Principal's Reflection

Pride and gratitude

December is upon us and it is hard to comprehend that a full year of learning is drawing to a close. While we all rally for the final push towards holidays, I have been energised by my recent appointment as your substantive College Principal. This week I welcomed the families of our 2025 Prep cohort and while speaking to them, I finally felt a sense of certainty, knowing that continuous improvement, local knowledge and stability have finally been assured for our community. This is an incredible community, doing wonderful things together and our school will be stronger for it. I am very privileged to have the opportunity to lead in my own community, for the benefit of all our children over many years to come.

I also had the great privilege of farewelling our Year 12 graduates last Thursday and will do the same for our Grade 6 students next week. Yesterday, I sat with year 10 and 11 students as they celebrated academic and community awards before heading to Luna Park for their end of year activities day today. All of these opportunities are precious moments to pause and celebrate each individual, but at the same time recognise that celebrations are always best shared.

As I have reflected on these celebrations, I also give thought to our communal approach to the festive season. While giving, sharing, feasting and being together are common themes, the core purpose for celebrating is different across the diverse range of cultures in our community. For some families, Diwali was a significant celebration in early November, Christians mark the start of advent on the first of December and our Buddhist community might celebrate Bodhi Day next week. Many families will attend Christmas Mass, while others eagerly await Santa’s secret visit. While crowds flood into the MCG for the Boxing Day test, our Jewish community will begin Hanukkah celebrations. Acknowledging all of this diverse culture takes nothing away from the importance of any one families beliefs, nor does the existence of a majority population. To me, we are one community who can all look for common grounds to celebrate and be happy, rather than seeking out reasons to take offence. Over recent weeks I have received and given careful through to feedback about concerns around Christmas messages and feel obliged to carefully convey my position as Principal of the College.

1. I welcome everyone to learn about cultural diversity and respectfully engage with all cultures to extend knowledge, tolerance and acceptance
2. I will never condone exclusion or discriminatory conduct or messaging
3. I will never ask anyone to ‘Not’ openly and freely celebrate their culture – provided it does not exclude or discourage the participation and engagement of others. To directly address some feedback, we are not ‘cancelling Christmas’ by having an ‘end of year celebration’. It is my sincere hope that all aspects of the festive season be celebrated with joy, however anyone who would exclude another culture from celebrating in a ‘different’ way, should refer to point 2. Be proud of your family culture and traditions, celebrate them with enthusiasm and try to find joy in the curiosities of diversity.

In short, I encourage everyone to assume the best of everyone and find common cause for celebration, rather than cause for conflict at a time when our world needs far less of it.

While I speak of joy and conflict, I also acknowledge that our College is a pillar of support for many families, particularly in times of stress and strain. Our wellbeing team have prepared a list of key contacts and resources within this newsletter should families need support while we are all offline.

I sincerely hope that everyone reads on and enjoys the plethora of acknowledgements, celebrations, reflections and highlights for 2024. While the year is not done yet, I eagerly await 2025 and hope you will all come back feeling safe, included, energised and ready for an awe-inspiring learning journey in 2025!

Warmest regards,

Nathan Guthridge

Principal