Principal's Message

Dear Applecross SHS Families,

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the Senior School Drama Production, A Night in the Dark: A Salem Story by Elizabeth Downing, directed by Clare T. I was truly impressed by the talent, commitment, and professionalism of our senior students. The Performing Arts venue was full, and the audience was completely absorbed in a powerful story that explores how fear can fracture a community and how influence, when aligned with public opinion, can silence the truth. I warmly congratulate Clare and our students on an outstanding production, and extend my thanks to all staff and supporters who contributed behind the scenes. To the families who attended, thank you for your ongoing support. You have every reason to feel proud of your child’s achievements.

It was certainly a weekend filled with memorable moments. Following Friday evening’s performance, I spent Saturday morning at the GATE Visual Arts workshops. Gabby W. kindly guided me through the sessions, introducing me to our talented Art tutors and providing the opportunity to observe students engaged in their creative processes. There were many highlights, including a still-life pastel workshop in the Performing Arts foyer, where one student’s rendering of grapes was so vivid it appeared almost lifelike. Experiences such as these are a wonderful reminder of the creativity, dedication, and potential within our school community. My sincere thanks to Gabby and to our P&C Music Sub-Committee for their ongoing support of the program and for ensuring students are so well cared for each week.

This week, our Student Services team delivered the first Wellbeing Day for Year 10 students. Early feedback suggests that students were highly engaged, formed meaningful connections, and, in some cases, developed strong emotional bonds through the experience. I look forward to learning more as the program is rolled out across all year groups, particularly the insights and outcomes that will emerge. Initiatives such as the CORE Program and its focus on social and emotional well-being play a vital role in supporting young people’s overall development. I encourage families to value these opportunities alongside academic learning, as well-being is fundamental to success both within and beyond the classroom.

Next week, I will begin my Teaching and Learning Exploratory Work by participating in eight Health and Physical Education classes. Through this initiative, I will gain a broader understanding of teaching practices, student engagement, and learning experiences across the school. I am looking forward to experiencing a variety of activities alongside students, from the fitness room and tennis courts to boating and theory lessons. Each school term, I will visit two different Learning Areas. I encourage you to follow and monitor our social media feed, as there will be social media posts from each of these weeks over the next 12-18 months.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and for being such an important part of our school community.

Warm regards,

Karena

 

Karena Shearing, Principal, Applecross SHS