Whole School Assembly, Breakfast and House Games

The first Inter-relationships event for 2015 began with the whole school assembly in the College amphitheatre on Wednesday 4 February where students and staff enjoyed the cool ambience provided by the new shade sails. The sails were installed during the summer holidays and were funded by the generosity of the Cancer Council of Australia and eftpos Shade for Secondary Schools’ Program.

Laura Evans, Faith Captain, opened the assembly with Irene McCormack’s Morning Offering prayer. In 2015 the College will be focussing on the life and achievements of Sr Irene McCormack. Sr Irene led an extraordinary life of faith and service to communities in Western Australia and Peru.

Ms Connor gave a short address welcoming students to the new academic year and acknowledged the staff new to the College in 2015. Staff joining the College this year include:

Name	Area
Nikola Rutherford	Support - Education Support EA
Jo-Anne Borg	Teacher - Kindergarten
Toni Strong	Teacher – English/Big Ideas
Anne Hodgson	Teacher – Humanities/ English/Big Ideas
Mary Dearlove	Support - Admin/Reception
Lynda Gorton	Support - Education Assistant
Dorota Fretwell	Teacher - Pre-Kindergarten
Matthew Smyth	Teacher – Design & Technology
Eimeir Fernandez	Teacher – Religious Education/ English
Joanne Adams	Support – Home Ec. Assistant
Kylie Henderson	Teacher - Year 3
Simon Ferguson	Support - ICT

Ms Connor presented the Edith Cowan Citizenship Awards, which were made available by Edith Cowan University to two Holy Cross College students in honour of the memory and legacy of Dame Edith Cowan.

The Edith Cowan Citizenship Award is a one-off award of $100 presented to students who demonstrate outstanding citizenship qualities. Edith Cowan Citizenship Awards were presented to Taya Horley, 2015 College Captain, and to Sofia Sofocado from the graduating class of 2014.

Ms Connor was also excited to announce the impending beatification of our College patron, Oscar Romero. On Tuesday Pope Francis declared that Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated as a martyr for the Catholic faith, opening the way for his beatification, which is expected within months. The Archbishop was shot dead after radically calling on the church to stand with the poor.

Following the assembly students were treated to a muffin, fruit and drink for breakfast. Students from kindergarten to Year 12 then joined in a round robin of tunnel ball, three legged races and hoola-hoop weaving. Students looked fantastic in their House colours and joined in with a great sense of spirit.

Peter Collins
Vice Principal