Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends of St Clare’s

I hope you and your family are safe, well and enjoying our warmer spring weather.

Over the past fortnight our HSC students have completed their trial exams and have begun the final few weeks of secondary education.  A number of students have sat their oral language exams, while others have submitted major projects and portfolios.

NESA examiners have marked and assessed Industrial Technology (Timber) Major Works and Drama performances with Art and Music to follow shortly.  My thanks to staff and students for the positive way in which they have faced these challenges and we wish all families well as they prepare for the HSC exams.

A pleasing number of students and parents attended the recent HSC performance evening which highlighted the skills of our students in Drama, Music and Art.  Those who attended could not help but marvel at the ingenuity, creativity and commitment students showed as they worked with their teachers to provide a wonderful evening of entertainment.  My thanks to CAPA leader Rebecca Huett and her team of committed teachers:  Callam Howard, Amanda Brooks and Lyndall Laurie who have worked extraordinary hours to support the young people in their care.  My thanks also to TAS teacher Mr Phil Chalmers and teacher Brad Hart for their excellent work in assisting the senior Timber and Metal groups to produce an excellent body of work.  They too have covered many extra hours to ensure their students had every assistance to complete their project.

I was very heartened by the excellent number of parents and students who attended last week’s Year 9 2023 Information Evening.  The gathering had access to a large number of teachers from across faculties which allowed parents, students and teachers to discuss subject options and education pathways that will be available to students in future year levels.

We often remark that our students are the best advertisement to our school.  We had another excellent reminder of that situation yesterday with our Rugby 7s team being elected by tournament organisers as the team that best exemplified the “spirit of rugby”.  The award takes into account the demeanour, team work and commitment of the group and is a wonderful endorsement of the students and staff (Phil Chalmers, Jason Koenig and Brad Hart) who worked so well together to create an excellent team environment.  Well done to all.

You would have received a message regarding options for the St Clare’s Bring Your Own Device Policy.  A reminder that the portal for purchasing devices is open for all members of the school community.

Thursday, 8 September was RUOK Day.  We know that issues around Mental Health have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and feelings of isolation and loneliness.  My thanks to Year 10 Leader of Wellbeing Nicole Lovern and her team of Year 10 students who worked diligently across the day to encourage a healthy outlook on life and to ensure members of the community look after each other.

Also on Thursday the Principals of Catholic Schools across the Manning, along with Aboriginal and Torres Strait support workers and members of the CSO Aboriginal Education Unit met to discuss the progress of Aboriginal Education in our region of schools.  We received some cultural education from Auntie Fay and further developed our collaborative approach to establishing sensitive and welcoming learning environments for all.

In the last week of term, the school community will gather to celebrate the HSC cohort of 2022:

• Wednesday, 21 September - the much anticipated annual boys’ vs girls’ netball game will be contested.
• Thursday, 22 September will feature the final Year 12 Assembly for the cohort followed by an afternoon at Black Head Beach.
• Friday, 23 September the school will gather for a mass and celebrate the contribution and legacy that this group of young people have made to St Clare’s High School. The mass will be followed by a morning tea for Year 12 students, their parents and St Clare’s staff.

In closing, I would like to thank all members of the community for your support as we continue to navigate together the difficulties that COVID-19 pandemic continues to create in our area.

God Bless

Peter Nicholls
Principal