FROM THE COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

As Semester One draws to a close, it is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved so far this year. With a ‘Joy-filled’ theme guiding our planning, it has been incredible to witness a strengthening sense of community in our College. This feeling of belonging, connectedness, and shared identity among students, teachers, staff, and parents within the community is a result of a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels valued, respected, and actively engaged in the school’s Mission and activities. I was reminded just how strong the connection is to the College when visiting our past pupils and families in Papua New Guinea last week. The College holds a special place in their hearts, and I was able to assure them the College continues to grow and flourish.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the staff who have been acting in various roles while others were on leave throughout Semester One. I would like to thank Lorraine Kennedy who has been helping this term to cover some classes to enable Camille Flores to carry out the Head of Careers and Vocational Education role. We also farewell Amanda Scotney, who has been temporarily carrying out the PA to the Deputy Principal – Academic role throughout Term 2.

To those staff who organised, assisted, and attended camps I sincerely thank you for ensuring our students can enjoy such a wonderful opportunity. We are so blessed in our community that our staff recognise the importance of such programs that enables getting outdoors, strengthening connections, and creating a stronger sense of belonging, amazing memories, and broadening of friendships.

I would also like to thank the College Leadership Team who work tirelessly to ensure our College continues to grow and flourish. I am very grateful for their passion, their unwavering dedication, and support.

Sabbatical/Study Leave (17 July – 1 September 2023)

I continue to enjoy the complex and rewarding responsibility that comes with executive leadership in a Catholic school environment. I am an avid reader and love to keep abreast of trends in business, education, innovation, learning and wellbeing, whilst ensuring that a strong human and values-based leadership approach is encouraged and fostered, creating a safe and secure environment, allowing both students and staff to thrive and grow.

Many of you are aware I began my MBA in 2022 and I am thoroughly enjoying the course, helping to further challenge my own thinking and that of others to re-think and re-learn, optimising confident humility throughout the process. To help me further progress in this study, I will be taking sabbatical/study leave for the first seven weeks of Term 3 to complete three MBA units as a full-time post graduate student. During this period of leave the College Deputy Principal, Cameran Triffett will be the Acting Principal, Director of Boarding, Katie de Carteret will be Acting Deputy Principal and the Deputy Head of Boarding, Gemma Stevens will carry out the Acting Director of Boarding role. My sincere thanks to Cameran, Katie, and Gemma for enabling me to be able to take this special leave and I know the College will be in excellent hands in my absence.

Year 11 Leadership Program

Recently I presented to the Year 11 cohort on the gift of leadership. Throughout the workshop I led them through a reflective process using the Mercy values and how we can all live, learn and lead with greater hope, joy, compassion, respect, justice, and integrity. As the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow these young women can all engage more deeply in the journey of leadership throughout their senior year, helping to prepare them for future opportunities. I explained that whilst some will wear a prefect badge, all of them bear the responsibility to care for and nurture our College community.

Central Queensland Schools Rowing Regatta 24 – 25 June 2023

I congratulate those students who represented our College at the CQ Regatta in Rockhampton over the weekend. I commend these athletes on their ongoing commitment to their personal strength, fitness, and technical growth. The collective results were excellent, and many personal bests were also achieved. These types of opportunities simply would not be possible without the support of a dedicated coaching team and staff volunteers. I thank Harrison Parks, the Combined Schools Head Coach and the Coaches who were in attendance this regatta. I would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank Aimee Strickland and Sam Lowry for travelling and staying with our squad on this trip. I also thank Amy Byrnes for attending the regatta as our College Leadership Team representative.

I wish you all a safe, restful and joy-filled break. God bless and I wish everyone all the best for the start of Term 3 which begins on Tuesday July 18. I look forward to re-connecting with our community from the beginning of September, upon my return from leave.

Amber Hauff

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL