Welcome to the new school year!

It is wonderful to be back on site with our students in classrooms engaged in learning. It also fantastic to see students socialising and being active during break times and reconnecting with peers and staff.

I would like to say thank you to all parents for your support this week in managing all the needs of your child’s return to school. You are very much welcome here at our College and the support you have given your child this week has translated to a great start to their education in 2023.

A special welcome to our new students and families to the Senior Years. Beginning the Senior Years is a special and exciting time for young people.

We also welcome a number of new teachers to the Senior Years team. The students have provided great feedback on the quality of their teachers this week and we have been heartened by the positive feedback received about the lessons and support that they are providing in the classroom. I am very much excited by the quality teaching and learning that will occur across the Senior Years this year.

Senior Years students have made a commendable start to the new year, ensuring that their commitment to our dress standards has been adhered to. I thank all parents for your assistance in having your child presented in such a manner.

The College always receives delightful feedback from visitors and community members on how respectfully our students uphold the appearance of their uniform.

Throughout the year, parents are encouraged to communicate with their child’s subject teachers as an initial point of contact for any pastoral or academic matters. Parents should have received an email of introduction from your student’s classroom teacher. Mrs Forbes, Middle Leader Senior Years, Mr Fraser, Middle Leader Student Engagement and myself are also available to support you and your students.

Every year, students are encouraged to set goals for the year but we don’t always explain why setting goals is important. Students find more meaning in coming to school when they are aware of the why they are here and what they are working towards.

The importance of setting goals.

Every year students are encouraged to set goals for the year. But we don’t always explain why setting goals is important.

Research has shown that people who set goals (and use them effectively) not only perform better, but suffer from less stress and anxiety and are happier and more satisfied with life.

In 1953 a Harvard Uni study showed that 3% of the students graduating that year wrote down their specific career goals.

Twenty years later, a team of researchers interviewed the class and found that the 3% who had written down their goals were worth more financially than the other 97% combined!

In 1953 a Harvard Uni study showed that 3% of the students graduating that year wrote down their specific career goals. Twenty years later, a team of researchers interviewed the class and found that the 3% who had written down their goals were not only happier, but were worth more financially than the other 97% combined.

Here are some more reasons why you might like to set some goals for the year:

• Setting goals gets you to think about possibilities.
• Goals give you a direction to work towards.
• Goals give you a clear picture of where you want to go.
• Goals help you to push yourself just that little bit more.
• Goals help you have a more fun and fulfilled life.
• Goals can give you motivation and focus.
• Setting goals helps you do all the things you want to do in life!

You have probably set many goals already without even realising it – not every goal has to be written down but it certainly helps you to stay on track if you do write it out. You can set goals for all the different aspects of your life.

Remember, if you don’t set goals you’ll find that life just sort of ‘happens’ to you rather than you actually deciding what you want out of life and then making what you really want to happen!  So get in the driver’s seat of your life and take control with your goals this year – both personal and academic.

I would like to encourage all parents to sit with their children over the next two weeks to discuss their individual goals for this term.

In Week 3 on Monday 6 February, Senior Years will partake in Student-Led Conferences. Having goals set will assist students in guiding this discussion around their learning needs.

I look forward to working with our community in 2023 to build on the successes and to celebrate them widely.

Our Lady of the Southern Cross…Be our guide.

Mr Rodney Spain

Assistant Principal Senior Years