Mrs. Catherine O'Kane
September Tours
After a five-year break, it has been wonderful to hear from those students and staff who took part in the Cambodia Immersion, where students immersed themselves in vibrant local culture and spent time being of service teaching English in local schools.
A standout experience of the tour was the days spent with Sr Denise Coghlan rsm at the JRC Metta Karuna Centre in Siem Reap, which included the celebration of Mercy Day Mass with members of the international Mercy community. This long-anticipated return to Cambodia deepened connections, provided the opportunity to serve, and highlighted the global impact of the Mercy charism and ethos.
Meanwhile, our Biology Tour to Far North Queensland was another holiday highlight. Students engaged with James Cook University representatives to learn about rainforest revegetation and explored the incredible biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef, including an exhilarating night dive where they saw sharks and other marine life up close. Our student-scientists also completed snorkels across the reef and recorded fish sightings to help the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority better understand the overall health of the reef.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff (Cambodia: Mr. John Pembroke, Ms. Maree Vallely, Mr. Vince Wall, Ms. Jane Walker. FNQ: Ms. Lauren Bailey and Mr. Sean Lynch) for their exceptional organisation and support, which includes forgoing their own holidays to accompany our students on tour. Their service ensured these enriching experiences were both educational and memorable, and their commitment to our students’ learning and growth is truly appreciated.
Upcoming events
As we approach the end of the year, we find ourselves on the threshold of new beginnings and heartfelt farewells. Term 4 is rich with exciting activities that truly showcase the vibrant spirit of our school community as we celebrate achievements, welcome new faces, and honour the journeys we’ve shared together. From Celebration of Excellence this Thursday to Orientation Day, the blessing of our new student leaders, the Class of 2025, to all of our cherished graduation events, and so much more, there is always a lot happening in Term 4. I encourage you to monitor our School App and your emails for information and updates regarding all of the events and activities throughout the term.
Right to Disconnect
As we celebrate these important milestones in our student’s learning journey, I’d like to remind our community about our Employee Right to Disconnect Guidelines. These guidelines reflect the Fair Work Commission’s right to disconnect clause, which came into effect on 26 August 2024.
We kindly ask all parents and caregivers to remember that, when reaching out, you can expect a response to electronic communication between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday, and within two working days. We appreciate your understanding and support in promoting a healthy work-life balance for our staff, ensuring they can continue to provide high quality care, support and learning experiences for our students.
May God bless our school community this term and guide us to Listen with Curiosity, Speak with Courage and Act with Integrity.
Mrs. Catherine O’Kane (Principal).
