Principal

Dear Members of the Academy Community 

We come to the end of a very busy but also a very different term. During the past two years, 2020 and 2021, the focus of our day to day deliberations and all our arrangements and, indeed, all our energies, has been navigating our way through Covid. 

This year and, in particular this term, the focus has not been as absolute. We have endeavoured to resume all our calendarized activities and there has been much joy in conducting the two main sporting carnivals, in our ability to stage 6 performances of Fame, resuming excursions and incursions and, of course, most importantly, appreciating the return of face to face teaching and learning. However, always hovering in the background was the invisible enemy moving insidiously in our midst and making its presence felt, moving from one person to the next affecting health and the best laid plans.

Despite all this the strong, united community that is the Academy persevered and rose to the challenges of our current times.  Although feeling at the juxtaposition of two worlds much has been achieved this term. 

Term 2 saw the involvement of students in numerous activities including:

Student Forum meetings 

A powerful, thought provoking drama performance by Ms Hamilton’s VCE class

College Musical - FAME

Talk and Tours

Debating and Public Speaking competitions 

Sorry Day

Reflection Days 

Foundation Day

Year 7 and 9 NAPLAN Testing 

Years 10 & 11 examinations 

Lunchtime Concerts

Student participation in numerous clubs 

Student involvement in STEM based projects

Year 7 Music Breakfast

Medieval Day

A myriad of sporting activities

Mothers’ Day Mass

Worowa Immersion experience

Susan McLean presentation on Cyber-safety

National Reconciliation Week

Seeds of Justice Conference

165 acts of Mercy

Volunteering at St Mary’s House of Welcome

Refugee Week

It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm with which students involve themselves so wholeheartedly in College activities.  

I quote from Pope Francis  “Dear young people, do not bury your talents, the gifts that God has given you! Do not be afraid to dream great things!”

At the end of a very busy term and at the midway point of the year it is an opportune time  to reflect on our College theme - “Together in Mercy”.  I would like to thank the Senior Student Leadership Team for their extraordinary work in bringing this theme to life with activities such as the Kindness Station in Term 1 and the 165 acts of Mercy in Term 2.  I look forward to their further unpacking of this theme in Term 3 and beyond!

Hopefully, the school holidays will provide some time for all of us to reflect on the past 6 months and move purposefully forward into the future. 

This year the College is required to undertake a whole school review.  This four year review is conducted by VRQA (Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority) who have appointed two reviewers to review all aspects of the College, with a particular focus on the area of Child Safety and the implementation of the Child Safety Standards as well as on Compliance issues.  The following areas will be the focus of the review:

Summary of Registration requirements for schools – meeting the minimum standards:

• School Governance
• Enrolment
• Curriculum and Student Learning
• Care, Safety and Welfare of Students
• Staff Employment
• School Infrastructure
• Minimum Standards for schools offering a senior secondary course

Meeting Commonwealth Accountability Requirements:

• Principal and teacher performance and professional development
• Implementation of a recognised curriculum
• Participation in the National Assessment Program
• School Improvement Plan
• Compliance with relevant Disability Discrimination laws

Information Requirements:

• School Census
• National Data Collections
• Student Reports
• Public Information

The dates for our review are:

• Monday 18 July – the reviewers will be at the school to conduct a compliance check
• Tuesday 2 and Thursday 4 August – the reviewers will meet with staff, students and other members of the College community

The end of term is a particularly busy time for teachers with the marking of examinations and the writing of reports.  I thank all teachers for their hard work and dedication to this process and for their constant efforts to encourage and support our students. Parents are asked to read these reports very carefully and to enter into dialogue with their daughters regarding the contents. There will be an opportunity at the Parent/Teacher Interviews in Term 3 to discuss your daughter’s progress in more detail. 

Congratulations to our Students of the Term!  The profile of each student can be in the Junior, Middle and Senior School pages.

May the holidays be a time of relaxation, rejuvenation and happiness.

Every blessing,

Sr Mary Moloney rsm 

Principal

A prayer for refugees 

Refugee Week 19 June – 25 June

God creator of all,For people who are displaced,may they find a safe refuge.

For people who have lost control of their lives,may they know a sure foundation.

For people who live in fear,may they be given a strong fortress.

For people who are disillusioned,may they have hope in a future.

Loving father in times of crisis, sorrow and uncertainty 

we ask that you draw near.

Amen