Welcome to the Year 10-12 Campus for all parents and 1,207 students as we embark on the 2023 school year. Students are to be commended on the manner in which they have started the academic year. We welcomed the 455-strong Year 10 cohort on 1 February, providing them with extended time to meet their new Homeroom Teachers and take part in four periods of classes. The following day we were able to renew our connections with the Year 11 and 12 students who will use this year to consolidate and build on the work of years gone by as they strive to be their best.

To our 29 new students who join Padua College for the first time in 2023, we welcome you and your families. We look forward to seeing you all share your gifts and talents with the Padua community and know that as a community we are here to support you on your journey.

Again in 2023, we on the 10-12 campus will continue to develop a ‘culture of high expectation’. The basic pillars of this are formed from respect and maximising potential.

• Respect for yourself to be the best you can be in all areas of life.
• Respect for your peers inside the classroom and outside in the yard.
• Respect for the teachers as they work diligently to see you thrive.
• Respect for the environment we all share as one 10-12 campus.

This language is and will continue to part of everyday language in all parts of Padua College in 2023. Students will continue to be encouraged and challenged to be their best at all times in all aspects of their time at Padua.

Year 12

The Year 12 students have led by example in the way they have started their classes. Their engagement and contributions to enhancing the classroom experience is so valued and those students who take these opportunities will reap the rewards as the year progresses.

The Year 12 Retreat is scheduled for 15-17 March. All students are required to attend and the College will work specifically with all VCAL students, their employers and VET providers in ensuring they are aware of the importance of the Retreat. These Retreats are held in such regard by previous students who continually comment that they are a highlight of their time at Padua. The retreat program provides a 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. Simply, it is part of the College Mission on educating and developing the whole person. More information will be shared with students and families in the coming weeks.

Year 11

The Year 11 students in a similar vein have begun their 2023 academic program in a positive manner and staff have indicated that they are well organised and embracing the challenge of the VCE and Vocational Major pathway that they have chosen. Over the next few weeks, House Captain elections will be had, and I encourage all students to consider taking this opportunity to enhance student voice at the College. Recent years have shown that students who are Year 11 Captains have had the experience that has seen them become College Captains the following year.

Year 10

The Year 10 students have been adjusting to life on the 10-12 campus at their own individual pace. Last week, our Year 10 students embarked on the first ever “Wominjeka Retreat” in which all Year 10s spend one night and two days away with their House and fellow Community House engaging in a range of wellbeing, faith and connection to land and Padua activities. This has been well received by students and staff and I thank the staff who attended these retreats and providing such a wonderful experience for our students.

Parental Support

I encourage all parents to continue to have conversations with their children about how they are feeling and to contact the College as required. With all three campuses coming together effectively for the first time, being involved in SIS Sport, Music and sharing electives with those of similar interests, encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and know that meeting new people, and connecting to the College will see your child flourish.

In return to school for 2023, it is timely that I remind all parents of the College expectations for behaviour and uniform. As mentioned above, the overwhelming majority of students have shown their connection to the College by meeting these standards. The ongoing challenge is to the small minority of students who are unable to meet these basic expectations. This unfortunately is seen with students displaying behaviours that are impacting their own learning and that of other students. If such behaviours are displayed then they will be continued to be challenged as they are not part of what we want Padua College to be. Uniform standards, mobile phone use, vaping, non-attendance, and disrespect shown towards staff are taking time away from the role we as educators have at the College in improving teaching and learning. I encourage all parents to continue to have this discussion with their children, reinforce the expectations of the College and support us in our role at the College.

School Assessments

The next few weeks will see many students complete their first SAC, SAT or Assessment which are the building blocks for 2023. It is as of this time that all students have 100% access to all of the marks for their subject, an even playing field for all. 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 based on respect.

Top Arts Award Recognition

The VCE Season of Excellence is a festival showcasing outstanding senior secondary student work from Victorian schools. As part of this, the annual Top Designs exhibition at Melbourne Museum specifically features the selected works of students who completed VCE Media, Product Design and Technology, Systems Engineering, Theatre Studies and Visual Communication Design. Several of our students were selected for this award, which you can read more about here:

One of these students, Emma Simmonds, who undertook Visual Communication Design (VCD) under Ms Christine Blake, created an independent magazine ‘Evergreen Wander’ and a range of promotional postcards for her VCE portfolio. Evergreen Wander is focused on fun, inspirational articles which explore art, nature, travel, and food, and the postcards celebrate the unique aesthetic and imagery of artists, illustrators, and designers. Emma was also selected to be interviewed as part of The Season of Excellence 2023, which you can read about here:

MACS Art Exhibition

Congratulations to Year 12 2022 students Ajarnae Oxford, Emma Simmonds, Ella Hennessy, and current Year 12 students Moth Ye and Airlee Sheehan, whose work has been selected for the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Art Exhibition this year. The art show takes place 14-17 March and bookings, via the link below, are essential.