Reminder – bringing valuables to school

We encourage our students to take responsibility in caring for their belongings by securing them in their lockers. Every student has been allocated a locker. In saying this, we also ask that students do not bring valuable items to school, such as expensive phones and EarPods or excessive amounts of money. Normal head phones are sufficient for class work. Please note, the College will not take responsibility for lost items.

Uniform Shop – Jumpers

The weather has a definite chill in the air and although most classrooms have heating, the boys definitely need an extra layer of clothing. The Uniform Shop has received a fresh delivery of our new black College jumpers. Please consider purchasing the jumper if your son is cold, as any boy found to be out of uniform wearing a hoodie or other non-College item, will be placed on Uniform detention. Also, please note, sports jackets are not part of the day-to-day uniform and rain jackets are only to be worn in wet weather. The jumper and blazer are our Winter Uniform.

Canteen back to normal Term 3

This is the news all boys have been waiting for, the Canteen will be back to normal business in Term 3. Over the counter service will return and hungry mouths will be fed. Hooray!

Photo reminder

College photos were taken last Friday and I must congratulate the students on their behaviour. They were amazing! The day ran smoothly and I would like to thank all the boys for following direction and being very polite and respectful of the Advanced Life team and their teachers.

I would remind parents to place their orders as soon as possible, so as not to incur a late fee.

Vaping

Electronic cigarettes, or vaping, continues to increase in popularity, especially in the younger community. Many items are fruit-flavoured and marketed in bright colours to attract our youth. A recent ABC report states, “that e-cigarettes risk undoing decades of work in reducing the appeal of cigarettes to children; they worry it’s a ‘gateway’ to conventional smoking”. In response to the increase in vaping and the known health implications, the Government has recently announced a stronger nicotine e-cigarette ban from July 1.

The school has made it very clear to students that if they are caught on site with a vape in their possession, there will be serious consequences.

Dan Fee, Leader of Student Wellbeing, has written an extremely informative piece in this week’s Tolle Lege, regarding the types of e-cigarettes, the health risks and repercussions of smoking them. Please see his article in the Mission and Wellbeing section of Tolle Lege.

COVID-19 testing

The College continues to follow NSW Health guidelines with relation to any student or staff member who displays cold or flu-like symptoms. That being, all persons with a sore throat, cough or fever should not attend school and they should be COVID-19 tested. There are four clinics in our local area including Mona Vale Hospital, Northern Beaches Hospital, Brookvale Community Health Centre and Dee Why Respiratory Clinic. Please click on this link for contact and location details: COVID 19 Clinics

If your son displays symptoms and requires a COVID-19 test, please advise your son’s Formation Leader.

Student Leadership Team

We have begun the process of selecting the 2021 Student Leadership Team and our current Year 11 students have been invited to submit an expression of interest for their desired position. It is quite an honour to be chosen as a school leader and with this honour comes great expectations and significant responsibility. Our student leaders are seen as exemplary role models for the younger students and a personification of our Augustinian values – Truth, Love and Community.

The positions available are:

• College Captain
• College Vice-Captain
• Head Prefect
• House Captains for Crane, Goold, Heavey, Hutchinson, Murray, Reville
• Prefects for the following portfolios – Academic, CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts), International, Mission, Sport, SRC (Student Representative Council), Wellbeing.

Committed Year 11 students are encouraged to apply and I look forward to reading their submissions.

Holidays

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and relaxing holiday. With COVID-19 restrictions easing, it seems that travelling around NSW would be an excellent choice for this holiday break. Try NSW National Parks or Visit NSW Drives and Road trips for inspiration.

Kate Earle
Deputy Principal - Students