Principal Team's Report

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi was a Hungarian/American psychologist who developed the concept of Flow as the optimal state for learning. It is a state of experience in which people are so engaged in an activity that they lose track of time, feel a sense of control, and are completely absorbed in the moment. This state can be achieved in any activity, from playing sports to solving a maths problem to participating in a school production. Flow has three essential ingredients: Mastery, Autonomy and Purpose. We can describe Mastery as when a young person feels empowered that they possess the skills and knowledge that they need. Autonomy can be described as when the young person feels that they have ownership and control over the environment where that learning is taking place. Purpose can be described as when the young person has the motivation and direction to understand why the learning is so important. Flow can be a powerful tool for helping students achieve their full potential. When students are in flow, they are more likely to be motivated, focused, and engaged in their learning. They are also more likely to learn more effectively and retain the knowledge for longer periods of time. 

There are a few things that educators can do to help create flow in their classrooms. First, they can make sure that the tasks that students are given are challenging but not overwhelming. Students need to feel like they are stretching themselves, but they also need to feel like they can complete the task. Second, teachers can provide clear and specific goals for each task. This will help students stay focused and motivated. Third, teachers can offer immediate and accurate feedback. This will help students track their progress and adjust as needed. As parents and carers, we can use the same strategies to support our children in the world outside of school. 

SpongeBob The Musical - Congratulations! 

Our recent school production, ‘SpongeBob the Musical’ is a perfect example of what happens when young people do achieve that concept of 

flow. It is pure magic. The students were challenged, but they were also supported. They had clear goals, and they received immediate and accurate feedback. As a result, they were able to create a truly memorable performance. 

As a school, we want to congratulate all the students, educators and families involved in the Production. In particular, I would like to 

acknowledge Mikayla Ellis, who achieved her own sense of flow as the Production leader. Her team also included David Gill, our leader for community engagement, and Kirsty Mechielsen, our Head of Music. We know that our children will take this experience into their future lives as a time of challenge, joy and achievement. It is theirs to keep. 

VSMF - Jazz Band won Silver

I would also like to celebrate our exciting day at the Victorian Schools Music Festival where we were awarded a Silver shield! This is particularly significant as it is the first time in 21 years that our Jazz Band has entered the VSMF. To provide some context, the last time our band participated was in 2002, under the then banner of the Melbourne School Bands Festival, where we secured a Bronze shield. They also wore the maroon waistcoats that were last worn by the jazz ensemble in 2002, still in great condition! The students played ‘Tyrannosaurus Charlie’, ‘If I Gave My Heart’, and ‘Naptown Blues’, and they, according to Mr. Gill: “… absolutely rocked it.” They played the best they ever have, particularly the last two songs which were quite challenging. The feedback from the assessors was also incredibly encouraging. They highlighted our presentation, and especially praised our dynamics, rhythm, and articulation. Moreover, it is worth noting that our band stood out even among many select entry and private schools that were part of our section, some that had a higher average age of students involved too. Such an achievement is commendable and speaks volumes about the potential of our students and the quality of music education at our school’. 

Thank you for your continued support of our music program. Such achievements are only possible with a supportive community that believes in the power of music. I am extremely excited about the future and looking forward to more accolades and growth in our Arts Programs. It is moments like this that remind us why we do what we do. 

Connecting Schools with Indian Communities Program. 

Another exciting initiative that our school is participating in is the Connecting Schools with Indian Communities Program. The purpose of the program is to: 

• Build Intercultural Understandings 
• Promote Global Citizenship and Engagement 
• Celebrate the power of connectedness and collaboration as essential tools in supporting student learning and wellbeing 

I am delighted that we have families with an Indian background who are supporting us and my team of educators:  

• Khairi Razaai - ours Arts Leader,  
• Sharon Sharpe - our Year 10 Wellbeing and Learning Leader and Food Technology educator and  
• Jacinta Wilson - our Year 9 Learning and Wellbeing Leader  

The team are supporting our students to get involved and build connections with Indian practitioners from Bollywood and Traditional Dance organisations, as well as other forms of Art and culture. This will all culminate in an Indian Banquet and Celebration on November 17 led by our students. 

Schools are places where students learn and grow, where they should experience challenge, support and inclusion. We are the foundations on which communities prosper. 

Thank you for your support. We hope we are making a positive difference. 

Fern Brisbane 

on behalf of the Principal Team