Principal's Message
Foxford Innovation Centre
We are anticipating that works will commence for the Foxford Innovation Centre on 28 July. It’s so exciting for the College Board and the College Leadership Team to deliver this new facility for the community.
From the commencement of works there will be some restrictions around the College as the builders establish their site. Parking on College grounds will be limited, and for the duration of the project there will be no visitor parking on site.
While we will have access to the Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC), movement around the Centre will be limited, as we lose access to the outdoor court (a refurbishment of the court is a part of the project works) and access into the MPC from the front doors. We ask for everyone’s patience as this new project takes shape. For more information about the progress of the building project, please visit the College website.
Little Shop of Horrors
Congratulations to the cast and crew of our latest Musical collaboration with St Bernard’s College, Little Shop of Horrors. Opening night, on Thursday 13 July, was spectacular, truly entertaining and engaging, with laughs galore and a great deal of fun. It is delightful to watch our young people thoroughly enjoying themselves on the stage. I would highly recommend the show if you have not already secured your tickets. Click here to direct you to TryBooking to purchase your tickets.
Communication with Families
In my letter dated 10 July, I provided an updated regarding the channels of communication we are using to keep connected and engaged with families. I have included this section of the letter in this edition of the IONA as a reminder.
Families have provided feedback that they are receiving communication from the College across several platforms, making it difficult to keep on top of information from the College. I ask for your patience as we transition as much of our communication as possible through the SEQTA platform. Below I will detail what communications you can expect from the College, and via which platform, as we continue to make our transition.
- SEQTA Engage
Your child’s Semester One Report (available from 14 July), will include a ready reference to help you access the information that is provided within the SEQTA Engage Portal. The SEQTA Engage app is also a really great way to keep up-to-date with information in relation to the learning program for your child. The app allows you to receive notifications so that you are aware when information in relation to your child is added. Click App Store or Google Play to download the app.
Research continues to demonstrate that when families are actively engaged in their child’s education, overall outcomes (academic, emotional, social, wellbeing) for students are improved. The SEQTA Engage portal allows you to access the information you need in one place, to support engagement with your child’s learning and family connection to the College.
- SEQTA Direqt Messages
As we shared with you in the last edition of the IONA, we will transition to the use of Direqt Message within SEQTA for teacher communication with families regarding your child’s learning and wellbeing. Mr Heath Morris provided a “how to” video for the use of Direqt messages by families, which can be accessed here. We have also been working on improvements to the SEQTA Engage page to make this more navigable and easier to use for families.
Within the SEQTA Direqt message tool, you will now find a message presence for Student Reception, Front Reception and Principal. Please use the Direqt messaging system in SEQTA should you wish to direct correspondence to these College functions. Please continue to use the absence link on the SEQTA Engage Portal Welcome Page to notify of your child’s absence.
- SMS
You will receive an SMS from the College for two reasons:
- To alert you to your child’s absence
- To provide information regarding emergency responses
Our Consent2Go software only works through email. You will continue to receive consent forms for incursions and excursions via your nominated email address. In addition, you will also receive email communication for the following:
- Documents requiring a digital signature
- Communication from the Finance Office
- System login credentials, for example, Parent Teacher Online (PTO)
- Meeting invitations
- General Communication
We consider ourselves to be in partnership with families in delivering a quality education for your child. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s House Teacher should you have any concerns or queries. If parents require an interpreter, or information in their first language, can you please alert your child’s House Leader.
If you are unsure who to contact regarding a particular query, we have prepared a handy ready reference that can be found here. Our Front Reception staff will also be able to direct your query to the most appropriate staff member.
As I introduced at the start of the year, the ready reference also contains a link to our new Parent Code of Conduct which outlines the expected behaviour of all adults in the St Columba’s College community. Our Code of Conduct is values based and established on our commitment to respectful relationships and restorative practices. It defines acceptable actions that contribute to a safe working environment for our staff, while outlining the approaches we will adopt for the resolution of issues or concerns that may arise. I would encourage you to read the Code of Conduct as an approach that supports our positive working partnership.