From the Principal Class
Dear Viewbank College Community,
Term four is always jam packed, starting with our senior students finishing formal classes, celebrating their time at the College and preparing for exams and life after secondary schooling.
Class of 2023
I want to acknowledge and celebrate the Class of 2023. This group of students began their Viewbank journey in 2018, spent a large part of Year 9 & 10 in remote learning and have re-emerged as a cohesive and lovely group of young people.
We have celebrated with an assembly onsite for students and parents, a final day breakfast and student-led assembly and their Valedictory dinner at San Remo Ballroom. I want to acknowledge the work and support of all of their teachers, but particularly their Year 12 teachers and the Senior School team. Their commitment, care and effort to ensure success for students at the College is incredible.
Music Gala and Showcase
Another major event held this week was the Music Showcase/Gala. What an incredible evening, with such talent on show, the result of the hard work of students and Instrumental staff. Our students performed in front of a packed audience of family, friends and peers, displaying their passion and joy in music.
A huge thanks to all the Instrumental music team, led by Katrina Wellins and Tom Krieg. Special mention to Craig Harrison, who showcased the Concert Band and the Ellington Band for his last time before retirement. Craig has been a legend in this space and his students honoured his efforts with amazing performances.
Thanks also to the Friends of Music. We have a group of parents whose last students are graduating this year, and we want to acknowledge their efforts over many years in supporting the events and fundraising that adds so much value….
Rosemary and Patrick Western have been stalwarts of the FOM parent group.
Uniform
We have had a renewed focus on uniform in the last week and will continue to do so throughout the term.
This College Community has made a commitment to being a uniform school, and by enrolling your student, you have agreed to that commitment.
We have explained to students this week that by wearing the full uniform, they are demonstrating their commitment to being a member of the community and showing readiness to learn.
It is also an important valuable life lesson to learn. We are not trying to put conformity ahead of individuality, but in life there are times where you adhere to the greater good or to rules that govern our communities/society.
The are many examples of this that you can use when talking about this with your students- Covid lockdowns, road rules, terms of employment. We need to be able to prepare our students for the reality of life outside a Viewbank bubble.
If you need financial support with obtaining items of uniform, please contact your student’s House Leader.
Current events
In the past week, there have been some events, locally and globally, that have been distressing for many members of our community.
The conflict on the Gaza Strip and the result of the referendum last weekend may be an ongoing cause for concern for students. If your student needs support, please contact the relevant House Leader or Head of House.
Facilities
Our new VCE centre is open for business, and our Class of 2023 have been using it for exam preparation. We have some landscaping work to complete, as well as more outdoor furniture to make it an amenable space for our future Year 12 cohorts.
The toilet refurbishments continue, as does progress on the walking trail. Both of these projects will be complete for the 2024 school year.
Sharon Grimes, Principal
Emma Ford, Assistant Principal
Rachael Smith, Assistant Principal
Anna Crosswhite, Assistant Principal
Penelope Cleghorn, Assistant Principal