From the Principal

Dear families of Killester,

It has been a challenging week here at Killester; we have had to manage the attendance of a student at the GAT who later tested positive to COVID-19 and deal with the abrupt end to face to face classes for our Year 12 students. Throughout all of this I have marvelled in the incredible resilience shown by our entire community.

The staff at Killester have been exceptional in their ability to pivot; having done this so much in the past 18 months, they again moved seamlessly to online learning. It is fair to say that the staff are weary but they continue to keep the wellbeing and education of students as their priority.

I have been reminded this week of the incredible support we receive from our parents and I wish to thank everyone impacted this week as we navigated the uncharted territory of new protocols for schools where there is a confirmed case of COVID-19. Your generosity and patience as we wove through the different advice was very much appreciated by everyone here at school.  

Finally, our students have again risen above the mediocre and proven they are without doubt, exceptional. I reference in particular the Year 12 students who took the news that we were closing the College abruptly this afternoon with grace and dignity. Whilst we understood their disappointment, they have not allowed this to cloud their enjoyment of being with each other and their teachers today. We will communicate further information with all families about the plans for our Graduation on November 18. I wish all students embarking on their preparation for exams, and those completing their VET and VCAL competencies, the very best of luck. 

My prayer today is a blessing for our students as they move gently into the next phase of their education: 

FOR A NEW BEGINNING 

John O'Donohue 

In out-of-the-way places of the heart, 

Where your thoughts never think to wander, 

This beginning has been quietly forming, 

Waiting until you were ready to emerge. 

For a long time it has watched your desire, 

Feeling the emptiness growing inside you, 

Noticing how you willed yourself on, 

Still unable to leave what you had outgrown. 

It watched you play with the seduction of safety 

And the gray promises that sameness whispered, 

Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent, 

Wondered would you always live like this. 

Then the delight, when your courage kindled, 

And out you stepped onto new ground, 

Your eyes young again with energy and dream, 

A path of plenitude opening before you. 

Though your destination is not yet clear 

You can trust the promise of this opening; 

Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning 

That is at one with your life's desire. 

Awaken your spirit to adventure; 

Hold nothing back, 

learn to find ease in risk; 

Soon you will home in a new rhythm, 

For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

Yours sincerely,

Sally Buick

Principal