Principal's Log

We welcome everyone back to the start of Term 4. In particular, we welcome new students and their families and teachers, Mrs Wendy Wescombe, Mrs Shelley Hogan, Mr Darren Hooper, Mr Terry Clark and Mrs Amanda Empson who are variously returning from maternity and long service leave. We also welcome Mr Luke Dutney who is teaching Biology, Mathematics and Science in place of Mrs Gisela Hohls who is on long service leave and Mr Terry Rubesaame who will be teaching Mrs Elley Wood’s classes this term while she is on maternity leave. 

As outlined in the final newsletter for last term, Mrs Rae Hall is the Acting Director of Teaching and Learning and the Head of Middle College Teaching and Learning, while Ms Sue Arahill is on long service leave this term. Miss Rebecca Ross, who has worked with Ms Arahill in recent years to check and finalise Year 12 certification processes, is the Acting Head of Senior College Studies while retaining her role as Head of Science. Mrs Tina Cox is the Acting Head of English and Humanities in Mrs Wood’s absence and Ms Alisha Janssen is the Acting Head of Middle College Humanities.

All families should have accessed online reporting over the holiday period. For the Prep – Year 8 students, this was in the form of online portfolios and information in regard to accessing these was electronically communicated to parents by Mrs Rae Hall and P-5 class teachers at the conclusion of last term. Reports for Year 9-12 students have been posted to parent’s TASS accounts. Details for accessing these can be found later in this newsletter and also in the Parent Handbook.

Term 4 is always a short, busy term and families are encouraged to establish routines for home learning so that young people can optimise their growth in the final part of the year. It is a particularly important time for Year 12 students to ensure they are continuing to lift their performance over their final weeks at school. Each year we see students make a significant difference to their OP scores through the learning they complete in this final term.

Our Year 5 students have been on camp this week and we thank Dr Peter McMahon, Mr David Druery and the Year 5 teachers for their leadership of this important experience. We wish our Year 6 staff and students all the best as they travel to Canberra next week to learn more about our government processes and visit significant national and historical sites.

There are many events coming up this term, including celebrations for our Year 12 students, the Student Art Exhibition, Grandparents Day, the Year 4-7 production of Mulan and closing services. Families are encouraged to diarise these important events. We look forward to sharing a term of strong growth and celebration with you.

May God grant us the stillness and humility to be fully present and attentive to the needs of others.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal