Principal’s Blog – 15 March 2021
March 15, 2021Dear Parents, Students and Staff
The College is almost fully functional amongst a few lingering COVID-19 restrictions. Recent events have run smoothly including the parent information evenings (Senior Information and Year 7 Welcome), the Outdoor Education Camp and sporting teams representing the College. The Year 7 Camp to Collaroy will occur next week. Naturally, we ask parents to be mindful of continuing to adhere to ACT Health advice and to keep their child at home if they are unwell. High-traffic areas at school are still being cleaned regularly and the sanitising stations are well stocked.
The College has had three external audits recently – the Post Enumeration Enrolment Audit, WHS Audit and a Financial Audit. A Post Enumeration Enrolment Audit looks at the integrity and accuracy of the enrolment data; the WHS Audit undertaken by our Insurer looks at all the policies and procedures around managing the facilities; and the Financial Audit looks through the policies and procedures around the financial management of the College. I am pleased to say that our commendations significantly outweigh the recommendations.
On another note, the roof damage following the January 2020 hailstorm is gradually being attended to by our insurer. The workers completed roof repairs on the Trade Training Centre and the Gym over the Christmas holidays and will be back in the Easter break to tackle the Year 10 locker bay. It will take over 12 months to complete the whole school roof!
We are part way through the season of Lent. From Ash Wednesday (17 February) to Holy Thursday (1 April) we are called to spend more time in prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Lent is a period of self-sacrifice where we strive to be less ‘self-centred’ and more ‘others centred’. The student Social Justice team has taken the initiative to support Caritas Australia with their Project Compassion fundraiser during Lent – if you would like to donate to this very worthy cause you can do so on the SFX fundraiser page. Pope Francis recently offered some practical suggestions to help us through this period as we prepare for the Easter celebrations:
Fast from hurting words…and say kind words
Fast from sadness…and be filled with gratitude
Fast from anger…and be filled with patience
Fast from pessimism…and be filled with hope
Fast from worries…and have trust in God
Fast from complaints…and contemplate simplicity
Fast from pressures…and be prayerful
Fast from bitterness…and fill your hearts with joy
Fast from selfishness…and be compassionate to others
Fast from grudges…and be reconciled
Fast from words…and be silent so you can listen.
Community Council – vacant position for parent representative
The Community Council provides the opportunity for members of the school, parish and Archdiocesan communities to support the mission of Catholic education in the school. Working alongside myself, the Parish Priest and staff, the members of the Council and its committees provide leadership to the wider school community.
A position has become vacant on the Community Council for a parent representative. If you would like to express interest in the position, please email the Community Council Secretary Jennifer Madgwick by close of business Monday 22 March 2021 to obtain an application package.
Best wishes
Paul Carroll