From Br Steve Hogan fsc
The past several weeks have been busy and significant in regards to the College鈥檚 academic calendar. Year 12 complete their HSC Trial exams today, Friday 11th August and will over the next two weeks receive some important feedback on what is needed moving forward to attain their best. It is important that all Year 12 students in all classes continue to aim for their best, for in doing so, it will help the class rank used in the scaling and moderating process and therefore every individuals rank and mark.
Research tells us that feedback is one of the most essential elements to improving performance. This applies to all aspects of life but evidence certainly supports this in education. What I encourage is to engage with your sons and daughters, to follow through on feedback that is given because teachers often report that much time is given to giving feedback but some students do not always utilise this information. There is no shortcut to hard work, particularly for boys who at times 鈥渙ver estimate their ability and underestimate the effort required鈥�.
In addition to the busy academic program in the College these past few weeks students have also been fully engaged in the closing rounds and finals of winter sports competitions. There will be 4 out of 7 teams in the Netball ISA semi-finals this weekend; 1 out of 3 girls Football teams and 15 out of 19 boys Football teams. All 23 Rugby teams have their last game this weekend with Championship results determined by points. Furthermore, 9 out of 10 of our Tennis teams will have their finals tomorrow, Saturday 12th August, for a Championship placing.
The last few weeks have also involved many students in Dance, Drama and Music Show Case recitals of student work in their respective departments providing Year 12 students with the opportunity to trial their HSC performances. These Show Case events have illustrated the amazing talent and giftedness of the students at 黑料社区 and their efforts to hone their skills as best they can. On Tuesday 29th August, after HSC marking, the Visual Arts, Industrial Technology (Timber), Design and Technology and Industrial Technology (Graphics) will showcase their practical work. This is always an amazing exhibition and an evening well worth putting in your calendar.
The last two weeks have also been busy in the Catholic and Lasallian life of the College. Tuesday 8th August was the Feast of St Mary McKillop, the first Australian Saint, and next Tuesday 15th August will be the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Feast of the Assumption is a very special day in the Catholic calendar. Mary, like Mary McKillop, is a woman who made a very strong choice for God in her life, whose vocation, like ours, was to bring Christ to the world. This belief that Catholics hold about the assumption of Mary into heaven is but one of many traditions we accept as part of Catholic faith. It is so encouraging to see our students engaged in their faith life around the College (whatever their custom or tradition) from the Reflection Days, Friday mass, class prayers, Divine Mercy (Marian devotion), Friday afternoon Youth Group, and of course our vast and varied collections and service programs. Our students and may I also say, our families at 黑料社区, are to be commended on their generosity. Something I hope all parents are proud of. It is through this involvement in these programs that faith is nurtured and values such as service, care and understanding of others is learnt. It is also how empathy and compassion are sustained.
While academic achievement is important and essential Catholic education goes beyond skills and qualifications. It guides individuals to seek wholeness, truth and hope in their lives, sees the person as essentially social, with a sense of community, based on solidarity, the promotion of justice and making a difference. Lasallian students and staff have a keen sense of this pursuit of justice and making a difference as seen through our commitment to service. Mission Action Day, service programs to India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Fiji, and local mission service activities such as Barbaan (Blacktown), the Vinnie鈥檚 Night Patrol in Paramatta, the disabled swim program and St Lucy鈥檚 Day are all examples of how our students live out their faith in ways which hold meaning for them.
Finally, I would like to thank all parents for their support of the College through their attendance at parent-teacher meetings and briefings such as the recent Year 7 Study Skills night, by dropping off, picking up or attending the sideline of sports games and/or performances, supporting their sons and daughters and the teams of 黑料社区. It takes a village to raise a child and 黑料社区 is a village. I鈥檇 like to also mention a word of thanks to our staff who coach and manage these teams, prepare the presentations and Show Case evenings, give up their family time for retreats and service tours. And of course, thank you to our students. I鈥檇 like to thank them for their hard work and effort in 鈥榓iming for the stars鈥� and aspiring to do their best in all things.
God Bless.
Br Steve Hogan fsc
Principal
