This is the last edition of the Inside Out for this term. I hope you enjoyed the commemorative issue that was posted to you with your daughter’s interim report during the last two weeks.
I would like to thank all the people involved in these celebrations as they truly mark a very special year.
The Ball raised over $10,000 which will make a significant difference to the lives of some of the girls and their families. Thank you to the organising committee Mary Ellen Bland, Marion Windle, Sarah Hardie , and Julie O’Keefe. All these women have busy working and family lives and their work on this committee is very much appreciated. I would also like to acknowledge the work of staff member Ms Deborah Renshaw who has had a very busy time negotiating and supporting the activities of the term with such precision and fine tune execution.
Next Saturday we will all go to the polls to vote in the next State Government. This is a wonderful privilege we have in our free and democratic country. I ask that you carefully consider the impact of the various policies from the major political parties on your daughter’s education. The NSW Greens released their policies recently which clearly demonstrate they will continue to strongly oppose funding to non-government schools. Both Liberal-National Party and the Australian Labour Party support the Gonski payment agreement and will continue to recognise the need to provide Capital funding for Catholic independent schools. A comparison paper created by the Catholic Education Commission and Bishop Peter Ingham are attached to this edition of the Inside Out for your consideration.
I would like to congratulate the following parents who have again put their hand up to take on roles in the College’s P&F committee.
President: Jodi Stuart
Vice president: Monique Keogh
Treasurer: George Gatt
Secretary: Fiona Evans
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to these wonderful people for taking on these roles once again. Like all of us, they are very busy and they have generously given their time for your daughters. There are a few vacancies which still need to be filled:
Junior Dance coordinator
Mother daughter coordinator
Father daughter coordinator
Open day coordinator
Can I suggest you bring a friend and offer to assist with these great community events. It would be a great shame if we were unable to hold them because we couldn’t find a coordinator. Please call Jodi Stuart or Deb Renshaw at the College if you would like some further information.
Last Friday was National Action Day Against Bullying. The girls in Pastoral spent some time discussing bullying and the evidence of it in this community. It was very pleasing to hear anecdotally that the girls expressed the view that St Patrick’s College Campbelltown is a very safe environment and that allegations of bullying here are always attended to and dealt with. We have policies and procedures in place to deal with any bullying allegation as it arises and we work with the girls to also recognise it in their interactions. Needless to say, if your daughter is being bullied or if you have any information of anyone else being bullied, that you inform the College immediately so we can intervene.
You may have read recently the Minister for Education has approved changes to the way leave is recorded by schools. As part of the implementation of the ACARA National Standards, holidays taken by students outside of the school vacation period will be recorded as an absence. In addition to this the principal has the authority to determine the leave as unjustified if she/he believes the leave is not in the student’s best interest. I ask that you give careful consideration to any absence away from school during the term as it does disadvantage your daughter’s progress at school. If you have any queries regarding leave for your daughter please discuss this with her Year Coordinator and complete the application form which goes to the Principal.
Earlier in March, Sr Doreen Dyson sadly passed away. Sr Doreen was a staff member at St Patrick’s College Campbelltown from 1989 to 1991 taking responsibility for enrolments and general administration. After her role at the College, she worked with St Vincent de Paul in the Macquarie Fields area. She was a good organiser and dynamic team member. A few of our longer serving staff have very fond memories of Sr Doreen and we keep in our thoughts and prayers the Sisters who have lost one of their own. May she rest in peace.
On 28 February, Mr Lord received a National Medal and Long Service Medal for his work in the NSW Rural Fire Service. This is a very prestigious award to receive and we congratulate him on his generous and loyal contributions to the service for over 39 years.
Finally, as we go into Easter I hope you and the family are able to participate in one of the Church services across the week. The pain and suffering of Holy Week through to the time of great joy as we celebrate the risen Christ on Easter Sunday is a very special time in our faith tradition. I will leave you a short Easter Blessing:
“May the truth of Easter
The joy of Easter
And the blessings of Easter
Be with you this day and all days”
Happy Easter
Blessings
Sue Lennox
Principal