Principal's Log

As we come to the end of the semester, it is important that we all stop and recognise the great gifts that have been given to us. There have been gifts of learning and enjoyment in the academic, sporting, cultural and spiritual dimensions of our lives. There has been learning and nurturing of growth in the understanding of ourselves and connections to others. There have been times of service, where we have both served and been served. There have been times of laughter, fun and joy. There have been times of forgiveness, where we have forgiven and been forgiven. There have been times of challenge and times of success. We say thank you to God for the fullness he has given to our lives as part of this community. We say thank you to our staff for your caring, encouraging and passionate professionalism and commitment to the learning and growth of our young people and each other. We say thank you to our parents for your support, leadership and commitment in so many different areas of your children’s lives as part of our College community. We say thank you to our students for your goodwill, energy and engagement that make this community thrive.

At our closing chapel this morning we were able to thank Mr James McLellan for his 13 years of service as a member of College Council including more than four years as Chair. Mr McLellan brought considerable professional expertise, excellence in leadership and a passion for the ongoing development and enhancement of the College. We thank Mr McLellan for his very significant contribution to the shaping of this community.

We wish Mr Darren Hooper, Mrs Amanda Empson and Mr Terry Clark times of joy, safety and invigoration as they take long service leave next term. Mr Kurt Jones, Mrs Belinda Vivash and Mr Scott Massie are looking forward to taking up these contract positions and have been working with the Physical Education, Year 6 and Year 4 classes respectively over this past week.  

We look forward to welcoming back our Year 10 students from their Outdoor Education camp tomorrow afternoon. By all accounts the students have experienced a rich time of growth. We thank Dr Peter McMahon for his outstanding leadership in the organisation of this experience, teachers Mr Nico Prinsloo, Mr Ben Dutton and Miss Alisha Janssen, Outdoor Education instructors Mr Dean Turner, Mr Troy Petersen and Miss Ashlie Nobilo and past students Miss Bronte McMahon, Mr Josh Grimley, Miss Jess McMahon, Miss Eliza Dreves and Miss Maddi Bell for their leadership of the groups. We also thank past staff member Mrs Sharon Middleton who performed the important of role of being the central base person and the staff of Outward Bound for their leadership of activities.

We trust that all members of our community will find times for rest in the change that school holidays bring and that there are times where we all can be immersed in nature and connected with others. As a conversation starter, perhaps even mowing the lawn could be regarded as a restful brain moment wandering in nature! I know my garden will love the attention it will receive over the coming break. 

May God give all members of our community times of deep rest and relaxation and the confidence that He will continue to provide for our needs.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal