As a College community, we have enjoyed full engagement in all College activities this term, ensuring Padua College does its best to live out the Gospel of John, Chapter 10: Verse 10: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

This term, Year 7 students from each of the campuses have participated in their first Padua camp, with the last of the Mornington Campus students returning last Friday.

We have also had overnight Retreats for our Year 10 and our Year 12 students as well as swimming sports for each of the campuses; rehearsals are underway for our 2023 school production, VCE Outdoor Education and Geography camps, Aspire9 2023 launch and Opening School Assembly and Mass all while we have been able to participate in full face to face learning, without the fear of imminent lockdowns that we have experienced in recent years.

Parents will be aware of the staffing issues that are currently being experienced around the state, and indeed, the entire country. This has also impacted us as a College community and is likely to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. It has been a challenge to balance ensuring we continue to run our co-curricular activities along with timetabled classes as all these are vital components of the learning and development of the young people in our care.

I would particularly like to acknowledge the work of Vice Principal – Staff, Strategy and Development Ms Marjorie Canal, Director of College Logistics and Operations, Ms Cathy Moloney and Daily Organisers, Mrs Sarah Fritsch (Mornington), Mrs Kylie Baker (Rosebud) and Mrs Nicole Love (Tyabb), for ensuring that our learning program continues, even given the challenges we are experiencing. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our teaching staff who have been so generous in working with us; as well as students and families for their patience, co-operation and understanding as we navigate through these obstacles presented to us.

Celebrations for our 125^th Anniversary will continue next term with Padua Day being held on Friday 9 June. More details to come next term, but this promises to be a day that all students will enjoy.

I would like to commend a group of our senior students who are working to establish Senior Study Groups which will commence in term two. This is an initiative that has been suggested and developed by students and is a true example of student voice empowering action.

Our College Captains and Vice Captains have had a busy start to the year and I wish to commend them for their commitment to supporting and working with our student community. I invite you to listen to their message they have recorded for our College families as we prepare for the term one school holidays, which will be available on the College socials later this week.

As we prepare to finish our first term of 2023, I remind families that next week we will be conducting Progress Reporting on Wednesday 5 April from 1.50 – 8.00pm and on Thursday 6 April from 9.00am – 3.00pm. Students conclude classes at the end of period three on Wednesday 5 April to allow for the interviews to be conducted. Interim Reports will be available for parents to access on PAM on Tuesday 4 April. This reporting period provides students an opportunity to reflect on achievements they have made throughout this Term, and it is also a timely opportunity for students to reflect on their goals to be achieved in semester one which finishes part way through term two on Thursday 8 June.

Term one for the College staff will conclude following the Progress Reporting session on Thursday afternoon, with Friday 6 April being Good Friday.

Term two will commence for College staff on Monday 24 April with a Professional Development Day. The following day, Tuesday 25 April, is the ANZAC Day Public Holiday, and all students will return to school for term two on Wednesday 26 April.

As the end of term draws near, I would like to say thank you to Ms Lisa Modd one of our Tyabb Co-Directors who will be relocating to our Rosebud Campus to take up the role of Rosebud Co-Director with Mr Phil Helisma. We thank Lisa for all of her work with our Tyabb students, staff and families over the past year. We look forward to welcoming Ms Tina Lunny back from Long Service Leave, where she will join Mr Dan Nisbett as the Tyabb Co-Director.

Earlier this term we celebrated the wonderful news of the birth of baby Rivvy Leigh, daughter of Ms Stacey Romeril and husband, Riley.

We also share in the sadness of members of our College staff who have lost family members recently and keep in our prayers:

Mr Ian Mohr, maintenance team at Mornington, on the passing of his sister, Linda;

Ms Letitica Morrow, Mornington Campus, on the passing of her mother, Margaret;

Mrs Cherie Gage, Mornington Campus, on the passing of her father, Ari;

Mrs Josie Luppino (and her husband Mr Terry Luppino), both at the Mornington Campus on the passing of Josie’s father, Santo.

We also remember others in our community who have lost loved ones during this time.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

As we approach Easter, I wanted to take a moment to wish you and your family a blessed celebration. Easter is a time to reflect on the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and to be grateful for the blessings in our lives.

May this Easter bring you and your family a renewed hope, peace, and happiness.

Wishing you and your family a blessed Easter and safe term break filled with love, joy, and laughter.

Peace and blessings,