Acting Principal’s Report

We’re back in the swing of face-to-face learning now! In another spot in this newsletter you can read about Murnong Day held last week – it was fantastic that this more than decade long tradition could continue with our Year 7s in 2020, albeit later in the year than usual.

Year 12s – congratulations and good luck!

I’m writing this report on Friday afternoon, just after our whole school virtual assembly to send our best wishes to the Year 12s. As you may know, we usually have a guard of honour formed by all the Year 7 to 11s for our departing students, but this year we pivoted to a COVID safe version. After speeches from our departing College Captains Veronique, Ophelia and Lucy and our new Captains Jade, Ruby and Campbell, the Year 12 video was played throughout the school. Then the Year 12s departed from their Level 3 classrooms, with students clapping and cheering from their classrooms. It was a different but still great way to send off the Year 12s. We wish them all the best for their upcoming exams.

After the easing of restrictions from Wednesday, it was also really pleasing that we were able to hold a whole Year 12 graduation assembly yesterday afternoon. Again, we did this in a COVID safe way, with all students physically separated in the Gym. During the earlier parts of the day, we were able to present finishing certificates in the Library to all Year 12s. All of these parts were recorded and played as part of the virtual Valedictory Dinner, last night. There were also an outstanding musical performance by Anya Hemley and a phenomenal media performance by Luiza Souza Alberti. It was great that Karen Money could send a message as well. Recordings of parts of this night, including Anya, Luiza and Karen’s contributions, can be found here.

Many thanks to Pat Sklavakis, Leigh Hanley, Sefija Demirova, Trevor Howlett, Beth Barrass, Sylvan Dorney, Jeanette Bathgate and Mella Pescos (amongst many others) for their contributions to this week.

Philanthropy Success

Well done to the Philanthropy team for all of their work with the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation, which funds research into paediatric brain cancer. During remote learning our students participated in Connor’s Run Your Way and was the 3rd highest fundraising school in the state, raising over $4,000 with 30+ students as well as staff participating. Saskia Junge and Mary Higginbotham both ran over 100km for this great cause. Earlier in the year we also supported the RCD Foundation, with our students playing online trivia challenges as part of Birdbrain. Our school was the highest participating organisation in the state!

Congratulations to the New Senior School Executive! 

After an exhaustive series of interviews with staff and students, well done to our new appointees listed below. We look forward to working with you in 2021.

Brent Houghton

Acting Principal