From the Principal Team
Dear parents, carers and students,
It's hard not to get drawn into the big political stories, worrying news about the environment, and constant talk about new technology and artificial intelligence. In the middle of all this, our College pledge is a simple reminder of what really matters: how we speak to each other, how we treat people who are different from us, and how we look after those around us every day.
This term’s Cultural Day, with the incredible African drummers, was one of those moments where you could see our pledge in action. The smiles, the dancing and the shared joy in the courtyard showed what happens when we make space to learn from other cultures instead of just reading about them. It was a powerful sign that our school is at its best when everyone feels they belong.
Our performing arts students have been working hard on “Picnic at Hanging Rock”, and many of you will have seen glimpses of rehearsals and performances online. Behind every polished moment on stage there are long nights, missed notes, nerves and many “let’s try that again” conversations. Young people learning to support each other, listen, take turns in the spotlight and handle disappointment with grace – this is character building, not just show business.
The “100 days left of school” celebration for Year 12 brought a mix of excitement, anxiety and reflection. For some students, it was a moment of pride; for others, a reminder that time is running out faster than they’d like. Staff and families walking alongside them, having honest conversations about hopes and fears, is another quiet way our community lives out the promise to be safe, caring and encouraging.
Our Sustainability Club’s “Make and Mend” sessions and the student waste audit have been wonderfully down‑to‑earth. There is something very real about students sitting together, fixing clothes, sorting rubbish and asking, “Do we actually need to throw this out?” It’s not glamorous, but it is hopeful. These small habits – repairing, re‑using, thinking twice before we waste – are the kind of everyday choices that, over time, change how we live.
The Year 9 “Lead” passion projects, especially the famous “teacher dunk”, have shown how young people can bring energy, humour and leadership together. There was laughter, yes, but also planning, organisation and the courage to try something new in front of everyone. Moments like this teach our students that their ideas matter and that they can bring people together for a good cause.
Our alumni visits have added another layer to this picture. Hearing former students talk honestly about the twists and turns of their lives after school – the surprises, the setbacks, the second chances – reassures our current students that there is no single “right” path. What matters most is staying curious, working hard and treating people well along the way.
Generations in Jazz and our Autumn Showcase and Gala have brought many of you into the PAC with us. Watching students of different ages share the stage with staff and past students is a reminder that learning doesn’t stop at graduation; we keep growing, and we do it best together.
When you put all of these moments side by side – African drummers, rehearsals, mending clothes, waste audits, teacher dunks, alumni stories, jazz and concerts – a clear picture appears. Our pledge isn’t a poster on the wall; it’s the way students greet each other in the morning, how they behave online, how they respond when someone makes a mistake, and how they choose to use their talents.
The world your children are growing up in is complex and fast‑moving, but the basics haven’t changed: kindness, respect, honesty and a willingness to include others still matter most. Thank you for backing these values at home, for the conversations you have after school, and for turning up to the events that mean so much to our young people. Together, we are helping them grow into not just capable students, but good people who will make a positive difference wherever they go.
Anesti Anestis Acting Principal Rachael Smith, Assistant Principal
Anna Crosswhite, Assistant Principal
Penelope Cleghorn, Assistant Principal
Lauren Jewell, Acting Assistant Principal