Thank You

As we come to the end of the year I’d like to thank you for your support and hard work throughout 2019. As we look back over the year, we can be well pleased with all that has been achieved. Our school community is indeed blessed; blessed in the young people with whom we work, blessed in the staff who choose to work here; blessed in the loving and faith filled families who give us such support. It’s been a terrific year. Thank you.

In the mad rush that sometimes marks this time of the year, I hope that all families find moments of stillness to reflect on why we celebrate Christmas. Christmas is an ongoing invitation to each of us to be people of peace.

May you all enjoy the joy, peace and hope of Christ this Christmas and may the New Year be blessed with happiness, good health and many graced moments.

Farewell

With the end of the school year we farewell a number of staff and thank them for all they’ve contributed to the school. Thank you to Ms Georgia Trousdale, Ms Emma Van Wees and Ms Emily Lindsay. Each has been an exceptional, passionate and committed member of staff. I thank them for their dedication to our profession; for their care and support of students, staff and families, and for sharing their many gifts.  Their energy, care and dedication has been very much appreciated by all of us. We wish them well.

Well Done

Congratulations and thank you to all students for the way that they finished the school year.  Year 10 students and staff had a great final day at St Kilda Beach. It was a great chance to have some fun and to reminisce about the year.

Similarly, Years 7 – 9 students enjoyed their final day which included an end of year mass and pastoral care activities. Many thanks to all families for your support in ensuring that students finished so well.

College Yearbook

One of the highlights of the final day is the distribution of our College yearbook. Once again, it did not disappoint. Congratulations to Ms Laura Cioccia and the dedicated yearbook team on producing a creative and entertaining snapshot of our year.

This year’s book was presented in the form of a scrapbook. This is fitting as scrapbooks, like yearbooks, are a way of storing memories and providing us with a connection to the past. They bring us back to the time that was. That is why they are so important. I hope that you enjoy the yearbook. It is a wonderful reminder of the great year we have had.

Student Leaders 2020

Last week our School Captains, SRC, House Captains and Social Justice Captains went away for an overnight camp to plan for 2020. Activities included a mix of leadership skill development, planning and Christmas festivities. I was lucky to be able to join them for dinner and the evening session on the first night. What a terrific group they are! The energy, ideas, collaboration and excitement of all involved suggests that they will be off to a great start at the beginning of 2020. Thank you to Mr Kevin Quinn, Ms Emma Van Wees, Mr Jeremy Ly, Mr Hayden O’Doherty and Ms Sharika Venugopal for planning and attending the camp.

SRC 2020

On behalf of the school community I would also like to congratulate the following students on their election to the SRC for 2020:

Year 8:     My Nguyen, Andy Bui and Caelen Khoo            

Year 9:

Tri Truong, Sacreana Ulugia-Sa'ena and Melisa Nguyen

Year 10:   Phillip Rafoo, Spence Page and Rhaven Hao           

We trust that each of you will contribute much to our community next year and will learn a great deal from the experience.

Thank you to all the students across the school who nominated for leadership roles. We are very lucky to have so many people interested in putting themselves forward. It seems that the SRC will have many willing helpers throughout the year.

House Captains 2020

Congratulations to the following students on being selected as House Captains for 2020:

Corbett:      Alex Rafoo and Isabel Jankovic

Guelen:       Rejoyce Modi and Kahlia Cuccaro

O’Reilly:      Emily Gerada and Raymond Abad        

Reis:            Olivia Barisic and Megan Flores

Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF)

From all accounts, students and staff who attended the ACYF in Perth had an amazing time. They had the opportunity to explore issues of faith with a range of presenters and to meet with young people from across Australia. We look forward to learning more about their experiences when they return to school in February. I thank Ms Jacinta Dykes, Mr James Younan, Ms Adele Simoncini and Ms Kristy Liberatore for accompanying the group.

Changes to the School Day

For a number of years we have had a mix of 50 and 45 minute lessons across the week. With the changes in the way we teach and learn, both staff and students have found that these arrangements are no longer the most effective use of time.

Following a review of the school day, the College will introduce one hour lessons from the beginning of 2020. This means that students will have 5 classes of 60 minutes each day, instead of 6 shorter classes.

As all lessons in the new arrangement will be the same length our school day will increase by 5 minutes. School will now finish at 3.10pm.

School Day 2020

Start of the 2020 School Year

Friday 31 January 2020:

Years 7 students only     (9am – 2.15pm)

New students at Years 8, 9 and 10      (9 – 11am)

Monday 3 February 2020:

All students return        (8.40am – 3.10pm)

The first day for the whole school on Monday 3 February 2020 will be Day 1 of the school timetable. Students should be able to access their timetable on SIMON from Thursday 30 January 2020.

Relocation of Office for Term 1 2020

During Term 1 next year we are extending the school administration area to create additional offices and meeting rooms. It is expected that this work will be completed by April.

For this work to happen the school administration area and main entrance for families and visitors will be moved to the library from the beginning of the year. Families are asked to follow the signs when coming to the school.

Since our last newsletter…..

Over and above the day to day activities of the school since our last newsletter students, families and staff have participated in the following:

• Year 10 Picnic
• Year 10 Graduation
• Year 7 and 8 final assemblies
• Trinity Ice Skating and Artvo
• VCE / VET Orientation (Year 10 2020)
• Ball Sports Day
• End of year mass
• Student Leaders end of year dinner.
• Orientation Day (Year 7 2020)
• Student Leaders Camp
• Australian Catholic Youth Festival

I am sure that students and their families are very appreciative of all these opportunities and the time and energy that staff put into organising and offering these experiences.