07 Feb 2021
What a great start to the campus year! The time, effort and dedication of our teachers preparing and implementing teaching and learning programs have allowed our students to get back to a normalised routine after the disruption of last year.
I was thrilled to see the large number of parents who attended the Parent Lounge Session last week via Zoom. Parent Lounge is a great way to keep up-to-date on major initiatives within the campus, along with the opportunity to discuss and ask questions directly of the College Senior Executive.
The YONDR pouch implementation this week has been outstanding. I have been extremely impressed by how well our students are entering and exiting the front gates and using the YONDR pouches for their mobile devices. Their conduct has really highlighted just how many outstanding students we have at the College. They have quickly adapted to the processes and have followed instructions with respect. Some have even individualised their pouches just for fun.
We have seen a calm in the playground, and it is lovely to see more engagement in handball, library activities and social interaction among peers.
The swimming carnival was a great success with students displaying a strong camaraderie for their House and participating in swimming and novelty races. We will announce the winning House during the week; however, my tip is on mighty Towns!!
Congratulations to our Swimming Age Champions:
- 12 Years Jamieson Looby, Marcus Betts
- 13 Years Armani Payne, Cameron Carson
- 14 Years Nikki Green, Oliver Dargan
- 15 Years Imogen Enfield, Jesse Green
- 16 Years Lilly Carson, Sam Reniers
- 17 Years Bridget Flynt, Kayle Enfield
These students will be competing at the Zone Carnival in Kempsey on 22 February.
There is much activity occurring over the coming weeks such as extracurricular projects, school photos and classroom-based learning excursions. Please keep an eye out for notes sent home (they may be found at the bottom of your child's bag :) ) or feel free to make contact with the front office to clarify any activities.
- Breakfast club will recommence Monday from 7.30 am – 8.15 am in the MPC. All students are welcomed to have a cheese toastie, toast or fruit toast with us.
- Safer internet day, Tuesday 9 February. The College will be undertaking lesson plans during PC on this day. I encourage parents to review the free family webinars on keeping your child safe - https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars.
- Friday 12 February a Valentines Cupcake Fundraiser will take place Lunch 2. Cupcakes are $4 each, with all funds donated to cancer research.
- The College is calling for expressions of interest for the Hastings Secondary College Concert Band. If your child is interested, please contact Mr Stewart Heddles on 65831844.
- College Dance auditions will take place this Thursday 11 February. Auditions will take place in the Port Macquarie Campus MPC at 2.30 pm. Please contact Mrs Jacynta Moylan for further information.
- School Photos 18 February (Week 4)
This fantastic start to the year is equally accredited to the support of our students, parents and the community.
I just finished reading "The Happiest Man on Earth" by Eddie Jaku. He was a holocaust survivor who faced unimaginable horrors every day in both Buchenwald and then in Auschwitz. He shares how he found gratitude, kindness and hope in the darkest of places.
I'll leave you with his belief statement;
" Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. It is up to you."
My job is to make your child's life at the campus as beautiful as I can.