Principal's Report

As I write this my ears are still ringing with the excitement and energy the year 12s had on display today.  It’s always a bittersweet moment when we bid farewell to our most senior students.  A joy, because we get to reflect on just how far they’ve come and how much they’ve grown over the years that they’ve been part of our school community.  But this is tempered with a sense of sadness as we realise that our ability to impact their achievements after exams will be indirect – we won’t be able to share in their continued learning but we will certainly celebrate their successes as they journey beyond Warrnambool College.  Today, as the year 12s symbolically ran from the common room and down the school drive to exit the school, we set up a guard of honour for them with all students and staff from Warrnambool College lining the driveway.  This was an opportunity for all of our school community to recognise all that the year 12s have achieved, all that they have offered to us in the past 6 years, and mark this rite of passage as they head towards something new beyond the school gates.  I wish them the very best as they find the motivation and energy to study hard for VCE exams or commence work placements and traineeships in the coming weeks.  We’ll look forward to recognising all these efforts at graduation in a few weeks’ time.

Last night whilst shopping I happened to bump into an ex-parent from Warrnambool College.  He was recounting with enthusiasm what his two daughters had achieved since finishing up at Warrnambool College a few years ago.  Each of the girls had different journeys through our school and various challenges to overcome.  But the skills, resilience and energy for life that they forged whilst at Warrnambool College has held them both in good stead as they’ve gone onto something new.  As I saw the sense of pride in this father’s face, it gave me pause to reflect on the significance of the work we do with students at our school.  We’re not just getting young people ready for exams, or academia or vocational training.  We’re getting them ready to lead full lives, as teenagers, as young adults and as they grow older and contribute so much back to our wider community and society.  The sense of pride spread to my face as well.

I hope you’ve found various opportunities to be proud of your child’s achievements since term 4 started, be they in year 12, year 7 or somewhere in between.  If you haven’t had the chance to tell your child how proud you are of them, I encourage you to find a moment in the coming days to share your delight in all they achieve.

Kind Regards,

Dave Clift

Principal