Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends of St Clare’s

I hope you and your families are safe, fit and well.

Last week’s senior retreat saw the Year 11 cohort and their teachers spend special time together to reflect upon their personal spiritual development and to consider how they would like to be known in the world, what they stand for and how they will live a life that is respectful of others and God’s creation.  It is rare for us to take time to consider such important matters of conscience, yet so much of our feelings of dignity and self-worth and the wellbeing of others is dependent on each of us having a healthy understanding of our innate spiritual nature and a willingness to be reflective and forgiving of our failings and the failings of those around us.  My thanks to Ministry Coordinator Jason Koenig, Year 11 Leader of Wellbeing & Engagement Bronwen Davidson and their team of teachers for their dedication and willingness to go the “extra yards” for the young people in their care.  Thank you also to our Year 11 students who entered into the program with a great commitment to engage, share and grow together.

In what was a busy week, Leader of Learning English Kerrie Davy, Pedagogical Mentor Tim Masters, Gifted Education Mentor Niko Campbell-Ellis and I attended two days of Professional Development around the Leading Learning Collaborative which operates across our Diocese schools.  We undertook a school tour and spent two days with International Education Researcher Lynn Sharratt who led us further in our understanding of what matters most in learning, leading and teaching.  My thanks to the staff of the Catholic Schools Office who organised a wonderful celebration of learning and teaching in our system of Catholic Schools.

In previous newsletters, I have written about the importance of our young people having access to personal devices and learning to use them to best assist them in their learning.  The St Clare’s Bring Your Own Device Policy (BYOD) is built around this idea.  It is also important that your sons and daughters learn to be responsible cyber citizens and conduct themselves with dignity and self-respect when online or using phones and other personal devices.  The St Clare’s Leaders of Wellbeing & Engagement have been speaking with their year levels about the correct use of technology while they are at home and school.  Students who do not follow the clear directions around the use of phones and other personal devices will be asked to turn them into the office and restate their commitment to following school rules.  If a student does not moderate their choice of behaviour, parents will be contacted and firmer measures put in place to help the young person behave in a respectful manner.

A reminder also that students should only be contacting home via the St Clare’s Office phones.  If your son or daughter rings you on their mobile, ask them to “hang up” and go and use the office facilities.

HSC exams conclude this week.  We have had wonderful feedback from the NESA supervisors who have shepherded our 2022 Year 12 cohort through the exam process.  The supervisors have noted that your sons and daughters have been well prepared, on time, and have worked with diligence and sustained effort for the entire duration of each exam.  A big thank you to Theresa Avery, Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching and Todd Curtis, Year 12 Leader of Wellbeing & Engagement and the St Clare’s team of teachers who have spent many years preparing the group for their exams and what is to follow as they move into the next phase of their lives.  We will celebrate the Year 12 groups time at St Clare’s with family and friends on Friday, 11 November with their Awards Presentation at the school, followed by dinner and dancing at the Taree Race Club.

Next week holds a number of key dates in the school year including a rescheduling of our postponed NADIOC Week celebrations and recognition of the sacrifice many have made defending our country which takes place on 11 November; Remembrance Day.  The photo of the poppies included in this newsletter were planted outside the Hospitality Kitchen by Mr Gonfond in readiness for this important date.  I thank Laurent for his thoughtfulness and for marking this significant date with a tangible symbol to remind us of those who served our country in the Great War.

God Bless

Peter Nicholls
Principal