Welcome to all members of our community as we commence the 2022 school year. I particularly welcome all new students and their families to the College along with our new staff colleagues for 2022.
Our annual College theme for this year is taken from the words of Sr Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, 'Meet all with peace and love'.
As we return to a new school year, with what we hope will be a return to ‘normality’, what a wonderful way for us all to consider our interactions with each other. Both with those we already know and with new people we meet, what a great attitude to have, to be able to meet all with peace and love.
It is wonderful to have welcomed back all students to the College over recent weeks and they seem to be settling back into the rhythm of school life. I thank parents for working with us in the Covid-19 surveillance testing and we assume that this will only continue until the end of next week. As has been the case over the last couple of years, we will forward any updates to families as information comes to hand.
I again remind all families that if students are displaying any symptoms of Covid they should remain at home.
College Opening Assembly
Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions we have been unable to all join together at the Mornington Campus for our annual College Opening Assembly this year as we usually do, however on Tuesday this week we celebrated this assembly online with students, staff and parents from across the College joining the live-streamed event.
This assembly provided an opportunity to welcome our new Year 7 students as well as celebrate the high achieving 2021 VCE students and it was wonderful to have our 2021 College Dux, Anisha Mannock, join us in the Pearson Lecture Theatre to address the College community.
My thanks to Mr Curtis Stone, Mrs Helen Sugameli, Mr Travis Pearce, Mrs Rita Clough, Ms Lauren Cameron, Ms Kate McLoughlin, Mrs Cherie Gage, Ms Lucy Clapham, Ms Dianne Lewis, Mark Mannock and the IT Team for all their work in preparing this assembly.
House Welcome Evenings
House Welcome Evening were also held last week in an online platform and I thank Mr Phillip Helisma, Mr Luke Low, Mr Shaun Price, Heads of Campus, House Co-ordinators and homeroom teachers for all their efforts in ensuring the success of these events.
Commencement Eucharist
As has been communicated earlier, this important celebration in our College calendar has been postponed until such time that we can gather together. At this stage it has been tentatively scheduled for Tuesday 22 March.
Staff News
Congratulations and Condolences
Congratulations to Ms Mairead Johnson (M) on the arrival of baby Orlaith Anne Christine over the holidays.
Congratulations also to Ms Rebecca Sawyer on the arrival of baby Abby recently.
I extend my condolences to Mrs Agnes O’Grady (M – Library) on the death of her sister, Trish, who passed away in England earlier in the year and to Ms Jacinta Watson (M) on the passing of her father recently.
Welcome
We welcome the following new staff to the College this year:
• Letitia Adams (M) English/Psychology (Keysborough Secondary College)
• Tracey Alles (M) Psychology/Science (Huntingtower)
• Prudence Barwell (T) Library Technician (Casey Cardinia Library)
• Anastasia Betts (M) Languages (Graduate)
• Holly Blake (M) English (Elisabeth Murdoch College)
• Alfred Calleja (R) Languages (Brighton Primary School)
• Lauren Cameron (M) VASS Assistant
• Cassandra Collier (R) Learning Support Officer (St Macartan’s Primary School)
• Kerry Davies (M) Maths/RE/Science
• Sean Egan (M) Maths and House Coordinator (St Macartan’s Primary School)
• Kaiden Forsyth (M) VCAL and Tutoring
• Matthew Foy (M) Science/Geography (Graduate)
• Romain Gannon (M) Learning Support Officer (Benton Junior College)
• Stephanie Hankinson (R) Lab Tech
• Catriona Hanna (M) Library Tech
• Ethan Harkins (M) English/Philosophy (Graduate)
• Madeline Hatley-Smith (M) English/RE/Humanities (Graduate)
• Barry Howle (M) Maths & Clare House Coordinator (Dromana Secondary College)
• Bomani Jackson (T) Learning Support Officer (prior casual work with Padua College)
• Tarsha Jones (M) Physical Education & Outdoor Education Assistant
• Kumari Macdougall (R/M) Library Technician (Whitefriars College)
• Kate McLoughlin (M) VASS Administrator (Nazareth College)
• Rachael McIvor (M) Enrolments Assistant (from private sector)
• Loretta McKail (M) Careers, Humanities (Kilbreda College)
• Beth Meades (M) Physical Education (job-share)
• Letitia Morrow (M) Visual Arts (Mentone Girls Grammar)
• Patrick Nichol (M) Replacement Physical Education/ Outdoor Education (Upwey High School)
• Christine Nicolacopoulos (C) Replacement College Laboratory Manager (Overnewton Anglican College)
• Evangeline Octigan (T) Learning Support Officer (prior casual work with Padua College)
• Grace O’Donnell (M) English/Humanities (Beaconhills Christian College)
• Louise Paxino (M) Learning Enhancement (Beaconhills Christian College)
• Niki Pinirou (M) English (Salesian College)
• Matthew Price (M) Science & House Coordinator (St Francis Xavier College)
• Russell Quill (M) History (St Francis Xavier College)
• Ned Shannon (R) Science (Graduate)
• Jaimie Smith (M) Canteen
• Justine Stafford (R) Textiles (Graduate)
• Nicole Waring (M) English (Flinders Christian College)
• Grace Waters (M) Faith Assistant
• Dongzhi Wu (M) Maths
• Julie Young (M) SWAG (Year 10-12) (Toorak College)
I am also pleased to confirm other staffing information for the commencement of 2022.
We welcome back the following Staff Returning from Leave at the Commencement of 2022
• Melissa Kenyon (M)
• Stacey Romeril (M) • Samantha Slattery (M)
Campus Transfers for 2022:
From Mornington to Rosebud:
• Alicia Canning
From Tyabb to Mornington:
• Lance Albrecht From Rosebud to Tyabb:
• Lisa Modd
• Bridie Money
Staff Taking Leave at the Commencement of 2022:
• Jess Gauci (M)
• Anne Johnson (M)
• Mairéad Johnston (M)
• Rob Knight (T)
• Alice Mount (M) • Marcelle Ryan (M)
• Rebecca Sawyer (M)
• Victoria Shanahan (M)
• Kirsty Veugelers (M)
• Catherine Wallace (R)
Currently on leave and continuing leave in 2022:
• Bart Ryan (C)
• Kellie Spicer (T) • Eva Wawryznczak (M)
Resignations
The following staff have communicated their resignation from the College since the end of last year and I extend to them my best wishes for the future: Deb Kent (M), Tracey Smith (LSO), Jill Gamble (VET Co-ordinator) Kimberley Damsma (Lab Technician – M), Deb Gerner (R – Lab Technician), Tracey Alles (M), Alice Mount (M – Campus Faith Co-ordinator, currently on leave) and Deborah Taylor (Assistant Head of Campus – Learning & Pedagogy, Mornington Junior Campus).
Mobile Phone Policy
I wish to thank parents for their continued support of our College Mobile Phone Policy. At the commencement of 2019 Padua College implemented this Policy which does not permit students to access their phones during the school day and it has been met with great success with our students being so much more engaged with each other during the day.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind both students and parents that mobile phones can be brought to school, they are to be placed in lockers prior to the first bell and remain in lockers throughout the day and can then be accessed again after the final bell. Any mobile phones being used throughout the school day will be confiscated.
Uniform
A reminder to all members of the Padua College community that the College uniform is expected at all times. The College Uniform Policy can be found in the student diary (for Year 7 - 9 students) and on the College website. Wearing the College uniform reflects our students’ pride in themselves and in the College and I ask all parents and guardians to make themselves familiar with these regulations and support us in ensuring that your child is wearing our College uniform correctly.
Year 7 2023 Enrolments
Please be aware that enrolments for Year 7 2023 were conducted last year with the Grade 5 2021 students. If you have a current Grade 6 2022 student who is not already enrolled or not on College waiting lists, you should contact Mrs Lisa Jordan, Enrolment Registrar, immediately.
Year 7 2024 Enrolments
Enrolment for Year 7 2024 opened on Tuesday 1 February. We invite families to enjoy one of our College Discovery Tours and bookings can be made via the following College tours link. Details regarding Year 7 2024 enrolment are also now available on the College website.
School Photographs
Annual school photos have been taken at all Padua College campuses. To be able to view the images of your child and order photos, you will need to register online by going directly to the Arthur Reed website: https://order.arphotos.com.au . You have to enter the 2022 image code for your child (from their personalised flyer distributed by their homeroom teacher). 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. If you do not have internet access or encounter difficulty ordering photos you may contact Arthur Reed directly on (03) 5243 4390 or email: customerservice@arphotos.com.au
Due to the current restrictions, we have postponed the homeroom group photos at this time and we will confirm new dates once restrictions have changed. Portrait photos will be made available once the homeroom photos have been taken.
Facilities
The Performing Arts Centre (PAC) at the Mornington Campus is due for completion ready for term two following delays due to lockdowns last year. We look forward to sharing this exciting, state-of-the-art facility with members of the community.
The cover for the courts at the Mornington Campus should be fully completed in readiness for term two.
Initial works have commenced for the new Year 7 and 8 Centre at the Mornington Campus which will be completed in 2023.
Whom To Contact
Padua College works in partnership with parents, recognising families as the prime educator of their children. During the year, parents should feel free to contact the relevant staff if they require help or advice. Please access the list of Staff Contacts for 2022, available on the College website via this link.
I wish all students and families a wonderful beginning to the year and look forward to working with you in striving for our student’s success and achievements in 2022.
