College Principal

As the year draws to a close, I would like to thank our community and students for their active participation in a range of fabulous celebrations this term. Our Fra Angelico Festival saw over 600 performers in music, dance and drama take to the stage, and our students were able to showcase their stunning works in Visual Arts and various design exhibitions. The light show was also spectacular with Fra Angelico himself beamed off the 1894 building. Our Parents and Friends once again served the most delicious international cuisine at our Eat Street stalls for which we are grateful. Lumination Labs and the disco were a huge success and all up, it was a true celebration of creativity, collaboration and community. 

A highlight of the year, Speech Night at the State Theatre honoured the academic, pastoral, and social justice achievements of our students in Years 3-11. The evening was also filled with performances from our Chamber Orchestra and Choir, Senior Jazz team, Primary Strings as well as our newest Zheng Ensemble. We were thrilled to welcome 2024 Australian of the Year and alumna, Professor Georgina Long AO, as our distinguished guest of honour and her speech was inspirational. 

Tallong was alive with activity this term, hosting our Year 3 camp – their first experience of the Tallong campus, the St Dominic the Adventurer Award for our intrepid Years 3 and 4 students, the Senior Leadership Weekend, and the much-loved Parent-Child Weekend. Meanwhile, our Year 9 students took on the challenges of Myall Lakes during their outdoor adventure week.

Our bespoke Encounter Program offered Year 10 students enriching experiences, including a Cape York immersion, service encounters, and the Future Proofing Program, covering car maintenance, financial literacy, leadership and interview skills. They are now ready to meet the demands of their senior years! 

We wrapped up the term in festive spirit, as our community came together for our beloved Advent Carols night in our Chapel. A special way to farewell the academic year.

The external inspection from NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has concluded and it found, ‘The school has policies and procedures relating to the requirement for the provision of a safe and supportive environment for students’ welfare.’  It states that: ‘the school’s suite of student welfare policies, procedures and records of implementation demonstrated that staff are made aware of their responsibilities for monitoring student behaviour and wellbeing and where relevant responding to any issues or concerns’. We are devastated at losing Charlotte and these findings do not take away from the terrible pain we and her family feel. 

We wish our students heading on the Vietnam immersion a wonderful experience as we wish our volleyballers heading to Queensland next week for the 2024 Australian Volleyball Schools Cup all the best.

In conclusion, I thank our teachers and all professional staff who support the education of our children for their incredible dedication and care of our students. I wish them all the best for a good rest and time to re-energise before we all return next year. 

I want to take this opportunity to wish all of our families a happy and holy Christmas, filled with the love of Jesus. Wishing you hope, peace, love and joy. We look forward to welcoming our students back on campus in 2025.

Paulina Skerman
College Principal