Principal's Log

All families will receive a Compass Review magazine posted home this week, which includes a summary of the achievement of the 2015-2018 strategic plan, highlights of the 2019 school year and inspiring reflections from past students. As staff, students and parents, we have a great deal to celebrate and be thankful for. These achievements are only possible through the goodwill and commitment of staff, students and parents to come together and provide the best possible opportunities for people. Thank you to you all for the part you have played, large and small, in continuing to enhance and grow people within this community. This weekend marked the end of the netball and soccer seasons with both groups holding their celebrations on Sunday. Both our netball and soccer clubs rely on volunteers and the goodwill of our parents and students in many different areas. Well done to the Fillies for the way in which they played in their grand final and to all soccer and netball players for the growth and commitment they have demonstrated over the year. Thank you in particular to our committees led by Mr Trevor Colton and Mr Zane Russell for their very significant contribution in enabling so many of our young people to play sport and for parents to come together in community.

Our Year 12 leaders have established a new tradition of engaging in a ‘sleepout for the homeless’ to raise funds and donate blankets and sleeping bags to the Salvation Army. Well done to the 43 students who chose to sleep in the gym last Friday night and to Mr Mark Hauser, Mrs Tina Cox, Mr Ben Ryan, Mrs Leah Croke, Ms Angela Hill and Mrs Michiko Hauser for their support of students.

As another senior student initiative, next term we will stage our first ‘Viva La Arts – a night under the stars’. The evening has been organised by our Cultural Pacific Action Group to showcase student talent in the visual and performing arts. It promises to be a highly entertaining evening on Friday 25^th October. As it coincides with Grandparent’s Day, it provides a great opportunity for you to come as an extended family and enjoy the tremendous talent of our students.

In the second week of the holidays, a group of students and staff will embark on the annual Melbourne Arts Tour. The cultural experience will include attending a variety of plays and musical performances as well as visiting various art galleries and installations across Melbourne city. We thank Mrs Helen Williams, Mr Steven Lake and Mrs Ceilidh King for their leadership of this year’s tour and wish them and the students a rich cultural learning experience.

We wish Mr Damien Evans all the best as he takes long service leave next term. Mr Brett Kersnovske will be the Acting Head of Mumba and Head of Sport for Term 4. We welcome Ms Kate Child who has most recently taught at Siena and Brisbane Girls Grammar. Ms Child will teach English, HASS and Physical Education to our Middle and Senior College students. We will also be welcoming back Mrs Marnie Whittaker from maternity leave. As such, we farewell and thank Mr Marshall Murphy for his great support of our Middle and Senior College students in the Industrial Design and Technology area over the last term.

Parents and students are encouraged to take note of the communication from College Council Chair Mrs Ruth Zerner regarding changes to the hair guidelines, which will be implemented from the start of Term 4.

We thank God for the people of this community and the many blessings He has given each one of us.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal