From The Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to you all as we begin the academic year of 2023. I offer a particularly warm welcome to every new student and family to the College. I would like to congratulate our students for the positive manner in which they have returned to daily College life and especially acknowledge our Year 7 students who have so quickly embraced their new community. The success of the Year 7 Transition Program provided a tailored schedule that gives students a positive start to high school as they each develop connections and an early sense of belonging. Thank you to Mr Bates, Mr Panozzo and the Year 7 pastoral team for facilitating such a comprehensive transition program throughout last week. I also acknowledge Mrs Schodde and the Year 11 Peer Support Leaders for their generous support of Year 7.
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We return with the Class of 2022 having achieved some outstanding HSC results. The Dux of the College is awarded to Elijah Hurley, who received an impressive ATAR of 99.00. The list of Distinguished Achievers, including All Rounders: Elijah, Will Douglas and Ashton Mackay, together with Julian Hall and Mark Souffy’s Art Express selections, reinforces the comprehensive nature of ERC. We look forward to next week’s High Achievers College assembly and congratulate all Year 12 students and staff on achieving such well-earned results.
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It is with mixed feelings that I report that we farewelled Mr Milner and Ms Gazzola during the holiday period, who were both appointed to promotional positions. Mr Milner has been appointed as Deputy Principal at Eden Marine High School while Ms Gazzola takes up a new role with the Department of Education as English Curriculum Officer 7-12. In congratulating them both on their appointments, I sincerely thank them for their significant contribution to our school community during recent years. At this time, I also thank Dr Sozio in his capacity as Director of Learning and Teaching, who will now take responsibility for student NESA requirements, along with Mrs Guest, who has accepted the role of Acting Head of English.
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Thank you to those parents and carers who were available to join us this morning as we formally congratulated the many students across Years 8-11 who were presented with Semester Two 2022 awards. In preparation for the upcoming formal goal setting process, I encourage each student to develop a level of determination that will lead to their own personal success for the upcoming semester.
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Our Touchstone theme for this year is Gospel Spirituality. We invite people to join us in prayer to make Jesus’ message of compassion, justice and peace a lived reality at the heart of our community. I offer the following prayer for the year ahead.
A Prayer for the New Year
With gratitude for the gift of a fresh new year, we ask God to bless our whole community –
May every classroom be a place of respect and possibility.
May our staff rooms and playgrounds be places of friendship and laughter.
May our hall and assembly be a place of connection.
May our library be a place of discovery.
May our chapel be a place of prayerful reflection.
May every tree and plant call us closer to creation.
May every snack and lunch remind us of those who are hungry.
May every student grow in confidence and love of life.
May every teacher find daily vision and hope.
May every support worker help create a sense of belonging.
May every leader find openness and patience.
May every parent grow in wisdom.
May every name in this school be blessed.
Because each person is precious
And only together can we learn and grow.
Adapted from M. McGirr
Stephen Gough
Principal
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Change in Student/Family Circumstances/Contact Information/Medical Conditions
If any change has occurred/occurs in your family – separation, divorce, serious illness, the College should be notified as soon as possible. The College seeks to be supportive of families in such circumstances and such events always have a bearing on a child’s education. Likewise, a change of address, email or phone number (work, home or mobile) or emergency contact should be advised immediately.
If your son suffers from a medical condition it is vital that you inform the office of his condition and what treatment is required in an emergency. An emergency management plan must be developed for any students with serious conditions.
Please verify all information via the TASS Parent Lounge.
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ISLHD School-Link Newsletter T1 2023