As we come to the end of the 2014 academic year, it is with pride and gratitude that I reflect on another remarkable year, celebrating our students' hard work, determination, and outstanding achievements. It is a time to reflect on all that has been accomplished together, acknowledging the growth and success so very evident throughout this year. 

We have witnessed incredible achievements across all areas of school life. From the classroom to the sporting fields, from the stage to service projects, from fundraising to co-curricular activities, Red Bend students have embraced every opportunity to participate, grow, celebrate and excel. 

At the same time, challenges tested students in adapting to different situations, overcoming unexpected hurdles, or supporting one another through personal and collective struggles. Yet, through it all, the strength of our community has shone brightly, reminding us that growth often comes hand-in-hand with challenge. As we reflect on the year, we cherish the lessons learned, the friendships forged, and the milestones reached, all of which can prepare Red Bend students for an even brighter future. 

In looking back over the year's accomplishments, I want to acknowledge the core purpose of ensuring that every student experiences success in their learning. It is not just about winning awards or receiving recognition, but about the journey of growth and improvement that each student has undertaken. Success is not one-size-fits-all. It’s about overcoming challenges, developing resilience, and striving to be the best version of ourselves. 

We are delighted to congratulate the HSC Class of 2024 on their exceptional achievements! Their hard work, dedication, and perseverance have been rewarded with outstanding results, reflecting their commitment to excellence in learning. We are incredibly proud of each student’s accomplishments.

Congratulations to Freya Hooper, who achieved First Place in the state for Primary Industries. This is an incredible achievement for Freya, who has shown great determination to achieve success. 

Also congratulations to Sam Gould, who has been awarded the Dux of the College with an impressive ATAR of 94.25   Sam’s consistent effort and dedication to his studies have set a wonderful example for his peers. Additionally, we commend the following students for achieving remarkable ATARs in the 90s: Samuel Gould, Steven Su, Grace Dwyer Mulligan, Lauren House, Vienna Farrell, Amelie Kerr, Nicholas Gascoigne, Jessica Mckenzie and Isabel Brown.

The 2024 HSC results highlight the exceptional achievements of our cohort:

• 37 Band 6 results (marks of 90 or above)

• 150 Band 5 results (marks between 80 and 90)

• 206 Band 4 results (marks between 70 and 80)

These accomplishments showcase the academic strength and consistent effort across the year group.

Red Bend continues to offer diverse pathways for students, including university preparation, vocational education, and direct employment opportunities. This year, seventy-three students applied for university, and all received offers. Twelve students engaged in sixty-four individual work experiences or work placements. Eighteen students attended regular weekly work placements, and five have secured full-time employment or trainee/apprentice positions with their host employers. A total of two hundred and ninety work placements have taken place in 2024 for students in years 10 -12.

Beyond academics, the Class of 2024 continued the proud traditions of our College through their contributions to artistic, cultural, and sporting pursuits. We congratulate all students on their remarkable achievements and wish them every success in their future endeavors.

As the school year concludes, we farewell a number of staff members who have provided dedicated service to the College, some over an extended period of time. The following staff members leave us: 

• Ms Jo Donnelly who has taught at the College for over 40 years 

• Mr Matthew Pearce who has been our Director of Faith Formation

• Ms Sush Kaur teacher of Mathematics

• Mr Kenneth Beaton teacher of Religious Education

• Ms Helen Glover teacher of Agriculture and Science

• Mrs Kylie Kerr Languages Coordinator

• Ms Heather Moyes Creative Arts Coordinator

I also wish well the following staff who are taking leave in 2025, Ms Harding, Ms Langley and Ms Roebuck.

On behalf of the College community, I thank all our departing staff members for their contributions to the College and for helping make our school an amazing place. I wish them every success in their new ventures and assure them our prayers are with them as they continue their journey beyond Red Bend.

I take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to the parents, carers and families of our students. Your support, encouragement, and trust in us have been invaluable. You play an integral role in shaping the lives of our young people, and we are grateful for your partnership throughout this year. 

To our teachers and staff, I thank them for their unwavering commitment to our students. Every day, they bring their passion, expertise, and dedication to ensure our students thrive. Their care and dedication are so very evident that it makes our College a place of warmth and inspiration, where our students are educated and truly cared for. I am deeply grateful for all Red Bend staff members and the extraordinary work they do every day. 

As we continue our Advent journey in preparation for Christmas, let us be awake and aware of what is happening around us and be open to receiving the joy and wisdom of the spirit this Christmas. I hope and pray that you all have a happy and holy Christmas, and a restful holiday period.  

We look forward to welcoming the students back in the new year, refreshed and ready for 2025.

May Mary our Good Mother and Marcellin Champagant continue to watch over our community.

Thank you to all families, students and  staff for their outstanding commitment to the College in 2024. I wish all families a safe, happy and holy Christmas and look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year. As the year comes to conclusion I wish to remind you and inform you about some changes to the College in 2025.

Policy Review for 2025 Implementation

As we conclude the year, we take the time to review and update certain policies and procedures to improve the educational outcomes for all students at the College. 

Attendance Policy

One area I have written about throughout the year is student attendance. Under the NSW Education Act 1990, all schools are required to monitor attendance and intervene to support improved attendance for students at educational risk. Likewise, all parents are required to make their best efforts to ensure their children attend school. A basic benchmark is 90% attendance; anything below 90% attendance places a child at risk regarding education outcomes and maximising social connection. 

We know there are many reasons for non-attendance at school ranging from personal, medical, family, education, relationship and community factors. This makes school attendance and ongoing attendance rates a complex task in some households. Our goal is to promote strong school attendance and the importance of attending daily. We will work in partnership with families when low attendance occurs. Our focus foremost is on prevention of educational risk due to low attendance, and we ask all parents to maintain the message with students that every day of attendance matters. 

We want to support our students to be at school every day. Here are a few points to consider, what families can do and what the school can do to see our students at school.

How can you help?

• Plan holidays and family events for non-school days.

• Try to schedule appointments for the end of the school day

• Make sure your child attends school every day unless they are ill.

• Ensure your child has a good routine before school, including sleep practices. 

What the College will do

• Create an Attendance policy that is clear and transparent

• Update our leave processes inline with the Attendance Policy to support families in understanding the legislative requirements and what is considered approved or unapproved leave.

• Support students and monitor student attendance to support the academic and wellbeing needs of every student.

Mobile Phone Policy

Mobile phones and social media have been the topic of recent conversations as the Federal Government has legislated a social media ban for people under the age of 16. This may come as a relief for many parents/carers who have been concerned about the impact of social media on their children and young people. We as a College are responding by reviewing our Mobile Phone Policy and planning to reflect changes that support students and families to be safe online. 

More information about the changes to our Mobile Phone policy will be shared in 2025.

Student ID Cards 

All students in the College now have their Student ID Cards. All students are encouraged to keep their ID card’s safe over the holiday period ready for use in 2025.

Student ID Cards in 2025 will have the following uses:

• Signing into school when arriving late or leaving early, 

• Signing in and out of the health centre, 

• Borrowing books from the College library

• Students that currently catch the College Cowra and Grenfell buses, will now scan their ID card when getting on and off the College bus. 

• Purchasing items from the College Canteen through Flexischools

• Printing on a College printer

Remember if your child/ren misplace their ID card there will be a fee of $10 that will be charged to your child/ren’s College account. Please encourage your child/ren to take care of their Student ID card.

Here is a video on how students use their Student ID card - link

FAQ - FAQ page to the website 

Flexischools

Red Bend Catholic College will be using Flexischools for parents to place lunch orders and make over-the-counter purchases at our school from Term 1, 2025. Australia's #1 school ordering solution, Flexischools, operates in more than 1700 schools across Australia, enabling parents and students to order and pay for school lunches, and school community events online or via the Flexischools app.

Flexischools App 

Parents simply download the Flexischools app from the Apple or Google store and follow the prompts to create an account. You can download the App and find registration and online ordering instructions here.

Parents can set daily spend limits and keep an eye on what they’re buying via your Flexischools app. 

Additionally, you can also add access for your child to use the App, enabling them to place online orders themselves - great for growing independence.

If you already have a Flexischools account for another family member then just select the Profile icon on the app and +Add New Student. 

Students will be able to make over-the-counter canteen purchases with their existing student ID card by linking their card to their profile in the Flexischools App. This feature will be available from Term 1, 2025.

Here’s how to link your child’s student card to your Flexischools account for cash-free spending at school. 

Register a Flexischools account and create a student 

Select Red Bend Catholic College from drop down list 

Under Settings, enter the Student ID number located on the front of your student card

FAQ - FAQ for Flexischools

Consent2Go update

We have officially launched Consent2Go, thank you to the parents/carers who have logged in and confirmed your child/ren details. Concent2Go has an easy-to-use parent interface, including a parent app which will allow you to access activity and students' information anytime. Concent2Go will simplify the way you consent and pay  for your child/ren to attend incursions, excursions and camps going forward. 

When you complete an excursion/incursion through Consent2Go, it provides the College with the up to date medical and dietary information for your child/ren. If you do not update this information in Consent2Go, the information about your child/ren will not be accurate. A new invitation to update your details will be sent in the New Year. 

As a parent using Consent2Go, you will not need to log in or use a password to access Consent2Go and your child’s information. You will receive a personalised web link that allows you to respond to excursion invitations and/or update your child’s information. A profile update will look similar to the this:

In 2025 all excursion and incursion forms will be sent to families via Consent2Go. This will simplify the way you consent and pay for your child/ren to attend incursions, excursions and camps going forward. We are excited to roll this new program out to our families at the College. 

Consent2Go is compliant with all national privacy requirements and ensures that all data is stored in accordance with Red Bend Catholic College’s Privacy Policy.