Principal's Log

Yesterday it was exciting to be amongst parents, Year 9 and 10 students and staff as these students returned from the two-week outdoor education experience at Uki. There was a sense of achievement and having grown closer together through a unique opportunity. There was also the joy of reconnecting with family members and a valuing of things that can be easily taken for granted. Parents are often amazed at the growth that occurs for young people through this two-week experience.

It is a time where young people are disconnected from all things electronic, are strongly connected and reliant on their group members and leaders, are simply part of nature and have time for reflection about themselves, their relationships with others and with God. We congratulate the students on the way in which they embraced the opportunity and supported each other. The Year 9 and 10 students participating in the one-week outdoor education program at Garapine will return tomorrow and we look forward to welcoming them home. We also thank Dr Peter McMahon for his organisation and leadership of this life changing activity and to staff Mr Duncan McNee, Mr Nico Prinsloo, Ms Angela Hill, Mr Josh Danzey, Mr David Druery, Mrs Marnie Whittaker, Ms Emma Middleton, Mrs Sharon Middleton, Mrs Virginia Schlotterbach, Mr Ben Dutton, Ms Leisa Ilott and outdoor education aides Jessie McMahon, Dean Turner, Troy Petersen, Bethany Rouche, Maddie Bell, Joshua Grimley and Eliza Dreves for their time and warm, generous and enthusiastic leadership.

On Wednesday morning, senior students flew out of Brisbane airport to begin their exchange visit to Seishin Gakuen. The students spend five days at Seishin being billeted by families and will experience tremendous hospitality as they learn about life in a Japanese family and school community first hand. Visits to Hiroshima and other sights in Japan deepen their understanding of Japanese culture. Throughout the trip there are lots of times of fun as friendships and learning grow. We look forward to hearing the stories of the students and leaders Mrs Michiko Hauser, Mr Mark Hauser, Mrs Virginia Schlotterbach and Mr Brendan Delaney on their return.

We are farewelling Mrs Holly Humphrey and Mrs Laura Bonner as teachers at the end of this term. Mrs Holly Humphrey has provided strong support for young people’s learning in both her role as a teacher aide when she first joined the College and then as a Year 1 classroom teacher. Mrs Humphrey has always been a passionate educator. We thank her for her energy and commitment and wish her well as she takes up further study in the area of special education. Mrs Laura Bonner has effectively established Dance within the College and has been generous in her time in directing Junior Productions. We thank Mrs Bonner for her very strong contribution to the growth of the performing arts in the College and wish her all the best as she takes up a position with the Queensland Music Festival. Mrs Louise Burrell is also finishing as a part time nurse to spend more time with family. We have appreciated Mrs Burrell’s calm and professional care for our community. We also express our appreciation to Mrs Rachel Dixon who has provided excellent Administration support to our Early Learning team as we have transitioned into our new Centre. We wish Mrs Julie Darr all the best as she takes long service leave for the remainder of the year.

We are pleased to announce that Mrs Karen Costa, who has previously taught at the College, will be taking Mrs Darr’s Year 2 class. Mrs Suzie Naidu, who has international teaching experience and most recently taught at Scotch College in Adelaide, will be teaching in Year 1. Mrs Sue Warren who has had extensive experience in school, university and community libraries and most recently at Moreton Bay College, has been appointed to take on the role of teacher librarian mid way through next term as Ms Narelle Keen takes maternity leave. Interviews for the Drama and Dance teacher role will be occurring in the first week of the holidays.

May we all pause to say a prayer of thanks for what God has given us individually and as community and to ask for forgiveness for those times we have hurt others or been less than He would have us be. We pray that He would walk forward with us and that we all enjoy increased time for having fun with friends, family and nature over the coming break.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal