Dear Parents and Guardians, 

It has been another wonderful and productive fortnight in our College community. It was a genuine pleasure to welcome our new Year 7 families and reconnect with existing families at our Year 7 Welcome Evening. The evening was a great success, providing an opportunity for parents and carers to meet teachers, build relationships with one another, and strengthen the strong sense of community that is so important to us. Sharing a meal while enjoying music performed by our students created a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and it was fantastic to see so many families engaging so positively with the College.  

Another highlight of the past fortnight has been our Year 7 Camp at Riverbend in Smithton. Camps such as these play a vital role in supporting students as they transition into secondary school life. They provide valuable opportunities for students to form new friendships, strengthen existing ones, and build confidence by stepping outside their comfort zones. Through a range of activities and challenges, students develop resilience, teamwork and independence within a supportive environment. From what I observed, and the feedback received, our students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and represented the College with pride. These shared experiences often become the foundation for strong and lasting connections within a year group. 

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As we move further into the term, I would like to emphasise the importance of regular school attendance. We have already noticed that some students are not attending consistently. While we understand that absences due to illness are sometimes unavoidable, there are a number of absences that are either unexplained or could be avoided. Regular attendance is critical to academic success, as well as to a student’s sense of belonging and wellbeing. Every day at school matters—not only for learning, but also for building relationships and maintaining continuity. Your child’s success is strengthened when we work in partnership, and I thank you in advance for your support in ensuring your child attends school each day unless unwell. 

 Over the past couple of weeks, I have received a number of positive comments regarding my address at the Evening of Excellence. As many families were unable to attend, I would like to once again share some of the key themes. At our recent Evening of Excellence, we gathered to celebrate not only student achievement, but also the effort, discipline and persistence that underpin success. Over the past year, I have come to know our students through their resilience, growth and determination, and it is clear that their achievements have been built steadily over time. This was reflected in outstanding results, including students receiving prestigious TASC Awards and 20% of our Year 12 cohort achieving an ATAR above 90. More importantly, these outcomes have created meaningful pathways, with the majority of our graduates moving into further study or employment aligned with their aspirations. While results are important, true success lies in the opportunities created and the confidence our students have to pursue their futures with purpose. 

The evening also highlighted that excellence is not only measured by results, but by growth, character and daily habits. Consistent effort, responsibility and discipline, particularly in a world of increasing shortcuts are what enable students to thrive. As a Catholic school, we remain committed to forming the whole person, nurturing young people of integrity, compassion and strong values. None of this is achieved alone, and I thank our dedicated staff and supportive families for the vital role they play in each student’s journey. To all students, whether recognised on the evening or not, your future will be shaped by the choices you make each day. Excellence is not a single moment, but a pattern built over time. 

As we continue through the season of Lent, I would like to revisit the challenge I shared in my previous newsletter: to give up speaking and thinking negatively about others. I encourage you to reflect on how this challenge is progressing within your own families. Personally, I have found that when I approach situations with care and compassion, and make a conscious effort to understand the reasons behind someone’s actions, it becomes much easier to respond in a positive and constructive way. This does not mean excusing behaviour, but rather separating the person from the action and choosing to respond with understanding. It is a small but powerful shift that can have a meaningful impact on our relationships and overall wellbeing. 

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of our College. Together, we are building a strong, connected and values-driven community that supports each student to grow and flourish. 

I wish you and your family a wonderful week ahead. 

Warm regards, 

Shayne Kidd 

Principal