By Mrs Liisa Hammond, Principal

Matthew 25: 14-30

Matthew’s Gospel calls us to use our God-given abilities, talents, and resources wisely for the betterment of ourselves and others. The story tells us that a master entrusts three servants with varying amounts of money before embarking on a journey. Two servants work hard and invest the money, earning more money and utilising the resources wisely. The other servant buries the money and does nothing with it. There is no growth on the master’s money as the servant who buried the money was fearful of losing the money he had been given. Interestingly, upon the master’s return, the master praises the servants who used their abilities and talents to increase his profits and derides the servant who did nothing, calling him “lazy”.

This Gospel is very clear in its message. The equivalent of this message, for our community, is that we expect our students to be the hardest working people for their own success. During enrolment interviews, I like to explain it as, here at Assumption College, it is the responsibility of our staff to provide every opportunity for our young people’s success. Be it to organise quality teaching and learning experiences, to provide – camps, retreats, guest speakers, incursions, and excursions, to celebrate, to challenge … that is the responsibility of our staff.

The responsibility of our students is to take advantage of those opportunities. To do something with them to value add to their experiences and to gain the success that they deserve. If a student decides not to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them, if they decide to bury these opportunities and do nothing, then, similar to the third servant in the Gospel, they will not achieve to their fullest potential – and that would be a great shame. 

Year 12 Graduation Mass, Presentation Ceremony and Clap Out

As you would be aware, on Friday 17 November 2023, we said our final goodbyes to the Senior Class of 2023. From the Funday on the Wednesday, the Valedictory dinner on Thursday night, to the events on Friday – it was an exceptional week of celebration.

We would like to congratulate the entire cohort for their success and thank them for their leadership of our community during 2023. I present to you my speech – for those who were present, you will note the absence of my response to Fr Bony’s remarkable Homily.

Year 12 Graduation – Principal’s Address

Good morning, Assumption College.

To our guests, to our families, to our staff, to our students, and most importantly to our 2023 Graduating Class. At the end of Term 3, 2022 – these seniors of 2023 were gathered in St James’ Hall. They spent two days consolidating their knowledge of leadership and devising their understanding of what their legacy would be for Assumption College.

Whilst many ideas and thoughts were considered, one small idea stuck, and so ‘Create a Ripple’ was born. You would have heard mention of this theme throughout our graduation Mass this morning. However, one thing has stuck with me throughout this year, and I am sorry to who said it as I can’t remember and I don’t want to miscredit – the statement arose when we were discussing what symbol could be used to represent your theme, your legacy when we gathered as a community much like we have today? The comment was – “Why do we have to be a rock, can’t we be the ripple?” It has taken over twelve months and yet here we sit today, realising that you havet, in fact, not been the rock, but the ripple – and this is your legacy.

So how was that achieved?

Through hard work and countless hours of study, meetings, coaching sessions, sporting events, cultural events, and spiritual endeavours.

Whilst we could spend hours contemplating the successes and challenges of 2023, there is one example that I believe encapsulates this senior cohort. A cohort that is distinct in that they are not the large splash of a rock aggressively entering into the water, but the gentle, consistent and continued ripple that is born from that splash – gently and yet insistently demonstrating the true essence of education – that being, education and learning is not just about going to school and getting your QCE – it is about widening and deepening your knowledge and absorbing the truth about life. It is about recognising education extends beyond the individual learner and a successful education is when our learners are able to positively influence and inspire others in our community.

We have witnessed this via this cohort’s ability to raise over $15,000 shared amongst seven charities and community groups. This was done by seeking sponsorship and involving our wider community, by organsing College days that saw all our students dressed up, laughing, sharing, dancing and coming to an understanding that the core values of compassion, wisdom, generosity and justice are a lived experienced, not simply values written on the wall of Assumption Hall.

Last night we celebrated with our seniors and their families, in the long-standing tradition of our Assumption College Valedictory dinner. Valedictory comes from the Latin word “valeo” which means “be well” or “fare thee well”. So, Vale senior class of 2023 and remember that through Truth and Love, your ripple will continue. 

Orientation Day

Just after we farewelled our Class of 2023, on Wednesday, 22 November 2023, we welcomed our Class of 2029.

90+ students joined our 2024 Student Leaders, as well as staff, to engage in several activities that are specifically designed to for us to prepare for our incoming students. It was such as lovely day, filled with learning and laughter.

Assumption College understands the significance of an orientation day, as it serves as a bridge between primary and secondary schooling. It allows for our students to enter 2024 with a confidence and comfort level that would otherwise be missing. Orientation day acts as a compass, guiding students through the maze of a new learning environment – including, our College’s values, expectations and the support networks available.

The Class of 2024 and the Class of 2029 were able to forge a sense of camaraderie and unity, which paves the way for a positive and successful start to our Year 7s’ start to their high school careers.

May our Mother Mary grant her blessings upon our College Community. 

By Mrs Anna Hardy, Assistant Principal Curriculum 

Years 7-11 Semester 2 2023 Reports – will be published via Sentral. Please ensure that you have access to the Parent Portal on Sentral.

Timetables for 2024 will be emailed to all students the week of 15 January, 2024. 

As we reflect on the year 2023, it is with great pleasure that we share with you the exciting developments and achievements at Assumption College. The past year has witnessed a multitude of changes and innovations in our curriculum. We have strived to create an environment that fosters academic success and personal growth for all our students, with a strong emphasis on tailored approaches and continuous improvement.

One of the highlights of this year has been the introduction of Version 9.0 of the Australian Curriculum across various departments at our College. This update signifies our commitment to staying at the forefront of educational excellence, ensuring our students receive the best possible education.

In Semester 2, we introduced a more personalised approach for our Year 10 students. They were given the opportunity to participate in micro-credentialing courses, allowing them to accumulate valuable QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education) points, along with a selection of Mathematics and English that is suited to their Senior pathways. This initiative was designed to provide our Year 10 students with a head start in their educational journey, enabling them to make the most of their academic potential.

Years 10, 11, and 12 students benefitted from Academic Coaching sessions throughout the year. These sessions were meticulously designed to map and monitor their educational progress, ensuring that each student is on the right track to achieving their desired pathway.

For our Years 7-9 students, PAT testing occurred across the year as an essential tool that allows us to identify areas of growth and areas in need of improvement. This data driven approach assists us in targeting our teaching and learning strategies to cater to the unique needs of each student.

At Assumption College we believe in recognising and celebrating the hard work and achievements of our students. We held Semester 2, 2022, and Semester 1, 2023 Academic Pin ceremonies, where students were awarded for their outstanding academic performance. Additionally, Aspirational Achievement Awards were presented based on Term 1 and Term 3 Interim Reports, further acknowledging the dedication of our students. We also celebrated the remarkable growth demonstrated by students in their NAPLAN testing.

Behind every student's success, our dedicated teaching staff have played a crucial role. Our educators have actively engaged in professional development in areas of their interest, striving to enhance the learning experience in their classrooms. To foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing, teachers have formed professional learning teams to conduct research and find innovative ways to improve our pedagogy.

Our commitment to student success extends beyond academic pursuits. We have continuously worked on enhancing our policies and procedures surrounding teaching and learning to ensure that every student at our College discovers a pathway suited to their unique strengths and aspirations. Building strong relationships with our students and their families has been a cornerstone of our approach, and these conversations have enriched the educational experience for all involved.

As we conclude this year, we eagerly anticipate another year of teaching and learning at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to providing an enriching and supportive environment that empowers our students to achieve their full potential. We look forward to building on the accomplishments of 2023 and continuing our journey of educational excellence.

Wishing you all a Happy and Holy Christmas.

By Mrs Julie Collins, Assistant Principal Pastoral and Wellbeing

   

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By Mrs Patrice Riordan, Assistant Principal Mission and Identity 

What is Advent and why do we celebrate it?

Advent is a season of the liturgical year observed in most Christian denominations as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year in Western Christianity and is part of the wider Christmas and holiday season. Today, Friday, 24 November, we as a school community came together to celebrate this season of hope and expectation during Period 1.

Year 12 Graduation

Last Friday, the class of 2023 graduated from Assumption College. The liturgical aspect of the ceremony focused on the Gospel of Matthew. Upon reflecting on the Gospel, Fr Bony talked to our Year 12s about the importance of being a disciple, one who is connected to family, school, community and ultimately humanity. He urged them to remember where they came from and that they will always belong and will always be loved.

Our sincere hope for our graduates is that they will become people of action, people who use their skills and talents to work for the good of their communities. As a catholic school, this is our most important measure of success, this is the reason we strive to achieve our best in our classes and this is why RE is a compulsory subject.  Exposing our students to this teaching hopefully allows them to recognise the joys and sorrows of the world and feel empowered to do something about them. In short, this is so they can live the mission of Christ.

“Never see a need without trying to do something about it” Mary Mackillop 

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Christmas Liturgy

Today we celebrated our Christmas Liturgy where we came together to reflect on the birth of Christ and the importance of Our Lady Mary who was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus.  Mary was brave enough to say yes to God’s request even though she was afraid and uncertain of her future. Students took part in prayer and song.

Prayer for Advent

Father in heaven,

By Mrs Amanda McCosker, College Chaplain

Just like that, and it’s Week 8. As the school year draws to a close and we all start to think about our holiday plans and Christmas wish list, I’d love for you all to take a moment to reflect on the year that has been. Perhaps this was your very first year in secondary school – did you make lots of new friends, enjoy the new subjects you studied, work hard and achieve great results? Maybe next year is your final year of secondary school – have you pushed yourself to reach your maximum potential? Are your friendships strong and positive? Will you be pleased with your grades when you see your report card? You might be somewhere in between your first and final year…you should still ask yourself all the same questions and make a commitment to yourself to be the very best version of yourself that you can be.

We, as a College, have spent a lot of time this year reinforcing how important it is to be kind. It costs $0 to be a kind human; to do something for no other reason than to make another person smile. When we talk about kindness, we are not talking about monumental acts that take an enormous amount of time or effort. Hold the door open for someone, pull in your legs when someone walks past, say “bless you” when someone sneezes, help someone pick up their dropped belongings, or just simply smile. Try to carry these ideas with you as we approach the Christmas season. So many people are struggling at the moment and your kindness could truly make their day.   

Enjoy your break and enjoy the time with your family and friends. Eat all the yummy Christmas food and do something each day that makes you feel happy and recharge your batteries so that when we return in 2024, we can smash our goals and achieve great things.

By Mr Thomas Duggan, Sports Coordinator 

By Ms Taylor Quinn, Teacher Librarian

End of year in the library

As we come to the end of our school year we will be recalling all our texts books at the the end of Week 7 (18 November, 2023), excluding any books that will be required for exam revision. If a book has been recalled and your student still needs it, please encourage them to come and talk to us in the library.   Equally if your student has an ACW library or text book at home not being used, please send it in.  All our books get cleaned and checked, ready for our next school year.

The library will be closed in week 9 to allow us to clean, sort and finalise.  We have had a busy, productive 2023 and we look forward to 2024, being a hub for our ACW community, providing support with resources, learning and lunch time fun.