Happy Holidays ....

Lord, as we prepare for Christmas,
let us help each other to be the best that we can be.
Help us to give generously of ourselves and others
in service to others for the sake of Christ.
 
Thanks to all families who gave generously to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal.

We have reached the end of another busy year - our fourth since we opened as a College.     We are poised at an exciting milestone as we will return in 2014 to some significant developments - our first group of graduates will commence their final year at HCC and we will welcome the K - 2 students to our new Early Learning Centre.

This week we met with the Executive Student Leadership Team and at yesterday’s assembly the Senior Leaders welcomed the newly appointed leaders from Years 8 - 10 2014.  The full list of Student Leaders is on LIFE@HCC.

REPORTS AND LEARNING CONVERSATIONS
Reports are now available for all year levels through Parent Coneqt.  Instructions for accessing reports were emailed to parents on Friday.  Learning Conversations for Senior School students were held last Tuesday and students have the opportunity to reflect on their learning with their parents and Learning Advisors..  I encourage parents to spend some time with their Middle School students reflecting on the report and talking through goals for 2014.

CAMINO
On Thursday we did a walk with the group of students who will be walking a section of the Camino in 2014.   We walked from Perth Train Station up to Kings Park and then down into Subiaco to visit the area where Salvado and the Benedictines established themselves in the 1850s.  The area was called New Subiaco, named after Subiaco in Italy, where St Benedict lived in the fifth century. We visited St Joseph’s Church where we were welcomed by Fr Jo Walsh who gave the students some insights into the life of Bishop Salvado.  He also welcomed us into the Upper Room in the Parish Centre for a much needed cold drink on a very hot day.  Outside St Joseph’s Church is a magnificent bronze sculpture of Salvado ‘striding out’  towards Perth. In 1863 Salvado laid the foundation stone of St Mary’s Cathedral in Victoria Square  The Cathedral was built by Benedictine Monks who walked each day from Subiaco to the building site.
From St Joseph’s we walked to the Mercy Care Centre in Wembley  On this site are the stables, the last remaining buildings from the Benedictine farm and also some of the Olive Trees from the Benedictine era.  It was a good opportunity for the group  to immerse themselves in some of the history of the Benedictines in Western Australia, before setting out to Italy and Spain in April next year.

THANKS
I extend my deep gratitude to staff for their wonderful commitment to this growing school.  The many opportunities students have had this year are a result of a generous team of staff.  We will farewell two staff members at the end of this year - Mrs Kathy Mueller and Mr Tony Chinnock.  Mrs Mueller has been our first College Counsellor and has done a wonderful job in establishing this service at HCC and in supporting students.  Mr Chinnock has been with us for 12 months and has assisted with the building programme, the Onsite programme and Maths classes.  I wish Mrs Mueller and Mr Chinnock all the best for the next stage of their journey.  Mrs Denise Moolla will be taking Long Service Leave in Term One and I wish her all the best for a well deserved break.  We will look forward to seeing her back at HCC in Term 2.  Our staff will grow significantly in 2014 with the addition of nearly 200 new students.  A full list of new staff will be posted on LIFE@HCC.

I would like to thank all parents who have contributed to Holy Cross College this year.  I wish you all a happy and holy Christmas with your families and look forward to seeing you in the new year.


M Connor
Principal

Week 8

EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

Friday was a significant day as we welcomed parents of our new Early Learning Centre students to Holy Cross College.  It was delightful to see many of the young children who will commence in Kindergarten to Year 2 next year.   The parent information session included details regarding the faith life, the learning programme, the first days of school, swimming lessons and daily routines. The students have been fitted out with their new uniforms and are looking forward to their first day of school.  The Early Learning Centre will be completed at the beginning of March.  During the first few weeks of term the younger students will be accommodated in existing College facilities. 

COLLEGE BOARD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

The Board AGM was held on Tuesday evening.  The Board Chairperson's Report was presented as was the 2014 Budget.   I would like to thank the College Board for their commitment this year as we have worked through the planning process for a large building programme and for the development of a K - 12  College.  I particularly acknowledge Ms Flavia Lenzo, for her contribution to the College.  Flavia was a member of the Foundation Board and for the past four years has been Board Chairperson.  Flavia will remain on the Board during 2014 as the representative of Friends of Holy Cross, Marko Pasalich, who has been the Board Treasurer for the past two years, will take on the role of Board Chairperson. 

GRATITUDE MASS

On Wednesday we celebrated the College Gratitude Mass.  This is an annual liturgical celebration through which we give thanks for all the gifts we have received this year.  This was our final College Mass with Fr Francis as he is leaving the Parish in January to take up hospital chaplaincy.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Thanks you to Mr Elliott  for organising Thursday's Inter-House Swimming Carnival.  It was good to see the spirit of participation among the students who attended and great to see many students getting involved in competitive and novelty events.  Well done to Frayne House - the overall winners of the carnival.  Full results for the swimming carnival can be found on Life@HCC blog - http://web.holycross.wa.edu.au/news/lifeblog.php

It was disappointing to note the high rate of absenteeism on Thursday.  I would like to remind parents that when students enter the College students and parents sign an Enrolment Agreement committing themselves to participating in all College events.  

SCHOOL REPORTS

Senior School Interim Reports will be uploaded to Parent Coneqt on Tuesday. Students in Years 10 - 12  will finish classes at midday on Tuesday and will meet with their parents and Learning Advisors during the afternoon to discuss their Interim Report. 

Middle School Reports will be uploaded to Parent Coneqt on Friday.  Instructions for accessing Reports will be emailed to parents.  If any parents have difficulty accessing Reports please contact the College Office.

Ms Mandy Connor

Week 7

ANNUAL CELEBRATION EVENING

Thank you to all parents and family members who joined us for our Annual Celebration Evening on Thursday. The evening commenced with a moving liturgy on the theme ‘Praying the Gospel’. Thank you to Mrs Walmsley for preparing the liturgy. The evening’s entertainment included a movie of ‘The Year That Was’ prepared by Mr Gooch and entertainment by the College Choir and Barbershop led by Mr McRae. Student achievements were celebrated in the form of academic awards for Excellence and Effort as well as Special Awards for LIFE, House and the Romero Christian Citizenship Award. A highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Senior School Student

Executive Leadership. Well done to Giordarna Rigoli and Teaghan Barone who have been selected as the College Captains, to LIFE Captains - Michael Stewart, Abbey Clayton, Sofia Sofocado and Georgia Heggs, House Captains - Taya Horley, Connor Francois, Sarah Reyes and Casey van der Merwe - and Student Secretary - Kirsten Calitz. Pictured here are some of the Student Leaders.

DA VINCI PRESENTATIONS

On Thursday the 2013 Da Vinci programme concluded with a presentation of the Semester 2 projects and a morning tea for parents and school representatives. The Da Vinci programme is an extension Science and Technology programme offered by the College for selected students in our regional Catholic primary schools - St Helena’s Catholic Primary School - Ellenbrook, Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School - Ballajura, Good Shepherd Catholic School - Lockridge, St Brigid’s Primary School - Middle Swan and St Anthony’s School - Greenmount. Thank you to Ms Kendrick for her work in running the DaVinci programme this year - she has really enthused the students about the study of Science.

EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

The building of the Early Learning Centre is progressing well. We were able to give the newly appointed Junior School staff a walk through the Early Learning Centre during the two days they spent at the College last week. They were most impressed at what is going to be a fantastic learning space. Students in Kindergarten to Year 2 have been being fitted out with their uniforms in the last couple of days and on Friday, 6 December we will welcome parents for an Information Session and morning tea.

GRATITUDE MASS

On Wednesday, 6 December we will celebrate our Gratitude Mass. This is an opportunity to gather as a College to give thanks for the many gifts we have received this year. We will also farewell Fr Francis as he will be leaving the Parish early next year to take up a position in Hospital Ministry. Fr Francis has had a long involvement with Holy Cross College dating back to the planning period. He played a key role in the formation of the Board and in the development of the Vision and Mission of the College. I thank Fr Francis for his spiritual guidance and his pastoral care of staff and students.

COLLEGE BOARD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The College Board Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 3 December. Parents are invited to attend this meeting and also to nominate for positions on the Board. The meeting will commence at 6,30pm in the Learning Resource Centre.

COLLEGE SWIMMING CARNIVAL

The College Swimming Carnival will be held this Thursday, 5 December. The Carnival commences at 9.30am at Bayswater Waves Aquatic Centre. I look forward to parents joining us for this event.

Ms Mandy Connor

　

Week 5

REMEMBRANCE DAY - 2013

For all who have served the cause of peace in our armed forces, we pray... 

For all who have lost loved ones due to war, we pray...

For all who continue to suffer due to war, we pray...

For all who long for Your peace, we pray...

For all who dedicate their lives to Your peace, we pray...

For all who bring Your comfort to veterans and their families, we pray... 

For all of us called to be messengers of Your peace, we pray...

On Monday we gathered in Houses to commemorate Remembrance Day. Stacie Braganza and Ross McWilllie and Mr Murphy represented the College at the Ellenbrook Community Remembrance Day Service. 

STAFFING

Next year we will take on four streams of Year 7 and our first group of Year 12 students will graduate from Holy Cross College.  We  have appointed staff to take on a number of new leadership positions in the Middle and Senior Schools.

VICE PRINCIPAL

Mr Peter Collins has been appointed to the position of Vice Principal who will play a key leadership role in this growing K - 12 College community and work closely with me in the to share in the authority and responsibility  in the overall management and leadership of the College. Peter is currently the Deputy Principal at Ursula Frayne Catholic College.

LEARNING AREA COORDINATORS

For 2014 the College has created the positions of Learning Area Coordinators who will lead a team of teachers ito develop and coordinate the Learning Area curriculum within the context of the whole educational programme offered by the College.   The following staff have been appointed:

ENGLISH

Phillip Taylor currently Dean of Teaching & Learning Technologies K - 12 and English Teacher at Lake Joondalup Baptist College, previously Head of English at St Stephen’s School, Duncraig

Science Mathew Hughes - current staff

Society & Environment Karen Taylor - current staff

Religious Education Team Leader

Danielle Hodgson (current staff)

HOUSE COORDINATORS

Frayne Christina Davini

Ozanam Kelly Bond

McCormack Carla Pastorelli from Sacred Heart College, Sorrento

Salvado Fiona Wainwright from Servite College, Tuart Hill

We have also created a Learning Innovation Team and have appointed staff who will take a lead role in modelling  innovative pedagogies  and coordinating Big Ideas. The staff are:

Laura Wallace previously from Fairfax School, Birmingham in the United Kingdom

Emilie Reynolds (current staff) and

Karen Taylor

We are also in the process of appointing staff for the Early Learning Centre.  To date the following staff have been appointed.

Head of Junior School         Melissa Croswell

Teaching staff Emma Pritchard, Orilee Ryan, Jacinta Tucker

Education  Assistants Emer Doherty, Kym Hannaford and Romain Matthews

ORIENTATION DAY FOR 2014 YEAR 7 STUDENTS

Next week we will welcome the 2014 Year 7 students and their parents to the College. The students will spend the day at the College familiarising themselves with staff, students and the environment.  Parents will join us for the afternoon information session commencing at 12.45pm.

The Uniform Shop has been very busy this week as new students have been getting kitted out with their uniforms for next year. Thank you to the parent volunteers who assisted Office staff in this busy process: Mandy Kent for her overall coordination, Shirley Edwards, Francine Kain, Julie Stenz, Lorraine Salt and Miriam Vallelonga. Their assistance was a great relief for the Office staff.

Week 4

DRAMA MONOLOGUES

Well done to the Drama students on their performance of their Drama monologues last Monday night.  Students scripted and performed their own original pieces showing off some amazing talent.  Thank you to Mr McRae for his work in preparing the students for the performances and to Mrs Brown for working with the students to assist with hospitality for the event.

SENIOR SCHOOL PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT

Thank you to parents who attended the Senior School Information Session last Thursday evening.  A key area for the evening was the need for students to stay focused if they are to achieve their goals and have choices at the end of Year 12.  In the Senior School years students should be putting a significant amount of time into homework and study.  Year 10 students should be committing at least 2 hours each evening, Year 11 students 21/2 hours  and Year 12 students 3 hours.  Students also need to be dedicating a significant  block of time to study on weekends.  Ms Walmsley  gave an example of how students can plan to complete short term tasks and meet longer term study goals.  Students need to maintain a balance of life including committing to family activities and sport/exercise.  However, students who commit long hours to part time jobs and other out of school commitments find it very difficult to put in the required study to achieve their goals.  In planning for the future students and parents are also encouraged to explore a variety of careers.  Links ot a variety of resources can be found on the Career Pathways page on the College website. http://web.holycross.wa.edu.au/enrichment/career.php

  

ANNUAL CELEBRATION EVENING

The College Annual Celebration Evening will be held on Thursday, 28 November commencing at 6.30pm in the Learning Resource Centre.  The evening will include a liturgy, presentation of awards and performances.  The 2014 Student Leadership Executive will also be announced on this night. We look forward to seeing you at this event to celebrate the achievements of the College for the year.

Ms Mandy Connor

Principal

SPRING TERM

Charity is the Samaritan who pours oil on the wounds of the traveler who has been attacked. It is justice's role to prevent the attack. Frederic Ozanam

Last Wednesday we celebrated the Ozanam House Mass and reflected on the life of Frederic Ozanam, House patron, in light of the Gospel parable of the Good Samaritan.  Fr Francis spoke of Frederic Ozaman’s work with the both the poor and the sick and how each of us is called to help those in need.

ART EXHIBITION

On Monday we held our first College Art Exhibition - Flourishing Arts.  Visual  Arts are indeed flourishing at the College under the guidance of Ms Sara O’Neil.  Well done to all the students who have work exhibited in this very professional show and congratulations to students who were received awards. It was wonderful to see the quality and variety of work on display.

SENIOR SCHOOL

Senior School students commenced their new academic year on Monday.  Exams concluded the previous week and students had the opportunity to celebrate at their Dinner Dance held at The Vines Resort.  Thanks to Mrs Anita Walmsley for organising the Dinner Dance and to the students who assisted.   Reports for Senior School students were made available on Parent CONEQT on Friday and an email was sent out reminding parents how to access reports.  If you have any difficulty, please contact the College Office.  An Information Evening for Senior School will be held on Thursday 31 October. It is essential that all School Students  students attend with a parent or guardian.  A letter was sent home last night giving full details of these sessions.

NAPLAN 

NAPLAN results for students in Years 7 and 9 were sent home  with students) on Friday.  NAPLAN results, used in conjunction with other data, give us valuable data in tracking individual student progress.  In analyising the Holy Cross College data it is pleasing to see the progress made by students from Years 7 - 9.  In Numeracy, Reading, Writing and Spelling, on average, students have progressed at a higher rate than the national average.  This is important as we take in a diverse range of students and we our aim is to take each one from their point of achievement at entry and to progress them.  

ENROLMENTS

Our Kindergarten class for 2014 is filling fast and we now have only limited availability.  We have some places available in Pre-Primary to Year 2.  Currently we are also enrolling for Year 7 2015.   t is essential that if any current College families have children they wish to enrol  for 2014 or 2015 they submit the enrolment forms as a matter of urgency.  Application  packs are available from the College Office.

BUILDING PROGRAMME

The walls are rising on the Early Learning Centre and the roof is rapidly gong on.  It is good to see both the Early Learning Centre and the new secondary building progressing rapidly.  Next month we will also begin the refurbishment of Science, Music and Dance/Drama and the extension of the staff room to cater for our growing staff.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

The College Swimming Carnival will be held on Thursday 5 December.   With the full introduction of the new academic year for Senior School the Swimming Carnival will now be held in Spring Term.  If your child requires new College bathers,  please ensure you place an order early this week.  Year 7 2014 students will have a year level carnival in Summer Term.

ORIENTATION DAY

Orientation Day for students who will commence Year 7 in 2014 will be held on Tuesday 19 September.  Please note that all parents, including those who already have children at Holy Cross College, are required to attend the Parent Information Session during the afternoon on this day.  We are looking forward to welcoming new Year 7 students to the College on 19 November.

FRIENDS OF HOLY CROSS

A reminder Friends of Holy Cross will meet on Monday 4 November at 6.30pm.  

End of Winter Term/Commencement of Spring Term

LEARNING JOURNEYS – MIDDLE SCHOOL

Yesterday I was privileged to spend the day at New Norcia with a group of Year 8 students.  During Curriculum Enrichment Year 8 students spent three days on camp at New Norcia exploring the Big Ideas topic Place Across Time – Why Do Places Change?  This week a group returned to New Norcia to share their projects with the Benedictine Community.  Each student had created a historical journal and collaboratively they had produced videos advertising New Norcia.  The students were very articulate in talking about their learning and it was a wonderful for them to interact with the Benedictines for whom New Norcia is home.  We finished our visit by joining the community for prayer.   

Year 9 students also held an exhibition of their Big Ideas projects yesterday showcasing their work on the Big Question, Is Perth Ready for the Future?  Parents had the opportunity to view students' projects from New Norica and Perth at this exhibition as well as a range of other work during today's Learning Journey. It is great for the students to have an authentic audience for their work.  

SENIOR SCHOOL

Senior School students have been sitting 
exams this week and will conclude their exams during the first week of Spring Term.  Year 10 and 11 students will have a chance to gather at a Dinner/Dance to be held on Friday, 18 October at The Novotel Vines Resort. This will be a good chance to socialise after exam week and before the commencement of the Senior School academic year on Monday, 21 October. Please ensure RSVPs are received before Monday, 14 October to confirm catering.

Parents of students in Years 9 – 11 should have received information regarding course selection and booklist requirements. Please ensure that you follow the instructions for ordering the booklist items from OfficeMax to ensure delivery before their courses commence on Monday, 21 October.

I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy the break with your children.

STAFFING

It is with sadness we farewelled Mrs Sherie Hope from the College on the last day of Winter Term.  Mrs Hope has taught Mathematics at the College since May 2012 and has contributed a great deal in this area as will as in extra-curricular activities, including the College Drama Productions and Year 10 Dinner.  Mrs Hope is moving to Chile with her family.  I thank her for her contribution to our College community and wish her well on the next exciting stage of her journey.

Mrs Samantha Vagg will be commencing work in the College Café one day a week from the beginning of Spring Term.  As we grow the College Café is becoming busier and it will be good to have some assistance for Mrs Lewis.  Mrs Vagg has done volunteer work in the College Café for some time and I am very appreciative of her contributions to date. 

KEY DATES FOR SPRING TERM

14 October                  Year 7 – 9 students return to the College for the start of Spring Term  

14 – 17 October          Senior School Exams

14 & 15 October         Year 9 Students’ Wellness Days 
(a separate email has been sent to Year 9 parents)

16 & 17 October         Year 9 transition to Senior School courses 

18 October                  Staff Professional Learning and Student Home Study Day

21 October                  Flourishing Arts Art Exhibition Opening Night – 6.30pm - LRC

21 – 25 Oct                 Flourishing Arts Art Exhibition - LRC

28 October                  Drama Monologue Showcase – 6.30pm

28 November              Annual Celebration Night – 6.30pm - LRC

29 November              Staff Professional Learning and Student Home Study Day

3 December                College Board Annual General Meeting – all parents invited to attend

5 December                College Swimming Carnival - Bayswater Waves Aquatic Centre