Secondary School News

From the Deputy Principal Pastoral Care, Nick Jones

It was a honour and joy to welcome The Most Reverend Kay Goldsworthy AO, Archbishop of Perth to our school on Wednesday 5 June. Archbishop Kay spent the day leading Chapel reflections, visiting classrooms and meeting staff and student leaders. One of the most interesting sessions for me was the Q & A session with our Primary Class Representatives and House Councillors. The Archbishop was asked a wide range of questions such as; How do you become an Archbishop? What does God look like to you? What does it feel like to be the first female Archbishop in the world? What is the hardest thing about your job? What does your family think about you being the Archbishop?

Archbishop Kay was warm, open and honest with her answers to these ‘big’ questions and I know our students thoroughly enjoyed their time with such an inspiring and trailblazing leader. We look forward to welcoming Archbishop Kay back to the School for our 30th Anniversary Founders' Day celebrations in August.

Uthando Dolls Project

Students in Year 9 have been visiting residents of Amana Living's Thomas Scott Hostel as part of their RAVE classes this term. Together residents and students have been handcrafting Uthando Dolls for children in South Africa affected by the AIDS/HIV pandemic.  To read more about this fantastic project please click below.

Social Media

I was reminded this week about the pervasive influence that social media has on our student’s lives. While speaking with students who had been involved in some disrespectful behaviour online, I was interested to learn that the students found it difficult to consider removing themselves from social media platforms as a possible solution. This method of communication has quickly become the most popular and, at times, the only way that our students 'talk' with each other. I believe it is our responsibility as parents and educators to remind our children, that face-to-face verbal interactions are the most important method of communication with others. It is far too easy to hide behind screens and to forget that the words or images we use online, have consequences for ourselves and other people. Our children are growing up in a much different world than the one we grew up in; however, regardless of the career paths our children choose to follow in the future, they will need to possess skills in real-life, face-to-face, verbal communication. I believe that we all need to remove ourselves from online platforms and take the time to pick up the telephone or drop around to our friends' homes, and engage in some real-life, personal interaction.

All the best.

Nick Jones

Deputy Principal Pastoral Care