On Friday 13 February, we welcomed the high achieving students from our Class of 2025 to our first College Assembly for the year. We welcomed these Old Paradians and recognised their outstanding achievements in front of their families and the entire Parade College community. They are great role models for all our students and highlight that hard work and success for students studying the VCE and VCE VM programs is certainly attainable and something to strive for.
The Assembly also provided us with the opportunity to present for the third time, the Old Paradians’ Association Young Achievement Award. This year, we were thrilled to welcome back Ray Pastoors (Class of 2010). Ray was accompanied by his family and guests.
The award was founded by the OPA in 2023 to commemorate the memory of Lewis Derrico, College Captain 1974, former teacher at the College and driving force in the re-establishment of the OPA, serving as President from 2009-2021. The presentation commenced with Peter Bonadio, Secretary of the Old Paradians' Association, announcing Ray as the recipient.
Long-serving Parade College staff member, Anne-Marie Morello, was humbled to have the opportunity to speak at the assembly and recalls meeting Ray, when he joined the College in Year 9, coming from New South Wales, and the privilege of working with him over the next 4 years. “Settling in quickly, Ray found ways to contribute his time and interests to school initiatives. It wasn’t long before Ray found his way to the Community Action Centre, where he became an active and committed member of the team and where I had the privilege of working with him over his 4 years at the College”, Anne-Marie recalls. To read more about Ray’s contribution to the wider community, following his time at Parade, you can visit the Old Paradians website: Lewis Derrico Young Old Paradian Achievement Award - Old Paradians
Lewis's wife Ana Derrico was in attendance to assist in the presentation. We hope that this annual award might serve as an inspiration to our current students. Ray’s journey is certainly one that demonstrates the value of determination and resilience. Our Awards program aims to create opportunities to recognise the outstanding achievements of our Alumni in the wider community.
Our College Open Day was held on Sunday and was extremely successful. It was wonderful to see our staff and so many students onsite to showcase the College and the many opportunities available to prospective students and their families.
Current families were also onsite to support their children as they participated in several events and activities throughout the day. We also had our Parents of Parade committee members onsite cooking the BBQ and chatting with families about how they can become further involved in college life.
A sincere thank you to everyone for assisting on the day and the hundreds of Parade College students who volunteered to support the day and chat to prospective families and students. Many visitors commented on the kind and friendly nature of our students and staff.
We can hopefully look forward to welcoming many of these new students and families into our community over the coming years.
Our Ash Wednesday services at both campuses were held last Wednesday, to mark the beginning of Lent, which is traditionally the forty-day period to examine and renew our spiritual lives. It is a time of prayer, service, and fasting.
The forty days recall the forty years that the people of Israel wandered in the wilderness before arriving at the promised land and the forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness after being baptised.
On Ash Wednesday, we receive ashes that remind us of our nature as created beings. This practice echoes the Old Testament tradition of wearing ashes as a sign of repentance. As the ash cross is made on our foreheads, we hear words that echo John the Baptist’s call to conversion: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel”.
Our Year 7 students are heading off to camp on Wednesday 4 March for two nights. The students have a great opportunity to make new friends and strengthen their relationships with their teachers and support staff.
Many scheduled activities expect the boys to communicate with each other, offer support and encouragement, and to also extend themselves beyond their comfort zones.
We hope camp is a wonderful experience for all our students.
The College is part of the global community in celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day. International Women’s Day will be celebrated at the College on Thursday 12 March this year. This year’s theme is ‘Give To Gain’. The campaign encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration.
International Women's Day is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Each year, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made toward gender equality and highlights the work that still needs to be done.
We can all give our support to gain advancement for women and girls. As individuals, giving support means calling out stereotypes, challenging discrimination, questioning bias, celebrating women's success, and more. Sharing our knowledge and encouragement with others is also key. Collective activism is what drives change.
For more information, please visit the website: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/
We are holding a Family Trivia Night on Wednesday 25 March. This is a great opportunity for students and their families to come along and share in a wonderful evening.
There will be many prizes on offer and House Points available for students, their families and staff for attending. We would love to see lots of families attend. Look out for further details.
There is an opportunity for parents/carers of current students to join the Parade College School Advisory Council in 2026. For more information, please refer to the link below for more details.
This Newsletter is our major means of communication with families, so please ensure that you take the time to read it.
We produce the Newsletter once a month; and it is sent electronically.
Parents and carers are urged to ensure that we have their current preferred email addresses to receive the Newsletter. Please advise Reception immediately of any change of residential or email addresses and phone numbers.
The Newsletter is always available on the College website. Hard copies are available for collection at Reception at both campuses for anyone unable to access the Newsletter
electronically.
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