From the Principal

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

“Only those who see with the heart, see things well...to see a brother or sister apart from his or her mistakes, hope amid difficulty. They see God everywhere” 

Pope Francis, 26 June 2020.

The year 2020 is forever marked in history for the challenges faced by so many across our globe. Here within our College community, we have faced a number of challenges and will continue to meet the challenges of the future in a spirit of determination, courage and communion, with the care and interests of our students at the forefront of all we do.

The mutual support that comes with challenge and adversity, is the silver lining to any cloud. As we come to the end of a long, yet fruitful semester, the halfway mark of the academic year, we must reflect with admiration and pride on what has been accomplished.

We’ve faced a global pandemic, had guidelines and restrictions, lockdowns and the return that followed, uncertainty and the new normal and in more recent times, injury and illness. 

“May the present sufferings be the birth pangs of a more fraternal and sustainable world” (Common prayer for the 5th anniversary of Laudato Si)

In a positive light though, as we take a breath over the coming school holidays, it is exciting to consider what we have upcoming in Term 3. In short, we have much to be hope-filled about;

• Our College assemblies and gatherings will see a significant return, acknowledging special themes, values and student achievements.
• We return to the sporting field with the return of interschool sport and our always enjoyable, InterHouse Athletics Carnival.
• Year group socials
• Some of our co-curricular groups will recommence.
• The Year 9 Camp is surely something to be excited about, as well as two opportunities for our senior students to experience a Kairos Retreat.

And keeping a special promise made, we will look for an opportunity for a ‘Day of Celebration’ to mark those very special events we have missed from earlier in the year. I speak of course of St Norbert Day and Harmony Day.

I would like to reiterate previous statements to parents throughout the COVID-19 period, as well as recent situations requiring special action and attention, and that is to again acknowledge the support of our parents, families and students.  I thank those parents and carers who have given so graciously of their time in sharing messages of positivity and thanks and the kind gestures that have helped our staff feel valued and respected – your generosity has not gone unnoticed.

Our staff are amazing and as the Principal of St Norbert College, I could not be any more proud of the efforts of our staff and students in the last six months to continue to accomplish and achieve, given the adversity faced. In the midst of all this adversity, it is ‘Koinonia’ that has shone brightly in our school.

In closing, I wish all members of our community a safe, healthy and well deserved school holiday period and renewed energy for the new term ahead. 

God’s blessings to you all.

Mr S Harvey (Principal)

Congratulations Fr Stephen 

It is with hearts filled with pride and appreciation that, on behalf of the College community, we congratulate Father Stephen Cooney O.Praem, who celebrated the 65th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood on Thursday 2 July 2020. Our last remaining “Founder Father” of St Norbert College, so integral to the development of our College and an iconic representation of the values we hold most dear. It was a special privilege to present Fr Stephen with a gift on behalf of the College community – the gift is a framed collage of photos of Fr Stephen, creatively arranged by our publisher (Yvette Ricciardello). The wood for the frame was shaped by Mr Mark Lawson (our Technologies Technician) from a fallen gum tree from the College property. 

Congratulations Fr Stephen!! 

School parking week commencing 20 July 2020

Safety around schools such as St Norbert College remains a high priority for the City of Canning and their team works hard to improve child safety in a number of different ways. The College has been informed that the Ranger and Community Safety team will resume rotational parking patrols at all schools within the Canning district, week commencing 20 July 2020 to align with Term 3. In an effort to educate drivers, all schools will receive a one week ‘education period’ whereby cautions will be issued however, infringement notices may be issued to the drivers of vehicles found to be in breach of the City’s Parking Local Laws. Please see the attached brochure from the City of Canning for further information.