Dear parents

Corpus Christi Day – Friday 9 June

Parents and friends are welcome to join all staff and students in celebrating our feast day, commencing with Mass at 8.45am, in the David Heath Gymnasium. As noted in the last e-News, we are also acknowledging long serving staff and the blessing of the James Nestor Performing Arts Centre.

As you are aware, we will be making a small presentation to current and former staff able to join us, acknowledging the length of their service to the College. We will also be conducting a blessing of the crucifixes to be placed in the newly refurbished Performing Arts Centre as part of the proceedings.

The sand heap is going to be transformed soon!

Metrocon Pty Ltd were the successful tender for the second part of our current capital project, which included the newly refurbished Performing Arts Centre. Therefore, works have commenced on the parking area and construction of a new Maintenance Shed to the south of the Administration Building. The contents of the current Maintenance Shed will be moved to the temporary sea containers adjoining the Year 12 carpark. Works are expected to conclude within 12 weeks.

Work on the new College theatre is scheduled to commence early in Semester Two, with construction companies now being invited by College architects EIW to ‘sharpen their pencils’. The Board Finance Committee is currently investigating a new finance model, taking into account a number of factors including the new Federal Funding package recently announced, once the details are known. The focus is to ensure fees remain affordable for our families. Board Chair Mr Greg LeGuier will write to all families in the coming weeks.

Authorised and Unauthorised Absence

Regular attendance at school is fundamental to student learning. Every day counts; any absence from school has the potential to adversely impact student outcomes.

Western Australian law stipulates that all school-aged children must go to and attend school every day.

When a student’s attendance falls below 90%, the school principal is required to investigate the matter and develop a plan (in consultation with the family), to address and restore regular attendance.

Did you know:

• missing half a day of school each week equates to one month of missed learning each year?
• missing two weeks to attend a holiday in one term equates to 20% loss of schooling. If a student’s attendance falls below 90%, I am required to investigate the matter and develop a plan by law
• the attendance habits set by children when they first start school continue throughout their school life. Therefore, if students come to us with attendance issues, it is quite difficult to change these habits
• learning is cumulative – if children miss a day, it is harder for them to catch up. So staying home to study for a test actually makes it harder for the child to do well.

Parents can help by arriving and collecting your children on time; making sure your children eat nutritious meals and have enough sleep; making appointments with doctors, dentists and specialists outside of school time if possible (I understand this is quite difficult with specialists); and, making holiday plans during school holidays and not during the school term.

Justified reasons for student absences may include:

• being sick or having an infectious disease
• having an unavoidable medical appointment
• exceptional or urgent family circumstances e.g. attending a funeral
• representing the State or nation in a sport or other activity.

For missed assessments, the College Assessment Policy details how subject teachers will address the absence so the student is not penalised for these justifiable reasons for absence.

Travel:

• Families are encouraged to travel during school holidays
• If travel during school term is absolutely necessary as determined by a parent or guardian, then please discuss this with your child’s Head of Year
• A Student Absence Advice Form will need to be completed and sent to the Principal
• Absences relating to travel will be marked as leave on the roll and therefore contribute to your child’s total absences for the year
• There are also ramifications associated with the College Assessment Policy which need to be noted
• Extended absences will place a student at risk of poor academic performance.

As a Catholic school, ̨ž³UUApp must also comply with the Non-Government Schools Registration Standards:

The parents of a child who is enrolled in a school are responsible under the School           Education Act 1999 for ensuring their child is attending school on a daily basis. Parents or other responsible persons may be asked to provide an acceptable explanation for any             absence to the principal. Students who do not attend school regularly must be case-         managed, and encouraged to resume regular school attendance. The Act provides for       persistent breaches of Section 23 to be referred to a School Attendance Panel and,          ultimately, to a court of law.

The Final Word

As our senior students conclude their examinations, I hope they have received results commensurate with their efforts as part of their learning journey at the College. Certainly, the new Examination Centre in the James Nestor Performing Arts Centre has provided students with a comfortable, warm and quiet facility to ensure they do well. As papers are returned by their teachers, I hope they remember learning from mistakes is a powerful tool for improvement, as many of us have learned over the years.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Caroline Payne
Principal