From the Principal 

As a very successful first term concludes, I wonder what each student will value when they read their school report?  What will be their measure of success?  A certain grade, mark, maybe a comment around their effort?  As Principal, I measure each child’s success by discovering who is on the path towards becoming a ‘curious and courageous learner’.

I admire curious learners. They take risks through questioning, challenging and testing ideas. They understand the relevance of their learning and develop an ethical understanding and broader sense of their own core values and principles. They are often creative thinkers and think laterally and imaginatively, finding novel and valuable solutions to problems they encounter.  They embrace collaborative activities and are empowered by a genuine passion and zest to discover ‘knowledge and wisdom’.

By courageous, I mean students who are brave enough to become responsible for their own learning experiences and who yearn to become independent thinkers, managing and organising their time.  Mistakes will be made; however, they develop the persistence to overcome obstacles and become resilient learners so they can bounce back from setbacks. For as we all agree, failure is often the best form of learning.

On another note, please note the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on Students with Disability (NCCD) is underway.  Every school in Australia is, by law, required to submit these student numbers to the Commonwealth Government in August but no individual student will be identified in the data sent. The College continues to apply the data collection process explained in the attached NCCD document, I encourage you to read this to learn more.     

Finally, I thank all our students and wonderful staff team for their focus and commitment this term.  We were thrilled to return to St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church for our Easter Service yesterday and to reflect on the Easter message.  Please join us this ANZAC Day on Monday 25 April 2022 for the Hamilton ANZAC march and service.  Please assemble for the march at 9.45am near Gray Street Primary School.  School Captain, Finlay Cameron, will deliver the keynote address at Melville Oval.  Dress for all students is full winter uniform (tie and blazer).   

I thank you for your support this term and wish every family a safe and restful Easter break.  

DR ANDREW HIRST 

Principal