It is with great pleasure that I warmly welcome all members of our school community as we begin the new school year. I would also like to extend a heartfelt greeting to our new students, their families, and carers as they join the vibrant San Clemente community.

Additionally, I extend this welcome to our new teachers who have chosen to join the San Clemente team. We are grateful for the wealth of knowledge and diverse experiences they bring, which will undoubtedly enrich our school's journey as we transition to Stage 6.

Our Teaching and Learning team consists of dynamic leaders who are passionate about their Key Learning Areas (KLAs) and dedicated to improving student learning outcomes. The Leaders of Learning for 2025 are:

• Learning Support: Ms. Hayley Amm
• Religious Education: Mr. Brendan Neeson
• English: Ms. Belinda Dempsey
• Mathematics: Ms. Helen Wilks
• Science: Mrs. Julia Nolan
• HSIE: Mr. Michael Flanagan
• CAPA/LOTE: Mrs. Kate James
• PDHPE: Mr. Michael Byrne
• TAS: Mrs. Gillian Rutherford

If you have any specific questions regarding the KLA your child(ren) is participating in, I encourage you to speak with the Leader of Learning or the class teacher as your first point of contact.

Devices and equipment for learning

Connectivity is a focus for San Clemente during the first two weeks of school, both in terms of student engagement and digital integration.  San Clemente staff have been assisting students in connecting to our network and accessing all necessary technologies and applications for their studies. Teachers are guiding their classes through the various platforms used for learning, including MS Teams and OneNote.

Students will rely on their devices for day-to-day organisation, accessing tasks, and receiving notifications through Compass. I thank the students for their patience and the parents for their support in this process of connecting devices. I would also like to express my appreciation to the Year 7 Mentors and the DIAL team for leading the implementation of the Digital Passport.

Students are reminded that devices are required each day and should be fully charged before school. They should also ensure they carry essential equipment, including pens and notebooks to be prepared for a variety of learning activities or in case their device runs out of battery.

Progressive Achievement Testing (PAT)

The Teaching and Learning team consistently analyse data to inform the learning opportunities at San Clemente.  On Friday, Year 7 and our new students completed two different tests including: Reading and Mathematics to pinpoint a starting point for students at San Clemente, target teaching and monitor growth.  Students in each cohort complete these tests each year to assess progress in key literacy and numeracy skills, and assist their teachers to personalise learning for our students.  I would like to thank our students for the way in which they have approached these tests and the teachers who supported students in the administration of the tests.

2025 is shaping up to be a busy and exciting year as we unveil more plans and opportunities for Stage 6. Working in partnership with our families is key to the success of our students, and I look forward to continuing this collaboration with you all.