Announcing our new College Leaders for 2025

At our assembly last Tuesday, we formally announced our College Leaders for 2025. I offer my sincere congratulations to Harry, Sofia, Noemie, Neve, Beth, and Liam on their appointment to these important roles. I know they will do a splendid job leading the College next year. We will formally invest our new leaders at the Opening College Mass next February.

Remembrance Day

Yesterday we paid our respects, and bowed our heads in prayer for those who have served, and currently serve, in our defence force. We acknowledge the sacrifice that has been made, and continues to be made by individuals and their families, for our country.

I am conscious that we have many serving families in our College community, and that at times, this brings with it challenges and complexities that other families may not have to navigate. Please remember that our Defence Force Mentor, Zonika Smith is available, and does a tremendous job in keeping in contact with our students and their families. 

All students in the College will be preparing to sit end of year exams in the coming weeks, and we have been providing study and health tips in advance of these. None of these tips are rocket science as they say. Like much of the advice we might receive on a number of fronts, eating a healthy balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, good amounts of exercise, a prayer and/or meditation routine, are all sensible ways to approach the exam period. More pointedly, having a regular study and revision pattern, looking at the right material in a structured and sequential manner, and having clear summary notes, all assist.

Exams are useful ways to both find out what has been learned, and also provide feedback and affirmation of the knowledge and skills that have been acquired. Exams also assist in looking at the next steps in learning: to fill in gaps, or to advance to the next topic/unit. I am sure our students are ready to meet the challenge, and with a commitment to doing well, and putting in the work, they will be well rewarded for their efforts.

We use exams as a means of providing summative assessment of work that has been taught along the way. During the course of each lesson, and the semester, students will have been offered formative feedback that informs the learning, and sets or re-sets the direction. Regardless of where our students go once they leave our school system, there will no doubt be some form of examination in their lives beyond us. Whether they attend higher education, CIT, an apprenticeship or further training, and even in the workplace, exams are a fact of life. Providing opportunities for test-taking while at school helps prepare young people for the inevitable examinations that will come.

I wish all of our students the very best for their coming exams and will be praying for their calm minds and clear heads so that they can demonstrate what they have learned to their best ability.

But I was just texting my mum…

If our front office staff have heard one phrase this year on repeat, it is this one. I also have experienced this any number of times! Please parents, do not respond to, or initiate text chats with your child during the school day. In line with nearly all states and territory schools in Australia, and for good reasons, mobile devices are banned during school hours. As we have explained, we want our students to be present, free from distractions, and ready to learn. Phones should be off, not on their person and out of sight for the whole school day.

Dr Craig Wattam
Principal