Time Moves Quickly

Amongst the many special moments last week, I noticed the Year 12s being proactive in their commitment to leadership, making every day count and knowing they can pave the way for a memorable year ahead. The energy and spark they started the week with transferred to all the other year levels and the atmosphere on Wednesday was one of excited anticipation. I loved seeing the faces of our students, parents, and caregivers as they arrived, with our oldest students greeting our youngest at the drop off zone.

Gala Day

Our Gala Day on Friday for the Middle and Senior School students was a fun active way to finish the first week. The format of the day is a result of reflections over the years of ‘carnival’ days. The traditional swimming carnival model is a challenge due to our numbers, our pool size, and the cost of going offsite. Hence the model Friday focused on an opportunity for our top swimmers to shine in the pool, to promote leadership opportunities, develop House spirit and for everyone to have fun with friends. The photos on our Facebook page tonight highlight the day's success and that all these things were in abundance. The Junior School students will have a more traditional swimming carnival at the end of Week Three.

ATC - Working in Respectful Partnership

At ATC our partnership with our families is paramount. We see you as the key educator for your child. We seek to promote partnerships to support the formation of our students into Men of Courage and enrich their experience through their educational journey with us. With a desire to continue positive and respectful partnerships with our families, we have developed guidelines in a document called ATC – Working in Respectful Partnership. The guidelines set out in this document illustrate how you can work in partnership with the College community, in a constructive and effective manner through your interactions with staff, other parents, students and the wider College community. It articulates the school’s key expectations of both staff and parents regarding respectful relationships and behaviours. I hope it can provide a framework for all interactions.

Parent Information Evenings

This week there will be a series of Parent Information evenings for families across Years 4 to Year 11. We have planned a number of face-to-face meetings with families in Years 4 to Year 7, plus online Teams meetings for families in Years 8 to Year 11. COVID forced us to do some things differently and feedback over the last two years has indicated that at times online Teams meetings are more suitable for a majority of families. Whatever the mode of delivery, I strongly encourage you to take the opportunity to meet key staff and hear their key messaging for 2023.

Staff Update

Brett Greinke, our Clontarf Director, informed the College this week that he has accepted a role with Canteen Australia as their National Reconciliation Coordinator. The connection we have with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families is a strong component of the ATC community, and Brett has been a powerful leader in this partnership. This was a tough decision for Brett to make as he has a deep connection to ATC and the Clontarf Foundation. During his five years at ATC, Brett also has been heavily involved with coaching sport teams, Hip Hop Dance in our Club program and Cultural activities. We thank Brett for his energetic contributions at ATC and wish him well with this significant role he is going into. I am working with Clontarf Foundation to source a replacement Director.

Traffic

Traffic has been impacted around the College due to the commencement of construction for the Waterford Building project. Last week tree removal from the site occurred with the excavation commencing shortly. I remind all families that the access road to the Senior School roundabout is closed. Please continue to be patient during the process of construction.

Enjoy the week ahead and I look forward to meeting you at one of our Parent Information evenings.

God bless.

David Gardiner

Acting Principal