From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, Staff and Students,

The last two weeks have been particularly important in our College calendar, with Bookweek celebrations, Father’s Day Breakfast, HSC Showcase, and McAuley Day. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend many of these events due to attending a Principal conference and illness. I thank the many staff, students, and parents who have contributed to the success of these wonderful events. 

Parent Assembly: Free Workshop about Parenting Teens

I encourage parents of Year 7 and 8 students not to miss this great opportunity being sponsored by the Parent Assembly to learn more about parenting teens in the complex world they are growing up in. Chris Hudson, a highly regarded teen parenting coach will present  "Approaching the Teenage Years" at The Grafton District Service Club on Monday 16th September at 6pm. We hope that all parents of tweens and teens in our Catholic schools in the local area make time to come along to this informative and engaging session. You'll leave with great information and practical tips and strategies to help you help your young person thrive. To read more and register, please see the flyer in the newsletter. 

McAuley Day

Last Friday, September 6th, we celebrated McAuley Day, our annual Feast Day—a very special day in our school calendar. As we mentioned in previous newsletters, on this day, we acknowledge our Mercy history and traditions and raise money for Mercy Works to assist those less fortunate than ourselves. We look forward to announcing the amount raised for Mercy Works in the near future.

Year 12 and HSC Showcase

Year 12 students are in their final weeks, and we encourage them to “finish well.” This is an important time to consolidate their work and ensure they are ready for their HSC exams next term. In addition, a number of activities have been organised for Year 12, which will culminate in their Graduation and Prizegiving liturgy on Wednesday, September 25th, at 9.30am in the College Hall. 

Congratulations to all our students who have recently completed their HC major works and exhibited and performed in our HSC Showcase across the subjects of IT- Timber, Multi- media, Visual Arts, Drama, Textiles and Design, and Dance. Thank you to Dianne McGowan for coordinating and her team for their contributions, ensuring the success of this event.

Year 11

We are finalising our senior leadership team for 2024 - 25. Congratulations to all students who have nominated for positions and maturely engaged with the leadership process. School Captains will be announced this week, and House Captains next week. I wish all Year 11 students all the best as they start preparing for Preliminary course assessments, which will be held in Week 9. 

Bookweek 

A week of activities culminated in a book week dress-up on Friday, August 30th. Several students and many staff dressed as their inspirational characters in the theme Reading is Magic. Those who participated had lots of fun. Thank you to Mrs. Gleeson and library staff and helpers for organising book week.

RU OK? Day

This Thursday, 12 September, the College will acknowledge RU OK Day.  Remember, Ask R U, OK? Any Day because a conversation could change a life. 

Please read through the many articles in the newsletter that describe and celebrate the many achievements of our students across so many areas of the College.

All the best for the fortnight ahead

Kind regards,

Kate

Kate Thomson
Principal

“We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”

Catherine McAuley