LIFE WEEK

It was  a pleasure to spend last week with several of the year groups and to be involved in their LIFE Week activities.  On Monday I participated in the Year 11 and 12 pilgrimage along the Camino Salvado.  We walked east of the Juilmar Forest through beautiful bushland with Spring wildflowers and fields golden with canola. We now have a HCC pilgrimage passport and as students complete a section of the Camino they receive a stamp in their passport, as a record of their walk.  In time, many of the students will complete all sections from Subiaco to New Norcia.

On Wednesday I joined the Year 9 students in Canberra.  The first Canberra-Sydney trip was a great experience for those involved.  They visited many places including St Mary’s Cathedral Sydney, the Rocks, Sydney Opera House, Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the National Portrait Gallery  and the Australian Institute of Sport.  The students focused  on the same Big Question as the Year 9 students who spent the week in Perth - looking for the brain, imagination, courage and heart of a city. On Thursday and Friday the group had the opportunity to travel to the snow for some skiing and snowboarding.  There was a great deal of excitement as many of the students had never seen snow before.  

LIFE Week is a significant week at HCC with each year group having a rich programme to enable them to have some LIFE experiences in an authentic context.  Thanks to staff who organised LIFE week activities, a special mention to Ms Taylor for her work in organising the inaugural Canberra-Sydney tour.  

THANKS

I returned last week from a couple of weeks’Long Service Leave. I had a good break and appreciate the work done by Mr Peter Collins, who took on the role of Acting Principal in my absence. 

FATHERS’ DAY MASS AND BREKFAST

We had a great turnout for the Fathers’ Day Liturgy and Breakfast this morning.  We gathered to give thanks in prayer for fathers, grandfathers and other father figures in our lives. The liturgy was followed by a breakfast feast, during which it was great to see the young people interacting with their Dads.  Thanks to Mr Harry Muller, Mrs Cathie Lewis and all staff who assisted in the organisation of the liturgy and the preparation of breakfast. 

BUILDING PROGRAMME

As you can see, the building programme is progressing with considerable site work being undertaken and services being installed.  A reminder, students and parents should not access the College site from Westgrove Drive.

STAFF RETREAT

There will be no classes this Friday, 4 September.  Staff will participating in their Annual Retreat.  The focus for this year’s Retreat iis Making Life Giving Choices, reflecting on the life of Sr Irene McCormack.