LIFE WEEK

LIFE Week was wonderful week across the College.  Students in all year levels took part in activities in all the LIFE pillars of the College – participating in camps and excursions as they engaged with Big Ideas questions, participating in pilgrimages and Retreats, engaging with the community in Christian Service, work experience and visits to tertiary institutions.  I had the privilege of walking the final two stages of the Camino de Santiago into New Norcia with Year 12 students as part of their Retreat.  It was a deeply moving and faith-filled experience to walk the final 500 metres with the sound of the Abbey bells rung by Abbot John Herbert.  After we entered the Abbey Church at New Norcia we participated in a beautiful liturgy welcoming the pilgrims.  A very special part of this liturgy was the washing of the feet of two the pilgrims by Abbot John Herbert. 

 

Pilgrimage is a very special faith practice at Holy Cross College and all students in Years 7 – 12 are walking the Camino Salvado.  The current Year 11 students will be the first year group to have walked all the way from Subiaco and will arrive in New Norcia during their Retreat in 2018.  The current group of Year 12 students started their pilgrimage at Bells Rapids in Year 9 and have walked over 140 kilometres.  Two of the students, Logan Kain and Nykosak Lukanga, completed the first two sections with some staff and students on weekends, and became the first HCC students to complete the Camino Salvado.  In addition, Mrs Geraldine Nolan, Mrs Cathie Lewis, Mr Simon Falcone and myself also completed the Camino during LIFE Week.

 

Thanks to all staff who coordinated and assisted with LIFE Week activities.  Thanks also to parents for their support.

 

BLESSING AND OPENING OF STAGES 4 AND 5

On Wednesday Stages 4 and 5 of our Capital Development Plan were Blessed by Bishop Don Sproxton and Officially Opened by Mr Dan Wood from the Catholic Education Office.  It was a very special celebration and I thank all staff who contributed to the success of the day.  Thanks to students who participated in so many ways to this event.

 

FATHERS’ DAY

We celebrated Fathers’ Day at HCC on Tuesday with a liturgy and a breakfast. On Thursday evening Kindergarten and Pre-primary students also had some special Fathers’ Day activities with their Dads.  Thanks to the Early Learning Centre staff for their work in organising these activities.

 

STAFF REREAT

On Friday the staff gathered for their annual Retreat.  The theme of the Retreat was A Journey of Transformation : Blessed Oscar Romero.  We participated in a faith journey reflecting on the different stages of Romero’s life and on our own journeys of transformation.  A highlight of the Retreat was a session in the State Library facilitated by our Year 12 students.  The students shared their knowledge of understanding of Romero’s struggles and engagement with Vatican II and the Medellin documents.

 

STAFFING

I will be on Professional Renewal Leave/Long Service Leave form 7 September – 20 November.    During my absence Mr Peter Collins will be Acting Principal. 

The following staff will take on other leadership positions during this time:

Mr Paul Murphy: Acting Vice Principal  (7 September – 20 October)

Mrs Carla Pastorelli : Assistant Deputy Principal – Enrichment  (7 September – 20 October)

Mr Simon Falcone : McCormack House Coordinator  (7 September – 20 October)

Mrs Anita O’Donohue : Acting Vice Principal  (23 October – 20 November)

Mr James Parsons : Assistant Deputy Principal - Learning(23 October – 20 November)

 

Mr Christopher McRae has been appointed as Learning Area Coordinator – The Arts commencing 2018.  This is a new position in the College.