From the Principal

Inquiry and Review

This year the College is undertaking the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Inquiry and Review Process. This process allows an opportunity for the College to reflect on past achievements and strategically plan for continuous improvement. The reflection involves a formal ‘looking back’ process evaluating the past five years and then consults by ‘looking forward’ to implementing potential improvements over the next five years.

An electronic survey, Tell Them From Me, as well as student, parent and staff focus groups will be used to gather this information. On 10 and 11 October, an SCS Inquiry and Review Panel will visit the College to review and discuss the findings, as well as identify the best strategic directions for the College.

A letter has already been shared regarding student focus groups planned for next week. This term’s Parent Engagement Meeting, Tuesday 14 June, will be used to gather feedback from parents. We look forward to productive discussions leading to good feedback and ideas for the College for the next five years.

The Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn

These are the words before the starter’s gun in a week’s time as our MSCW students and I take to the starting line for the 20th Balmoral Burn – the run up Awaba Street, Balmoral, Sydney’s steepest hill!

Why is it called the ‘Burn’? The steepness of the street, averaging a 21% gradient, combined with the sprint to the finish certainly ensures that your legs, quads and calves are burning. Although only 420 metres, you do feel every step! However, the sheer thrill and satisfaction at the top take over once you realise you have achieved your goal!

The Humpty Dumpty Foundation’s Balmoral Burn is celebrating its 20th year in 2022. Like many charities, over the past two years, their events have been cancelled due to COVID-19. So supporters will be out in force to run and fundraise for this great cause. The Humpty Dumpty Foundation is a children’s charity that, for more than 30 years, has been purchasing essential and often life-saving medical equipment for sick and injured children in Paediatric Wards, Neonatal Units, and Maternity and Emergency Departments in hospitals across Australia. It now donates vital equipment to over 400 metropolitan and rural hospitals.

At last Wednesday’s Assembly, the College community was fortunate to hear from Ms Angela Garniss, CEO and Managing Director of the Humpty Dumpty Foundation. Angela shared with students the beginnings of the Humpty Dumpty charity, how it supports Australia’s sick children and families and of course how they can get involved. Our students are always up for a challenge so they can enter an individual race, or enter as a team of four to compete in either the ‘Head of the Hill Novelty Relay, ‘Just for Fun’ Walk or ‘In It to Win It’ categories. No matter what event, their contribution goes towards a very worthy cause. They can also earn four hours of Marist Service.

So, think about making it a family affair and come along for a great community day. Thanks for all your support and encouragement so far and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday 29 May for the Balmoral Burn!

Debating and Chess

Again, it was great to see so many of our students last Friday night competing in both Chess and Debating. These activities are some of the most worthwhile co-curricular experiences I can recommend. Not only are they interesting social events with participants from a range of Sydney schools, but they also promote excellent skill sets that flow over into the students’ academic pursuits. Good luck to all teams competing this week.