A big congratulations to our students who took part in the Battle of the Chefs at St. Peter’s Catholic College.
Such a fantastic day and we are very proud of the effort our St Brigid’s students put in and taking home 3rd place!
NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to recognise and learn more about the history and culture of indigenous communities.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, when on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Today, it is a week-long celebration held in July that consists of range of traditional and contemporary activities.
NAIDOC Week is an important event that helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities. NAIDOC week is an opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future. Families are encouraged to join in and support young people in learning the significance of NAIDOC Week.
This Special Report offers suggestions on how families can celebrate NAIDOC Week together. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.
Click here to view your Special Report
The Parliament of NSW and Government House jointly conduct a civics and citizenship program for Year 12 captains and student leaders from all NSW secondary schools. It gives the student leaders the opportunity to develop their knowledge of our system of government, parliamentary proceedings, the role of members of parliament, and the role of the Governor of NSW.
The student leadership program has now been running for more than 20 years. Schools are invited in their state electorates across separate dates during Term 2. The program is only held on Sitting Days so that students are able to meet their local member of Parliament.
Tom and Lilly participated in this day. Thank you to Yasmin Catley MP for the invitation to this insightful event.
Under 16 girls NRL rugby league gala day at Rogers Park Woy Woy was filled with memorable moments despite the challenges with weather (freezing) and a shortened schedule.
Starting the day with a skills session run by the NRL team must have been invigorating for the girls, helping them warm up and focus before their games.
Playing three games and securing a win despite one team forfeiting shows the resilience and skill of our girls team. It’s understandable that we all were disappointed with the early end to the day, but it’s great to see the girls enjoyed playing together and demonstrated teamwork on the field.
The support from Year 11 students from the Sports Coaching class, who assisted with warm-ups, coaching, and organisation, was invaluable. Their involvement highlights the positive impact of mentorship and peer support in sports.
Special recognition goes to Mr. Philpot, the dedicated team coach and college bus driver for the day, whose efforts contributed significantly to the success and smooth operation of the day. His commitment is truly commendable.
Overall, despite the challenges, it was a rewarding day filled with camaraderie, sportsmanship, and the joy of playing a beloved sport. Congratulations to all involved on a successful and memorable gala day!
Emily H of Year 12 has been participating in high level competition for F18 catamaran Sailing with her brother James. This year’s achievements are:
- Nacra Nationals 2nd overall
- F 18 Nationals 4th overall
- 1st male female combination
- 2nd overall in NSW Traveller Series.
Emily is representing Australia in World Titles in Spain in June 2024!
Emily has also achieved 1st in Combined High Schools regatta with Sam D, with all 1st place finishes in the regatta.
It’s a very eventful and rewarding week with your Oztag teams!
It’s impressive have six teams participating in the central coast secondary school tournament and the successes of your girls’ teams in particular. Placing 4th, Year 7&8 and 8th Year 9&10 teams in their pools and making it to the quarter finals shows their skill and determination.
It’s also great to share that all the teams played well and gave their best effort, even if the wins didn’t always come through. Events like these are valuable not just for the competition but for the lessons in sportsmanship and teamwork that they provide to the students.
Acknowledging the hard work of your coaches and staff, Mrs Carantinos, Mr Devlin, Mrs Turner, and Mrs Walters, is important too. Their dedication in training the teams and supporting them during the event contributed greatly to your teams’ performance.
And of course, the support of parents is crucial and much appreciated in these endeavours.
Overall, Oztag is a fantastic event filled with achievements and positive experiences for everyone involved.
Congratulations to all the participants, coaches, and supporters on a job well done!
Congratulations to your College Representatives at the Catholic Schools NSW Cross Country event! Jariah R, Oliver K, Isaiah R, Jack M, Tom M and Chase B all performed admirably on a challenging course at the Sydney Equestrian Centre. Sending six students to represent Broken Bay is indeed a great achievement, reflecting their dedication and skill.
Special recognition goes to Isaiah from Year 11 for making it into the NSW CCC team. Competing at the state level next month is a significant accomplishment and a testament to his hard work and talent!
Moreover, achieving first place overall in the team’s events at the Broken Bay carnival is a fantastic result. It’s clear that Jack M, Tom, Chase B, Isaiah R, Oliver K, and Liam W contributed immensely to this success across various age categories.
Well done to all the boys for their outstanding performances and representing your college with such distinction.
In today’s digital age, our children are growing up with technology at their fingertips. As part of school education and more directly in the PDHPE curriculum we actively teach and guide students in how they navigate the online world. We believe it is essential that young people understand the concept of a digital footprint and how to ensure their online safety. While the internet offers countless opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection, it also presents risks that we must be mindful of. Our young people are “digital natives” and have a certain level of comfort in using the online environment, that for many of us is changing so rapidly that we cannot keep up.
In a recent study by acma.gov.au they found that digital connection provides a sense of control in the lives of young people. They stated that young people are confident in these environments and are invested in learning more and using these platforms daily. This research mentioned that two-thirds of young people on average use 5 or more social networking sites which could include Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok etc. Young people also use these platforms to communicate with one another rather than through text message or phone call. This is why it is key for all of us to ensure young people are educated and have protective behaviours and strategies that will keep them informed and safe online.
Every time we go online, we leave a digital footprint. This footprint is all the data associated with our name that can be traced back to us. It includes everything – from the websites we visit to the searches we make on Google. Our digital footprints are stored in places such as search engines, social media platforms, and public databases. Whether it’s the photos we share on social media, the comments we make on online forums, or the websites we visit, everything we do online contributes to our digital footprint. It’s important for children to understand that their digital actions are often permanent and can be accessed by others, including future employers and academic institutions.
It is crucial that we teach our children about the importance of managing their digital footprint responsibly. The ESafety commission offer a wealth of knowledge in supporting both parents and young people as they navigate the online world. Some of the key tips in the information available include:
- Encouraging your child to review their privacy settings on media accounts and online platforms.
- Reminding your child that once something is shared online, it’s difficult to take back. Encourage them to think carefully about what they post.
- Helping your child understand their digital footprint reflects who they are and may have an impact on future employment and reputation.
- Discuss the importance of treating others with kindness and respect online and that cyberbullying can have serious consequences for both the victim and poster.
- Keeping the lines of communication open with your child. Encourage them to come to you if they encounter anything online that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
There are many great sites with information and resources that help to guide parents in helping their children navigate this ever changing and challenging environment. I encourage you to look at these sites and talk to your children about these protective behaviours and strategies.
Alex Walters
Assistant Principal, Student Achievement
