Principal's Log

I was energised after joining the Year 12s on their retreat on Sunday morning. It was a joy to witness the growth in connection and the student’s sense of self that had occurred. It was also wonderful hearing their stories and being part of a reflective chapel where affirmations were shared.

At the start of the year the College Captains had asked if they could have a Year 12 retreat.  Together with the Pacific Action Group Captains, they initiated, planned and led the optional weekend which began on Friday afternoon.  The staff enjoyed the opportunity to simply be with the young people as they had fun, relaxed, learned new skills and built stronger relationships. 

There were lots of highlights including some exciting dance moves caught on video and the fishing group being featured on Channel 7.  It is a testament to the wonderful character of our senior group and staff, that we had such strong engagement and participation in this optional activity. Thank you and congratulations to our Year 12s and the many staff who dropped in for parts of the weekend.  Thank you to Mr Mark Hauser, Mr Duncan McNee, Mrs Leah Croke, Mrs Wanda Hayes and Ms Angela Hill who shared the whole weekend with the students and Ms Kim Wood for her support in the students’ planning. 

Congratulations to our Junior B netball team and the Intermediate Reserve A team who won their grand finals on Monday night at Fisherman’s Road.   Both teams played with good spirit, intensity, and skill.  It has been a season of strong growth for our netball and we thank our players, their parents and coaches Mrs Emma Lendrum, Mrs Melissa Pietrala and Mrs Abigail Blessing.  We particularly thank our Head of Netball Development Mrs Michelle Dufty for her leadership of coaches and players.

The Year 12 debaters, Cosette Winter, Lachlan Buchanan, Noah Beasley and Alexander Jose were disappointed to conclude their season of the invitational Senior A USC Sunshine Coast Schools Debating Competition, with a loss in the grand final to Sunshine Coast Grammar School.  In a short preparation format, the team debated the Affirmative side of the topic, ‘The right to freedom of expression has caused more harm than good’.  The team debated very well and can be proud of their achievement throughout the season.  We wish them and the Year 9, 10 and 11 teams well, as they now move to the first round of finals of the QDU competition in Brisbane, in the coming weeks.  Congratulations to the Year 12 team and thank you to Mrs Ceilidh King for her coaching of the Year 12s, and Mr Alexander O’Connor for his leadership of debating within the College.

As Middle College and Year 10 students receive feedback on their assessments, it is important that they reflect and identify one or two specific ways that they can improve in their approach to learning, for each area.  Discussing these with parents and forming goals with specific measurable actions and timelines helps to turn reflection into action, where progress can be encouraged and celebrated.

May God grant us the calmness of mind to keep what is most important at our centre.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal