A GROWING COMMUNITY

PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME

Students in Years 3 and 4 have participated in Sacramental Retreats during the last two weeks.  Year 3 students are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Year 4 students, the Sacrament of the Eucharist. These are very important steps along their faith journey.  The Parish Sacramental Programme is Family-focused, Parish-based and School-supported.  Thank you to Ms Melissa Bonatto, Miss Kylie Henderson, Mr Harry Muller, Miss Antonia Ravenscroft and Miss Courtney George for their work in supporting the sacramental programme.

STAFFING

This week we welcomed  Mrs Irene Platis to the College to teach Mathematics in Middle and Senior Schools.  Mrs Vanja Basell will also be teaching one day a week in the Junior School.  Mrs Basell is a foundation staff member of the College and is returning from maternity leave.  

NAPLAN

This week students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are sitting NAPLAN tests.  NAPLAN tests skills in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy.  They are one of the tools used by teachers to measure student progress and to support students in continuing to progress in their learning.  The College and parents will receive NAPLAN reports during the latter part of Winter Term.  Recently I received a letter from the Executive Director of Catholic Education acknowledging that Holy Cross College has been recognised by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)  as achieving above average gain in the 2015 NAPLAN compared to schools with similar students. In the letter Dr McDonald noted, “Whilst acknowledging NAPLAN results are one element of a flourishing school, I would like to congratulate you on your leadership and the staff at Holy Cross College for the significant work that has contributed to these results.’”

EXAMS

Students in Senior School commence exams next week.  Students have received examination timetables and these have also been sent to parents.  In Year 11 and 12 students completing ATAR courses and all Year 10 students will  sit examinations.  Year 12 students studying General courses complete an Externally Set Tasks for the first time this year.  These tasks are set by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority and make a significant contribution to students’ final marks. Please keep Senior School students in your prayers during this important time.

MOTHERS’ DAY ACTIVITIES

Last week mothers and grandmothers received lots of attention in preparation for Mothers’ Day.  A thanksgiving liturgy was followed by a College Breakfast on Wednesday and it was fantastic to see the large number of people attending.  Thanks to Mr Harry Muller for organising the liturgy and Mrs Cathie Lewis and Mrs Samantha Vagg for preparing the delicious breakfast.  Mums were also pampered in the Early Learning Centre with opportunities for hand and foot massages and nail painting, which extended to the fingers in many cases.  Thanks to the Early Learning Centre staff for organising these events.

LOVING FOR LIFE

Year 7 students and parents participated in the Loving for Life programme last week.  Loving for Life is a Christian sexuality and relationships programme which we run in Middle and Senior School Years.  Year 11 students will participate in a Loving For Life workshop on Thursday, 26 May.

BUILD

On Wednesday we met with representatives from Absecon to formally commence the building of  Stage 5 of our Capital Development Plan.  This is an exciting time as we look forward to the addition of some excellent new facilities - a Year 2 - 5 Learning Centre and Performing Arts facilities.  You will have seen that fencing has been installed and this has an impact on parking and drop-off.  Please stay informed regarding parking via the LIFE@HCC blog.  We are in a complex phase of building, with two large building stages overlapping; however, the outcome will be some great facilities.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY

Friday, 3 June is a Professional Learning Day for staff.  There are no classes on this day.  A reminder also that Tuesday, 7 June is a leave day for staff in Catholic Schools granted by Catholic Education WA.