FROM THE PRINCIPAL
On Tuesday during our regular assembly time, we were able to honour the 17-year commitment of Mr Eddie Wallace to the growth and wellbeing of our students. Mr Wallace is our current Head of Sport and will take leave from next Friday before moving out of the school setting in 2024. Currently, 1500 students participate in some form of organised sport at this College. This is a major program at the school.
At this assembly, the Heads of Sport from other AIC Colleges attended as well as Mrs Michelle Wallace and their sons, Ewan and Duncan. Mr Scott Maguire from Padua College spoke on behalf of the other AIC Schools. Cooper Hankinson and Sam Cairncross spoke with great sincerity about Mr Wallace’s care and concern for student wellbeing. Mr Cameron Wigan also addressed the assembly on behalf of Old Boys, Parents and Staff. I was privileged to be able to give some personal reflections on Eddie’s leadership.
In my time in education, I have never met a harder worker. Mr Wallace understands our mission about building young people to be the best that they can be. He understands the value of service and connection. His contribution has been outstanding. I think his leadership style is exemplified by the growth of our Colours Cup. This program allows students predominately in Year 5, 6 & 7 to participate in organised sport even if not selected in a team that engages AIC Competition. This is done to improve student engagement and to enhance the overall wellbeing of our youngest boys. Mr Wallace understands the Catholic Mission.
We wish Eddie, Michelle, Ewan and Duncan all the best in future years.
This week we held several evening events including the Lauries Community Committee meeting, Principal’s Tours, The Manchester City Information evening, Year 5 Music Concert and the Music Tricia Night to be held tonight. I wish to thank all staff who coordinate these events. I particularly thank our events team, our maintenance and IT staff, our sports and music staff and the College Leadership Team.
On Thursday evening, Ms Vanessa Bell coordinated a parents ‘Meeting 2 Learn’ evening where we heard from Andrew Fuller, who is a clinical psychologist based at the University of Melbourne. The presentation was for the parents of Primary and Middle school students. The focus of the evening was ‘Biohacking Learning’. Andrew spoke about student learning and methods to improve the learning of our young people. I congratulate Ms Bell on this initiative and thank our families for attending.
As part of our ongoing legislative requirements and commitment to best practice at St Laurence’s College, I would like to remind the community of two important features of the College website.
- The first is our Child Safeguarding tab on the landing page, accessible HERE. On this tab you can find links to important child safeguarding information, including our EREA Student Protection Processes and Guidelines, and other relevant forms.
- The second link from the landing page is our Policies and Reports page, accessible HERE. This page contains essential College policies including the EREA Code of Conduct, relevant student policies, the College Complaints handling policy, as well our Annual School Report.
Next week we look forward to the Virtual Year 8 2024 Subject Selection Evening, the College Walkathon, our Primary student led conferences, the Year 9 Subject Selection meetings as well as the Year 7 & 8 Mentoring and Parent Student meetings.
A busy week for all.
MR CHRIS LEADBETTER
Principal