Deputy News

This week I have had the privilege of attending Year 12 Retreat. We left on Sunday for Alexandra Headlands and spent four days together reflecting on the Year 12’s thirteen-year schooling journey that is almost at an end. The retreat is a combination of outdoor activities and reflection time. It really is golden time to just switch off from school, relax and enjoy each other's company before the busyness of final external exam preparation and graduation begins. It is one of the blessings of my job that I get to spend this time with our students, many of which I have journeyed with over the past thirteen years.

We also had the pleasure of two 2012 Alumni, Janah O’Shea and Lachlan Dignan joining us at retreat to impart some wisdom about their journey since school. They had lots of pearls of wisdom to share about what they miss most from school to helpful hints for renting. They spoke of the value of volunteer work on a resume to answering deeper life questions about making choices about your future pathways and the importance of support networks. 

There is nothing better than a few days at the beach and this visit did not disappoint. Spending this time with 29 seniors and 2 other staff members was such a blessing with so many great memories being made. 

COLLEGE AWARDS

If you are new to our College family in 2024 you may not be aware of another big occasion we have in Term 4, our College Awards of Excellence Ceremony. Held during the Year 12’s last days here at the College, it celebrates and acknowledges excellence in all four domains of our College; Academia, Spirituality, Sport and Arts. Awards are presented to students in all year levels as we celebrate our rich College life. At the conclusion of the Awards, we farewell our Year 12 students as a P-12 community, and they exit and ring the journey bell. This ceremony will be on 13 November beginning at 9:15am. Parents will be notified via Parent Portal at the commencement of Term 4 if your child is receiving an award. Teachers are finalising Award nomination this week for presentation next term. Each week next term I will feature the awards we present and their criteria. 

GRANDPARENT’S DAY

This morning, we gathered with over 300 grandparents of our College community for our annual Grandparent’s Day. It is such a joyous occasion for our grandparents to catch up with friends of their own that are also visiting for the morning but most importantly for them to spend time in our College with their grandchildren. 

Biblical Garden update

We have a rose!  I am excited to report our Catherine McAuley rose has started to bloom and our Biblical Garden has its first flower.

DATE CLAIMERS – Term 4

30 September – First day of Term 4 (10-week term)

30 September 9am – Class consideration form closes

7 October – King’s Birthday holiday

21 October – 12 November – Year 12 External Exams

13 November – College Awards of Excellence Ceremony

15 November – Year 12 Graduation Mass

22 November – Last day for Year 10 & 11 students

2 December – College Christmas Carols (twilight)

5 December – Early Years Nativity Play (during school day)

6 December – last day of Term 4 (10-week term)

Pupil-Free Days for 2025 are:

Week 0 – 21 January – 24 January (before students commence)

Tuesday 28 January

Tuesday 22 April

Monday 14 July

Friday 1 August

Friday 5 September

Have a wonderful holiday, enjoy the break from lunch boxes and ironing uniforms.  We look forward to seeing you all next term to finish out the 2024 academic year.

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education