From the Principal

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

LIKE many of you, I am wondering where the time has gone. Term 1 (three months of the year)  have breezed past so quickly.  I am grateful that we have been able to commence the year with many joyful whole College events such as Harmony Day, the Inter-House Swimming and Cross Country Carnivals, Open Day, Year 7 Social “Amazing Race” and the Community Mass. We missed many of these events because of Covid so we are blessed that they have returned. Thank you to the staff who co-ordinated and supervised these events that enrich our College life.

Looking back on the term, I am so proud of the resilience of our students and the dedication of our staff amidst the numerous forms of testing such as OLNA and NAPLAN. These can be stressful times for students but we look forward to using the data to inform teachers of how to facilitate improvement in the classroom.

Interim Reports will be uploaded before the end of term and I hope that it will be an opportunity for students, with their families to celebrate the successes and revisit goals before next term. Parents/Carers, please take the opportunity to meet teachers at the scheduled Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews scheduled for Monday, 24 April. The College encourages the three-way partnership between students, families and staff.

I would like to farewell and thank the following staff who complete their service at the College:

• Mrs Lucas for her one-year service as Director of VET where she worked tirelessly to support students with work experience and achieving qualifications out of school
• Ms Kingston-Gregory for her joyful work in the English Learning Area 
• Mrs Keleher for not only teaching Italian but imparting a love of the Italian culture especially through food to students

Mrs Anne Spinks leaves the College after 28 years of service as the Social Worker/College Counsellor. She has made a big impact to both staff and students through her dedicated care and expertise to those in need. Mrs Spinks' good counsel and wisdom will be greatly missed. We wish Anne well in retirement where she will have more time for family, to sail and to enjoy her garden. God’s blessings.

It is with sadness that we farewell Mr Simon Harvey who will commence as Principal at Mazenod College next term. From Student Council President in 1988 to school Principal in 2017! We all will remember Mr Harvey for his genuine love and care for the staff and families at the College. He has been a decisive and steady leader during the challenging times of Covid. He has shown empathy and sensitivity in times of sorrow. He has been a friend to all and a I’m proud to say, a product of St Norbert College who always is “Prepared for all good works”.

A message from Francis of Assisi often used by Mr Harvey will live on in our College.

“Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary, use words”.

On Monday, staff and students participated in Holy Week Liturgies in the church. Using the Stations of the Cross, we were challenged to reflect on everyday questions as we journeyed with Jesus in His final hours. It was a most moving experience enhanced by the actions of students and the angelic choir. I wish the community the blessings of the Easter season; one of renewal. I invite you to attend some of the masses over the coming days in the lead up to Easter Sunday.

God bless and have a restful break.

Ms S Rainford

(Principal)