Dear Parents and Caregivers,
It has been a great start to the 2021 School Year here at Delany. Thank you for all your support and assistance with ensuring your daughter’s and sons have returned to school well equipped, groomed and ready for learning.
This week we have hosted our Stage 4, 5 and 6 parent information sessions via a Zoom webinar. Firstly, thank you to those parents and carers that were able to participate and thank you for the great questions that were asked at the end of the sessions. It is essential that your queries are answered and that we have clarity around expectations as we work together to help your child achieve their learning and development goals. If you were unable to attend the sessions, we have recorded the sessions and the links are provided later in this newsletter and also on the college website.
As you would be aware from the conversations you have had with children there are a number of practical and positive changes we have made to timetables, the learning environment and wellbeing programs to support your children this year. In each stage of learning there are a number of major initiatives that will assist your child with their learning, meeting their needs to help them achieve their goals. To highlight a few of these:
Stage 4: Core classes have been introduced in Stage 4 where students in Years 7 and 8 have the same teachers for English, RE and HSIE.
Stage 5: Students have dedicated Literacy and Numeracy classes to support them at their point of learning need.
Stage 6: A broader range of courses has been offered, including Certificate III in Fitness, to allow students to engage in the appropriate pathway to bring them success in their learning. Working in conjunction with our diocese, we are able to offer students courses through the School of Now to support students in preparing for life beyond school.
Another major change this year has been the introduction of the vertical house system for Wellbeing and Pastoral Care of students. Your child has been allocated to a house with their House Coordinator overseeing their journey through the college for the entirety of their journey from Year 7 to 12. House coordinators work with families providing greater consistency and a central contact point for parents and carers. The changes this year have already made a significant impact and I look forward to the continued benefits that will flow from this change. I ask all parents and carers support and keep the communication open with House Coordinators as we work together to assist your child in doing their very best.
Next week we will be making a major announcement in relation to a learning initiative for students in Stage 5. We want to ensure students have every opportunity to flourish and be prepared for work and study challenges that are ahead of them both academically and personally.
Again, thank you for ongoing support. We look forward to working with you to make sure this year is a great year for every learner.
God Bless,
Paul Easton
Principal