Principal’s Reflection Term 2, 2024.
Welcome to my ‘Principal Reflection’ for Term 2. I trust you are all keeping warm and cosy as we head into the cooler winter months.
As we move towards the end of the first academic semester for 2024, I would like to congratulate all our students who have tried their very best, regardless of the marks and grades they may have achieved. When you receive your child’s report via SEQTA, I encourage you to sit down together as a family to reflect on the successes and recognise the areas where improvements could be made, based upon the feedback you receive from their teachers. It is through constructive feedback and evaluation that we all improve. Early in Term 3, parents/guardians of students in all Year groups will have an opportunity to meet with their child’s teachers to discuss their progress. Please do avail yourself of this opportunity, even if an interview has not been requested by the teacher.
NAPLAN Testing
Our Year 7 and Year 9 students recently completed the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), while some of our Years 10, 11, and 12 students took the Online Numeracy and Literacy Assessment (OLNA). While it is essential for students to give their best effort on these assessments, they don't define the entirety of a child’s school experience. These tests offer a snapshot of literacy and numeracy progress for both students and the College. As a Catholic college, we embrace a holistic approach to education, focusing on the overall development of each child beyond academics alone. It's crucial to remind our students that our school values extend far beyond standardised testing. NAPLAN and OLNA results don't measure a student's worth or acknowledge their diverse talents, skills, and qualities. They are just a small part of the larger tapestry of our school community.
Year 12 Retreat
Our Year 12 students participated in a three-day retreat at Nukara Farm following the exam break earlier this term. This retreat marks one of their final opportunities to bond as a group before graduating in a few months. The retreat provided a valuable space for students to reflect on their journey at the College, their spiritual connection, and their future paths beyond the school and home environments. Feedback from both students and staff who attended has been overwhelmingly positive. Such enriching experiences are made possible by the dedication of our staff, who generously volunteer their time to lead sessions and stay overnight with our students. A special thanks goes to Mr Murray Gardiner, Deputy Principal – Faith and Life, for organising the retreat. I also extend my gratitude to our Heads of House for their facilitation and to the numerous other staff members who invested significant time and effort to support and engage with our students, contributing to the success of this retreat.
For (M)Others’ Day
Earlier this term, the College celebrated For (M)Others’ Day. For many years, the College has held separate special days to recognise the contribution of fathers (Fathers’ Day Breakfast) and grandparents (Grandparents’ Morning Tea) in the lives of our students, however, no event was held to acknowledge the essential roles that mothers play. In 2021, to resolve this oversight and recognise the mothers and mother figures in our community, the College invited the mothers of our Year 10 students to a Mass and morning tea at the College. This celebration is now embedded into our College calendar and it was wonderful to see so many mums taking time from their busy schedules to spend the morning with us. My thanks to Mr Murray Gardiner Deputy Principal – Faith and Life, along with Ms Jacky Patience, Miss Nikki Block, Mrs Micelle Shiosaki, Miss Jasmine Baron and Miss Tamaia Jones, who were the main organisers of this event. My thanks also to the many staff who were involved and helped to ensure the morning was a great success.
Interhouse Cross Country
During the early part of this term, we held our annual Interhouse Cross Country event under favourable conditions. I’m sure many of you would agree that distance running can be quite challenging, demanding a sustained effort over a prolonged period. I could observe on the faces of many of our students the physical exertion required to undertake this physically demanding activity. However, what stood out to me was the determination of so many of our students, not just to face the challenge, but to embrace it wholeheartedly. To those students who gave their best, regardless of their finishing position, I extend my heartfelt congratulations for your remarkable effort. Such resilience requires ongoing support and nurturing. In collaboration with our families, the College is committed to fostering the continued growth of our students through a combination of challenging opportunities and encouragement within a supportive community. I would like to commend all staff involved, especially our Sports Coordinator, Mr Joe Italiano, for organising yet another fantastic event for our students to enjoy. Additionally, my congratulations go out to Thomas House for securing the overall shield.
Careers Expo
The College recently held its annual Careers Expo in the Bishop Justin Bianchini Gymnasium. This day provided an opportunity for our students to talk with different organisations, tertiary educational institutions, and employers about the world of work, various avenues for employment and possible options for the future. Feedback from the vendors, students and staff has been very positive. Many students were also able to acquire new pencils, eraser, rulers, lollies and showbags as part of the experience! My sincere thanks to the many vendors who made themselves available to our students for the day. It was only through their support that we were able to make this day such a success. My thanks also extends to Ms Kaylla Broad, our Vocational Education and Training (VET) Coordinator, Mrs Kerry Faichney, one of our Directors of Teaching and Learning, our VET Staff, and Ms Narelle Lucas and her Year 11/12 Certificate III in Business class, who organised the event for our students. You all did an amazing job.
National Reconciliation Week
During the Term, the College recognised National Reconciliation Week. This is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and what we can do to address and rectify many of the painful experiences of the past. We cannot change what has happened, however we can help to make a better future. ‘Sorry Day’, which is a part of National Reconciliation Week, does not necessarily mean that any individual has done anything wrong. However, we as a nation are attempting to recognise that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have been mistreated in the past and many continue to experience racism and prejudice today. In much the same way as you may say to a friend, ‘sorry for your loss’, if someone close to them passes away, we as a country are recognising that something painful has happened, and we empathise with their situation. In a similar vein, when a friend has a sad experience we might ask, ‘what can I do to help?’ This is how I personally perceive ‘Sorry Day’. We are recognising that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have been wronged, and we as individuals and as a country are collectively saying, ‘sorry this has happened and what can we all do to help?’
Year 7 2025
I had the wonderful opportunity to interview prospective Year 7 students for the 2025 intake earlier this term, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. Many of these young individuals displayed remarkable confidence, offering informed responses, and posing thoughtful questions about the College and the opportunities it presents to them as prospective Nagle students. I understand that for a young person, being interviewed by a senior staff member can be quite daunting, yet they handled themselves with poise and maturity. I eagerly anticipate welcoming these promising students to the College next year as they embark on their high school journey.
Regards,
Mr Michael Williams
Principal