Last week, the College experienced a critical incident. I would like to reassure you that the staff member is now back at work and life has returned to normal. I would like to share with you just how extraordinary your daughters/our girls were whilst we were trying to manage this incident. Whenever a school has a critical incident there is a strong focus on keeping the girls safe, keeping the staff safe and minimising the risks that could impact the students and staff. We had to lengthen the morning pastoral period so that emergency workers could enter the site, we had to evacuate the space where the incident occurred to provide both privacy for the person and protect others from becoming distressed, and we had to ensure there was a calm approach for all on the site. The staff were superb in reading the situation and moving to assist where they could see it was needed. The girls were superb as they followed instructions and patiently waited to be told their next move. Once they resumed the day, they were respectful of their teachers and each other and went about their day. They were a great credit to you and their community. Clearly, some contacted people outside the College to inform them that a situation was happening, but we are very grateful for the communication we received from parents and others to offer support and assistance. Your daughter’s safety is always our main priority so I am very grateful for the trust and confidence you extended to the College whilst you were waiting for the details to come through. Fortunately, these types of events are very rare and they can’t be practised with a drill, so thank you for your measured and reasonable approach to the morning.

Over the past few weeks, a number of applications for leave to be taken during term time have come across my desk for authorisation. NESA has a very narrow criteria for granting leave to students requesting leave during the term. It is their belief that with ten weeks of non-term time across the year, there is ample time for families to holiday and get away whilst avoiding the term time. I appreciate that these times always attract the full peak costs and at times they don’t coincide with milestone life events or celebrations. However, taking girls away during the term time disadvantages her in her studies and her learning. Assessments need to be completed and there will be significant class work that will be missed that isn’t always fully represented in a Canvas page. To receive a notification informing you that the leave is not granted does not stop families from still taking the leave, but I do ask that families give careful consideration to time away from school during the term. Whilst it isn’t always avoidable, I urge you to plan your trip during the breaks if possible.

Last night we learnt that Mr Muller won the VET Business Services Trainer of the Year in the Wollongong Diocese. Mr Muller teaches the VET course Business Services in addition to other HSIE classes. We extend to Mr Muller our congratulations in winning this prestigious award.

Finally, I would like you to keep in your prayers Mrs Bryannie. You would have received a letter from me recently explaining the situation. We hope that in time she will return to the College community where she will receive the support and kindness that will help her in her healing.

I leave you with an extract from A Canopy of Stars by Christopher Gleeson SJ..

Blessings,

Sue Lennox

In the hands of God

More than ever I find myself in the hands of God.

This is what I have wanted all my life from my youth.

But now there is a difference;

the initiative is entirely with God.

It is indeed a profound spiritual experience

to know and feel myself so totally in God’s hands.