School Advisory Council Information Session
We have two vacancies arising on our School Advisory Council at the beginning of next year as two of our School Advisory Council members reach the end of their tenure. An invitation is extended to parents who are interested in the work of the School Advisory Council to come along to an information session being held on the evening of Tuesday 28 February. The information session will provide an opportunity for parents who may be willing to offer their services as School Advisory Council members in this year or subsequent years, to gain an understanding of the governance of the College.
The information session will commence at 7:00pm in the Conference Room at the Broadmeadows campus followed by our February Board meeting for those wishing to stay on.
End of Year
As this is the final newsletter for 2022, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all members of the Penola Catholic College community a very safe, happy and holy Christmas and summer holiday. For some in the community this time will include receiving VCE results and then confirming plans for 2023 at university or in another tertiary setting or commencing an apprenticeship or other employment. For students undertaking Units 3&4 VCE subjects, this time should include some form of preparation for the year of work ahead. It is important, however, that we enjoy the time shared with family and friends and that we express gratitude to our Lord for these gifts and blessings.
The year has been marked with great energy and success in many areas at the College. Congratulations to all students who committed themselves to their studies, to the co-curricular sporting and cultural activities available at the College and who were involved in some form of community service activity throughout the year. These are the students who will gain the most from their time at Penola Catholic College.
On behalf of the wider school community, I would like to thank all staff (teaching and support) for their commitment, dedication and enthusiasm for providing the best for all students.
This Advent, as we prepare for the Blessings of this Christmas Season, may I thank all Penola Catholic College parents for your support of the College throughout the year and for your partnership with us in the education of your sons and daughters. May Christ’s Peace and Joy be with each of you and with your loved ones.
One of the things that Mary MacKillop was fond of saying was “to never see a need without doing something about it.” Mary MacKillop saw a need for Catholic education for the poor. She tried to address this need by creating a religious order, the Josephite nuns, where they would go out to help the poor and help educate them and try to improve their situation and their life.
If you look at all of the great people within history, they have all had a significant effect upon society. Mary MacKillop is certainly one of these people. Mary battled many hardships throughout her life, her health, she was ostracised and even had a period of ex-communication from the Catholic Church. Throughout it all, she never lost faith in her own beliefs or her convictions that she was doing the right thing. Mary MacKillop is an outstanding example of leadership in action.
Solidarity Trip
Best wishes to Mr Rob Dullard, Mr Gerard Knobel, Mr Andre Mirko, Mrs Melissa Fry and the 8 students including members of our Ministry Band, M22, who will travel to Alice Springs on Friday 25 November, for the solidarity immersion experience. Once again, our students will support the people of the Amoonguna indigenous community located near Alice Springs. We wish them every blessing and trust that both communities, ours and theirs, will be enriched by this experience.
Year 12 Graduation Dinner
Last Monday night the College staff gathered with the young men and women of Year 12 and their parents at their Graduation Dinner. It was a fantastic night made better by being able to share it with staff, students and parents. It is very rewarding to see the pride and the joy amongst the students and the excitement about having finished this part of their educational journey. Congratulations to all members of the class of 2022, their parents, teachers and all other staff who helped to get them to this point. We look forward to the release of the VCE results on Monday 12 December and pray that our students get their rewards for their efforts.
College Awards Evening
On Monday 28 November, we will hold our annual Awards Evening, in which students will be recognised for their achievements and contributions throughout the year. We will welcome to the College as our guest of honour, Mr. John Domantay, a former Penola Catholic College student and College Captain. John is a 1996 graduate of Penola Catholic College and he achieved ATAR of 90+. His qualifications include Bachelor of Science (Biomed) and Bachelor of Laws from Monash University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Monash University and a Diploma of Financial Services. John currently is the Founder and Director of Alecto Finance and the Founder and Director of EcoGen Technologies. John is a past recipient of the Mary of the Cross Medal. It will be heartening to see so many students receive recognition for their efforts and participation throughout the year. I would like to congratulate all award recipients and I thank in advance Ms Erin Bonavia, Mrs Nella Dalrymple, Mrs Dianne Lee and the members of the organising committee for their work in ensuring the success of the evening.
Farewell
In the next fortnight several staff members will be leaving the College.
Congratulations to Luke Reynolds who has been appointed as a Year Level Coordinator at Iona College in Geelong. This position is for 2023 and Luke and the family will be relocating prior to the commencement of the 2023 school year. I would like to thank Luke for his efforts here at Penola over the past 15 years and has held a number of roles including Head of Health and PE and Year Level Coordinator amongst others.
Congratulations to Steve Woodburn who has been appointed as a Year 10 Level Coordinator at Iona College in Geelong. He has held the roles as Co-curricular Coordinator, Year Level Coordinator and Instructional Coach in the 10 years that he has been at Penola. His focus from the time that he has started with us has been on improving his teaching skills and he has worked relentlessly in this pursuit to become a great teacher. I would like to publicly acknowledge his efforts over the past 10 years and thank him for the service that he has provided.
Congratulations to Kim Agbeti who has been appointed as a Learning and Growth Leader for Year 12 at Santa Maria College in Northcote for 2023. Kim has been with Penola for more than 15 years and has held a number of roles in this time including Year Level Coordinator, VCAL Coordinator of Students as well as teaching both VCAL Literacy and Senior English.
Congratulations to Rose Crocitti who has been appointed as Executive Assistant at Santa Maria College in Northcote. She commenced on the first day of Term Four. I would like to publicly thank Rose for her efforts over the past three years and she will be sorely missed. We wish her well for the next phase of her career.
Congratulations to Mark O’Dowd who has been appointed to a teaching position at Parade College for the 2023 school year. Mark has contributed significantly over his 18 years with the College most recently as a YLC and we wish him well for the future.
Congratulations to Philip Whittaker who has been appointed to a teaching position at Emmaus College for the 2023 school year. Phil has been with us for the past 7 years.
Sara Clark has made the decision to resign at the end of the year after 19 years at Penola Catholic College. Over this time, she has provided support for hundreds maybe even thousands of students and their families. She has also held the role as Head of Student Services which was such a big role, we had to split it in two, to replace her!
Congratulations to Rhonda Davies who is retiring after 13 years of service at Penola Catholic College. Rhonda has worked mainly as a Food Technology Assistant.
Congratulations to Etty Bonnici who is also retiring after nearly 7 years in the role as receptionist at the College reception on the Broadmeadows campus.
Congratulations to Andrea DeAizpurua who is also retiring after 2 years as an Enhanced Learning Teacher, supporting some of our most vulnerable students.
Congratulations to Maria Alberto who has been appointed as Head of Learning (Pedagogy) for Religious Education at Xavier College. Maria has held several roles throughout her time at Penola including, Head of Religious Education, Acting Deputy Principal – Faith and Mission, Instructional Coach and Research Lead.
Stacey Noulas has made the decision to resign from Penola Catholic College finishing at the end of this year. Stacey has held a number of roles in her time at Penola including Year Level Coordinator positions on both campuses.
Congratulations to Teeka Dour who has been appointed as a Psychologist at Overnewton College for 2023. Teeka has been with us for the past 10 years and has provided significant support for a range of our students and their families throughout her time with us.
Thanks to Rebecca Lang who has resigned after nearly 8 years of service at Penola Catholic College mainly as a Food Technology Assistant and Textiles Assistant.
Francesca LoPresti has accepted a teaching position at CRC North Keilor for 2023 after 5 years as a language assistant at Penola and Loyola. Unfortunately, we did not have a teaching position available for 2023 but I thank Francesca for her efforts over the past 5 years as an Italian Language Assistant, particularly this year when she was able to get permission to teach to replace Ms Giuisi Graziano and Mrs Joanne Pace.
Katherine Gayton has resigned from her position as one of our College Psychologists after her maternity leave. I would like to thank Katherine for her efforts here at Penola over the past 6 years and wish her well for the future.
Congratulations to Shane Griffin who has been appointed as Head of Student Wellbeing at CRC North Keilor for 2023. Shane has held the roles as Sports Coordinator and VCAL Coordinator of Students over the four years here at Penola and we wish him well for the future.
Congratulations to Emily Hastie who has been appointed as a Learning Specialist - Mathematics role at Whittlesea Secondary College for 2023. I would like to thank Emily for her efforts over the past three years. Emily held the role as Year 10 Coordinator this year.
Congratulations to Letesha Ruberto who has gained a position as a Health and PE teacher at Auburn High School for 2023. I would like to thank Letesha for her efforts over the past 3 years as an early career teacher and as Year 7 Coordinator this year.
Stephanie Cassino has made the decision to resign from Penola Catholic College finishing at the end of this year. Steph has accepted a position at Our Lady of Mercy College in Heidelberg which is closer to home for her. Steph has been an excellent Italian and Humanities teacher throughout her time at Penola and she will be sorely missed.
Congratulations to Mr Phil Ineson who has been appointed as Director of Learning and Teaching at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Bentleigh after 4 years with us. Throughout this time Phil has held the role as Head of Learning Information Technology as well as Instructional Coach. I would like to thank Phil for his efforts.
A number of other staff members are leaving because they have gained positions in other schools or settings, or because their contracts have concluded. On behalf of the college community, I thank them for their work and efforts in guiding, developing and nurturing our students. Best wishes to Jacinta Muscat, Ciaran Ross, Sue Lombardo and Jessica Wu.
Congratulations to all who are pregnant and will be taking maternity leave in 2023 Penny Tully, Carli Saddington, Sam Thompson and Hanna Blizzard.
Nellie Mims rejoins us from maternity leave at the beginning of the year and Andrea London and Samantha Veneziano will rejoin us at the beginning of Term 3.
Catherine Harkin and Sam Papadopoulos are taking leave for 2023.
Melissa Braganza, Pascal Roulant and Devaraj Kumar are taking leave Semester 1 and Samia Boudaher Term 1.
Wishing all in the community a safe and Merry Christmas. We hope you enjoy your time off, spending time with family and friends. I look forward to welcoming you all back in 2023.
Mr Chris Caldow
Principal