Recently, schools have been in the news.  Plenty of reaction around the country to schools choosing to move away from single sex education to coeducational education.  This always seems to engender emotive responses.  The array of ‘talking heads’ and other experts drawn upon in these debates always interests me.  I was watching one panel discussion recently where the panellists were taking the point that moving a boys’ school to a co-ed setting was a good idea but not so much the other way – moving a girls’ school to co-ed.  The ‘expert’ in question said that this was because boys’ schools were responsible for ‘toxic masculinity’ and that girls’ schools never exhibited ‘toxic femininity’.  I am presuming that expert has never had to work through incidents of adolescent girls being really awful to each other or anyone in their path! After having spent many years in both single sex and co-ed schools, my belief would be that it is not so much who children sit beside that makes a difference but who is in front of them. Teachers and school leadership are a much bigger factor in creating great school cultures, or not, than the students in the school.  Teachers who truly care for their students and who teach well, have a profound influence on the outcomes and behaviours of young people.  It puts plenty of pressure on me and my Leadership team, but we play a very significant part in that process as well.  We determine what is acceptable and what is not.  Young people, whatever gender, will make mistakes at times and make some very poor choices – along with their great choices.  How those are dealt with and managed creates the culture in a school.  And parents play a big part in that in the way in which they partner with the school and support the ethos and values.  After many years in this business, I love coeducation.  I think it provides a great ‘balance’ for young people and great preparation for the world into which they will graduate. That said, no school – single sex or coed – is immune from toxic masculinity or femininity – it is all about how those issues are managed and the responses made. 

Catholic Schools’ Race Day  was another great event.  Thank you to all guests and sponsors for your support – hope you all had a win!  Particularly grateful to the organising committee and the spectacular efforts of Peter O’Beirne who just does an outstanding job coordinating this event every year.

Harmony Day at Shalom will be celebrated on Thursday of this week.  This is one of our wonderful events as we recognize the diverse backgrounds and cultures of so many of our students.  We are so much better for their presence.  This year, we will welcome First Nations man and Rugby League great, Sam Thaiday to Shalom to help us celebrate. 

Attendance Rates – as we move towards the end of a very busy Term 1, our attendance data is very pleasing – a touch over 92% and the number of students late to school has also decreased.  We are so grateful to parents for the part they play in ensuring that your child’s learning time is maximised at Shalom.

Mr Dan McMahon
Principal
mcmahond@shalomcollege.com