This term there has been a change to the Uniform Policy process. Students who receive their first initial warning will now also receive an email notifying them that they  have been placed on Compass for a uniform warning. From Level 2 parents will receive communication from the school. We are hoping that this encourages our students to take more responsibility for their actions and to be aware of where they stand in the uniform policy process. A reminder that for all formal occasions students are expected to wear the academic uniform for mass and events regardless of whether or not they have Sport. Students and parents will be notified the day before formal events of the type of uniform required if it differs from the normal daily running. On cooler mornings and days, students are expected to wear the woollen knit jumper and not the Sports Hoodie. 

There have been some student social issues that have presented in the last couple of weeks. As a Catholic College we pride ourselves in living out the values of the Gospel and that we believe in forgiveness. When dealing with student issues we follow due process and seek the support of families, the student and the College community in guiding our students in contributing positively to our world. We develop educational processes to address any issues. Issues are treated with the highest of confidentiality and we are committed to continuing to develop our students to be people who are empowered to change the world for good.

Next week we will begin the initial surveys for the Macquarie University Study titled “The Power of Teacher-Student Relationships Study at Macquarie University”. The first survey is a 35 minute student survey which will be completed in Year 7 to 10 English classes. The survey link will be sent to the students directly.

This project focuses on identifying the elements of a positive teacher-student relationship in secondary school and how these positive relationships can support students’ wellbeing, motivation, engagement, and achievement in Maths, English, and Science. The aim of the study is to better understand how these relationships can protect against well-documented declines in motivation and engagement that occur in adolescence. This research will offer insight about how teachers and students can build more positive relationships that promote students’ wellbeing, motivation, and engagement across secondary school.

This project has received university ethics approval and approval from the Canberra & Goulburn Catholic Education Office.

This project is a 2-year longitudinal project, with the potential to participate in a third-year intervention study regarding how to build positive classroom relationships. The study will be completed by students in Years 7-10 and their Maths, English, and Science. In the first year, will complete a survey in Term 4. In the second year, students will complete short weekly surveys across Term 2. We look forward to working with the Macquarie University and exploring the results. Please let me know if you have any questions.