From the Principal Class Team
Dear Parents & Guardians
Welcome to the final newsletter for Term 3.
On Friday 18 September Term 3 officially ends and we enter a two week break until students and staff return on Monday 5 October. The last few weeks have been busy with another successful Parent Teacher Interview day on Tuesday 1 September and a number of exciting activities and programs being held across a variety of areas. We are delighted with the wide range of opportunities and experiences the school program offers our students and continue to be proud of how our students embrace those opportunities and respond to the challenges they present.
Congratulations...
Cylene Magri, Eangano Singehebhuye and Christopher on their excellent performances at Alliance francais Oral Examinations. We wish them well at the State Finals. Further details and photos on page 7.
VCAL Successes
Our VCAL students have had a busy last few weeks attending a camp that they planned and financed through fundraising activities, volunteering as student leaders at the annual Junior School Sleep-out activity that raises awareness of homelessness and then running a fundraising activity to provide financial support to the school’s breakfast club. We are most impressed with the high level of social conscience they display through their actions.
Cylene Magri - Young Women in Leadership
On the evening of 10 September, Cylene Magri of Year 12 was selected to participate in a Young Women in Leadership Conference with former Governor General Quentin Bryce. The question she submitted was also selected to be asked publicly.
Cylene's question:
It has come to my attention that the demands of the times are always changing. Throughout your career, you focused heavily on women's rights and now, we are currently facing issues regarding marriage equality, as well as gender equality. You once said, "The nature of political engagement changes with each generation of citizens" and given that it has not been easy to accept change and difference in the past, do you believe that it is the role of education in Australia to prepare the next generation of citizens to cope with political changes such as marriage equality? Also, is it possible to do this and maintain a balance of preserving cultural heritage and tradition?
Cylene Magri
Well done to Cylene, and thank you to Ms Nicole Carbonaro for nominating her.
Car Park Re-development approved
School council has given the green light for a re-development of the school car park to address a lack of parking spaces, poor design and the inadequate gravel surfacing on the back section. Work will commence at the start of the term break and we are hopeful of having it available for the start of Term 4. With the growing student population and the need for extra staff, this project is a necessary and welcome addition to the ground works initiated this year. It follows on from the recent Library development which has included a new VCE Study Centre and new shelving and furniture for the student reading areas and compliments recent installations of garden boxes and student seating.
Exciting developments at the Strathbogie Campsite
Significant facility upgrades have been completed at the Strathbogie Campsite, just in time for the Year 8 Camps Program in Term 4. New decking has been installed on the main entrance to the kitchen area, all the shower cubicles have been lined with laminated sheets and, in keeping with the school's commitment to sustainability, all lighting has been replaced by more environmentally friendly LED lighting. A new garden area is growing nicely after a grant from Gardens Victoria and some hard work from our Camp Manager, Ms Roz Willis.
By the end of the year, we hope to complete our 3/4 hole mini-golf course and upgrade our games room in the Recreation Hut. The campsite is available for hire by approved external groups and enquiries can be directed to Mr Ian Crocker on 9366 2555.