Dear Parents and Guardians

What an extraordinary year we have all experienced together as we have again navigated going in and out of lockdowns, onsite and remote learning, and all the normal joys and challenges of an academic year. I am incredibly proud of our community and the communal response to the challenges of 2021, and I thank students, staff and families for your willingness to collaborate and support one another.

Today we conducted our Awards Assembly for the whole school community which was available for families to watch live via a YouTube link. It was also recorded and is able to be viewed at a later date. As with every day of school, this last day is a day when we want the entire student population involved in bringing 2021 to a close.

This year our students, staff and families have faced challenges where courage was needed to work through the various lockdowns, periods of remote learning and disruption. Monivae College staff and students have shown again and again their adaptability and flexibility in 2021. Celebrations and classes have been re-imagined in different forms with new and fresh creativity.

As any school year draws to a close, we farewell some wonderful contributors to the College. Next week we celebrate some very special staff who are concluding their time at Monivae College.

Ms. Nima Carswell is leaving to take up a position as Religious Education Leader/Campus Leadership Team Member at St Francis Xavier College, Melbourne. Ms. Carswell has made a significant contribution leading the Religious Education Faculty in the last two years and I wish her well in her new position.

Mrs. Nicola Crawford is taking Long Service Leave in Semester 1 and will retire after this period of leave. Mrs. Crawford leaves Monivae after 32 years as a caring and committed educator.

Mr. Ian Marshall has accepted a position as a Technology teacher at Ballarat Grammar. Mr Marshall has been a wonderful contributor as a Technology teacher and Faculty Leader during his 14 years At Monivae.

Ms. Ruby Austin has achieved great things in the Performing Arts in her first year as a teacher. Ms. Austin is moving to be with her partner in NSW and I wish her every success in the years to come.

Mr. Peter Fotheringham and Mrs. Rosalie Hyland resigned during the year as did Ms. Elaine Noske. They have had a long association as teachers at Monivae and I wish them well for the next chapter of their lives.

Monivae College is very lucky to have such a hard-working and committed staff team, and I am very grateful for their willingness to give it their all in this year of constant challenge.

The Monivae College office will close at 3pm on Friday 17th December and reopen on Tuesday 11th January 2022. Education staff will return on Friday 28th January.

As we approach Christmas and being able to celebrate together as families, we as a community should let our light shine. By working together this year; students, staff, families and friends of the College, we have remained connected and furthered our young peoples' learning. We are grateful for our relative safety and wellbeing here in Australia. The light of Christ has shone within our midst, and I, for one, will take time with family, to offer gratitude through prayer and worship this Christmas. Thank you for your care and support of the Monivae school community this year. God bless for the festive season, and thank you for the gift of the daily presence of your amazing young people.

Kind regards,

Jonathan Rowe

Principal

Discovery Day

Kylie Schurmann