Principal Report

Music Showcase

On Wednesday 9 September, a large audience of families, students and staff gathered to enjoy performances from our students who undertake weekly Instrumental Music lessons. The quality of the performances was outstanding from students across all year levels. Many students had been rehearsing their pieces since the start of term at the popular music camp.

Some of the highlights included:

• Our Junior Band, made up of our Year 7 Brass and Woodwind students who performed as a group for the very first time.

• Two brand new ensembles: the Jazz Band and the Senior Vocal Ensemble made up of some of our most advanced music students.

• The return of the Concert Band, Intermediate Band, Senior String Orchestra and Chamber Strings following on from their success at Jazz Night.

• Special performances from our 12 students, many who have been part of the music program since Year 7. Not only have these students been regular performers but they have mentored our younger music students. 

   

Congratulations to all students who performed on the night. Thank you to our talented instrumental music teachers: Maria Camila Camperos Galdino, Jaaz Tobias-Quigley, Lauren Innes, Luke Dema, Andrew Rousch, Matthew Evans and Rachel Tunaley.

Staffing Changes 

Next term, we welcome Courtney Hunter to the College as French teacher. Some students will already know her as she has worked in a casual capacity this term. At the same time, we farewell and thank Mark Tatton, who has been a teacher of French at the College over the past two years. 

We are also farewelling Tom Lennon, who has been the College gardener since 2024. As a College Community, staff, students and families would recognise the improvements to the College grounds since Tom began his employment with us. Students have appreciated the regular mowing of the oval with the addition of line markings, the creation of new gardens and outdoor spaces to study and Tom's support of the Hands On Program. We wish him well in his new career pathway.

Term Wrap Up

Whilst the term seems to have wrapped up quickly, looking back it has been a big one. We are one of a minority of schools that run a large scale production each year. This event always makes me proud of the commitment of a large number of students, who finally get their moment on the stage, but all year they have quietly turned up to countless rehearsals, memorised lines and practiced songs. If you were lucky enough to see the show, you would concur that our Performing Arts students are indeed talented. 

Many camps featured in Term 3: Snow Camp, Year 8 Summit and Outdoor Education Surf Camp. Whilst these events pose a challenge to teachers and students in getting through the academic program, we know that the memories created by these adventures will be long lasting. 

We continue to collect blue banners in inter-school sport as our competitive teams regularly progress to higher levels. Last night 100 Year 10 students took part in the Gala/Presentation Ball with an impressive audience of 600. A big shout out to the students involved. I have dropped into most of your dance rehearsals and you were committed from the first lesson. Congratulations on conducting yourselves on the night with such poise.

Our student community keep showing up for each other by getting behind important events and fundraisers. The atmosphere was 'one in all in' on R U OK Day. It was a carnival atmosphere of students connecting with each other and sharing the important message of looking out for one another.

In Term 3 our students supported many worthwhile causes. Some of these included: Hope in a Suitcase, Dress For Success and the Concussion Foundation. Let's not forget the ongoing weekly volunteering that our Year 9 students do each week in community care settings for the elderly. 

Term 3 was topped off with another year of outstanding results in the Student Attitudes to School Survey where our student results are considerably higher than similar, network and State. At the same time, Term 3 was the term we finally got lucky with funding to fully refurbish our large student toilet block facilities. 

After such a busy and successful term, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all students and staff a wonderful break and an enjoyable holiday period filled with family and friends. I know that most of our Year 12s will be studying for their final exams. Study hard, support each other and reach out to your teachers when you need to.

See you next term.