From the Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, Staff and Friends of St Norbert College,

                                                 Only God can turn...

                                                 A mess into a message,

                                                 A test into a testimony,

                                                 A trial into a triumph                     

                                                 A victim into a victor

This short little phrase captured my attention when I was reflecting on the last few weeks of this short, but seemingly long, Term 1. There were a host of things that challenged us this term, but through determination, courage and perseverance, we were able to fashion positive experiences that were to the benefit of our wider community.

Two consecutive events on our calendar were celebrations of the diversity in our community and the need to respect and care for each other. We acknowledged the National Day of Action Against Bullying & Violence through our Bullying – No Way campaign of activities, coordinated by Miss Abel. This was followed by our Harmony Day celebrations on Monday 22 March. Harmony Day included a beautiful liturgy led by Fr Peter and prepared by Mr Beins, Ms Kyd and Mrs Palermo, as well as a host of activities and a range of menu options for lunch. Heartfelt thanks to Mrs Miranda for her coordination of this day. 

On Friday, 26 March, the St Norbert College Swim team travelled to HBF Stadium to participate in the ACC Swimming Carnival. Our super swimmers were participants in a very competitive D Division carnival and performed very well, finishing in a really impressive 2nd position overall! We are very proud of this result which is a culmination of many weeks of preparation.  Special congratulations to all swimmers and staff coaches for their dedication, hard work and excellence achievements.

Additionally in a sporting context, our annual Interhouse Cross-Country event was held yesterday – this event transcends sport is a wonderful exhibition of colour, maximum participation and enthusiastic House spirit. Congratulations to Mrs Rogers and Tongerlo House for gaining the Cross-Country trophy and highly valuable points for 2021. 

Special congratulations and thanks to Mr Godfrey for his coordination, dedication and efforts overseeing the hectic program of sports this term.

Sadly at the end of each term, we farewell staff who have served our students and community with dedication and commitment. At this time, we farewell Ms Lydia Guerrini and Ms Annie Miller who have covered vacancies in our English learning area in Term One. Thank you Ms Guerrini and Ms Miller for the way you have joined our staff and provided wonderful learning opportunities for our students. We know that this is not goodbye and look forward to your return at various times in the future.

We also extend best wishes and God’s blessings on Mrs Samantha Eloff and her family with the impending arrival of her second child. We look forward to Mrs Eloff returning to us in Term 4 this year.

As the Easter season is upon us, it is important to share in the spirit of such a sacred time. I shared with our students and staff at our final College assembly this afternoon, how the true meaning of Easter can be the light in the darkness or shade of our lives. On this special and sacred liturgical season, I pray for all in our College community, that the upcoming Easter break is a holy, happy and healthy one. We are Easter people and the death and resurrection of our Lord, is a reminder of the great message and testimony of our Lord’s suffering for us, and His triumph and victory over evil and darkness.

                                                                                                                               God Bless.

Mr S Harvey (Principal)

Graduation for Loui!

I was most privileged to be present this week for the emotional celebration of the graduation of our special guide dog Loui and his most inspirational handler Tegan Reder (Year 12) at Guide Dogs WA. It was an awe-inspiring evening, listening to the almost unspeakable impact of guide dogs on the lives of their handler. My heartfelt congratulations on behalf of our College community, to Loui and to Tegan, to the Reder family and the amazing trainers, carers and boarders who commit and dedicate their lives for the betterment of others. In a purely coincidental twist of fate, I was re-acquainted with Emma Coates (nee Beard – Class of 2006) who, along with husband Matt, just so happened to be the Formal Boarders for Loui in his formative years – this coincidence was unknown to all parties until much later!