Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

Our Presentation Day was held on Friday 6th December and was a wonderful celebration of our College Learning Community. My final newsletter for 2019 is a copy of my speech as it summarises what a year 2019 has been -

2019 has been a year of great achievement in the face of real adversity. The effects of drought and bushfire have impacted each and everyone to varying degrees. During this time our community has shown courage and resilience. Often when we think about courage we think that people who exhibit these characteristics don’t experience fear. 

Well known modern philosopher Brene Brown discusses this fact in her work on ‘Daring to Lead’. She says - 

‘At the heart of daring is a deeply human truth that is rarely acknowledged: Courage and fear are not mutually exclusive. Most of us feel brave and afraid at the exact same time. We feel vulnerable. Sometimes all day long.’

It is when we are going through these emotions that we need to come together as a community. One thing to remember during this time of hardship, when we’re pulled between our fear and our call to courage, is the need to check on each other. Check on your friends, the brave ones, check on the ones who are doing it tough.

The O’Connor community continues to astound me in how we look after each other. The fundraising efforts for people affected by bushfire and drought by Year 9 and 10 Food Technology, by Vinnies Group, the SRC and by our whole community has been amazing. The groundswell from our community to choose a charity close to home as they wanted to impact local people’s lives was overwhelming. Our community spreads wider than the New England, our sister school, St Ursula’s Kingsgrove raised over $1600 for our community at their annual Christmas Concert. 

Angela Merici, founder of the Ursuline Order and one of the Founders of our College said - 

'Act, have faith, make efforts, have hope, speak to God with all your heart, then you are sure to be amazed'.

And this is truly what our community has strived to do this year.

We have made great progress with our learning agenda, building on our focus on learning in the College, engaging in learning conversations as shown through our Student-Led Conferencing. Our NAPLAN data is showing improved growth. The positive data trends are due to the whole school community. Our students have increased their focus on their learning and this is evidenced by their 2019 final reports where the majority of students had shown growth in both their achievement and commitment to their learning. 

To you the parents and carers of our students, without your support at home this positive growth would not be possible. 

Our staff have continued to support, mentor and learn with each other. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all staff for their commitment to each and every student, knowing them, caring for them and challenging them to do their best. The dedication, resilience and talent of our staff is exceptional and I would like to acknowledge their work here today.

We have some staff who will be leaving us this year and I would like to thank them and wish them the best for their future endeavours. They are Ms Tonya McQuilty, who is taking up a new appointment at Scone High School. Tonya has had a significant impact on our College especially her work with the SRC and Leader of Learning VET. We wish her well with her move and thank her for her dedication to our community. Two teachers will be taking leave in 2020 and we wish them the best Mrs Lilly Moar (and can’t wait to meet Baby Moar) and Mr Mitchell Smidt who will be working at UNE in 2020. 

I would like to acknowledge a number of staff members individually.

I would like to ask Gary Burdett to present a Diocesan Distinguished Service award to one of our teachers. These awards acknowledge dedication and commitment to Catholic Education in the Diocese of Armidale.  A Diocesan Distinguished Service award is presented to Mr Garry Osborne. 

It is a great honour to present this outstanding service award to Mr Garry (Drummer) Osborne. Garry has contributed so richly to the unique and special culture of O’Connor - over the last 40 years that he has taught at the school. Upon graduating, Garry taught at a number of schools and TAFE Colleges before returning to O’Connor in 1979 and rubbing shoulders as a peer with some of the De La Salle brothers who taught him at De La Salle Armidale. 

Garry teaches in the HSIE area, teaching a range of subjects in this KLA as well as Religious Education, however, his passion has always been Geography. He is always prepared to take on new challenges such as the teaching of Legal Studies. The core of O’Connor has always been its Pastoral Care encompassing effective learning. Garry has been a committed pastoral care teacher, Year Leader, Stage Leader, Careers Advisor and organiser of Term 5 activities.

Garry is still held in the highest esteem by his students and colleagues for his effective teaching, sense of the best way forward, friendship and for his music. Who can make a rhythm on the drums like ‘Drummer’? Garry thank you for your selfless and committed contribution to the spirit of O’Connor Catholic College over the past 40 years. Congratulations again on this most deserving award.

I would like to ask Mr Simon Fleming and Mrs Deb Fleming to come to the stage. Simon and Deb announced at the end of Term 3 their move to Queensland and their subsequent resignation from O’Connor. Since the announcement at the end of Term 3, Simon has been appointed Principal of Assumption College Warwick. 

I would like to present Mrs Deb Fleming with a Distinguished Service Award.

Mrs Debra, (or Debbie to most of us) Fleming was first employed at O’Connor in 1991 as a general assistant, that included working as a Food Tech Assistant, Laboratory Assistant, Front Office, but mostly as a Library Assistant, a position that she has grown into, developing her skills and improving the position over her time at the College. 

Debbie has always been warm, friendly and patient to staff members, parents but especially to our students. She has always been willing to assist them whenever needed and helped to find resources both in the Library and through publishing houses. Debbie has also been responsible for the College Newsletter, taking it from hardcopy stage to producing it online. The newsletter has become a major component of the College’s marketing strategy.

We wish Debbie all the very best for the future and congratulate her on the outstanding service she has provided to Catholic Education in the Diocese of Armidale.

I’d like to also acknowledge the work and dedication of Mr Simon Fleming.  Simon was employed as an English/History Teacher at O'Connor in 1986 and has since taught every school level from Yrs 7-12, with his HSC students achieving some outstanding results. He has held nearly every position in the College culminating in 2015 with his appointment to the role of Assistant Principal.

Simon has worked hard to implement 21st-century skills and capabilities into his teaching and into the school culture at O’Connor and through this, he has led professional development in the areas of effective schools and pedagogy and developing policies relating to learning including assessment, reporting and home learning. 

Simon cares about each student. The way he approached students who were having difficulties in the classroom, playground or home was filled with empathy, never judging and always seeking solutions. Simon always listened to the students ensuring they had a fair hearing and their voice was heard in any decision. He has saved many students, especially during HSC, manipulating subjects so that students complete school with a HSC.  

Over the past three years, Simon has been an incredible support to me as Principal. Whenever you ask Simon what his role is, he quickly replies to assist the Principal. His thoughtful counsell and steady approach has been instrumental in us working towards our vision. 

We thank Simon for his dedication and passion as a Teacher and Leader, not only to O'Connor's staff and students but also to our wider Catholic community and present him with a College award.

Thank you to the O’Connor Community, students, staff, parents and Parish for your support this year. I would like to wish you a happy and holy Christmas and hope that you have some time to rest and reflect this Christmas time. Today is about recognising our students who have achieved academically, culturally and in the sporting area. Congratulations to all our award winners and to all our students who have grown so strongly in their learning this year. 

I wish you all a Happy and Holy Christmas and a wonderful holiday.

What new learning will you undertake this week?

Regina Menz