STAFFING UPDATE – TERM 2
As a community so much can happen in 11 weeks, Year 7 students have transitioned well into their new environment as much as Year 12 have passed their half way mark of their final year of secondary schooling. As we prepare for Term 2 it is important to inform our community of some staffing alterations, which may be different from your son’s timetable in Term 1. A number of staff are extending their break beyond these holidays, taking their long service leave, approved leave or begin a couple of weeks paternity leave. Each of these positions will have casual staff employed for the period of their absence. Parents will have an opportunity at the Parent Teacher Interviews early Term 2 where a learning conversation can be had to discuss your son’s progress and his latest Interim Report including his D.S.E. scores.
TERM 1 – STAFF AND STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
As we approach Term 2, it is an opportune time to reflect on the efforts of students across so many areas of endeavour throughout Term 1. The College prides itself on the rich extracurricular life that is a constant in the College and the opportunities afforded students on a regular basis. The diversity of events in all areas of culture, social justice, academia, boys’ education and sport occur due to the commitment of the staff here. Their efforts, when one takes into account full teaching loads, are quite extraordinary. The success of these programs also is dependent on the level of involvement and commitment by so many of our students. The success of events such as MCS sporting success in Basketball, Cricket, Tennis, Baseball, Softball, Cross Country, Swimming, Y7 Camp, Harmony Day, College initiatives, fundraisers, competitions, excursions and incursions for a lot of our students over the term. Despite varied and challenging weather conditions, witnessed staff and students at their best, with the vast majority in all year groups displaying wonderful traits of what it means to be part of our community. So many of these events will continue throughout the course of next term with the introduction of more opportunities for students to become involved in representing the College. Students are reminded that they should keep up to date with their canvas notifications so they don’t miss these events, with such a large community these opportunities come and go quickly and can be easily overlooked.
TERM 2 – PERSONAL RESPONSIBILIY
All students are expected to treat themselves, their peers, their teachers and their families with utmost respect, both in the way they speak and the choices that they make. Similarly, every St Dominic’s student should be prepared to take full responsibility for his actions. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time and as an authentic Catholic community the College endeavours to help students learn from and move past their mistakes, restoring those relationships affected by poor choices. Owning and accepting responsibility for our mistakes is essential to maintaining one’s place in the community and earning the respect of others. As a reflection from Term 1, many student choices, lead to further issues which could have been avoided by individual responsibility. Asking yourself first whether the outcome of an individual action will have adverse effects – may have changed the outcome of the original decision. Many of these poor choices were a direct result from not communicating correctly with the people directly involved. In most cases, these involved the use of mobile phones and/or social media avenues inappropriately. In today’s society, we are all learners as part of the technological highway and the young people we are dealing with are no different. Please be vigilant in having appropriate conversations with your son about his usage of social media and encourage them as often as possible to ask questions and seek advice. A useful resource we have used previously at the College is https://www.esafety.gov.au/ This website has a number of resources, including cyber-bullying information (which included gaming). The Office of the eSafety Commissioner is committed to empowering all Australians to have safer, more positive experiences online. The Office was established in 2015 with a mandate to coordinate and lead the online safety efforts across government, industry and the not-for profit community.
Mr B Walsh
Deputy Principal
