Principals Log

Over the weekend, Ms Sue Arahill, Mrs Rae Hall, Miss Michelle McMillan and Ms Alisha Janssen presented at the national Cultures of Thinking Conference held at Bialik College in Melbourne. The conference, held in conjunction with Harvard’s Project Zero team, provided the opportunity for educators from across Australia to come together and reflect on ways to enhance young people’s engagement, quality of thinking, understanding and dispositions to learning. The nurturing of healthy and effective habits of thinking has impact across all dimensions of life and is critical for thriving in a rapidly changing world. Each of the interactive workshops conducted by the Pacific team, which focused on sharing our journey in Growing Teachers As Researchers and Coaches, were oversubscribed and received with great enthusiasm. We congratulate and thank the team very capably led by Director of Teaching and Learning Ms Sue Arahill. The invitation to present at such a high profile conference is a testament to the great learning teachers across the College have been involved with over many years to shape a rich culture of thinking for our staff and students. 

Our students were also engaged in energetic thinking as they participated in the Opti-MINDS competition over the weekend. After six weeks of preparation, the students represented themselves and the College well as they enjoyed and grew from the experience. We congratulate the students involved and thank Mrs Lu Pollard and Mrs Kirsty Ridley for their leadership and reinvigoration of the College’s participation in this event.

It was a delight to attend the opening of the Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art 2017 exhibition at the University of the Sunshine Coast art gallery last Thursday night. We congratulate Jamie Beasley and Georgia Woods on having their work selected to be part of the exhibition. Exhibiting students were praised for showcasing their thinking on important life issues. Each of the artworks, including those produced by Jamie and Georgia, enabled the voice, thoughts and viewpoints of young people to be expressed powerfully. We congratulate both students and thank Mrs Denise McMahon and Dr Kym Rodgers for their inspiration of artistic talent within the College.

It was very pleasing to see the way our Year 12 students engaged with the QCS Test this week. We thank Ms Sue Arahill for her leadership of the QCS days and training and Miss Kim Stone, Mrs Rae Hall and Miss Rebecca Ross for their preparation of the students over the course of this year. Students who didn't undertake the QCS Test had the opportunity to participate in an Alternate Day on Wednesday, which focused on the transition from school and navigating the world of work. Students enjoyed a presentation from East Coast Apprenticeships as well as a number of sessions facilitated by Mrs Natasha Purcell. We thank Mrs Natasha Purcell for her leadership of this new initiative.

We wish all the Dads of our community a happy Father’s Day, where their importance is celebrated.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal