Vice Principal's Report
Welcome to the Year 10-12 Campus for all parents and 1,176 students as we embark on the 2020 school year. Students are to be commended on the manner in which they have started the academic year. We welcome for the first time the new Year 10 cohort and renew our connections with the Year 11 and 12 students, who will use this year to consolidate and build on work of previous years.
To our 26 new students who join Padua College for the first time in 2020, we welcome you and your families. We look forward to seeing you share your gifts and talents and would like you to know that we are here as a community to support you on your journey.
A key priority for the College, and specifically on the Year 10-12 campus, is continuing to develop a ‘culture of high expectation’. This language is and will continue to be part of everyday language here at Padua College in 2020. This will see students encouraged and challenged to be their best at all times in all aspects at Padua.
The College Opening Mass on Thursday 20 February will also allow parents to meet with homeroom teachers and House Co-ordinators prior to the commencement of Mass. This is an opportunity for all parents and students to begin or consolidate the valuable relationship that exists between the school and home through spending time with their homeroom teacher and House Co-ordinator.
The Year 12 students began the year by attending their house retreats. These retreats are regarded by past students as a highlight of their time at Padua, and the move to the very start of the year was in response to the overwhelming feedback that students wanted to forge a close relationship with their teachers and House co-ordinators as soon as possible. The retreat program provides an opportunity to focus on who each student is as an individual, within the wider community, their connection to family and the contribution they can have to the world outside Padua. It is part of the College Mission on educating and developing the whole person. I am sure that as parents you would have shared many conversations around what transpired on retreat.
The next few weeks will see many students complete their first SAC, SAT or assessment, which form the building blocks for 2020. At this time, students will have access to all of their marks for all of their subjects. I encourage all students and parents to communicate with their subject teacher and homeroom teacher in the pursuit of excellence in all they encounter at Padua where as a community we develop a culture of high expectations.
Curtis Stone
Vice Principal
Head of 10-12 Campus, Mornington
John XXIII Year 12 Retreat
John XXIII Year 12’s started the year off with a bang with a three-day retreat at Ferngully Lodge, Healesville. This retreat was a time to get to know the members of our homeroom, and more importantly our House, on a more personal level.
The staff at Ferngully Lodge went above and beyond and surpassed all our expectations. We arrived to immaculate facilities, where we were greeted by friendly smiles and furry friends (Jet and Cooper). The food was delicious and they made sure we never starved. The camp offered a wide variety of activities that we were lucky enough to take part in, from the giant swing and archery to the pool. We can all agree the pool was a major highlight and life saver on the retreat while dealing with three days of intense heat. Around the camp you could hear music from the piano and cheers of laughter and joy from the endless games of table tennis, billiards, air hockey, cards and Uno games which were played by all during our downtime.
While the days gave us an opportunity to enjoy ourselves and connect through many thought-provoking sessions, the nights were where our homerooms came together to connect in friendly rivalries. We would like to give a special mention and thank you to Mr Butler and Ms Blake who planned and organised the Trivia and “Survivicon” game nights. Congratulations to John XXIII 4 who won the Trivia and John XXIII 2 who won the Survivicon race.
Retreat is a time to disconnect from our normal lives and reflect on our own personal journeys in the past, present and future. Throughout the sessions we were able to look back on our journies as individuALS. The letters our parents sent us, the letters we wrote ourselves and the affirmations we wrote for one another are sure to become an invaluable memento for the next chapter of our lives. We would like to thank Mr Harrison for guiding us through a reflection session and liturgy which allowed to us to reflect on the Catholic ethos of the College and how it relates to us.
Lastly and most importantly, we would like to thank Mrs Marshall and all the Homeroom Teachers that came along to retreat for giving up their time to step away from their own lives and families. We really enjoyed retreat and it was an exciting way to kick off 2020!!
Phoebe Canning and Monique Beard
2020 John XXIII House Captains
Top Arts and Top Design Award
Congratulations to 2019 Year 12 student, Matthew McLean, who has been selected as a Top Arts 2020 student. The annual Top Arts exhibition is a significant part of the National Gallery of Victoria calendar, presenting the exceptional and thought-provoking work of VCE Art and VCE Studio Arts students from the Victorian Certificate of Education of the previous school year.
Matthew’s work, ‘Anamnesis’ tells a story of sickness, family and emotions based upon his experience of his grandfather’s decline due to Alzheimer’s. “After spending an afternoon with him, it became apparent that not only did he not know my name, but he didn't remember anyone in our family,” explains Matthew. “My artwork comprises of three emotions on one face, based on the emotional states he transitioned through in a single conversation. It aims to acknowledge the disease and its effects, yet still emphasise my grandfather’s personality”.
Matthew's work will be exhibited as part of the Top Arts Exhibition, at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia from Friday 13 March to Sunday 19 July 2020.
We also wish to congratulate Matthew’s teacher, Barb Roeding on this magnificent recognition, along with Tara Hovancek and teacher Ms Christine Blake (VCD) and Isabella Bisogni and teacher Mr Sam Noonan (Media) were also shortlisted for the Top Design Award.
2020 School Photo Orders
Annual school photos have been taken at all campuses this week.
To be able to view the images of your child and order photos, you will need to register online.
1. Go to the Arthur Reed Photos website
2. Enter the 2020 image code for your child (from their personalised flyer distributed by their homeroom teacher)
3. Fill in your email and mobile details
That’s it! You’ll be notified by email/SMS when images are ready to view and purchase.
In the webshop you can view photos and customize your photo package; Choose ANY layout, ANY image plus purchase digital image downloads.
Even if you registered last year, you still need to register again this year to link your child’s images for the current year with your details.
Please note that all photo packages will be sent directly to you at home this year, so please ensure that you enter your correct details and delivery address upon checkout.
ANY PROBLEMS – Please contact Arthur Reed Photos directly:
Email - customerservice@arphotos.com.au
ARP Customer Service Phone: (03) 5243 4390
Year 10 Maths Support
For students needing assistance with Maths studies or perhaps a space for independent study aftr school, after-school support is available:
When: Monday-Thursday 3.30pm-4.30pm
Where: U122 commencing
After-school maths support commences Monday 24 February and is in addition to what is already on offer in maths tutorial sessions.
Val Hardie
Teacher | Maths
St Vinnies Bushfire Appeal
When we gather for our whole College Opening Assembly next Tuesday 11 February, we will take the opportunity to have a school-wide appeal for the St Vinnies Bushfire Appeal. The assembly will include a liturgy focusing on the College Year of Light and how we can be a light to others, particularly in their darkest times. We ask that students bring a gold coin donation if they are able to do so.
We thank you for your support.
Michael Harrison
Vice Principal: Mission & Community
Padua College Rugby Top
Padua has introduced a new rugby top for students to wear with their sports uniform. It is replacing the polar fleece, but is being phased in gradually so it’s not an immediate cost for parents.
Year 7s are to wear the rugby top and/or soft shell jacket over their PE polo top for sport. Students in all other year levels (8-12) can still wear the polar fleece with their sports uniform on the days they have PE, or the new rugby top if parents wish to purchase them.
The rugby tops are not to be worn as an alternative to the blazer.
The cost for the rugby top is $85.00 and they can be purchased through the Dobsons uniform shops at Padua’s Mornington and Rosebud Campuses.
