Wellbeing

Welcome back to Term 1. We hope that you all managed some rest and relaxation over the break.

The Wellbeing Team is excited for the year ahead. There are a number of projects in the pipeline that will assist the students in their support while at the College.

The Year coordinators for 2025 are as below. I have every faith that they will provide the utmost care and support to the young men in their cohort.

The College has dedicated a space in the College for a Wellbeing Space. This space is designed for students who may need some down time and time to process and regulate their emotions. This space will be open to students under the supervision of the year coordinator or myself. The plan is to open the space at recess and lunch for those who may need some additional social support.

In 2024 the College collectively focussed on attendance. All HCT teachers and Year coordinators worked together to improve the overall whole school attendance. The College managed a 4% increase in attendance over the year, which is a testament to the hard work of the staff in collaboration with all of our wonderful families. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Holy Cross Community for ensuring that your sons attend every single day. If the students are not at school, then they are unable to learn.

As such, Sydney Catholic Schools have updated their policy on the appropriate timeframe around the explanations of absences. Please note that there will no longer be 365 days to be able to explain your son's absence. Parents will have 7 Days to explain an absence before it automatically becomes unexplained.

Dear Parents/Carers,

We are writing to inform you of a change in the process for submitting absence explanations in Compass.

In line with the NSW Education Act 1990 and the Sydney Catholic Schools Attendance Policy, this process will change from the beginning of 2025. Going forward, parents and carers will have up to 7 days following an absence to provide an explanation. After this period, any unexplained absence will automatically be recorded as such.

If there are rare and extenuating circumstances requiring an explanation beyond this timeframe, a designated school staff member may update the absence code where appropriate.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Year 7 Transition

It is my absolute pleasure to announce that the Year 7 students have had a stellar start to College life. They have completely engaged in the lessons and structure that the College has to offer and have settled in nicely. It is absolutely lovely to see them socialise in the playground and include each other in a number of activities.

The Year 7 cohort will be having their individual school photos on Friday. Can you please ensure that ALL students are in their correct summer uniform.

Finally, Thank you to the year 7 parents for entrusting us with your boys at the College.

School Counselling

The College continues to have a strong working relationship with Catholic Care and the School Counselling program here at the College. We are fortunate to have Kathryn join our team this year. We know that Kathryn will provide a high standard of care to those whom she supports.

Melissa Rutter