Across The Principal's Desk

I hope everyone enjoyed the break over Easter and had a chance to spend time with family and friends, or just time for yourself! We’ve had a very positive start to Term 2. There will continue to be unavoidable disruptions with staff and students needing to isolate at different times, however it is pleasing to see the way in which people are handling these situations at school and on the home-front. It’s not easy but we are all doing our best and making the most of what we are able achieve with the resources we have on any given day. It’s terrific to see the smiles around the place and the learning continuing – we are succeeding!

On ANZAC Day our students were involved in laying wreaths and marching in Beaufort and Skipton. I attended the proceedings in Beaufort and enjoyed the interaction with our community and the general atmosphere throughout the various aspects of the morning. It was terrific to hear from a range of people about their positive impression of our school. Our School Leaders represented us admirably at our local services. Willow Parker and Laura Mc Linden marched and laid a wreath in Beaufort while Ethan Page and Ethan Keenan read The Ode in Skipton, with Addy Corbett laying a wreath. Tom Naylor also represented us at Beaufort by taking on the role of a flag bearer throughout the march and the ceremony. We had many students present on the day in various uniforms from a broad range of organisations – it was terrific to see so many from across our community participating. Well done to all involved for bringing everyone together and for making it all happen, particularly after the difficulties of the last couple of years.

Our senior students led an ANZAC ceremony at school last week which highlighted the respectful nature of our students and our school in general. The Service began with the first verse of the National Anthem sung in Eora, First Nation language. Our student leaders (Willow Parker, Ethan Page, Charlotte Stevens, Ethan Keenan and Laura Mc Linden) each had speaking roles, some of which involved personal connections or stories that resonated with them in relation to ANZAC Day. This provided an opportunity to educate our students, as well as honour and remember those who fought in wars for our country. We also had Jet Kerr, in uniform as a cadet, and Patrick Andrews, representing The Venturers, tending the flag which was raised and returned to half-mast.

Our Year 12 students placed hand crafted flowers on our Poppy Display which our Form Groups created at the end of last term, enhancing our students’ understanding of what ANZAC Day is about. I laid a wreath and appreciated having Damian Ferrari (School Council President) and Des Weller (Legacy Representative) beside me as our guests. We thank Mrs Kerr for doing a terrific job in coordinating the whole service. It was a formal, yet engaging ceremony and the rest of the school demonstrated the expected high level of respect for the occasion. The service was very well received by all who were present and, as Principal, I was very proud to see our students deliver such an important ceremony, marking the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.