Principal's Message

Dear Family & Friends,

A new semester offers something quite powerful – the chance to reset, refocus and recommit. It’s an opportunity to build on the successes of Semester 1, and also to learn from the challenges. We know that growth doesn’t always come from getting everything right – it comes from how we respond when things don’t go to plan.

For our Year 12 students they are in the final stretch. For them this term is about consistency, resilience and giving their very best. Every lesson, every assessment and every hour of study matters, but so to does their wellbeing. Please keep a close eye on these young people and provide them with extra support if needed or seek assistance from our staff and counsellors in this area.

For our Year 7 – 11 students this term is about developing the habits of organisation, curiosity and persistence which will serve them far beyond the classroom. At assembly, I encouraged all students to embrace our HEART values by letting them guide how they act, how they treat others, and how they approach their learning.

The campus has been quieter than usual as our Year 9s have been out on Endeavour in the West MacDonnell Ranges and our Year 10s are at Mittagundi in the snow or on the farm. The weather conditions have ensured our students have built resilience as they’ve had sporadic rain and strong winds and a significant amount of snow. I look forward to hearing about their adventures next week. 

We’ve welcomed new staff this term including teachers, gappies and a work placement. Several of our new staff headed straight out on camp last week and will be building relationships and finding common ground with our students. Camps always forge amazing friendships and create amazing memories that last a lifetime.

Last week after our commencement service, we welcomed Dr Katrina Wruck the 2025 Young Australian of the Year.  She spoke of her early learning challenges especially with reading, and how she overcame them to become a chemical engineer. She specialises in converting mining by-products to zeolite LTA which breaks down dangerous “forever chemicals” into benign ones. Her work is a possible foundation for reducing global contamination. We were very fortunate to have her come and speak to our students.

Year 11 students interested in leadership positions have handed in their applications this week. We have College Captain interviews and speeches in Week 4 of this term and then the New Leaders Induction Service is in Week 5 - Wednesday 20 August.

Next week we are holding Subject Information Nights for both Year 10 (2026) and Year 11 (2026), with a Year 11 (2026) Subject Advice Afternoon on the 13th August. Parents and students I encourage you to attend to receive important information about subjects on offer. 

Finally, thanks to the Year 11 & 12 parents who attended the Parent Teacher Night this week. Good communication between parents and teachers is critical at this point in a young person’s educational journey.

Enjoy the long weekend, the last one of the year.

Kind regards,

Leslie Tilbrook

Principal