Principal's Report

Moving Forward

Our theme for the term is Moving Forward. 2020 has been a year of restrictions and caution due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has all been for the safety and health of our community, country and the world.  The restrictions however have put a halt to some businesses, socialising, travel and activities that would be part of our normal daily lives. Often with restrictions, our thoughts can turn to negativity, spurred by fear of the unknown and wanting to keep ourselves and others safe. 

Moving Forward is a theme of action.  Whilst elements of our lives have been stifled, it should not stop us from taking action in the areas we have control. Term 4 is a time for progress as we head toward the end of another school year.

As Term 4 began, I was consciously aware that my TO DO list had two major tasks that had been at the top of my list for almost eight weeks! I had put the two tasks off because others became more urgent, easier to complete and because those two tasks required greater energy and focus and were more challenging. 

As I thought about this theme, I set my mind to make the two tasks a priority! What a relief when I focussed and completed them! It also gave me a renewed sense of achievement and energy to begin the term! As we face challenges, taking that first step, big or small, is often all we need to get started and moving again.   

Maybe like me, you have procrastinated in taking action on things that need completing.  Maybe the challenges of COVID on your business or family life have left you feeling a little overwhelmed to get started again.   

Our students too are encouraged to take action in areas they need to improve to Move Forward. Areas of challenge can be meeting deadlines, arriving at school on time, seeking assistance or using feedback to move grades from a C to a B or a B to an A. Perhaps it is recognising the need to seek assistance for a personal problem or mending a relationship that has been fractured.

Our Year 12s have their final challenging exams ahead. The final preparation of SWOT VAC is a time to focus and give it their all. Our Year 11s are also preparing for their final year and have opportunity to apply for leadership positions for 2021.  Doing so can appear daunting but taking the first small step to seek guidance and put in an application, can often result in some amazing opportunities. 

As we head into the Church season of Advent and then Christmas, we are reminded that this is a time God Moved Forward! God’s care and compassion for humans as they struggled in a world of sin and oppression, was shown though His action of sending His Son, Jesus into the world, ultimately to die for our sins and release us from all that holds us back from having a life of hope.

Whatever our challenges, big or small, God knows them. As we step out and move forward, God is with us (Immanuel).  He recognises that we needed reprieve from the things that hold us back from achieving our best. The best gift God could provide was his Son, Jesus!

In recent weeks the College Council acquired the block of land directly opposite the College on the lake side of Mawson Lakes Boulevard.  The Council saw this as an opportunity for the future.  Currently a car park, the College will continue to utilise it for student parking.

We are excited by this purchase! Always mindful of the limited footprint we have on our current site, this offers another site for future building projects or for continuing to enjoy the vista across the lake.

We are also pleased to welcome a new member on staff, Henry Lee.  Henry is a Student Counsellor and will work together with Marni Harding, our College Counsellor, to provide additional support for the wellbeing of our students. Hopefully students will get to know Henry as he engages in camps and excursions and of course as he provides individual support when required. 

Due to the on-going limitations on numbers allowed in spaces, this year we are unable to invite parents/caregivers to our final services.  Of course, this is disappointing for us and for our parents/caregivers.  We are planning to record our final services and they will be available for viewing by parents/caregivers.  More information about how to access these recordings will be available in the Anchor in the coming weeks. 

I am looking forward to our final Year 12 assembly and farewell on Friday, before they begin their final exams. Our Endeavour community wish our Year 12s well and pray that they will enter the exams with the confidence they need to achieve their potential. 

Blessings for the coming weeks!

Heather Vogt

Principal

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23