From the Leadership Team
The Journey to Year 12
Last week was met with both sadness and gratitude as we bade farewell to the Year 12 Class of 2016. Valedictory Day is the end of a long schooling journey, filled with so many wonderful memories, supported by great teachers, loving parents and loyal friends. We, as teachers, hope that the Year 12 students leave School with a plethora of amazing lessons learnt, both within and out of the classroom.
So many times throughout their school life, our students are challenged academically, made to meet demands out of their comfort zones, tackle the social complexities of the playground, battle on the sports field, bravely perform or debate on the stage, and participate in many excursions, camps and overseas travel.
Each week's challenges are made that bit harder because teenagers’ lives, in and out of school, don't always go according to plan and they have to show much grit, going through a time of their lives where self-doubt and confusion can regularly rule the day.
It is really important for all people to relish the highs of schooling and be grateful for all the successes that they have achieved and terrific times they’ve had. But similarly, everyone should view the 'failures', the times when we made the wrong choices; the struggles and the disappointments are just as valuable for growth and learning. Successful Australian writer Bryce Courtenay always believed that 'failure is an absolute essential in life'.
13 years of schooling culminated in the Year 12 English exam on Wednesday 26 October where our 42 strong class of 2016 began their final assessments of secondary schooling. Hopefully, the foundation was laid by their teachers and by their own hard work, organisation and grit in the years before.
For the rest of our students, Years 7-11 will soon commence their own end of year examinations. A chance to put a year’s diligence, effort and determination on display. The tips suggested here are applicable to any age student for any subject, test or exam. Students are not defined by their exam results, but it is expected that they prepare thoroughly, revise consistently and do their best.
Matt Brinson, Head of Senior School
Staffing
We have been busy recruiting and we look forward to welcoming the following staff to Kilvington next year:
Mr Mark Williams has been appointed to the role of VCE Mathematics teacher. Mark joins us from Scotch College where he holds the role of Deputy Head of Mathematics. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science and a Graduate Diploma of Education.
Ms Louise Macfarlane has been appointed to the role of VCE Chemistry teacher. Louise will join us from Box Hill Senior Secondary College where she holds the role of Head of Science. Louise holds a Diploma of Education and a Bachelor of Science.
Ms Lauren Wade has been appointed to the role of VCE English teacher. Lauren joins us from Sacred Heart Girls’ College and holds a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts.
Dr Barry Mangham has been appointed to the role of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry teacher. Barry holds a PGCE Secondary Science, a MSci (Honours) Chemistry and a PhD Chemistry.
Ms Shauna Donnelly has been appointed as a Junior School teacher. Shauna joins us from Port Melbourne Primary School and holds a Diploma of Education (Primary), a Bachelor of Exercise Science (Honours) and a Bachelor of Health Science.
Mr Joe Hewitt has been appointed to the role of Junior School teacher. Joe joins us from the UK and holds a PGCE Primary and a Bachelor of Theology and Religious Studies. Joe is currently working at Kilvington as a CRT teacher.
Miss Sarah Sutherland-Tomey has been appointed to the role of Junior School teacher. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Social Science, a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and is currently completing a Master of Literacy. Sarah will join us from Xavier College.
At the end of the school year we will farewell the following staff:
Miss Jacinta Hope completes her contract as a Junior School teacher and we congratulate her on her appointment as a Junior School Teacher at Beacons Hill College.
Junior School teacher, Mr Patrick Dower, has tendered his resignation and has accepted an opportunity at Scotch College.
Ms Nathalie Brown completes her contract as French teacher and Language Assistant. We wish Nathalie well as she pursues opportunities outside of the school.
Miss Danusia Glover has tendered her resignation as Executive Assistant to the Principal and Human Resources Coordinator. Danusia and her fiancé Luke have made the decision to travel indefinitely in 2017, an opportunity they would like to pursue prior to starting a family.
Jon Charlton, Principal