Tiverton Campus Report

Tiverton Campus

There is no doubt that schools are totally different places than they were 10, 20 or even 30 years ago, with the advances in technology and the changing society in which we live. As a result of this technology, students find themselves living in a global world, with any amount of information and data at their fingertips. Whilst these technological advances enhance student learning they also present challenges for us, as educators, to stay connected with the students we teach. As you read through the pages of the Blue and Gold 2007 it may strike you that students at De La Salle College have an abundance of opportunities presented to them through a myriad of activities. I am continually impressed by the staff of De La Salle, who so generously give up their own time to work with and to help students on a very regular basis. On any given day, there is likely to be something happening from 7.15 in the morning until well into many evenings, whether it be students arriving early for cross-country training, or painting the Rock Eisteddfod sets or fine tuning for a musical performance; there is always plenty happening. I congratulate those students who are prepared to take risks and put their hand up to be involved in these activities, because in their own small way they are making De La Salle College a better school. One of the qualities of De La Salle College that is constantly evident to me is the very positive staff/student relationship that is developed. I believe teachers work very hard in their classrooms to maintain an atmosphere that highlights the importance of learning through a variety of learning styles, through respecting the opinions of other students, and encouraging students to achieve the best they can in all subject areas. I know teachers have greatly appreciated the support of parents, working in partnership with staff and students, to achieve the best possible educational outcomes for their son(s) throughout 2007. In each of my years at De La Salle College I have been genuinely amazed by the wonderful generosity of the De la Salle community — and 2007 has been no different. Again, I thank all families for their support of our annual Mission Action Day, the Sacred Heart Mission, our Social Justice Mass, the St Vincent de Paul Society and the other Social Justice initiatives that were introduced at the respective year levels. The whole College has had a strong focus on Social Justice this year, and through the efforts of many people, the lives of a large number of people less fortunate than ourselves have been improved for the better. I am very fortunate to have the support of many people in my role as Deputy Principal/Head of Tiverton Campus. I extend my thanks to Br Bill for his fine leadership of the College, and for the expertise and wisdom that is an integral part of his daily leadership of the College. I sincerely thank all members of the College Leadership Team, particularly Henry Corcoran, the Head of Kinnoull Campus for his dedicated and committed approach to his work, Year Level Coordinators, Key Learning Area Coordinators, Homeroom Teachers, the Daily Organisers, the Director of Student Welfare, the Director of Studies, the Director of Staff Development, the Director of Sport, the Subject teachers, Mrs Joan Ferguson, who often acts as an Executive Assistant for me in addition to her other responsibilities, and all the office and ancillary staff for their greatly valued work throughout the year. As I reflect on the year, I see De La Salle College as an energetic and vibrant community, with a great sense of its Lasallian tradition, and a school that will continue to strive to achieve, and offer the best possible outcomes for its students for many years to come. Mr Peter Riordan Deputy Principal/Head of Tiverton Campus