Term four has already seen the return of a number of events that we have been very fortunate and grateful to enjoy.
Last week on Monday 17 October we were delighted to celebrate the Graduation of our Year 12 students with our first Whole College Assembly in quite some time. Students from across the four campuses joined together to celebrate the graduating Class of 2022 and honour the award winners that were presented at the assembly. The College Captains and Vice Captains for 2023 were also announced.
On the afternoon and evening of Tuesday 18 October, Year 12 students and their families came together to celebrate the Year 12 Graduation Mass in the Mornington Campus gym, followed by the Valedictory celebration at the New Peninsula Centre in Mt Martha.
I would like to thank the following staff for all their planning and preparation for these wonderful events: Mr Curtis Stone, Mrs Deb Clarke, Ms Julie Young, Mrs Helen Sugameli, Mr Travis Pearce, Senior House Co-ordinators (Mrs Mona Esmaty, Mr Terry Luppino, Mr Anthony Barnhoorn, Mr Nathan Bradbury, Mrs Julie Barnhoorn, Mr Paul Ribet, Mrs Sharon Marshall, Mr Lance Albrecht), Assistant House Co-ordinators (Ms Lucy Millar, Ms Alanna Castelli, Mr Sam Noonan and Mrs Ciara Roberts) and Senior Homeroom Teachers, Mr Matthew Williams, Mrs Leah Hirt and members of the Faith Team, Mr Mark Mannock, Mrs Jodie Williams as well as Mr Danny Goss, Mr David Patterson, Ms Deb Hill, Mrs Rita Clough, Ms Lauren Cameron, Mr Rohan Cameron, Mr Aaron Utber and the Maintenance Team, Mrs Kathleen Williams, Ms Di Lewis and Mr Matt Crosling.
It was also wonderful to have Fr Geoff McIlroy and Fr Jude Johnson (St Macartan’s Parish Priest and Assistant Priest) celebrate the Graduation Mass for us.
At the Assembly on Monday, the 2022 College Captains: Alannah Deutsher and Nathan Jinks and Vice Captains: Kirrally Gardiner and Jasmine Biasuzzo, handed over the leadership of the student body to the newly elected 2023 College Captains: Bethany Passmore and Will Deutsher, and Vice Captains, Matilda Leamon and Finn Whitty.
2022 Award Winners
We congratulate 2022 Award Winners announced at the Assembly on Monday were:
The Melanie Holden Surfing and Academic Award
Presented in memory of Melanie Holden (1972 – 2004) a past student of Padua College who completed Year 12 in 1989. This award is given annually to a young woman from Year 11 or 12 who combines an avid interest in surfing with diligence in study.
The
Winner was Ella Fischer of Merton House.
The Susan Lash Award
Sue was instrumental in enabling students’ access to Vocational Education & Training opportunities and this Award is in recognition of the wonderful work she did solely on behalf of the Padua students. Part of the criteria for the decision of who receives the Award reflects this perseverance and the ability to overcome the odds, qualities that Sue possessed.
The winner was Harriet Weideman, Year 11 Francis House.
The Mick McLoughlin Art & Technology Awards
Michael McLoughlin (1943 – 2012) was Deputy Principal and inaugural Head of Rosebud Campus. He was an excellent teacher of Graphics and his design background is evident in the Rosebud Campus. This acknowledgment is given annually to a Year 11 or 12 student who has produced outstanding pieces of work the in Arts and Technology domains as part of their portfolio work for the VCE.
The Winner of the Mick McLoughlin Art Award was Coco Wong, Year 11 Merton House.
The Winner of the Mick McLoughlin Art Award for Technology was Indigo Service Brown, Year 12 Djeembana House.
ADF Young Innovator Award
The Australian Defence Force is encouraging the next generation of innovators, critical thinkers and problem solvers – bright Australian students who are succeeding in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
The winner of the ADF Young Innovator Award for 2022 is Ava Leppitsch of Djeembana House.
The ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership & Teamwork Award
This Award recognises students who demonstrate leadership and teamwork within both the school and the broader community and who display strong values, such as doing one’s best, exemplary leadership, respect for others and “mateship”, that are integral to Australian society.
The
winner of the ADF Youth Leadership & Teamwork Award for 2022 is Kirrally
Gardiner, Year 12 Bernard House.
Helen Broad History Prize
This award is presented by the Mornington and District Historical Society to local students and is aimed at encouraging the ongoing study of history. Students selected for this award demonstrate not only academic excellence in history, but also a passion for the subject.
The winner of the Helen Broad History Prize for 2022 is Luke Wilton, Year 12 MacKillop House.
Year 12 VCAL FMPLLEN Award
Each year the FMPLLEN hosts the VCAL Awards to celebrate the achievements of students, schools and industry partners and recognise the work in the Applied Learning field of education.
This year an Excellence Award will be presented to Eloise Bartrop-Braybon of MacKillop House.
Tyler Shaw Memorial Award
The Tyler Shaw Memorial Award is presented in Honour of a past student who, as a result of being a passenger in a car crash in September 2013, sadly lost her life at the age of 20. Tyler had a zest for life and lived her short life to the fullest. Tyler’s story is shared with many students on the Mornington Peninsula through the XRIVE 4 LIFE program, TRAG. This award is given to a VCAL student who shows determination, strength and the will to live their life to the fullest.
The winner of the Tyler Shaw Memorial Award for 2022 is Shaye Savage of Francis House.
Sports People of Padua College 2022
These students set a great example to the remainder of the school community by consistently displaying good sportsmanship, a willingness to get involved, leadership and a commitment to Padua sporting teams throughout their time at the College.
The 2022 Sportspeople of the Year are Lachlan Caller of MacKillop House and Alannah Deutsher of Elizabeth House.
This award is presented to a student who achieved success beyond Padua in their chosen sport. In 2022 the winner of this award is Sophie Sutton of Djeembana House. Sophie returned for the Oceania Cycling Championships with two gold and a silver medal this year. She placed first with her Victorian teammates at the National Track Championships Team Pursuit race and was selected to wear the Australian Jersey at the Oceania Track Championships (Aus v NZ) Team Pursuit where the team placed first.
Principal's General Excellence Awards
On Tuesday evening at the Year 12 Valedictory Celebration, I was pleased to announce the winners of the Principal’s General Excellence Award for 2022 This year I was unable to select just one winner and I wish to congratulate the two winners for 2022 Rebecca Macinnis (John XXIII House) and Nic Miller (John XXIII House) on receiving this Award.
VCE Exams
Written VCE Exams commenced yesterday on Wednesday 26 October and I extend my best wishes to all students undertaking these exams. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank their teachers, not only for this year, but also for previous years, who have worked with our students to prepare them for these final secondary school exams.
Timetable Structure from 2023
Following the recommendations from Padua Re-Dreaming, as of 2023, the College timetable will move from six periods to a five-period per day. This allows for longer lessons, which enables more effective learning opportunities. The longer lesson within individual studies maximises classroom instruction and the application of learning. Moving forward, this new structure will support the implementation of additional elective options including partial integration of the SIS program for our students.
To support this transition staff have undertaken planning meetings with Learning Areas to adjust curriculum and lesson plans. Students and staff across the College will have the opportunity to experience this new structure firsthand in the week of 21 November when all students and staff undertake a 2023 Head Start Program. This Orientation Program will mean students can experience and become familiar with their 2023 timetable and subjects including Year 9 students from all campuses attending the Mornington Year 10-12 Campus. Details regarding transport for Year 9 will be sent directly to families in the coming weeks.
ACU School Leavers Program
We received information from MACS last week regarding the outcome of the applications from Padua College students for the ACU School Leavers Program. The object of the ACU School Leavers Program is to provide leadership formation for Catholic school leavers through an immersion in the Catholic tradition and Western civilisation. The program will see successful applicants travel to Rome and London for the period 18 November – 10 December and a brief outline of the program is below:
- focuses on some of the major themes arising from the history of the Church and the development of the West
- uses a range of teaching modes and learning activities
- deepens participants’ reflections on their own faith and sharpens their intellectual curiosity about the traditions to which they belong
- becomes a foundation for their own leadership and service after school.
A large number of high-quality applications from MACS schools were received from students applying for a place on the 2022 ACU School Leavers Program and I am delighted to inform you that Mackenzie Dornom has been successful in her application.
Additionally, staff were invited to apply to accompany and supervise students on this program. Once again, we have been informed that there was a high level of interest in the program from schools in the archdiocese and a large number of high-quality applications from staff. I extend my congratulations to Mr Matthew Williams on his successful application! Matt will join Mackenzie and other successful applicants for this program in the coming weeks.
Acting Principal
From today, I will be taking a period of leave for approximately four weeks as I recover from hip surgery. During this time Ms Kelly McGurn will take on the role of Acting Principal and I thank Kelly, along with all members of the CIT, for their support. I look forward to returning prior to the end of the year.
Details regarding the appointment of an Acting Principal for the commencement of 2023 and the consultation and recruitment process for the appointment of a new Principal to Padua College will be provided by MACS in the coming weeks.
Condolences & Congratulations
I extend my condolences to the family of a former student, Jamerson Ross who passed away in a car accident recently.
We also keep in our prayers the family of past Padua College student, Jay Leyonhjelm. Jay left the College in 2006 at the end of Year 11 and was in MacKillop House.
My condolences to Mrs Felicity Cooney (M) on the passing of her mother, Patricia Gill, recently.
We remember in our thoughts and prayers Mrs Laura Roberts (M) on the passing of her sister, Emily, in the UK in recent weeks.
I extend my condolences to Prudence Barwell (T) on the passing of her mother, Kerrie, recently.
Congratulations to Ms Tahlia Little (T) and husband, Perry, on the arrival of Tanner last month.
Congratulations to Ms Sherelle Perry who was married recently to Morgan Wittingslow.
Congratulations to Mr Patrick Beli who was married last weekend to Caitlin den-Bakker.
Staff News
I extend my best wishes to the following staff who have left the College recently:
Ms Marge Kamanev (T)
Mr Bob Wells (M)
Mrs Carol Irving (M)
Ms Renee Kuffer (M)
Mr Michael Eason (M)
We have recently welcomed the following new staff to the College:
Miss Vicky Ronchi in the Wood Technology Department as an assistant.
Mr Jamie Grima a Brass Instrumental Music Teacher.
Mrs Kirsten Robinson commences this week replacing Mrs Monica Brown while she takes a period of leave.
Welcome back to Mrs Nat Beattie who has returned to replace Mr Ned Shannon while he takes a period of leave.
We thank Ms Janine Cox who returns this term replacing Mrs Andrea Cummins, and Ms Melanie Evans, who is replacing Ms Angela Phillips, as these staff members take periods of leave.
We thank Ms Peta Daher for her work in replacing Ms Stacey Romeril for the last few weeks,
We welcome back Ms Corrie Williams who is replacing Ms Anni Dowd until the end of the year whilst she takes a period of leave.
We welcome back from Parental Leave, Ms Mairéad Johnson, who will be assisting in the Learning Enhancement Department until the end of the year.
The following staff will be commencing at the College in the coming weeks:
Mrs Sarah Jeffs (Rosebud and Tyabb) as full-time Library Assistant to commence on 7 November 2022.
Mrs Kate Pizzoferrato (Mornington) as full-time Library Assistant to commence on 17 November 2022.
We welcome Mr David Sango from 2 November – 2 December replacing Kirstin Trewin while she takes a period of leave.
I am pleased to announce the following POL appointments for 2023:
- Director of Music: Paul Jenkins
- Performing Arts Learning Leader: Kylie Donnelly
- Mornington Campus Aspire9 Leader: Charlene Smith
- English Learning Leader: Samantha Dewhurst
I am pleased to announce the following Campus Learning Enhancement Organisers (CLEO) appointments for 2023:
- Rachel Mason (Rosebud Campus)
- Wendy Williams (Tyabb Campus)
- Leigh O’Neill (Mornington Year 7-9 Campus)
- Helen Whitehead (Mornington Year 10-12 Campus)
Congratulations to Mrs Louise Bullock on her appointment to the position of Music Administration Assistant effective immediately.
Victorian State Election
Please see below a message from the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria to all parents of students in Victorian Catholic Schools regarding the State Election scheduled for Saturday 26 November.
Melbourne Cup Holiday
I wish all families a happy and restful long weekend this weekend with Monday being a mid-Term break and Tuesday the Melbourne Cup Day public holiday, we look forward to welcoming staff and students back to school next Wednesday 2 November.
May God bless you and your families.
