From the Principal

Dear Parents & Carers,

Staff professional learning day on Friday, 9 May

The keynote speaker was Dr Nathaniel Swain, a Senior Lecturer in Learning Sciences at La Trobe University School of Education, Australia. He spoke about harnessing the Science of Learning to enhance teaching. Following his keynote address, he facilitated two workshops that engaged teachers in developing lessons based on explicit teaching.

This valuable professional learning opportunity for our staff was a key strategy supporting our school improvement agenda to ensure our teachers’ practice is informed by the latest ‘Science of Learning’ research.

I commend our Director of Teacher Development, Ms. Jemma Morris, for organising this invaluable day of learning and planning for teachers.

College Cross-Country Carnival

Last Thursday morning, we held the annual House Cross-Country Carnival at school. Congratulations to Ricci House for winning the House Shield with the overall highest points in the carnival. I commend all students who participated and gave their best effort.

I thank Mr Andrew Philp (Head of Sport) and the team of staff who organised and managed this very successful event. Mr Philp will provide more details in next week’s newsletter.

As you are undoubtedly aware, there is considerable media coverage promoting adolescent health. As a school, we aim to support the development of the whole person. The Sport and Physical Education programs are also an important aspect of our students’ education. It is crucial that we continue to cultivate a culture within our school that positively encourages participation in events such as the Cross Country.

Mr Philp, as a result of the carnival, has organised a team to compete in the annual GISSA Inter-school Cross Country Carnival.

Yrs 10, 11 & 12 Student & Parent Careers Panel and Expo

I invite parents or carers of our senior students to join them with their daughter or son next Monday evening, May 26. There will be information sessions, displays, workshops and a range of guest presenters from tertiary institutions, employment services, and so forth.

Last year’s evening was very well attended, and the organisers received plenty of positive feedback. The evening will assist students in considering their pathway options throughout their senior school years and beyond. It will provide a valuable opportunity for parents to enter into discussion with their daughter or son about their future and to be better informed about many of the options available.

Senior students are encouraged to sign up for four workshop sessions to ensure they maximise their experience during the evening.

They can choose from:

Workshop 1: Navigating the VCE

Workshop 2: Vocational studies in the Senior Years Understanding VCE VM, VET, Vocational Pathways and Work Experience

Workshop 3: Unlocking Your Future: Understanding VTAC, ATAR, and VTAC Equity Schemes

Workshop 4: The experiences of our Alumni

Workshop 5: Moving from Surviving to Thriving in the Senior School

Workshop 6: Constructing your Career Pathway

Workshop 7: Resume writing and interview techniques

Senior students are able to sign up to their workshops via this link - https://www.trybooking.com/DBPQF

National Reconciliation Week

Our next full school assembly is scheduled for next Tuesday (27th May) during p.4. This has previously been known as the 'Sorry Day Assembly', but to reflect the broader events of next week’s National Reconciliation Week, it will be renamed the 'Reconciliation Week Assembly'.

A Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony will occur at that time with Traditional Custodians Kristi Watts and David Tournier Jnr joining us. Our guest speaker will be Mel Gee, a parent.

We’re hoping for good weather, as we plan to hold the assembly on the outdoor basketball courts.

Magis 2024

During the past week, parents of Years 8 to 12 students should have received an email containing a link to their electronic copy of the College’s 2024 Annual Magazine. Following feedback, we have opted to print only a limited number of copies of the ‘Magis’ and make it available online for all families. Parents of last year’s Yr 12 students who do not currently have a student at the College will receive a hard copy in the mail.

‘Magis’ is a fantastic record of College life from the past year. I hope you enjoy perusing the year’s records in this annual magazine, and over time, it will become a treasured memory of your daughter's or son’s 2024 school year.

On behalf of the College community, I express my gratitude to our Communications Officer, Ms Michelle Ryan, for her design work and development of the ‘Magis’ for another year and to our Director of Community Engagement & Development, Ms Elana Cole, for coordinating the production of the magazine.

Some recent student performances

This week, we conducted two evenings where some of our students performed on stage at the MacKillop Centre. Well done to them.

On Monday, we held the Public Speaking Recital, and on Tuesday, our woodwind and brass students also had the opportunity to perform in front of an audience at the annual Soiree.

Both occasions were wonderful opportunities for them to display their developing talents as a result of their ongoing involvement in our instrumental music program.

It can be challenging to perform in front of an audience, and I commend all the students for their courage in doing so. Preparation is essential for success, and judging by the reports I’ve received, they handled themselves very well in front of proud parents, carers, families, and friends.

Thank you to Mr. Michael Wilding (Acting Head of Performance) for coordinating the evenings, and to our dedicated team of instrumental music tutors for their encouragement and support of our students.

We are looking forward to our VCE students performing at Geelong’s “Piano Bar” next Wednesday evening.

Best wishes for the next fortnight,

Michael Exton | Principal