Firstly a thank you for the warm welcome I have received from students and staff. It is evident the Corpus Christi community has a deep commitment to developing the faith, learning and well-being of every student. 

This year our school will be increasing its emphasis on Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L). This Diocesan mandated framework is a crucial way in which we bring together faith, learning and well-being in our Catholic school. Students, staff and parents all have a part to play in PB4L, ensuring we are on the same page to create a positive and supportive learning environment for everyone at Corpus Christi Catholic High School. The initial focus areas for our PB4L team will be:

• Attendance - arriving to school on time and ready to learn, and maximising student learning opportunities during class time.
• Playground Expectations - including an emphasis upon expected behaviours at the canteen.
• Uniform - student voice project, accountability.

A reminder about policies and expectations in the following areas (as outlined in our student handbook):

Attendance

Attendance expectations at Corpus Christi are aligned with Diocesan Policy and Procedure and emphasise the partnership between school and home. All staff are involved in supporting regular attendance and LCLAs play a key role in communication with families in regards to attendance patterns and concerns. House Coordinators facilitate time during pastoral team meetings to review and assess attendance data. 

Families will consult the CEDoW Attendance Policy and CEDoW Attendance Procedure to ensure they meet legislative requirements, especially concerning absences and planned leave.

Responsible Use of Technology

At the commencement of each school year students and their parents make a renewed commitment to uphold the CEDoW Responsible Use of Technology Agreement.

In 2023, the NSW Government banned the use of mobile phones in its schools. This legislation supports the enforcement of Corpus Christi’s zero-tolerance toward student mobile phone use. Students breaching this expectation will be directed to Student Services to place their phones away safely until 3:00pm.

Airpods/earphones are also not to be used unless in the context of a classroom activity (as directed by a Learning Advisor).

Thank you for your continued partnership in building a positive school community.

 

Ms Kate Burnett
Acting Assistant Principal

Next Meeting

 

Ms Renee Maounis
Parents' and Friends' Association
President

Student Leaders 2025

Congratulations to the following students on their appointment to the 2025 Student Leadership Team. The school community is looking forward to the many initiatives they will implement throughout the year. 

Student Leadership 2025

Student Leadership 2025 47.28 KB

Class Change Requests - Years 7-10

Congratulations to our students on a very positive start to the year. Students have settled well into their classes, are engaged and eager to participate in learning activities. However, there have been some requests by students and parents to change classes. It is a very rigorous process placing students into classes and all of the academic and pastoral needs are taken into consideration when finalising class lists. Whilst we understand that students would like to be in classes with their friends, it is essential that learning is the priority. It becomes very difficult to move students due to classes being at capacity and the structure of the school timetable. If you have any serious concerns regarding your child’s placement, then please contact your child’s Learning Circle Learning Advisor or House/Year Leader so they can discuss with you some appropriate strategies and supports to assist your child in navigating their current learning environment.  

Peer Support Program

Our Year 10 Peer Support Leaders recently kicked off our Peer Support program to help Year 7 students settle into high school. On the first day of school, Year 7 participated in a range of icebreaker activities, discussed school values, set group goals such as promoting kindness and confidence at school, and explored what it means to be a successful student. Activities like “Would You Rather” and a school tour helped Year 7’s bond, navigating their new environment, and feeling welcomed into our school community. Year 7 will participate in the program for the duration of Term 1, focusing on respectful relationships, resilience and belonging in our school community.

Some quotes from Year 7 about the program so far:

“Peer Support has taught me to remember important teachers names” - Yasmin & Amelia 

“We have learnt about positive friendship qualities” - Sadie 

“I have learnt to be kind to all” - Jaxx 

“Peer Support has taught me how to respect my peers more” - Benji 

“I have learnt teamwork with my group” - Sean 

“Peer Support has shown me locations around the school” - Levi 

A big thank you to our Student Leadership and Peer Support Coordinator Ms Brooke Brady for facilitating this important initiative. 

The Pastoral Team

Ms Amanda Kenneally (Leader of Pastoral Care), Mr Pat McAuley (Leader of Chisholm House), Ms Hannah Gleeson (Leader of Davis House), Ms Alicia Lockyer (Leader of Deane House), Ms Courtney Tyler(Leader of Ingham House), Mr Daniel Iacono (Leader of Year 10), Ms Ami Harries (Leader of Year 11) and Ms Ellen Setter (Leader of Year 12).

On Thursday 6 February we celebrated the success of our 2024 HSC students. We acknowledge the Distinguished Achievers for 2024 who received band 6 or E4 in one or more of their courses. They were:

We also celebrated Andrew Murphy’s achievement of attaining and ATAR of 99.2. Andrew addressed the school. His speech is attached below.

Good morning everyone. My name is Andrew, and apparently, I did something right last year because I’ve been invited back to give this speech. But seriously, being awarded dux is definitely an honour, and it represents years of hard work and focus, but also a reflection of the support I had from my teachers, friends, and family. 

First off, a huge thank you to my family. To my parents—thank you for the endless love, support, and reminding me to finish my assignments at least 17 times a day. And a special thanks to my older sister Sally, who deserves all the credit for helping me with assignments and letting me steal her notes since day one. Honestly, I’m probably here today because of her guidance. 

To my teachers Mr Bellhouse, Mr Ryan, Mr Dyson, Mr Hancock, Ms Brady, Mr Hiser, and every teacher who has taught me at Corpus—thank you for believing in me, for pushing me when I needed it, and all the extra hours you put in to help me succeed. Students: trust your teachers. They’re here to help you, even when it feels like they’re just piling on homework. Teachers want you to succeed. When they hit you with, ‘You’re going to need this for the HSC,’ trust me—you should probably listen.

If you haven’t listened to anything I've said, at least pay attention to this. This is my top advice on how you ‘lock in and become an academic weapon’.

1. Make the most of class time and study sessions. Be productive in the time you’re given—it saves you stress later.
2. Don’t pretend to study. Actually Study. Stay off your phone, no more Tetris, Wordle, or watching football highlights on YouTube. Trust me, Messi will still be the GOAT when you finish your homework. 
3. Eat before exams. This is really important. You don’t want to be sitting there thinking about a meat pie while trying to remember your English quotes. Also, food helps your brain run faster.
4. Actually complete assignments, homework, and assessments—and do them early. These aren’t just chores; they help you succeed in the long run. 
5. Find a routine and create study habits that work for you. Whether it's mind maps, active recall, or maybe just maybe 2 cans of redbull on a sunday night (just kidding… sort of).

It’s never too late to start. I can’t stress this enough. I saw this Chinese proverb on instagram reels that read, ‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, but the second-best time is now’. Start studying, catch up on your content, and lock in.

Balance is key too. You can hit the books and still hit the dance floor. Or what my Dad says, ‘Party hard, but study harder’. Hang out with your friends, go to the gym, play sports, and have rest days. It’s all about balance, trust me. Just make sure you don’t “balance” a one thousand word essay at 11:59pm the night before its due. 

Now, I have to give a massive thank you to my friends. Honestly, you guys made school bearable and actually fun. From lunchtime football games to AirPlaying Blackjack on the classroom TV, there was never a dull moment. Special shoutout to my guys Riley Tobar and Andrew Dixon—we had every class together, and I couldn't have done it without you.

Before I wrap this up, I want to leave you with a bit of inspiration. I came across this Kanye West lyric: 'Reach for the stars, so if you fall, you land on a cloud’. Now, I’m not saying take all your life advice from Kanye, but he has a point. Dream big, put in the effort, and even if you don’t hit the target every time, you’ll still be better off than where you started.

So, enjoy high school. Make memories. Go out, have fun, but also chase the bag and work hard. Remember, it’s not too late to turn things around if you need to. Trust your teachers, trust yourself, and, most importantly, discipline yourself while finding a healthy balance.

Finally, remember that anything is possible. If the Lebron and the Cavs can come back from 3-1 down in the NBA finals, you can ace your exams. Thanks everyone, and good luck with whatever comes next.

Thank you.

Dr Aidan Johnson
Leader of Curriculum and Improvement

Dear Students, Parents, and Carers,

We would like to address some recent inquiries regarding class groupings by providing clarification on the selection process and structure.

The Cluster Class (Group A) is determined based on classroom performance and external assessments, including CoGAT, NAPLAN, and PAT. 

Groups B to G are mixed-ability classes and are not streamed. These groupings are carefully arranged based on pastoral considerations and student dynamics to create an optimal learning environment for all students. Mathematics classes have some extra structures for extension and support in year 9 and 10.

At Corpus Christi we are committed to high academic expectations and building resilience. All classes will focus upon developing students’ growth mindset, nurturing positive attitudes, teamwork and collaborative practices. Students are encouraged to work beyond their comfort zone and strive for constant improvement.

We hope this information clarifies the class structure at Corpus Christi and alleviates any concerns as we begin the new academic year.

We are very excited to be able to offer some amazing opportunities for students here at Corpus Christi, one of them being the Instrumental Program. We are actively seeking new students who would like to learn an instrument at school in 2025.

The lessons take place during class time on the day the tutor is at school (notified on the Compass timetable) and are rotated so students don’t miss the same lessons twice. They are 30 minutes in duration and take place in the music practice rooms. Students then return to their normal classes. Last year, (and continuing this year) lessons were held on a Tuesday however with many of the students returning for lessons this year, another day will more than likely open up.

We have amazing tutors here at Corpus Christi and there have had some major successes with past students. We have active musicians in a number of Aria Nominated bands including award winners, many students have gone on to be involved in the Entertainment fields of recording, film and television composing, concert and festival organisation and studio musicians. In 2023, four of our Yr 12 students were awarded a Band 6 for their HSC music performances including one who received an Encore nomination for outstanding HSC presentations. Many of these students started learning their instruments with the tutors in the Instrumental Program and it’s wonderful to celebrate their successes.

Fees for the instrumental Program are $40 for a private, 30 minute lesson paid directly to the tutor. This is a very reasonable rate and much lower than many private tutors and the Conservatorium of Music are charging.

For more information on learning DRUMS, GUITAR (Electric and Acoustic) and BASS please drop me an email at lappanj01@dow.catholic.edu.au and I will organise an introduction to the tutor and send an EOI form. 

Mr John Lappan
Learning Advisor

We have an increasing number of students presenting to the office to sign out with no note in Compass for them to leave. If you require your child to leave early for a planned appointment or other reason this should be entered in Compass before the departure day and time. If there is a note in Compass the student can come down and sign out through the office.

If you are unable to access Compass a parent or nominated emergency contact will need to come in and sign your child out.  

Unwell Students

Student ID Cards

Please remind your child to have their Student ID Card at school everyday.  

Regards
Office Administration Team

Online Orders are available as per the instructions below.

There are a few important points such as:

• Cut off time for online orders is 9:00am
• Orders are for recess and lunch
• Please include your student’s Year Group eg. Year 7, 8 etc on the order NOT the class

Please see details below on how to create an account via the website https://myschoolconnect.com.au

To obtain your Student Id Number you will need to log into Compass which is located under your child's profile.

Due to safety concerns, students are not to exit the school grounds in the afternoon through the glass foyer. All students are required to use the walking path around to the drop-off bay or Moore Street exit.  The only exceptions are any disabled students or students with an injury.

A reminder to parents about double-parking and blocking traffic flow before and after school. This INCLUDES ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS.  Cars are to keep moving through the kiss and drop area. If there are no spots available.  Please do not stop and block the traffic flow.

Please be aware that hefty fines apply for these offenses and consideration of the local businesses and the safety of students is paramount.

Senior students and families are reminded to follow the rules when parking near and around the school grounds and to be considerate of the neighbours.

Opening Hours

• Mondays 1:00pm to 6:00pm (Tracey)
• Tuesdays 8:00am to 1:00pm (Tracey)
• Thursdays 1:00pm to 6:00pm (Michelle)

The uniform shop is located at Unit 6/17-19 Industrial Road, Oak Fla

Visit ranier.com.au. Registration requires the exact student name and student number to be entered.  The school password (corpchris2529) is also required to register. Email Ranier at custservice@ranier.com.au for any problems registering.  Uniforms ordered online will need to be collected from the Uniform Shop during opening hours.

Uniform Pool

If you require second-hand uniforms there is a Corpus Christi Oak Flats Uniform Pool page on Facebook.  This is not run by the school but feel free to check it out for any uniform needs.

Ms Jennifer Niduaza
Ranier Design Group