Principal's Log

Last Friday night our musicians celebrated the end of semester with their Ensembles Concert. Students, parents and staff commented that it was a highly entertaining evening where the continuing growth of our musicians was showcased. Congratulations to our musicians, instrumental teachers and music teachers whose energy and passion has enabled our music program to continue to go from strength to strength. We thank 2018 Graduate Ryan Smart who was the audio technician for the concert and in particular we thank our Head of Music, Mrs Aleisha Tuaine, Head of Instrumental Music, Mrs Helen Williams and P-12 music teacher, Mr Steven Lake who lead our music team.

Our Year 12 Hospitality students provided great service to more than 80 of our staff, parents and grandparents at Tides restaurant in Caloundra on Tuesday night. Students were involved in the food preparation as well as fulfilling all the roles of the front of house. Attendees enjoyed each other’s company, the food and the warm professional service provided by our students. Thank you to our hospitality students and staff of Mrs Colleen Beattie, Mrs Emma Lendrum and Mrs Rhana Holt for making the night such a success. Thank you to our families for your support of this event and to Tides’ owner/operator Mr Michael Mulhearn who provided such a wonderful learning opportunity for our students.

On Wednesday morning, 20 of our senior students departed for their two week Japan experience. While in Japan, students will spend time at our sister school Seishin Gakuen, living with school families and visiting different cultural sites including the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. This is a tremendous learning opportunity for our students and we thank Mrs Michiko Hauser for her organisation and leadership and accompanying staff Mr Mark Hauser and Ms Marg Gunn for their support.

At the end of the term we farewell Mrs Virginia Schlotterbach (Japanese and Christian Studies teacher), Mrs Debbie Foley (Prep Aide) and Mrs Julie-Anne Dews (Learning Enrichment Aide Years 6-12). We thank Mrs Schlotterbach for her teaching of Japanese and Christian Studies across the Junior and Middle College and thank her for her generosity of time in supporting the co-curricular program of the College including Japan trips and our soccer and futsal teams. Mrs Foley has provided tremendous support to our Prep students and teachers for many years. Staff, students and parents have appreciated her patient and gentle guidance of our Prep students. Mrs Dews has also provided great care and guidance for our Middle and Senior College students and staff. We appreciate the contribution that all three women have made in their roles at the College and wish them God’s richest blessing for the next phase of their lives.

Mrs Colleen Beattie (Head of Hospitality) will be taking maternity leave and Mr Ian Learoyd (Head of VET and Industrial Design and Technology) long service leave for the remainder of the year. We wish Mrs Beattie and her family every blessing as they welcome a new member of their family and Mr Learoyd all the best as he enjoys a well-earned break.

We look forward to welcoming Mrs Elizabeth Suzuki who has been Head of Japanese at Sunshine Coast Grammar School as a Japanese teacher, Mr Marshall Murphy who has previously taught Engineering and Industrial Technology at St Peter’s Lutheran College, Indooroopilly and welcome back Mrs Paula Willis as a Hospitality teacher and Acting Head of Vet. We also welcome Prep Aide Mrs Georgina von Plessen. We congratulate Mr Ben Dutton who will be Acting Head of Industrial Technology and Mrs Emma Lendrum who will be Acting Head of Hospitality over the next six months.

At the end of the week we look forward to welcoming back and hearing the stories of our Year 4 students and staff from their camp at Luther Heights. We thank Mr Nick Tait for his leadership and organisation and staff Mr Scott Crompton, Mr Damian Davis, Mrs Amanda Empson, Mr David Druery, Mrs Pia Foxlow and Mr Ben Ryan for their leadership and support of students while they have been away.

Thank you to staff, students and parents for your tremendous energy and generosity of spirit over this term. When we reflect on the activities and learning that has occurred there is much to celebrate. We wish everyone a time of rejuvenation and joy as you experience a change in routine.

May God help us to choose joy every day!

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal