CONGRATULATIONS - 2015 WACE EXAM RESULTS

I am pleased to announce the Graduating Class of 2015 have achieved excellent  results.  

Congratulations to James Evans, who is the recipient of  a General Exhibition for his outstanding achievement of being placed 26th in the State and who achieved an ATAR score of 99.85.  General Exhibitions are awarded to the 41 eligible students with the highest School Curriculum and Standards Authority WACE award scores based on the average of  five scaled scores with at least two from each of the humanities/social sciences list and the mathematics/science list. James was also awarded a Certificate of Distinction for being in the top 0.5% of candidates in Physics and a Certificate of Commendation for achieving at least 20 A grades. He will receive his awards at a ceremony at Government House in February.  This is a wonderful achievement for James, who was the College Dux in 2015 and a foundation student, commencing at Holy Cross College in its opening year in 2010. 

Cameron Miles, Runner-up Dux, also achieved outstanding results with an ATAR of 98.65.   Overall the Class of 2015 did very well.  100% of students achieved WACE Graduation.  60% of eligible students achieved an ATAR above 80 and all eligible students achieved an ATAR above 70.  This  will give all ATAR students access to university places.  The median ATAR for the College was 83.4 compared to a State median ATAR of 79.1.

Holy Cross College was recognised by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority as one of the top performing schools in the state in English and Religion and Life.

The Class of 2015 were our foundation Year 7 students.  We are very proud of their achievements.

END OF YEAR CELEBRATIONS

The Junior School Christmas Concert was a delightful celebration.  The amphitheatre proved to be an excellent venue for families to gather to watch the children sing and dance, as they celebrated the school year and the coming of Christmas.  A shared morning tea followed, with a visit from Santa Claus.  Thanks to Miss Croswell and all the Junior School staff for their work in preparing for the concert,

END OF YEAR ASSEMBLY

A reminder the final assembly will take place in  Salvador at 9,15am on Friday. Parents are invited to attend.

SWITCHING TRACKS

On Tuesday 14 September Holy Criss College will be hosting Switching Tracks.  Over 300 people from a range of schools will come to the College for a conference on using digital technologies for learning.  Our keynote speaker will be Patrick Hollingswoth, a high altitude mountaineer and a leadership and teamwork expert. He will speak about getting comfortable in the uncomfortable in an organisational landscape which is becoming more volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. (VUCA). A number of our staff will also be presenting workshops and Student Leaders will be assisting on the day.

COMMUNITY GATHERINGS

RECONCILIATION

Congratulations to the Year 3 students who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on Tuesday.   Preparation for sacraments is family-focused, parish-based and Catholic school supported.  Thanks to Mrs Henderson for helping to prepare the students and also to Fr Bona, Parish Catechists and visiting priests.

COLLEGE COMMUNITY MEETING

On behalf of the Marco Pasalich, Chairperson of the College Board, and Susan Sorenson, President of Friends of Holy Cross, I invite you to attend the AGMs of these two important groups on Tuesday 1 December.  The gathering will start with wine and cheese at 5.30pm, followed by the AGMs at 6.30pm.  The 2016 budget and College fees will be presented at the Board AGM.

GOOD NEWS - CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

This week we received notification that our application for  an Australian Government Capital Grant for Stage 5 of our Capital Development Plan has been approved.  We will receive $3 450 000 toward the project.  The additional funding will come from a low interest loan and school contribution.  Stage 5 includes the Junior School learning centre for Years 2 -5, Performing Arts facilities and an undercover area. The project will go to tender next year.  The Junior School will be completed for the beginning of the 2017 school year and the remainder of the project will be completed during 2017.  We are in the final design stage of this section of our Capital Development Plan.  The finished product will see the addition of some outstanding facilities.  Some Year 3 students had the opportunity to contribute to the project last week, as they gave input into the design of the play areas. 

GRATITUDE MASS

Parents and family members are invited to join us for the Gratitude Mass on Wednesday 9.00am in the Parish Church.  This is an opportunity of us to come together as a College community to give thanks for the many blessings we have received this year.  

END OF YEAR

Students finish school on Friday 11 December.  Parents are invited to join us for the College Assembly commencing at 9.15am.  Students will return to classes after the assembly and school finishes at the usual time.

M.Connor

30 November 2015

CHOIR PERFORMS AT HOSPITAL OPENING

Today the College Choir sang at the Blessing and  Opening of St John of God Public Hospital in Midland. It was a significant event and the College was very pleased to be involved in a ceremony which marked the beginning of a new era for health care in the Swan Valley.  The Choir, which included students from Junior, Middle and Senior Schools, gave an excellence performance.  Thanks to Mr McRae for his work with the Choir and Mr Muller and Mrs Azzopardi for their support. 

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Please keep Year 3 students in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Tuesday.

STAFFING

Next week we will farewell Ms Jayne McNae.  Ms McNae has made a significant contribution to Holy Cross College in the roles of Year 7 Team Leader and Learning Enrichment Coordinator.   I wish her all the best for her return to New Zealand and thank her for her contribution to Holy Cross College during these years of growth.

JUNIOR SCHOOL TRANSITION

On Tuesday Junior School students will have a morning of transition in their 2016 class. Students who will be joining the College in Pre-primary to Year 4 in 2016 will join us for the transition morning.

COLLEGE COMMUNITY MEETING

The College community meeting will take place on Tuesday 1 December.  This will include the Annual General Meetings for the  College Board and Friends of Holy Cross. The meetings will commence at 6:30pm following the Friends Of Holy Cross Wine and Cheese function which commences at 5:30pm.  The 2016 budget, including 2016 school fees will be tabled.  

 

The College is seeking competent and dedicated people to serve as Board members. If you have an interest in the welfare of the students and staff and are eager to promote Catholic schooling,  you may see membership of the College Board as a means of giving valuable service to the College community. Though all Board members should bring to the Board their own contribution to its work, the most important skill required is the ability to work cooperatively and constructively with all other members of the Board. Board members, of course, must be willing and able to give their time. A letter was sent home last week regarding the meetings and calling for nominations.  If you would,like any more information, please contact me through the College Office.

HOUSE LUNCH

On  Wednesday 25 November  Middle and Senior School students  will have lunch with their Junior school House buddies.  Students from PP - Year 3 and Middle and Senior School students who have a buddy role should wear their House shirts on Wednesday.