From the Principal 

Welcome to the last newsletter for term 3 packed full of wonderful student work and important community news. 

Reflecting on this term, I can say that I am so enormously proud of our community for all that we have achieved during this hardship. When we think back to the freedoms we enjoyed last holidays, it’s hard to believe this was how our term unfolded. We have however, been able to continue to learn more about ourselves, how we can engage when apart and how important community is for our connection.

Hearing the news that it will be even longer before our year 7-10 students can return to school has been difficult. We know how much you miss school, each other, your friends and your teachers. We miss you all too and it’s especially difficult as we enter a term that usually sees so many events and milestones. We are very pleased that our Unit 3&4 students will be able to sit the GAT without disruptions and that this important milestone will continue with an element of protection from potential school closures. 

Parent Teacher Student Conferences have been taking place and a recurring theme amongst teachers who share their experience with me is one of real family/school partnership. Families and teachers are sharing their wins and their struggles in an open and honest way, with real moments of shared joy and frustration with all we face together. The empathy and compassion our families have shown our teachers has been enormously meaningful.

The class of 2020, you are like no other! Yes, your milestone events will look different next term, they will also be enormously special and significant and our senior school is working hard to make sure that is the case. We will celebrate you and the contributions you have made to our school. You are all our little engines that could, you’ve been puffing away saying “I think I can, I think I can” and we know you can and we will be cheering alongside you every step of the way.

Please enjoy a very different kind of school holidays. Get as much sunshine as you are able to, read some books for leisure, play some games and take a break from the screens where possible. If you’ve had a particularly difficult term with your school work, take some time to think about what you want next term to look like. Your teachers understand it hasn’t been easy and it’s never too late to make a fresh start. We are all working hard to plan for whatever term 4 brings and especially to transition each year level back to on site learning when it is safe to do so. 

I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as I can in person or virtually next term. 

Take care, 

Sue Harrap 

Principal