Assistant Principal -

Wellbeing

Getting Engaged in Our Learning Community

What does being engaged mean? How do we get engaged in the world that is happening around us? What does it look like when we are engaged? There is no doubt that these are all very big questions for sure, but there are many little things we can do to become engaged with the world around us. Schools are a place where learning is at the core of everything we do. We acknowledge that to learn, we need to be able to take big risks, we need to feel safe to be able to take that risk, just in case we are not 100% right. We need to know that if we are not right, we are not going to be ridiculed for our thoughts or actions. Every adult here at O’Connor works very hard to ensure that we are creating a space where taking a risk is a safe part of learning. We work hard with our students to build and nurture this sense of safety as well.

Being engaged in learning creates opportunities for wonder and thoughtfulness.  Being engaged in learning means being part of our community. Being ready for learning involves coming to school ready to learn, with the appropriate equipment needed, with the willingness to try your hardest and ask questions or demonstrate your skills and understanding. Being ready for learning also means believing in yourself and the ethos of our school. Being ready for learning means being proud to be a part of O’Connor. Being engaged in learning at O’Connor means wearing the uniform with pride, being respectful to those around you and the school premises.

Some of our students have been struggling to be ready to get engaged in life here at school. Many students have returned unwilling to be ready with the necessary equipment to get engaged in the learning in the classroom and many have also struggled to show a real want to be proud of themselves and the school they belong to. Our Leaders of Wellbeing have been having many conversations with students about coming to school ready to get engaged. I am a firm believer that education is a partnership between the student and their parents/carers with the school and as such I am asking for your support in helping our students get ready for learning by coming to school with the appropriate uniform on (including leather shoes) and the equipment needed for success in the classroom.

It was with great pleasure we welcomed our Year 7 families on Monday (20th) into our college family. Our La Sallean Leaders escorted them on a tour of the school, with a focus on the space in which yr 7 spend the majority of their school day. Mrs Felicity Magann and her PAC team were on hand to answer questions about school life. Mrs Clare Healy spoke about our strong connections to our founders and how we bring to life their charisms daily in all that we do. Next Monday (27th) we will be holding an information session for our Year 11 students and their families with a focus on success in the Preliminary year and HSC.

Last week we had many students head up to the Guyra Show with Mrs Price and Mr Bolger. Having opportunities to allow our students to hone their livestock appraisal skills and practice their public speaking skills in a real world setting is very unique. A great day  was had by all. Our school has been actively engaged in judging and showing cattle at Guyra for over 30 years. The countdown is now on for the Armidale show.

On Sunday (12th) I was fortunate enough to accompany Lily Moore and Ben Harris to the Armidale National Serviceman Commemoration Service in Central Park. O’Connor was one of 12 schools paying their respects to those men and women who have fought on foreign lands. With more than 100 people present, it was a moving service providing us time to reflect on the sacrifices made for us today and that we are definitely part of a bigger picture and a wider community.

Schools are never quiet. We are full of life. And with that comes a true sense of connection to learning, community, and the world. It is a place to foster relationships, to learn to make mistakes and learn from them, to show pride in our achievements.

This is a great place to be!

Mrs Mellissa Bell

Assistant Principal - Wellbeing