Principal’s Log

As the semester draws to a close, we reflect on the tremendous growth that has occurred as young people have engaged in academic thinking and learning, sport, and cultural activities and grown spiritually, socially and emotionally through engagement with the many intentional learning experiences provided and through their daily interactions.  All of this can only occur through the capable and generous leadership of our staff, the spirited engagement and leadership of our students and the engagement and leadership of parents in supporting opportunities and learning within the community. At the end of the semester, we thank parents, staff and students for all they have given to strengthen a gracious culture of learning and thinking where opportunities abound.

We congratulate Jessica Cronin, Cody Walker, Nicole Hodgett and Grace Healy who have been part of the Youth Advisory Panel for the World’s Largest Lesson over the past 6 months. The students were selected from over 800 students to engage in this rich learning experience which saw them connect with students from across the world with a focus on the United Nations Sustainability Goals. Due to time differences with the northern hemisphere, this has often meant that the students have connected late at  night and during the holidays. Jessica has connected with every session and has valued the opportunity to grow innovative skills as she has connected with like minded students from across the world. We wish her well as she now plans to continue this connection and continue to grow understanding of the Sustainability Goals in our community and region.  We congratulate all students and thank Mrs Linda Sydes for her leadership of this experience.

At the end of the semester, we thank Head of Music, Mrs Carlie Purkis who has advised us she will not be returning after her maternity leave. We thank Mrs Purkis for her very capable and professional leadership of the learning of music across P-12 and her very significant input into the ensemble and instrumental program of the College. As part of a very talented music team, she has left a lasting legacy amongst our staff and students of which she can be very proud. We congratulate Mr Paul Cusick on his appointment as Head of Music P-12 and Ms Krist-elle Hill on her appointment as permanent P-12 music teacher. We look forward to the return of Year 2 teacher Mrs Tanya Graves and Director of Staff Mrs Kim Bonello from leave at the start of Term 3. We thank Mrs Hayley Turner for very capably supporting the learning of our Year 2 students. We also thank Mrs Michiko Hauser who has been greatly appreciated as she has very capably fulfilled the role of Acting Director of Staff over this past twelve months. Mrs Hauser will be the Acting Head of Learning Middle College for the first three weeks next term while Mrs Jo Belchamber is on leave.

Year 9 and 10 students are reminded that the Year 10 and 11 2025 Subject Expo will be held on the evening of Tuesday 9th July. We wish all of our musicians all of the best for their Ensembles Concert this evening and look forward to a thoroughly entertaining evening.

Thank you to all for your generosity of spirit and contribution to the Pacific community. I pray that you all enjoy the rest and opportunity for reset and rejuvenation that comes with the change of rhythm that school holidays bring. Thank you, enjoy and God Bless!

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal