their certificates regonising their mathematical skills.

Legacy Awards

Every year a number of students from the College assist in Legacy's fundraising efforts in Legacy Appeals Week. Pictured are those who participated in this valuable work.

L to R: Abby Jackson, Cyan McLauchlin, Lara Moloney, Angus Scrivener, Claude Toakley and Bridie Giles. 

Australian Catholic Youth Festival Fundraiser 

The raffle to raise money to assist in travel costs to next months Youth Festival in Perth was drawn at Friday's assembly this week. First prize was awarded to James Rogers, 2nd Prize to Abbey Thomas and 3rd Prize to Mr Trinh. Thank you to everyone who supported the fundraiser. 

Promoting fitness around the schools - Anthony Kelly

Our very own resident martial artist and Guinness world records holder, Anthony Kelly has been going around to our feeder schools and giving them a copy of this year's, Guinness Book of Records. He also shared ideas with the students on increasing fitness, wellbeing and motivation to succeed in things that they do. This year, Mr Kelly appears on the inside front cover.

St Mary's of the Angels Guyra students

Anthony Kelly with St. Mary's Primary School students.

251 Army Cadet Unit

O'Connor members of the 251 Cadet Unit participated in their final parade on the 18th November. Congratulations to all those involved. 

Debating Club

O'Connor Catholic College's debating students were fortunate to have Mrs Helen Kennedy visit the College to offer her assistance with all facets of debating skills. Thank you Mrs Kennedy.

Child Studies Childcare Centre Visit

By Catilin Lord

On the 12th November, the Year 10 Child Studies class went to TG’s Armidale to broaden their knowledge of childcare centres and the way in which they have to run according to the government and laws. The class were taken on a tour of the centre conducted by Meg Barden-Hyde (Centre Manager), where they were shown the well-designed rooms for the different age groups and the professionally landscaped outdoor areas.

First was the Joey’s room for ages 3 months to 2 years. Here the class discussed child to carer ratios and the food that is provided to the children by the Centre’s chef. Next, the class stepped outside in the beautiful play area, with gardens, play equipment, sandpits and the tiger cage where the children can expand their creativity and imagination. Meg explained that in the tiger cage the children work on their physical development and motor skills through the program ‘Munch and Move’, which utilises the early growth of basic skills such as throwing and catching. 

After, the class went to visit the Boaties room that is catered for ages 2 years to 3 years where they looked at ways in which the carers ensure the curriculum is met. To do this the centre has put up posters to demonstrate what areas each child has met and the way they have upheld this. Then the class made a quick stop at the preschoolers room - with 25 children being educated by 2 carers - and then they made their way outside to discuss any further information they would like to know. Many questions were thrown at Meg and Monique - the centre manager - on various topics yet they answered with well-educated responses that were filled with enthusiasm. The girls asked about procedures and regulations that are taken to meet government standards and the ways in which TG’s ensures that these are met and asked about the rewarding areas of being a child carer and what kind of situations they have been in while working in the profession.

Overall, the excursion to TG’s for the Year 10 Child Studies class was a great experience that really benefited the learning of the students in the class. Thanks to the expertise of Meg and the other staff at the centre.