Bernard Burgess

It is a pleasure to be writing for the first time in The Nest as I commence as principal in 2025.

The welcome and support received by all staff new to the college this year has been overwhelming and very much appreciated. This support has come from staff, students and families and has certainly helped all to settle and become accustomed to life at CMCC.

As I outlined in my welcome letter in January, CMCC is first and foremost a Catholic school in the Mercy tradition. We have high expectations for learning and that is at the forefront of the work that happens in the school each day. I anticipate that the college and its families will work in partnership to ensure students abide by all policies and procedures including uniform expectations, respectful relationships and all aspects of the student code of conduct.

Staff look forward to working to ensure that each student achieves their personal best academically, in a school that supports and nurtures their faith life and wellbeing. Agreed understandings of all that we hope for in terms of student outcomes are highly valued and family connections are strongly encouraged.

Pope Francis has declared a Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025, and this theme will be carried throughout all liturgies and gatherings at CMCC this year. On Sunday 2nd March, Bishop Michael Kennedy will lead a Pilgrimage of Hope from Nobby’s Beach, along Newcastle foreshore to Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton before celebrating Mass at 10.00am. CMCC will be present with staff and students, and we invite and encourage as many of our families as possible to come along and participate. Following 10.00am Mass there will be a Festival of Hope in the Cathedral precinct along with the launch of Project Compassion 2025. There will be jumping castles and stalls for families as part of this event and all are welcome.

The first ever Year 12 cohort at CMCC have begun the year with great positivity and enthusiasm and it is a primary focus in the school this year that our first graduates are given every opportunity to achieve their best possible results. This will provide them with choices and lead them to their next phase in life. Post school pathways may include university studies or other paths of study and work, and we wish every CMCC Year 12 student the very best. We are committed to supporting them every step of the way.

School attendance holds great significance in terms of positive academic achievement for all students and Year 12 are of course aware of this and are expected to be present at school every day this year. Academic achievement is inextricably linked to “turning up”

Attendance expectations extend to all students throughout the school too. While sickness and the occasional unavoidable family event will prevent attendance for a small number of days each year for some students, it is important that school attendance is a priority if students are to achieve their personal best.

Family and Community Engagement or FACE is the term now used for families to come to the school to engage with staff and the school’s leadership, to hear about initiatives in the college and to have the opportunity to ask questions about any school related matters.

Wednesday 5th March at 5.30pm will be the first of the FACE opportunities this year and families are invited to come along to meet with new members of the college’s Senior Leadership Team, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit and hear about Student Wellbeing Walls in a presentation by Data and Analytics Leader at CMCC, Matthew Klopper.

A Compass invitation including an opportunity to submit questions with notice to the CMCC leadership group will be sent in the week prior to the FACE gathering.

I look forward to every opportunity this year to meet and get to know our families at FACE gatherings and the many other times and events at which we gather.

With best wishes to all in the CMCC community at the commencement of this new school year.

United in Mercy