Dear Parents, Guardians and Students

We were saddened over the recent school holidays of the tragic news of the passing of Year 12 student Teagan Mann in a horse riding accident. Teagan was a young lady who had a love for animals and who was thriving in the VCAL program. Teagan will be sadly missed by her classmates and the wider College community and we keep her family (mother Debbie, father John and brothers Nathan and Brayden), and those close to her, in our thoughts and prayers at this very sad and difficult time.

May she rest in Peace.

I share with all members of the College community this prayer that was written by the Year 12 student leaders for Teagan.

Loving God,
Today we pray for Teagan.
A daughter, a sister, a student, a friend, a best friend, a school peer,
and now an angel.

We pray that she rest easily, amongst the angels, in the arms of Mary.
May she be welcomed by God to her eternal home,
and know that she is in a better place.

We pray for her parents, her brothers and extended family.
We pray for all whose lives have been touched by tragedy.
For those who are mourning, surround them with love
and lead them through this darkness into your arms and light.

Help us to always care for each other in our school.
Give us the strength to reach out to one another
through this difficult time.

With the comfort of your love Lord,
may we find the courage to face each new day in unity and with hope.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.
One God for ever and ever.

Amen

May Teagan Rest in Peace.

COVID19 Update

I wish to thank all members of the Padua College community for their agility as we have returned to onsite learning for our Year 11 and 12 students last week and remote learning for most of our Year 7 – 10 students this week. Members of the Padua College staff continue to work hard to ensure we are providing an appropriate and rigorous learning program, as well as pastoral support to our student body. Today has been the first day of mandatory face masks for all of us and I wish to thank students and staff for the manner in which they have undertaken this requirement as we work together to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

School Reports and Progress Reporting

Parents will have received notifications at the end of last term regarding semester 1 reports being available on PAM. This week we will have our Progress Reporting Sessions commencing this afternoon (Thursday 23 July) and continuing during the day tomorrow (Friday 24 July). My thanks to parents that have booked interview times with teachers and to our teachers who will be onsite at school conducting these remote interviews.

Staff Professional Learning Day – Monday 13 July

On Monday 13 July (first day of term 3) all staff were involved in a Professional Learning Day which included involvement in School Review sessions and a presentation from Rhonda Pincott on Inclusive Education. I thank Mr Michael Harrison and Ms Marjorie Canal for organising this day.

Year 9 into 10 Information Evening and ECAT

Next Wednesday 29 July we will be hosting our Year 9 into 10 information Evening followed by the ECAT Evening on Thursday 30 July. Both these evenings will be quite different from previous years in that they are being held remotely. Parents, guardians and students will be provided with information and links to participate in these sessions next week.

Staff and Community News

I wish to congratulate Ms Tina Lunny on her appointment to position of Co-Director at the Tyabb Campus. Tina replaces Mr Peter Kerr in this role and I wish to thank Peter for his work and contributions during his time as Co-Director. I also wish to welcome back Mr Rob Knight who will resume his role as Tyabb Co-Director and I thank Mr Ryan Gingell for his work in replacing Rob during his period of leave.

I wish to welcome the following staff to the College:

Mr Mark Janke to the College Finance Team as the interim replacement for Ms Shelley Iles, Ms Rebecca Hayes replacing Ms Tina Lunny as a part time teacher until the end of 2020 at Rosebud, Ms Iris Parker, part time Library Assistant at Mornington, Ms Lucy Clapham, part time Study Centre Supervisor at Mornington.

I wish to congratulate Mrs Sheryl Paton (R) as commences in the role as Rosebud Daily Organiser for the remainder of this year and Mrs Kylie Donnelly (M) on her appointment as College Production Director for the 2021 College Production.

I extend my best wishes to Ms Sue Latrobe (M) as she commences Long Service Leave for term 3. Sue is being replaced by Mrs Christine Smith. I also extend my best wishes to Mrs Tara McGarry (T) as she commences leave for term 3 and I thank Mr Simon Farrar as he commences as a part-time teacher at Tyabb replacing Tara. Mr Adam Cooper has taken leave for the first two week of term 3 and Mr Mark de Fazio has taken leave for the first 3 weeks of term 3.

Congratulations also to Mr Ryan Gingell (T) on the arrival of his baby boy, Edison Morris and congratulations also to Ms Bec Seal on the arrival of baby boy Jack William over the holidays.

Kind regards and God Bless,

Anthony Banks
Principal

Prayer

ST ANTHONY PRAYER

As we begin this new term with its new challenges and possibilities…

We pray for all students, staff and families in our Padua school community

that we might seek to live the example that St Anthony of Padua is to us all.

The light of God’s truth shone brightly in his heart,

flowing over into the passion of his preaching

and the love with which he met all people,

particularly the poor and dispirited.

May the same light shine in us and our school community throughout this year,

and in everything we do as a school community blessed by his name.

Amen.