By Mr Simon Fleming - Principal

This term we have been joined by Mrs Cate Tunstall, Mr Joel Casey, and Miss Caroline Fern. Mrs Tunstall joins the Maths department and comes to us with over 10 years’ experience and the capability of teaching Mathematics at the highest level. Mr Casey returns to ACW after a brief stint in 2012. Mr Casey will be teaching Mathematics and Science and comes to us having been acting Head of Mathematics and has experience in leadership, especially in the wellbeing area. Miss Fern is beginning her teaching career and is a past student. Miss Fern will be teaching P.E and Science. Ms Smith, acting DP, will join us in week 3 after fulfilling the mandatory hotel quarantine period.

Last Friday we held our Academic Pin and NAIDOC Week Assembly. It was very pleasing to see the number of students receiving an Academic Pin for their performances in their studies throughout semester 1. We also celebrated NAIDOC Week. This year’s theme is 'Heal Country', acknowledging the significance of 'Country' to First Peoples and cultures. The theme calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect and maintain all aspects of First Nations' culture and heritage.

We strongly encourage students to set academic learning goals. Setting goals to try to outdo your previous best effort is known as 'growth goal setting' or 'personal best goals'. It is fundamentally focused on self-improvement, such as investing more time or effort in a task than before or striving to achieve a higher result in the next test.. We find students who set goals like these are more engaged in school than those who do not. The benefits are even more positive for students in lower socio-economic groups and students who have had low levels of  achievement previously.

Each term has a busy beginning, and this one is no exception. We have already had Year 11 academic interviews, hosted the Warwick Careers Expo, conducted parent teacher interviews, and have held interviews for student leadership positions. Our new student leaders will be inducted on the 13^th of August. Just a reminder to all that the Bishop's Inservice Day will be Friday 30^th of July. This day is a Pupil Free day for the school. 

In news late to hand, Ms Krause has decided to move on. We will do our best to find a teacher of Spanish, however, in the mean time, we can cover our mandatory language requirement with Japanese as we have two highly qualified teachers on staff.

Catholic Education Week 2021 - A Spirited Tomorrow

Catholic Education Week will be held from 25th – 31st of July this year, providing an opportunity for all Catholic education communities around Queensland to celebrate and promote the distinctive mission of Catholic schooling.

The theme of Catholic Education Week in 2021 is 'A Spirited Tomorrow'.

This theme acknowledges the long tradition of Catholic education and its continued relevance in preparing students for the future.

The theme references the work of the Plenary Council in discerning the way forward for the Church in Australia and complements the Faith in the Future theme of the 200 years of Catholic Education celebrations.

During Catholic Education Week 2021, Catholic education communities across Queensland are invited to celebrate and share how they represent A Spirited Tomorrow.

Kind Regards, 

Simon