From the Principal and Assistant Principal
We are coming up to the end of a very big and eventful term with sporting events, Cross Country Carnival and all the learning tasks. The preparation for Easter and fundraising for Project compassion is well on the way and it will make a difference in communities for their education and fresh water. Thank you for all your support .
Holy week is an important part of the Church’s year. It is a time to reflect on the darkness of the death of Jesus and the events and betrayal HOLY WEEK: A TIME FOR REFLECTION AND RENEWAL
As we enter Holy Week, the most sacred time in the Catholic Church, we are reminded of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and love for humanity. This week, we journey through the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, reflecting on its significance in our lives.
Palm Sunday – The Beginning of the Journey
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Palms are blessed and distributed, symbolising the people’s praise and welcome of Christ as the Messiah. It is also a reminder that our faith journey includes both triumph and sacrifice.
Holy Thursday – The Last Supper
On Holy Thursday, we recall the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist and demonstrated servant leadership by washing His disciples’ feet. It is a day of gratitude for the gift of the Eucharist and a call to serve others selflessly.
Good Friday – The Passion of Christ
Good Friday is a solemn day of prayer, fasting, and reflection on Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. The Stations of the Cross are often prayed, helping us meditate on His journey to Calvary. This is a time to acknowledge the depth of Christ’s love and the redemption He offers.
Holy Saturday – A Night of Vigil
Holy Saturday is a day of waiting and anticipation. The Easter Vigil, celebrated at night, is the highlight of Holy Week. It includes the lighting of the Paschal Candle, the proclamation of salvation history, and the celebration of Christ’s victory over death.
Easter Sunday – The Joy of Resurrection
Holy Week culminates in the joy of Easter Sunday, as we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and victory over sin. It is a time of renewal, hope, and new beginnings, reminding us of the promise of eternal life.
As a school community, let us take this Holy Week as an opportunity to grow in faith, prayer, and service. May we embrace the message of love, sacrifice, and redemption, carrying it forward in our daily lives.Make it an opportunity to visit your parish and participate in this Holy Season.
Wishing you all a blessed Holy Week and a joyful Easter!
Arrive to Thrive
As you may be aware, all schools in the Diocese of Wollongong — along with schools in the public and independent sectors — are legally required to monitor and address student attendance. Our school is now operating under a revised Diocesan Attendance Policy (2025) and using the mandated DOW Compass letter templates to communicate attendance matters with families.
A key element in supporting student attendance is open and collaborative communication between school and home. As outlined in our school newsletter earlier this term, the Diocese has adopted the following attendance bands:
- Target Attendance: 95% and above
- Regular Attendance: 90% – 100%
- Targeted Intervention: 71% – 89%
- Intensive Intervention: 70% and below
We understand that many families consistently explain their child’s absences through the Compass portal, and we greatly appreciate your efforts. Whether a child is unwell, recovering from injury, or attending medical appointments, explained absences still contribute to their overall attendance rate. Additionally, partial absences such as late arrivals and early departures affect attendance, as it is now calculated based on minutes present at school rather than just full days.
It is a requirement that we notify and work with families when a student’s attendance falls into the Targeted Intervention or Intensive Intervention categories. This is not a criticism of your parenting or a dismissal of genuine reasons for absence. We are also not advocating that you send your child to school when they are unwell. Rather, it is part of our obligation to keep families informed and work together to support your child’s engagement with school where there may be barriers to their attendance.
Attendance concern emails will be sent at regular times throughout the school year using the most current attendance data. There is no immediate action required unless you are concerned about your child’s attendance and would like support — in that case, please contact your child’s PALS teacher. For students in the Intensive Intervention category, we will contact families by phone to book a time to meet and develop a tailored support plan.
We thank you for your continued partnership in promoting regular attendance. We are pleased to report a current average school attendance rate of 90.6%, a 5% improvement from last year. This means more students are in class each day, actively participating in the rich learning opportunities provided by our teachers.
Current Cohort Attendance Percentages
Being absent from school for 1 or 2 days doesn't seem like much, however, it is!
Your child is absent … |
That equals … |
Which is … |
Over 13 years that is … |
Over 13 years of schooling that is … |
1 day per fortnight |
20 days per year |
4 weeks per year |
Nearly 1.5 years |
Equal to finishing in Year 11 |
1 day per week |
40 days per year |
8 weeks per year |
Over 2.5 years |
Equal to finishing in Year 10 |
2 days per week |
80 days per year |
16 weeks per year |
Over 5 years |
Equal to finishing in Year 7 |
3 days per week |
120 days per year |
24 weeks per year |
Almost 8 years |
Equal to finishing in Year 4 |
Just a little bit late for school doesn’t seem like much, it is.
Your child is late … |
That equals … |
Which is … |
Over 13 years of schooling that is … |
10 minutes per day |
50 minutes per week |
Almost 1.5 weeks per year |
Almost half a year |
20 minutes per day |
1 hour 40 mins per week |
Almost 2.5 weeks per year |
Almost a whole year |
30 minutes per day |
Half a day per week |
4 weeks per year |
Almost one and a half years |
1 hour per day |
1 day per week |
8 weeks per year |
Over 2 and a half years |
Winter Uniform Reminder - Term 2


This week’s weather has given us a taste of what’s to come as we head into the colder months. A reminder that all students will return in Term 2 wearing the full Winter Uniform.
Please take the time to check that your child’s Winter Uniform is ready for the start of Term 2. This includes:
- Ensuring all uniform items fit correctly
- Letting down skirt hems if required
- Replacing or purchasing any missing or outgrown items
Blazers are a compulsory part of the Winter Uniform for all students.
Year 12 students are permitted to wear their Year 12 Commerative Jacket on Tuesday - Friday.
All students are expected to wear their blazer to and from school, during Monday assemblies and for all formal school events as communicated by the school.
Additional Reminders:
- Undershirts must not extend past the sleeve length of the school shirt. Students wearing visible undershirts will be asked to remove them.
- The school provides several approved options for thermal comfort: two styles of jumpers, the blazer, and an overcoat. For our climate, this is more than sufficient.
- Hoodies are not permitted as they are not part of the official school uniform.
- Boys must wear trousers (shorts are not permitted during Winter Uniform).
- Boys must wear the school tie with their top button done up.
- Girls may choose to wear either trousers or their skirt with stockings.
- PE Jackets are not permitted to be worn with the normal school uniform.
For full details, please review the Winter Uniform guidelines in our Uniform and Grooming Policy. If you have any questions or require clarification, please contact your child’s PALS teacher or the school office.
Thank you for your ongoing support in upholding our uniform standards.