From the Head of Senior School

On Tuesday evening, the Dennett Centre underwent a transformation for our annual Careers Market. More than 40 stalls had been set up, showcasing a wide range of career pathways. The universities also provided information about their courses. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and commitment of the voluntary presenters, as well as the efforts of Mrs Lisa McDonald, the Vocational Services Coordinator, and the teachers who organised this component of the Personal Learning Plan for Year 10 students.

Our Year 8 students had an engaging week filled with various activities. They participated in a Day of Reflection at the Influencers Church, which involved faith and service activities. They also had a formation day focusing on respect, emotional wellbeing, and social welfare at the College. Additionally, they enjoyed a three-day Ig-xperience camp at Finniss River. We are thankful for the active participation of the students in these activities, and we commend the staff who worked hard to prepare and guide this formation program.

We often emphasise the importance of the partnership with families in supporting students on their learning journey. If parents would like to address any wellbeing concerns, we encourage them to contact their child's Mentor Teacher. The Mentor Teacher will liaise with the respective House Leader and others as necessary.

We are grateful to the parents and students who took part in our recent online Subject Conversations with teachers. The subject teachers are eager to support families in these conversations and believe that continuous feedback through online reporting is valuable for improving outcomes. We had many meaningful and enjoyable discussions during these sessions.

During our Senior School Assembly on Monday, Fr Quyen Vu, the Provincial of the Jesuits in Australia, shared his experiences as the Principal of Jesuit schools in Timor-Leste and Cambodia. He encouraged us to embrace community service and immersion experiences as a means of preparing for future challenges and finding opportunities to serve a purpose greater than ourselves.

We were introduced this week to Fr Michael Ochwo, a Jesuit Tertian from Uganda, who will be with us until the end of June. Tertians are Jesuits engaged in their third (tertiary) period of formal training, which takes place after several years in full-time ministry. Father Michael is excited to assist with various activities in Term 2, including offering a retreat in daily life for staff.

Phil Donato
Head of Senior School