From the Leadership Team
Why Events Like Celebration Night Matter
Sebastian Earle, Head of Junior School
Last week the Kilvington community celebrated a number of significant events that signified the conclusion of another academic year.
Earlier in the week the School welcomed next year’s new students during both Senior and Junior School Orientation Days. There was much anticipation and a few nerves as both new and existing students waited to learn who would be teachers and classmates for the next stage of their learning journey. The nerves were soon replaced with excitement as the Orientation program unfolded.
Students spent the day building upon existing friendships and developing connections with new students and their teachers. The Orientation program is pivotal to the successful transition of new families and supporting existing families to start their new year with optimism and confidence.
The eventful week concluded with Kilvington’s premier event, Celebration Night. The School community acknowledged the talents and achievements of Kilvington’s dedicated students through a range of performing arts items and presentations before farewelling our most recent graduates with the moving song, When will I see you?
While I thoroughly enjoyed sharing in the collective excitement of these two events, I couldn’t help but find myself becoming somewhat nostalgic, thinking how quickly another year has gone. It didn’t seem that long ago when we welcomed our new Prep students to the Junior School.
I’m sure many Kilvington parents, particularly those of our recent Year 12 graduates, would also be astounded as to how fast their children are growing into confident and proud young men and women, especially given that we haven’t aged nearly as quickly.
Although the years appear to be passing with increasing speed, we should be reminded that students will perceive their time at Kilvington very differently. Each year students participate in a vast range of new experiences. These include building new friendships, overcoming challenges, competing in sporting events and academic competitions, developmental changes and, of course, constant exposure to new learning and creating unique understandings.
This process can create the perception that a duration of time*, such as an academic year, is longer. On the other hand, we adults who enjoy a life of more routine and predictability will feel that each day flies by without much consideration - hence why our own school years tend to be more over-represented in our personal memories.
Seeing the year through the lens of a school child helps us appreciate the achievement of concluding another productive year. Participating in events such Celebration Night and Orientation Day therefore aren’t just a yearly tradition, but pivotal moments that can be remembered by individual students for many years to come.
*Dr Patricia Costello, Time Warped: Unlocking the Mysteries of Time Perception, 2013
Staffing
We look forward to welcoming the following staff to Kilvington in 2019:
French teacher, Sarah Paulin who comes to Kilvington from Carey Baptist Grammar School. She holds a BA Hons in French Language and Modern France and a Grad Dip Ed.
English/Humanities teacher, Angela Runci from St Michael’s Grammar. Angela holds a BA Hons and a Grad Dip Ed.
English/Literature Teacher, Philip Thiel who comes to us from Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School where he is currently a Year Level Coordinator. Philip holds a BA Hons, MA and a Grad Dip Ed.
Mathematics teacher, Stephanie Sardellis who is currently teaching at Kew High School. Stephanie has a MEd.
Geography/Science teacher, Michael Schmidt who is currently at Cheltenham Secondary College. He holds a BSc Hons and MA.
After 20-plus years at Kilvington, we sadly farewell Dr Leonie Lloyd as she retires from teaching. Leonie has undoubtedly been a most passionate, knowledgeable and talented teacher who has inspired countless students, parents and staff over her teaching life. She has left an indelible mark on Kilvington.