End of Autumn Term

Connecting to the Community

This week students in Year 8 and 9 have had some excellent opportunities to make authentic connections with the community. A group of Year 8 students exhibited their Big Ideas project on Sustainability at the Ellenbrook Shops. While there, they engaged customers in conversations regarding ways to make their houses and lifestyles more sustainable.

Year 9 students visited Perth for a day in preparation for their City Experience when they will spend a week in Perth during Curriculum Enrichment Week. Details and photos of both these excursions can be found on the LIFE@HCC Blog.

On recent visits to the city, I have been struck by the number of homeless people - from the young to the elderly. Last weekend at a suburban train station I was touched to see that someone had placed a brand new blanket still in its packaging next to a homeless man. Perhaps it was one they had bought for themselves, but gave away on the journey home, perhaps they saw the man in need and went up to shops to buy a blanket. Either way, they saw a need and did something about it. The mission statement of our Learning Pillar calls us to be a caring, compassionate and connected community, inspired by its patron Frederic Ozanam. As the founder of St Vincent de Paul Frederic Ozanam devoted his life to helping the needy. At present families have the opportunity to help those in need through the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal - imagine what a difference it could make to people's lives if every family in the College donated a warm jumper or blanket. The boxes are located in the College Office and the Learning Resource Centre and I encourage everyone to contribute in some way.

We have come to the end of a short, but very busy term. I will be taking Long Service Leave for the first three weeks of next term and Mr Jeff Allen from Kolbe Catholic College will be Acting Principal while I am away. We are looking forward to welcoming him to the College and to the sharing of ideas during this time. 

Mr Ian Wilson, Mr Harry Muller and Ms Karen Taylor will also return from Long Service Leave at the commencement of Winter Term.

We have also appointed a Head of Junior School in preparation for the Early Learning Centre scheduled to commence in 2014. Melissa Croswell will assume her duties at the commencement of the Spring Term. Melissa is presently a Consultant in the Learning and Teaching Team at the Catholic Education Office, Leederville. We look forward to Melissa’s expertise and experience in assisting us in developing the Junior School.

I wish you all a safe and happy holiday with your families.

Ms Mandy Connor

Principal