SANTIAGO DE MARIA ARTWORK

You may have noticed the installation of artwork on the front of the College.  The mural on the wall of  Santiago de Maria commemorates the 2014 bicentenary of the birth of Dom Rosendo Salvado.   Salvado, a Benedictine Monk and founder of the monastic community of New Norcia, was born in Tui Spain on 1 March 1814 and arrived in the Swan River Colony in 1846.  The olive tree has been associated with the Benedictine Monks of New Norcia since the original grove was established during the 1850s and 1860s, during Salvado’s time. In the artwork, the leaves of the olive tree become flames, derived from the flames in the College logo. Holy Cross College has a strong relationship with the Benedictine Community of New Norcia.  In each stage of our building programme we are required by the City of Swan to commit a percentage of the budget  to public art.  The Salvado mural is part of this commitment.

 

BUILDING NAMES - SIGNAGE

When you are visiting the College, I encourage you to look at the signage which has been installed explaining the names of buildings. Each building has been named after a place associated with our College and House patrons.  As you enter the College Office you will see the signage related to Santiago de Maria to the left of the door.  Each building has a similar sign containing information regarding the link between the place and the patron and a locational map.

 

THROUGH THE WARDROBE TO NARNIA

Congratulations to all students and staff involved in bringing The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to the Holy Cross stage.  Audiences were delighted with the show and there were many positive comments about the acting, dancing, costumes and props.  Thank you to the core team of Mr Chris McRae, Miss Emilie Reynolds, Miss Laura Kendrick and Miss Emma Pritchard who put an enormous amount of work into preparing for the show. Thank you also to the musical support team, those who assisted with costumes, props, hair, make-up and in many other ways. 

 

REPORTS

Parents of Middle School students  should now have received Semester One Reports for their sons/daughters.  Junior School Reports will be available today.  Parents can access these reports through Parent Coneqt.  If you are having any difficulty accessing Reports, please contact the College Office.  This is a good time to talk with your child about their effort and progress this semester and to set goals for next semester.  Learning Conversations commence at 12.30pm tomorrow, Wednesday, 1 July.  I encourage all parents to take this opportunity to meet to have a three way conversation with their child and teachers. Reminder that classes tomorrow conclude at midday.

 

YEARS 5 AND 6 2016

Holy Cross College will open a Year 5 and a Year 6 class in 2016. Applications for these year levels are now open.

 

CAMINO WALKS

During Week One of Winter Term Year 7 students will be commencing their pilgrimage on the Camino Salvado.  Students embark on the Pilgrim Trail in Year 7 and will do a section of the trail each year, reaching New Norcia  during their Year 12 Retreat.  Year 8 students will continue their walk during Week Two  of Winter Term and a number of year levels will continue along their pilgrimage during LIFE Week in Week 6. 

 

END OF TERM ASSEMBLY

Autumn Term Concludes on Friday.  We will have a College Assembly commencing at 1:30pm in the San Salvador building.  Parents are invited to attend.

 

COMMENCEMENT OF WINTER TERM

Winter Term commences on Monday, 20 July. Please note there will be no classes on Friday, 4 September as this is a Professional Learning Day for staff.

 

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations  to Jhermayne Ubalde who is the recipient of the 2016 Middle School Scholarship. Jhermayne is a student at St Helena's Catholic Primary School.  Thanks to all students who participated in the scholarship testing.  Jhermayne will be acknowledged formally at the College Annual Celebration Night in Spring Term.

JUNIOR SCHOOL FUTURE DIRECTIONS 

I am looking forward to meeting with Junior School parents on Monday evening to discuss the expansion of the Junior School.  The Information Session will commence at 6:30pm in Paris.  This is the building directly opposite thenYear 2 and 3 classrooms.  Please note  the change of venue.

YEAR 11 2016 SUBJECT SELECTION

Year 10 students are currently considering their future directions as they select their subjects for 2016. Students have opportunities to select a General or ATAR pathway.  They also have access to ONSITE which provides excellent opportunities, including work-place learning and specialist TAFE courses.  On Monday each studentand their parent(s) will meet with a staff who has been designated as their course advisor to discuss options. This is an exciting time for these young people.  

COLLEGE PRODUCTION

Next week we will be transported to Narnia as the College production takes to the stage.  Staff and students have been rehearsing and preparing for this for over 6 months. For the first time this year we have Junior School students in the cast.  It should be a great show and I encourage families to attend. 

LIFE WEEK

LIFE week, previously called Curriculum Enrichment Week, will take place in Week 6 of next term. Students from Kindergarten - Year 12 will be involved in a range of activities during this week.  A letter detailing the relevant year level programme will be sent to parents early next term.  Please note, the Year 8 camp and Retreats for students in Years 11 and 12 take place during this week.

Ms M Connor

19 June 2015

A long walk

Today we farewelled Dave McKern to embark on his great journey, walking from City Beach to Uluru.  We look forward to following his 2000km journey and to welcoming him back in September.

CELEBRATING URSULA FRAYNE

CELEBRATING FRAYNE

On Wednesday Frayne House will celebrate their Feast Day.  Ursula Frayne.  Mother Ursula Frayne led a group of courageous Irish women, Mercy sisters, in sailing to Australia in 1845. 

She established the first convent school in Western Australia in 1846 in the Convent of the Holy Cross. Begun as a free school, it was to cater for girls of any religious creed. Starting with one student in February 1846 it grew to an enrolment of 100 by August. This was the beginning of Mercy education in Western Australia.   Today the Sisters of Mercy work in many countries, dedicated to serving people who suffer from injustices related to poverty, sickness or lack of education.   In naming the Learning Pillar after Ursula Frayne we honour her as a woman who challenged each person to achieve their personal best in an environment which valued the respect and dignity of each person.

Frayne House will gather for Mass in the Parish Church at 8.30am on Wednesday and will celebrate with a shared meal and activities at lunch time. 

COLLEGE SLEEP-OUT

Thanks to all students, staff and parent who supported the College SleepOut on Thursday night.  It was a real community effort to raise money for LifeLink.  The evening started with Junior School students participating gin activities and learning about the plight of those who are homeless, before having their dinner from a ‘soup kitchen’.  Students in Middle and Senior Schools also had soup for dinner before listening to Julie from Shop Front (one of the LifeLink Agencies) speak about the difficulties faced by those who have no shelter each night.  Our students and staff had a small taste of this as they spent the night in cardboard boxes.  The experience finished with a shared breakfast on Friday morning followed by a College liturgy with a focus on social justice.  So far we have raise over $3800 towards LifeLink. Thanks to Ms Hodgson for her work in organising the LifeLink SleepOut.

JUNIOR SCHOOL - FUTURE  DIRECTIONS

We are very pleased that in 2016 we will be offering all levels of Junior School from pre-Kindergarten to year 6.  The approval to offer Years 5 and 6 at an earlier date means we will ' fill the gap' In Junior School years by the commencement of next year.  On Monday 22 June we will be holding an Information Session for Junior School parents to outline future developments.  The session will include information about curriculum, organisation, uniform, the building programme and accommodation for Years 3 - 6 in 2016.   The meeting will commence at 6:30pm in San Salvador, the Learning Resource Centre.

YEAR 11 SUBJECT 2016  SELECTION

Year 10 students will soon commence the process of selecting subjects for Year 11.  This is an important time as students consider their future directions. An Information Session for parents and students will be held on Monday 15 June, commencing at 6.30pm in San Salvador.

CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN - STAGE 4

Last week we went to tender on Stage 4 of our Capital Development Plan.  This includes a new Middle School Learning Centre, sports change rooms and additional learning spaces/multi-purpose area and the development of ovals and outdoor spaces.