Principal's Address

Dear Parents and Carers 

As I reflect on 2023 at Chevalier College, my first year as your principal, I am filled with gratitude. Our College is a tapestry woven with the threads of dedicated staff, committed families, and, most importantly, the bright souls of our students.  

2023 marked a year of inquiring and growth. The year began with us asking the question, “What might education look like in 3-5 years?” This led to broad community engagement with staff, students and parents as we continue to strive to be the best community we can be. 

Throughout the year we saw: 

Year 12 responsibly accept the offer of studying at home for lessons 1 and 5 each day 

• Our student-led Instagram page ‘Chev Today’, designed and developed by Year 12, achieve phenomenal growth over its first 12 months.
• The outstanding musical productions ‘Beautiful’ and ‘I’m With Cupid’.
• Our inaugural Winterfest where all sporting teams played at home with over 4000 spectators onsite. 
• The development of two new contemporary classrooms and a Virtual Reality laboratory. 
• Teachers engaging with Michael McDowell for high-impact teaching strategies. 
• The development of a Master Building Plan with contemporary buildings into the foreseeable future. 
• We celebrated milestones, acknowledged achievements, and navigated the ebb and flow of a bustling academic environment with fitting recognition for our Year 7-11 High Achievers at our Celebration of Excellence just two nights ago. 

The heartbeat of Chev, strong and steady, echoed through various endeavours — from academic pursuits, creative and performing arts, community service, immersions, excursions, sporting challenges and engagement with debating and public speaking. 

Our students, the lifeblood of this College, continued to shine. Their positivity and warmth were evident in abundance in every aspect of school life. Their compassion towards others exemplified and showcased the true character of Chev. 

In acknowledging the accomplishments of our community, I extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated staff. Whether in classrooms, on the sporting fields or behind the scenes, their unwavering commitment to the wellbeing and growth of our students has been the cornerstone of another great chapter in the life of Chevalier College. 

A special note of appreciation goes to the College Board, whose support of the Leadership Team was appreciated as the College strives to be a ‘future facing community’. The Leadership Team has been committed to collaborating with inspiring middle leaders, dedicated teachers and highly competent support staff, all united in providing high-quality learning experiences while preserving the rich traditions that define our MSC identity, ethos and charism. 

Finally, thank you to you, the parents and carers of our students. Thank you for the trust you have placed in the staff of the College as we continue to work and support each other in the education and development of your children, our students. 

Of course, at the end of each year, we say farewell to staff who depart the College. The College acknowledges and thanks Mrs Gemma Brooks, Mr Tony Banboukjian, Ms Jane Irons, Miss Michelle Friedrich and Mrs Suzi Bryant for their contribution to the College and for admirably completing short-term contracts.   

There are also the following members of staff who have served for longer. We wish Mr Simon Pauperis all the very best as he commences his new role as Music Teacher at both St Michael’s, Mittagong and St Thomas Aquinas, Bowral. We offer Ms Judy Young our best wishes as she leaves us to enjoy a slower pace of life. To Mrs Margaret Maronese, we say thank you for the great work you have done in the last five years, and we offer our best wishes as you relocate to Sydney to enjoy being closer to family members. We hope to see you back soon! And to Mark Smorti – after 12 years we thank you for your dedication and commitment to teaching Chevalier students, and we offer our best wishes as you relocate to your homeland of New Zealand. 

As well as saying thank you to those above, we must also note the departure of two long-serving members of staff. We say farewell to Mrs Kelly after 27 years. Please read this tribute to Mrs Kelly. And after 33 years at Chev, with 10 of those years as Deputy Principal, we say goodbye to Mrs Santos. At the assembly last Wednesday, we invited back former principal Mr Chris McDermott to say a few words on behalf of the College. Please read this tribute from Chris. 

Looking ahead to 2024, I am excited about the opportunities for growth, collaboration and further enrichment of the Chev experience. The heartbeat of our school is sustained not just by infrastructure and programs, but by the genuine connections, respect and care that define our community. 

In closing, it is obvious that MSC Spirituality of the Heart thrives at Chevalier. The heart of Chevalier College beats strong, with a consciousness and commitment towards the values of compassion, kindness, respect and, most importantly, love. Nurtured by the collective efforts of each member of this community, I am honoured to be a part of this journey, and I eagerly anticipate the years to come. 

Many Blessings and Merry Christmas 

Greg Miller 

Principal