2019 Heads of Faculty and
Heads of Houses
We have had some enquiries from parents about the names of staff who oversee our academic faculties and pastoral care structure. I have listed these below for your information.

Heads of Faculties

• Arts -  Mr Peter Waterman
• English & LOTE -  Mr John Kelly
• Flexible Learning -  Mrs Julie Farmer
• Health & Physical Education - Mr Glen Urbani
• Humanities - Mrs Carelyn Robinson
• Inclusive Education - Ms Nadia Fantasia
• Religious Education -  Mr Anthony Callisto
• Science - Mr Peter Steel
• Technology -  Mr Joel Phillips
• VET - Mrs Belinda DeConno-Coward

Heads of Houses

• Barron House - Mr Matt Footner
• Egan House - Mr Tom Hodkinson
• Gurr House - Mr Michael Vickery
• Murphy House - Mrs Marnie Tiggemann
• O'Brien House - Mrs Lee-Anne Genner
• Webb House - Ms Melissa Frasca

EREA Teaching and Learning Conference
The inaugural Edmund Rice Education Australia Teaching and Learning Conference was held this week, at the University of Technology in Sydney. All EREA schools Australia-wide in addition to some New Zealand schools sent their Deputy Principal, Leader of Learning, and Identity Leader to engage in a conference dedicated to thinking critically about teaching and learning in our schools. The focus on the touchsteone 'Liberating Education' is a key strategic priority for everything we do at Rostrevor College in order to support our students to achieve their academic personal best.

A range of credentialed guest speakers presented to the conference attendees, and Ray Paxton delivered pivotal EREA data which drives our strategic plans and school improvement.

I represented Rostrevor College along with Mr Ric Sachse (APRIM) and Mrs Kerry Hodkinson (Director Teaching and Learning). We were very proud of Kerry who had a significant role as a member of the Organising Committee.

Student Reports
Over the following few weeks teachers will be finalising assessments to determine student achievement for Term 3. Teachers will work collaboratively within faculties to confirm assessment standards through moderation activities and prepare student reports.

Reports will be available from the Parent Portal during the first week of the October holiday break. Parents are encouraged to contact subject teachers if they have concerns from the home front. Ideally, through regular contact with the school and access to your son's academic program and achievement at a task level from the Parent Portal, parents should know enough about their son's progress for there to be nothing in a term or semester report that comes as a total surprise.

Student Non-Attendance
Over the past month, we have collated feedback from staff regarding our current practices for following up non-attendance and examining research in the area of student absenteeism and its impact on student learning and wellbeing.

Every day matters in the school life of a child or young person. Each day of attendance has a positive effect on their development and future success. In contrast, regular attendance at school contributes to opportunities for success, including a population that is better educated and healthier, with improved job choices, financial independence and higher overall wellbeing.

As early as preschool, regular absence can be a predictor of later attendance patterns. Even missing one day a week of school from Reception to Year 10 adds up to missing two years and one term of schooling.