Principal's Log

At the end of a busy semester, we can reflect on the tremendous growth that has occurred. For students and staff there has been opportunity for rich learning in the classroom, on the sports field and through engagement with cultural pursuits. Throughout the semester there have been occasions for building new relationships and strengthening existing ones, learning about our social and emotional selves, connecting with nature and growing in understanding of our relationship with God. Schools are great places because they are full of life and possibility. As a community we have enjoyed the opportunity to connect. Through the strong partnerships we have with parents, this vibrancy and growth flows between home and school.  Together we create a world of hope and possibility for young people. Thank you to our staff and students for engaging enthusiastically with the opportunities to grow together, and to our parents for your engagement and encouragement.  There has been a tremendous generosity of spirit and goodwill from staff, students, and parents alike.  Thank you!

It was good to see a large contingent of parents encouraging and supporting our P-2 runners at their cross country yesterday.  The display of effort and proud smiles on the children’s faces as they finished, said it all.  Well done to our P-2 students for giving their best, having fun and cheering each other on. Thank you to Mr Darren Hooper and Mrs Natalie Campbell for their organisation, and to staff and parents for their support.

We are excited to be announcing the community events that will celebrate our 20th anniversary. The first is a birthday party celebration for current families at Aussie World on Saturday August 14th from 5-9pm. Invitations will be posted over the holiday period with full details.  This will be followed by a Chapel Celebration Service for current students, staff, College Council members and foundation community members on Friday October 15th at 11.30am. This event will be recorded and streamed to existing families.  We then look forward to the 20th Anniversary Soiree which will be a red-carpet ticketed evening event for adults. The event will be open to past students, and past and present staff and parents.  It will be held on Saturday October 16th. The purpose for all of these events is to have fun, relax, connect, celebrate and appreciate. We encourage families to note and share these dates and we look forward to enjoying these experiences together. 

We are pleased to announce that Mr Mark Hauser will take on the role of College Chaplain from the start of next year.  The role will provide opportunities for students to form strong connections with each other, and grow in their sense of themselves and their relationship to God. The Chaplain will mentor current and past students and strengthen student engagement with service and connection to community, including our St Mark’s congregation.  This is an exciting new role that will bring benefits to many students, families and our community as a whole.  Mr Hauser is taking long service leave for the remainder of the year and we thank him for his outstanding leadership as the Head of Senior School Students.  His tireless commitment to supporting the wellbeing of senior students, mentoring senior students as leaders, leading community events and the enhancement of this community has made a significant difference for individual students and the community as a whole.  We thank Mr Mark Hauser for many years of tremendous service, wish him all the best for his long service leave and look forward to him returning to pioneer the new exciting role of College Chaplain. 

At the end of this term we farewell Mr Gregg Elliot who has been teaching Art, Design and Media to middle and senior college students.  Mr Elliott has formed close relationships with staff and students and made a valuable contribution to the College.  We wish Mr Greg Elliott all the best as he returns to Immanuel College to teach Art.  We also farewell and thank Mrs Heidi Buchanan who has provided tremendous support to our tuckshop over the past 2.5 years.

We are pleased to announce that Ms Leigh Finter will be the Acting Head of Senior College and Mr Josh Cummins Acting Head of Wira House for the remainder of the year.  We wish both Ms Finter and Mr Cummins all the best for their new roles.  Interviews for the remaining positions will occur over the holiday period.

We look forward to the Ensembles Concert this evening which will enable students to showcase their talents. In a new format, the audience will be seated at tables and able to enjoy the music while sampling food provided by the hospitality team.

All staff of the College will be involved in a retreat on Monday 12th July. The College will be closed on this day.

Thank you to all staff, families and students for your energy, goodwill and engagement in shaping a strong semester of growth.  We pray that all members of our community will find good opportunities for rest over the school holiday period and that God will keep us all safe.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal