Pentecost Sunday
Last Sunday was Pentecost Sunday, one of the significant feasts in the Church’s liturgical year. Pentecost brings the season of Easter to a close: Jesus Christ has ascended into heaven and we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit into the lives of the disciples, who will now go out to continue Christ’s work of spreading the good news of God’s love. Of course we celebrate, too, the power of the Holy Spirit in our own lives as we continue the mission of the disciples. May the Spirit be alive in us all, inspiring us in all we are and do.
Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews
We made a decision last year that we would attempt to provide more feedback to parents about their child's progress. As a result, we have spaced the Parent Teacher Student interviews out so that they don't coincide with reports. This means that parents will receive 4 written reports and have opportunities for interviews 3 times throughout the year and the longest period of time between feedback will be seven weeks. It has changed the nature of discussions as previously the interviews were largely based or prompted by reports. Obviously we will review at the end of the year but I have to say that more parents are coming to interviews this year than anytime over the previous two years which I see as particularly positive.
The next form of feedback will be through the end of semester reports. Years 10-12 reports will be available on the Parent Portal by 5.00pm on Friday June 17. Years 7-9 reports will be available on the Parent Portal by 5.00pm on Monday June 27. The next round of Parent/Teacher/Student interviews will take place on Tuesday August 2 from 4.00pm – 8.30pm.
Management of Parent Complaints
Penola Catholic College works in an educational partnership with parents for the benefit of all students. On entering into this partnership, families assume a number of important responsibilities which include: loyalty to the College community, a commitment to the College Mission statement and support of all College policies and expectations.
It is acknowledged that there may be occasions when parents wish to express concerns / make complaints regarding College matters. Parents are always encouraged to communicate with the relevant College personnel to discuss their concerns.
The College is always available to assist parents through discussion in developing a clearer understanding of College expectations in all areas.
Parents are required to express their concerns in a calm and respectful manner towards all staff who may be involved. On presenting the concern, the family must be able to be identified. Any anonymous concerns or complaints cannot be satisfactorily investigated as the College would be unable to confirm them as genuine.
In having specific concerns / complaints addressed we recommend that initial contact be made with the relevant College personnel in the order below:
Curriculum Matters Subject Teacher, Head of Learning, Deputy Principal of Teaching & Learning
Student’s Academic Subject Teacher, Year Level Co-ordinators, Deputy Principal Head of Campus
Student Wellbeing Matters Homeroom Teacher, Year Level Co-ordinators, Head of Student Services, Deputy Principal Head of Campus
General Student Behaviour Homeroom Teacher, Year Level Co-ordinators, Deputy Principal Head of Campus
Transport Matters Transport Co-ordinator, Deputy Principal Head of Campus
College Policies Deputy Principal Head of Campus
Staff Deputy Principal Head of Campus
Off Campus Incidents Deputy Principal Head of Campus
Uniform Homeroom Teacher, Year Level Co-ordinators, Deputy Principal Head of Campus
Financial Business Manager
In all cases where the matter cannot be satisfactorily resolved, parents are encouraged to contact the College Principal.
Mother’s Day Breakfast
The Mother’s Day Breakfast was held on Friday 6 May. Our guest speakers for the morning were Sam Mutimer from Thinktank Social and Anthony Koutifides former Carlton footballer. Sam spoke in detail about the positives and negatives associated with social media and some of the things to consider when using social media. Anthony Koutifides spoke about his football career, his struggles after retiring from football and the importance of diet and exercise They both had many great messages for our students and mothers in attendance. My thanks to our Catering Manager, Mr Garry Cottom and other staff who assisted with the preparation and serving of the breakfast and to Mrs Angela Xidias for her overall organisation of the various aspects of the event.
NAPLAN
Last week our students in Years 7 and 9 sat the annual NAPLAN tests in literacy and numeracy. This is a major event organisationally and requires much pre-planning so that the testing process can run smoothly. The student data generated by these tests will assist the College in continuing to improve student learning outcomes in the future and will provide valuable information about the level of improvement in student literacy and numeracy skills in the College.
My thanks to staff involved with this organisation particularly Mr Rob Dullard, Mr Keven Zavadlal, Mr Simon Greatwood, Ms Lucy D’Angelo, and Ms Paula D’Amore.
New College Website
We have launched our new College website which has far more functionality than our old website including links from our Facebook page, the ability to post videos and photographs more easily and facilities to make electronic payments online. Please take the time to have a look at our new website which has been developed by our Marketing team of Ms Anita Namrood and Ms Jessica Alvarez. I would like to publically thank both Anita and Jessica for the countless hours that they have devoted to the development of this new website. The website url remains the same www.penola.vic.edu.au.
Student Photographs
A reminder to all parents that you need to notify the College if you do not give permission for your son or daughter’s photograph to be published in newsletters or promotional materials. We would like to begin to place more photographs and videos on our new website and so I take this opportunity to remind you of the student permission form for photographs. If we have not received your permission form back at the College we have assumed that your consent has been provided. It is the responsibility of each family to make this decision and notify the College if you decide to exclude your son or daughter from having their photograph published. In practical terms, this will mean that your son or daughter will need to be excluded from most group shots such as class photographs as these are published in our Year Book each year.
Staff Changes
As many of you would be aware Ms Anisa Shllaku (Year 8 Coordinator and Head of Languages – Glenroy) has commenced maternity leave. Ms Shllaku and her husband Vini welcomed their son, Erik on Sunday evening. We warmly welcome Ms Joanne Pace who has been appointed to replace Ms Shllaku teaching Italian and Humanities. Ms Amanda Abboud commenced maternity leave on Monday May 16 and we wish her well. Ms Carli Saddington has been appointed to replace Ms Abboud and has been teaching for the past five years at Melton Secondary College. Ms Jennifer Doan commences her maternity leave on Friday May 27 and she will be replaced by Ms Naomi Nolan for the Careers part of her load and her Physical Education classes will be shared by existing staff. We welcome Ms Nolan to Penola Catholic College and she will continue to work with MacKillop College, Werribee in Careers as well as with us. I am confident that all will make our new staff welcome.
National Reconciliation Week (next week)
National Reconciliation Week celebrates the rich culture and history of Indigenous Australians. It is the perfect time for all Australians to think about how to help turn around the disadvantage experienced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is also a time where we can reflect about what we are doing to advance the process of reconciliation.
Reconciliation involves achieving an understanding of the facts of Indigenous Australia, including history and its continuing effects, the importance of culture, the contribution of Indigenous people to the Australia that we live in today, and the diverse situations of Indigenous people living in our communities. This understanding is fundamental for respectful engagements and mutual acceptance between people.
The week coincides with two important dates in Indigenous Australia’s recent history. May 27th marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum in which more than 90 per cent of Australians voted to remove clauses from the Australian Constitution which discriminated against Indigenous Australians. It enabled Indigenous people to be included in the Census, and Federal Parliament the power to make laws in relation to Indigenous people.
June 3rd marks the anniversary of the High Court’s judgment in the 1992 Mabo case. The decision recognised the Native Title rights of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the original inhabitants of the continent and overturned the myth of terra nullius – the belief that the continent was an empty, un-owned land before the arrival of Europeans in 1788.
Prayer for the Journey of Healing
Almighty and loving God, you who created ALL people in your image,
lead us to seek your compassion as we listen to the stories of our past.
You gave your only Son, Jesus, who died and rose again so that sins will be forgiven.
We place before you the pain and anguish of dispossession of land, language, lore, culture
and family kinship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced.
We live in faith that all people will rise from the depths of despair and hopelessness.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have endured the pain and loss of loved ones,
through the separation of children from their families.
We are sorry and ask Your forgiveness.
Touch the hearts of the broken, homeless and inflicted and heal their spirits.
In your mercy and compassion walk with us as we continue our journey of healing to create a
future that is just and equitable.
Lord, you are our hope. Amen.
Chris Caldow
Principal