My LIFE Launch Careers Expo, Apprenticeship Achiever, NAIDOC, Staffing and COVID

Dear Holy Cross College Community

I acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, both past and present, the Noongar people, on whose land we walk. This week we celebrated ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’ (NAIDOC) week. Actions can be traced back to the 1920’s when aboriginal groups formed to raise awareness about the treatment of Aboriginal people. NAIDOC is a celebration of culture, aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and achievements and an acknowledgment of the contributions that Indigenous Australians have made. This week our students have been able to participate in a number of experiences.

NAIDOC

The NAIDOC 2021 theme – Heal Country! – calls for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for Aboriginal lands, waters, sacred sites and cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction. Country that is more than a place and inherent to Aboriginal identity. Country that is spoken about like a person, sustaining lives in every aspect – spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, and culturally.

Thank you to all the staff involved with the NAIDOC activities this week. Thank you to Assistant Deputy Principal, Mrs Christina Davini and the team, for organising the week. Thank you to Mrs Cathie Lewis and the College Cafe staff for the new cultural lunch menu addition. We realise we couldn’t do everything we had planned due to COVID restrictions, yet the message of ‘awareness’ and ‘healing’ was still captured.

My LIFE

The launch is still scheduled, in combination with our major Careers Expo, on Wednesday 28 July at 5pm in Lima. (Week 2 – Winter Term). This is a community event, so all are welcome. All Year 10 students must attend. The My LIFE initiative is the framework of what we will be offering our Senior Students as of 2022, as well as the supports and individual opportunities. We are encouraging all students from Year 6 to 12 to attend to see the pathways and support that will be provided throughout the years ahead. It would be so rewarding to see our families there.

Staffing

Our Year 2 teacher, Ms Annette Barron, will be on leave for the remainder of the year. Ms Barron is a passionate teacher and I know she will be missing the students and thinking of them when she is on leave. We wish Ms Barron the very best.

I thank all the staff for their hard work, patience, and persistence this term. We are truly blessed to have staff members who go above and beyond what is expected. Thank you!

Congratulations Zack Smilovitis on your Electrotechnology Apprenticeship

Congratulations Zack Smilovitis, Year 11 student on his attainment of an Electrotechnology Apprenticeship. Initially starting as a pre-apprentice with the College of Electrical Training CET, Zack exemplified all the attributes of our LIFE pillars: dignity & personal best; compassion & connection; justice & service and gratitude & stewardship, and therefore was offered a full apprenticeship with I.C Cool Refrigeration. Zack will start his apprenticeship at the start of Winter Term, working full-time and studying his trade at TAFE in 2022. The Senior Leadership Team gave a standing ovation and farewell to Zack in the Deputy’s office as a symbol of respectful pride, bid him farewell with blessings and good luck.

COVID

I will continue to update our College Community if there are any changes to schools in relation to COVID. Hopefully, we will all return together, after the school holiday break.

All students commence on Monday 19 July. We will commence the term with our Autumn Term Assembly at 9am in LIMA. Our Administration office will be open from 8am, Monday 12 July.

I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday break.

Kind regards

Ms Julie Hornby

Principal