COLLEGE INFORMATION History of Catholic Education in Shepparton Mission Statement Values Statement Philosophy of Student Welfare and Discipline House System Student Conduct Code Privacy Policy Facilities Student Assistance Programs Associated Bodies College Map HISTORY OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN SHEPPARTON Catholic secondary education commenced in Shepparton on February 23, 1902, when the Sisters of Mercy opened Sacred Heart College with an enrolment of nineteen boys and girls ranging in age from six to sixteen. For some fifty years, the Sisters were responsible for Catholic secondary education in the area and catered not only for day pupils, many of whom were from other Christian denominations, but also for boarders. Then the Marist Brothers were invited to conduct a Secondary College for boys and so, on July 9, 1951, St Colman's College commenced with an enrolment of one hundred and five boys from Grade 5 to Form 3 (Year 9). Both Colleges began to expand in the early 1960's and extensive building projects were undertaken to cater for the increasing enrolments. In the following decade the possibility of some form of rationalisation of resources and shared classes was explored at length. Finally, in April 1983 a decision was taken by the Bishop of Sandhurst and the Superiors of the two religious congregations concerned to amalgamate the two Colleges in 1984. The new College was given the name of Notre Dame College. A name derived from the French translation of Our Lady, a title used universally by Catholics for Mary, the Mother of God. We are the only College of this name amongst the Catholic Secondary Colleges of Australia. Since the two religious orders historically involved in the College, the Marist Brothers and the Sisters of Mercy, are both dedicated to Mary, their common tradition is symbolised by this choice of name. Notre Dame College derives its strength and vision for the future from the long tradition of service to Catholic education provided by both Colleges over many decades to the people of the Shepparton area. (Top) MISSION STATEMENT Notre Dame College is a Catholic co-educational secondary college located at Shepparton, in the Goulburn Valley. Built on Marist-Mercy traditions, we endeavour to provide a comprehensive and challenging educational experience for all students and staff in a faith-filled, pastoral community. Together with families, we strive to develop the full potential of each individual within a just and caring Christian community. (Top) VALUES STATEMENT Faith We seek to make students aware of the rich Catholic heritage and we nurture this as the source of their Catholic Identity and living. Spirituality We endeavour to develop an active, living expression of Christian values in the individual lives of the students. We commit ourselves to nurture spirituality in our College community so that a framework is provided for the living out of gospel values. Tradition We value the living tradition inherent in the Catholic story. We go forward with a sense of the work accomplished by our predecessors. We appreciate our identity and we strive to further build upon the faith and commitment of the Mercy and Marist congregations. Excellence We seek to promote an environment whereby students and staff are able to develop themselves to their fullest potential. We seek to provide a curriculum and structure whereby students can experience success according to their unique personal capabilities. Development Of The Whole Person We believe in the nurturing of the individual as a whole person. This entails spiritual, physical, psychological, social, aesthetic and emotional development within a caring environment. Self-Esteem We encourage every person within the Notre Dame College Community to feel respected, loved and valued. We seek to provide opportunities for the interaction of all and for the promotion and development of talents and abilities. Community We recognise that Notre Dame College encompasses and involves students, staff, parents and the wider community and we encourage dialogue on all important matters. We believe that students should be critically aware of the community in which they live, and be encouraged to make a significant contribution to their world. Justice We strive to ensure that all members of the College community are treated with fairness, integrity and equality. We endeavour to nurture the values of Christian justice, compassion and reconciliation. We strive to uphold the worth of every person, not only through affirmation of their achievements, but by encouraging awareness of the needs of others and by fostering respect, fairness and care in all our relationships, both within and without our College. (Top) PHILOSOPHY OF STUDENT WELFARE AND DISCIPLINE Our student welfare and discipline is based on Christian values and beliefs which are seen as just for the school community. It is defines by respect, compassion, reconciliation and justice which members of the school community have for each other. The Policy facilitates opportunities for students to be affirmed in their dignity and worth and assists them to grow in the fullness of their potential - academic, spiritual, physical and psychological. All our behaviour at any time is our best attempt to satisfy our needs, pursue our objectives, and achieve balance in our lives. We recognise the five basic needs for survival; love and belonging; power and self-importance; freedom; fun and learning. A responsible person is someone who can achieve his or her needs without interfering with other people achieving their needs. All our behaviour is a choice. We can choose more effective behaviours or alter our perceptions. The four components of behaviour are: i) doing ii) thinking iii) feeling, and iv) physiological. To affect change we need to focus on the doing (acting) aspect of our behaviour. "I am the decisive element...my personal approach...created the climate...I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can inspire, humour, and heal." Ginott, 1972 (Top) HOUSE SYSTEM Notre Dame College's Pastoral Care operates within a House System. The College Houses are; Crane named after Bishop Martin Crane OSA First Bishop of Sandhurst. Jennings named after Sister Gabrielle Jennings RSM Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Mercy at the time of Amalgamation and one of the First Governors of Notre Dame College. Kennedy named after Rev. Father Michael Kennedy, First Parish Priest of St Brendan's Parish, Shepparton. MacKillop named after Blessed Mother Mary McKillop RSJ, Foundress of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, First Australian Saint. McGann named after Brother Bernard McGann FMS, First Principal of St Coleman's College. Mungovan named after Mother Augustine Mungovan RSM, Founding Superior of the Shepparton Mercy Community and also of Sacred Heart College Shepparton. (Top) STUDENT CONDUCT CODE Notre Dame College is a Catholic Community based on mutual care and respect, where true growth of the individual is encouraged. A growing appreciation of priorities and the consequences of choice means that the students accept responsibility for their conduct. All members of the College Community are expected to show: A  RESPECT and CARE for self as an individual within the community. B  CONCERN for the welfare of others - their rights, feelings and opinions. C  CARE for, and sensible use of PROPERTY. At all times students of NOTRE DAME COLLEGE are expected to bring credit to themselves, their families and their COLLEGE. NOTRE DAME is a CATHOLIC COLLEGE and so we expect all students to show by their concern for one another, their cheerful working together, their courtesy and their patience, the CHRISTIAN values that all of us, as members of a FAITH COMMUNITY, believe in and endeavour to live by. Students are admitted to the COLLEGE on the understanding that they will abide by the COLLEGE RULES regarding conduct and dress and that PARENTS will support the College in this matter. We hope to develop within each and every student an awareness of his of her responsibilities and to see acceptance of these responsibilities as a response to Our Lord's love. Consequences are the connection between a behaviour and an outcome. They should be related to out values in affirming out students teaching them ownership and responsibility for their behavious and keeping their self esteem intact. (Top) PRIVACY POLICY - STANDARD COLLECTION NOTICE 1. The College collects personal information, including sensitive   information about students and parents or guardians before and during the course of a student’s enrolment at the College. The primary purpose of collecting this information is to enable the College to provide schooling for your son/daughter.     2. Some of the information we collect is to satisfy the College’s legal   obligations, particularly to enable the College to discharge its duty of care.     3. Certain laws governing or relating to the operation of schools require   that certain information is collected. These include Public Health and Child Protection laws.     4. Health information about pupils is sensitive information within the   terms of the National Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act. We ask you to provide medical reports about pupils from time to time.     5. The College from time to time discloses personal and sensitive   information to others for administrative and educational purposes. This includes to other schools, government departments, Catholic Education Office , the Catholic Education Commission, your local diocese and the parish, Schools within other Dioceses/other Dioceses, medical practitioners, and people providing services to the College, including specialist visiting teachers, coaches, volunteers and counsellors.     6. If we do not obtain the information referred to above we may not be   able to enrol or continue the enrolment of your son/daughter.     7. Personal information collected from students is regularly disclosed to   their parents or guardians. On occasions information such as academic and sporting achievements, student activities and other news is published in College newsletters, magazines and on our website.     8. Parents may seek access to personal information collected about   them and their son/daughter by contacting the College. Students may also seek access to personal information about them. However, there will be occasions when access is denied. Such occasions would include where access would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others, where access may result in a breach of the College’s duty of care to the student, or where students have provided information in confidence.     9. As you may know the College from time to time engages in   fundraising activities. Information received from you may be used to make an appeal to you. We will not disclose your personal information to third parties for their own marketing purposes without your consent.     10. We may include your contact details in a class list.     11. If you provide the College with the personal information of others,   such as doctors or emergency contacts, we encourage you to inform them that you are disclosing that information to the College and why, that they can access that information if they wish and that the College does not usually disclose the information to third parties.     (Top)