Principal’s blog – 13 May 2022

Dear SFX Community

We are now immersed in the enrolment period for new families or siblings of existing families to join us in 2023. It is an exciting time as we welcome prospective students and families to SFX. We have utilised the various avenues for communication around the enrolment process with advertisements in print media, social media and signage on the streets. Our information night was well attended, however, our best advertising campaign is our students, their families and positive word-of-mouth on the street.

When given the chance, I will often use the equilateral triangle (Δ) to visualise why a school such as SFX is successful. On one vertex is the student, on another are the parents and on the third vertex of the triangle is SFX—each working together for the benefit of the student. When any arm of the triangle fractures, then the relationship breaks down. Thankfully that doesn’t occur very often and consequently the relationship remains intact and the student benefits. Dealing with teenagers is always interesting and sometimes very difficult, but they know that the staff care for them and want the best for them, as do their parents of course.

We will cap the enrolment numbers to 240 for Year 7, 2023 as we have for the last few years. We are limited by space and are not in a position to expand classroom availability at this stage as refurbishment of existing spaces is a higher priority. Check out the SFX website for information on the enrolment process.

Year 7 and 9 students are undertaking the NAPLAN tests this week. The students appear to be quite focused and committed to doing the best they can. The results will be released later this year which will assist the College to fine tune curriculum and teaching programs.

One area of concern that is creeping into high schools is the increased access to e-cigarettes—commonly called vapes. Whilst teenagers are prone to risky behaviours, this current phenomenon is packaged in a way that appears harmless, as in the use of the term “vapour” and the lollipop-type flavours, which hides the fact that it is highly addictive nicotine. See https://www.quit.org.au/articles/teenvaping/

This is another opportunity for some open and honest discussions with your child on this matter. May I suggest that you have the website above open at the same time and read it together? Once again, teenagers still need help in managing their health, making good decisions and dealing with peer pressure.

Lastly, I want to  update you on the Compass Parent Portal. The Parent Portal has not yet been introduced as we have decided to allow further time for students and staff to become comfortable with the new system before we bring our parents onboard too. We appreciate your patience and will update you when we know more.

May is the month of Mary and the “Hail Mary” is the prayer that has special prominence during this month:

Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with Thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen

Best wishes

Paul Carroll