From Br Steve Hogan fsc
Greetings,
I wish to thank all parents, students, friends and alumni for your wonderful support of our Gala Day 2025. Thank you to Ms Morales the P&F Chairperson and Ms Moog, Deputy Chair, the P&F Committee and all their numerous teams of helpers and volunteers. Thank you also to Ms Russo and Ms Foulstone and to all staff who assisted in some way. The gross takings for the Gala Day 2025 was $102,000 our best ever with all activities receipting more than previous years. We can all be well pleased. I wish to make particular mention of thanks and gratitude to our students who supported the day so well, presenting for sports and as volunteers, immaculately dressed, kind and respectful 鈥� the qualities of good men and women, community minded, willing to commit and help. Parents thank you for your shared values and expectations seen on the day through your sons and daughters.
We are nearly halfway through the year with only three weeks until mid-year holiday. Prior to this however we have a busy conclusion to the end of Term Two and the semester. Students have many assessments and finals of CSDA Debating, ISA final Rounds 6 and 7, and of course the College Musical, Jesus Christ Super Star. I have always been a promotor of musicals and have only been encouraged by the achievements of this musical. It is memorable to see the student鈥檚 impressive performances in a difficult but classical musical such as Jesus Christ Super Star. But also, to see the faces of all the students, Year 7 鈥� 12, full of pride, and joy, and enthusiasm. Musicals often require us to do something beyond our comfort zone, but on stage behind lights, with mates, it is a safe experience and an experience of teamwork that results in success. It is an experience of hard work, and of overcoming doubt and fear. The College would not be able to offer any of these experiences without dedicated staff. Thank you to all our staff who give their time to cocurricular. We are blessed here at 成人VR视频.
Year 12 Trial HSC Exams begin Monday 4th August (Week 3). For Year 12 the mid-year holiday ought to be essentially a study break preparing for the Trials. This is the time to go over the Year 11 and Year 12 work, to set up study/swat note books for each subject, and to start to practice past HSC papers. The advice of last year鈥檚 students who achieved our best results ever, is to practice, practice, practice. For Year 12 the mid-year holiday is an investment of time for future opportunities. Social life ought to be peered down and a focus on the books peered up. This investment of time over the next three months or so will be well worth the effort and there is plenty of time to get social life back on track after the exams in October.
As I mention often teaching and learning is a partnership between home and school, and successful achievement is influenced by the quality of this partnership. A quality partnership between teachers and parents is part of the custom and tradition at 成人VR视频. In this Newsletter I will share with you some suggestions from 鈥楨ducation World鈥� () that are very practical that enhance learning at school which I hope you may find helpful. This week鈥檚 suggestions are from the letters E, F, G, and H.
E-Empathy is a person鈥檚 ability to identify and feel other鈥檚 concerns. Parents can help to develop this important virtue in many ways: Let your child know how pleased you feel when he or she behaves in a kind way; point out positive differences when children do kind acts no matter how small; when reading with your child, ask how people in the book feel in their situation; help your child identify how someone feels and then identify a way to help.
F-Failure. Did you know that Abraham Lincoln weathered many failures before he became President? When a child experiences failure 鈥� on a test, the field or court, or anywhere 鈥� acknowledge those feelings of frustration and disappointment. These are natural feelings. Do not try to minimise the situation because it does matter to your child. Help your child evaluate the cause for the failure and use whatever he or she has learned to create a new strategy and try and try again.
G-Grace means giving children what they need, not what they deserve. It means accepting kids as they are and understanding their feelings and obstacles. It also means that we provide the unconditional support our children need to make positive changes. Grace, however, must be balanced with accountability or we risk enabling children to excuse unacceptable behaviour or failure to achieve reasonable goals. If we balance grace with accountability, we let children know we expect them to grow and learn.
H-Homework provides practice, and it enables parents to know when a child is having difficulty with schoolwork. Parents can support a school鈥檚 homework policy by providing a 鈥榟omework area鈥� that is well lit and free of distractions; setting a daily homework routine (some parents call it school-work); offering a snack or break time or using this as an incentive.
Blessings to you all.
Br Steve Hogan fsc
Principal
