Dear Parents/Guardians & Students,

Term 3 commenced with two staff days involving a variety of professional learning activities along with an opportunity to hear from Ernesto Valiente, Associate Professor of Systemic Theology at Boston College, who worked with staff on the themes of ‘A Spirituality of Liberation’ and ‘Jesus’ Identity and Mission’. Ernesto provided staff with an opportunity to reflect on their spirituality and how they bring this into their daily lives at Padua College.

I am hoping families have had the opportunity to enjoy watching the Olympics over the last two weeks and hearing the stories of amazing endurance and perseverance which remind us of our own College motto, ‘Perseverance Conquers All’. These Olympians inspire us to keep striving to be the best we can be.

As we enjoy the Olympic Games and learn about each athlete's journey, their achievements in representing their country, and their wins, we also have a unique opportunity to reflect on the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship.

The original values of Olympism, as expressed in the Olympic Charter, aimed to “encourage effort,” “preserve human dignity,” and “develop harmony.” These values have evolved to be expressed in more contemporary terms as:

• Striving for excellence and encouraging people to be the best they can be.
• Demonstrating respect in many different manners: respect towards yourself, the rules, your opponents, the environment, the public, etc.
• Promoting the importance of friendship, solidarity, and fair play (https://olympics.com/ioc/olympic-values)

These values are reflected in our own Padua College North Star, which encourages and guides us in our daily actions.

Progress Reporting

Families and staff have been involved in Progress Reporting Evenings this week and again next Monday. I thank all families and our teaching staff for participating in this valuable aspect of our reporting which provides feedback and an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved and goals to be set for the rest of Semester 2.

I remind all parents and guardians that next Monday 12 August is a Home Study Day and no classes will run to allow for Progress Reporting to continue on that day.

Campus Athletics Carnivals

This term we have held Athletics Carnivals for each of the campuses with students from these events to be selected to represent the College at the SIS Athletics Carnival on 27 August.

Students have recently been reminded that participation in interschool sports is a privilege and an honour. It is an expectation of all Padua College students to treat each other, and anyone they encounter, with respect and dignity.

Aerobics Teams

I extend my best wishes to our College School Aerobics Teams heading to Adelaide this weekend to compete in the School Aerobics National Championship!

SIS Teen Chef & Debating

I congratulate all students involved in Teen Chef at the Mornington Campus recently. Competing students displayed wonderful cookery skills and produced some outstanding dishes, impressing our guest judges. The first placed main and dessert winners went on to compete in the SIS Competition at John Paul College in Frankston on 1 August. Congratulations to Zoe Smith, Leila Binder, Nic Geslicki and Osten Mulcahy who represented Padua College and produced an outstanding main and dessert for the competition. Zoe and Leila received a special commendation from the judges for the level of technical skills required for the dish. Well done to these amazing chefs who demonstrated a high level of creativity and skill.

On Friday 26 July teams from each of our four campuses traveled to Flinders College in Tyabb to compete in Round 1 of the SIS Debating Competition. All students involved performed very well in all their debates with one of our senior teams (Finn Fowler, Jess Conroy Layla Rule) as well as the Mornington Intermediate Team (Hunter Beirne, Max Neilson, Abby Richards, Claudia Cox) both proceeding to the semi-finals on 6 September. I thank all students and coaches involved for their preparation and participation in this competition.

Victorian School Netball Championships

Congratulations to the Padua teams and coaches who competed in the Victorian Netball Competition recently with all six teams doing incredibly well and two teams proceeding through to the State Finals Competition at the end of August.

Tyabb Campus 10 Year Anniversary

2024 marks the 10^th Anniversary of the opening of the Tyabb Campus and later this term we will be celebrating this special occasion with a celebration of Mass, tree planting, and a number of activities for all students at the Tyabb Campus. We are looking forward to commemorating this significant occasion for our College.

Padua Community Mentor Sessions

On 24 July we had our second Community Mentors evening, an online event with past student, Kate Save, talking to members of our College Community on Nutrition, Leadership and Health. These Community Mentor sessions are a wonderful opportunity for students, parents and staff to listen to and ask questions of experts from within our own community on a variety of topics. Keep an eye out for details on the next Community Mentor event.

Staffing

Congratulations to Ms Lauren Cameron who has been appointed to the replacement CLEA position and to Mrs Tania Anthony who has been appointed to the CLEO position. These positions are replacement until the end of 2024.

Congratulations to Mrs Kylie Donnelly (M) on her appointment to the position of College Production Director.

We have recently welcomed the following new staff to the College:

Ms Chloe Mereszko (M) – LSO

Mrs Nicole Murcott (T) – LSO

Mr Paul Jenkins will be returning to the Mornington Campus on 16 August to the position of Director of Performing Arts and we look forward to welcoming Paul back to Padua College.

I extend my best wishes to Mrs Tara Delgrosso (M) who has recently left the College.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Ms Tahlia Wilkinson and her husband, Perry, on the arrival of Bryony Elizabeth over the school holidays.

Congratulations also to Mr Lyndon Savio (M) on the occasion of his wedding to Tina late last term.

Condolences

I extend my condolences to Mrs Jan Gilchrist (M) and Ms Mel Gilchrist (M) on the passing of Jan’s husband and Mel’s father, Murray, late last term.

I also extend my condolences to Mrs Helen Sugameli (M) on the passing of her father, Constantinos, over the holidays.

And I extend my condolences to Ms Barbara Squizzato (M & R) on the passing of her sister recently.

A number of families in our College community are mourning the recent passing of family members and we keep all these families in our prayers at this time, may they rest in peace.

Peace and blessings,

Kelly McGurn

PRINCIPAL