Prepare for the Pointy End of Term

Welcome to Week 8 of a long, busy and hot term! We noted tiredness and unsettledness which is normal in any term of the year but more so after Camp Week. Week 8, 9 and 10 are hectic times for assessment and can test the form of our three way partnership as we work together in these final 14 days of Term One. It can be a tricky time for some students to navigate and can be a time of uncharted mistakes or for some bad habits to come home to roost!

Please take the time to explicitly manage and discuss assessment preparation with your child regardless of his age and stage and reinforce the importance of sleep, nutrition and fluids, relaxation and focussed schoolwork as well as keeping in mind routines such as polished shoes, tidy uniform, haircut and shaving. We appreciate your support as we assist with the same messages at school. Exam Schedules for Years 7-12 are now available on the ATC App and via Student Cafe. Please be in contact with your child’s Homeroom teacher or Formation Leader if required.

NAPLAN

Best wishes to our Year 5, 7 and 9 students as they prepare to sit their NAPLAN tests with the support of staff and home. This is a point in time snapshot of progression and is not the be all and end al. It is best to keep things in proportion and perspective and be positive about attempting all tasks and doing the best that one can. Please ensure a relaxed evening of normal routines before the tests, with good night's sleep and a solid breakfast in the morning!

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a nationwide measure through which parents, caregivers, teachers, schools, education authorities, government and the broader community can determine whether or not young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community. NAPLAN results allow parents, caregivers and educators to see how students are progressing in literacy and numeracy over time – individually, as part of their school community, and against national standards.

NAPLAN is made up of tests in the 4 areas (or ‘domains’) of reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. We wish our students all the very best and thank our staff and parents for their preparation and support of them.

AIC Swimming

The College competed in the AIC Swimming Championships at Sleeman Sports Centre last Tuesday. The team performed strongly and finished a credible 6th of the nine schools competing which was very pleasing. Congratulations to all the swimmers and supporters who participated, Mr Lyndon Brieffies (Head of Sport), Mr Paul Jones (Head of Aquatics) and all the dedicated coaching staff. This week the ATC swimming team will compete in the GBC Swimming carnival on Tuesday 12 March at the Centenary Pool in Spring Hill.

Staff News

Congratulations to Ms Tegan Kent, our Coordinator of Years 7 to 9 Mathematics who is expecting her first baby. Ms Kent will take a year’s maternity leave from August this year. We wish her good health at this joyous time.

Forward notice and best wishes to Mr Jared D’Roza, our Assistant Head of Year 8 who will take a year’s leave from Term Three of this year to live in the United Kingdom. We wish Mr D’Roza all the best for this time.

Mr Ben Rerden has taken personal leave for the remainder of this year and has stood down from his middle leadership position within the Learning Team. We thank Mr Rerden for his dedicated service to ATC in this role and look forward to his return to our teaching staff in 2025. The College is currently recruiting for a renewed and reshaped role entitled Assistant Dean of Learning: Senior School to commence in Term Three. Please share this LINK with anyone you know who may be interested in applying.

A warm welcome back to the College to Ms Lisa Holohan and Mr Tom Woodley who are presently filling fixed term contract teaching roles.

Congratulations to Mr Ben Jones who is presently on a fixed term contract teaching position with us and has been appointed to a full-time position at Mt Maria Petrie. Thank you to Ms Karen Bates, Mr Simon Martin and Ms Paula Budden who will assist in this transition as we recruit for a replacement for Mr Jones in preparation for Ms Christina Bozzi’s return from maternity leave in Term Three.  

National EREA Principal Gathering

I am attending the National Edmund Rice Education Australia Principal Gathering held in Adelaide today until Thursday. This meeting is focused on a consultation and collaboration for the review and renewal of the Charter for Australian Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice tradition which is our foundational document which informs and articulates the mission and purpose of our school communities.  

Community Prayers

Lord, we pray for those in our community who are suffering. Be with them in this time of hardship and uncertainty. Give comfort and peace to those who have lost loved ones. May their sorrow be turned into strength, and their distress turned into peace. May our hearts remain loving and pure as we seek to always be compassionate to those around us.

God Bless.

Chris Ryan, College Principal