Dear Parents, Guardians & Students,

Whole School Assembly

Earlier this week we held another Whole School Remote Assembly and it was wonderful to be able to join with our College community in this way and share in celebrating the gifts and talents of our students. The theme for our assembly was welcoming spring and being a light in the darkness. On Monday evening the churches of Victoria invited us all to join together in prayer on the last evening of winter by standing outside in our own gardens as the last light faded with a candle to remember all those who have lost their lives to the coronavirus or to violence, and to then look to the future with prayer and hope.

This has indeed been a long and difficult winter for us all and we pray together that the coming of spring brings new hope for a way of controlling this virus that has caused so much grief around the world and bringing us back to something closer to ‘normal’.

Unit 3/4 Essential Assessments

Following advice from the VCAA recently, a small number of students undertaking Unit 4 subjects for which it is essential they be onsite to undertake assessment, have been attending the Mornington Campus. When onsite these students are undertaking the protocols of signing in and out, having their temperature taken upon arrival and wearing masks. I wish to thank all staff involved in ensuring this important assessment can continue for these students, particularly the Assistant Heads of Campus – Learning and Pedagogy Year 10 -12, Mr Travis Pearce and Mrs Helen Sugameli.

Grade 6 Interviews

On 20 August we conducted remote interviews with our incoming Year 7 2021 students. This was a massive undertaking for all those involved and I wish to again thank Mr Phil Helisma, College Transition Co-ordinator, Mrs Lisa Jordan, Enrolments Registrar and Mr Luke Low, Director of e-Learning, for ensuring the success of this important process for our incoming students and all staff involved in organising and conducting these interviews.

Kind regards and God Bless,

Anthony Banks
Principal

Prayer

The churches of Victoria invited all people to stand in their gardens on the last night of wintrer and light a candle as a sign that the hope of spring will bring light to our communities.

The Padua community proudly supported this initiative and many families lit their candles and stood for a time in silent prayer to remember those who have lost their lives to COVID-19 or to violence, and to pray for the future with hope.

Jesus said… don’t hide your light
… put it on a stand for everyone to see.

The light of your arms to embrace in greeting
The light of your legs to walk beside
The light of your hands to hold the weary
The light of your voice to call for what’s just
The light of your ears to hear others’ stories
The light of your eyes to see the horizon
The light of your mind to find pathways through
The light of your heart to feel others pain
The light of your soul to be true to yourself and all you believe.

Jesus said… don’t hide your light
… put it on a stand for everyone to see.