From the Principal
Welcome back to Term 4! I hope all students and families enjoyed a very restful holiday break with maybe a movie, family picnic, bike ride and a good book.
HSC
Our Year 12 students calmly commenced their HSC last Wednesday, starting with their first English paper. Initial reports from our girls have been very positive. Please continue to keep them in your prayers. A big “Thank you” to our dedicated staff who ran holiday workshops to help prepare our girls. I know the girls have greatly appreciated the teachers who have been and are still marking extra essays and practice work, in addition to their constant support of the girls.
College Inquiry and Review
Last Tuesday and Wednesday, the College was involved in the Sydney Catholic School Inquiry and Review Process. This process involved the College Community “Looking Back” over the last 5 years and then “Looking Forward” for the next 5 years. Prior to the days, the College Leadership Team had gathered the “Looking Back” data and “Looking Forward” projections, thus providing a written report to the SCS Inquiry and Review Team. Over the 2 days, the SCS Team participated in Learning Walks around the campus and had Focus Group discussions with students, staff and parents. The College Leadership Team also gave presentations of The College “Looking Back” reflections and our “Looking Forward” strategic directions for the next 5 years.
I thank the College Leadership Team for their energy, collaborative spirit and generosity in preparing for the Review. I also thank the staff for their great work, enthusiasm and commitment to consistently engaging our students in their learning. This positive energy gained special praise by the visiting SCS Team.
The SCS Team were most impressed by the faith commitment and learning/wellbeing culture evident across the College. They affirmed all that is happening and particularly commented on the very positive growth evident since our last Review. They also confirmed their support of our current Strategic Plan which we launched at our Opening College Mass this year. And finally, we discussed recommendations to further assist our strategic directions.
The SCS Team will now submit their recommendations to the System Director, Kevin Carragher, and Executive Director, Tony Farley. The Executive Director will ultimately sign off on the final Report. Once we have received the final Report, we will share this with the community.
Many thanks to all involved. I particularly thank the College Leadership Team and Staff for their commitment to continual improvement at MSCW.
Grandparents’ Visit
Last Friday, the College grounds were buzzing as our Year 7 students welcomed their Grandparents. COVID has restricted this event for the past couple of years, so we were excited to see these family connections return to the College. It was delightful to see the obvious love and affection between Grandparents and Granddaughters. Grandparents play a vital role in the development of grandchildren. Their unconditional love, their listening ear and their life experience are all important ways that Grandparents can add to the rich development of a young girl. Not to mention the way they spoil their Granddaughters in the nicest ways!
