From the Principal

It has certainly been an exciting week for many students at the College, with Year 7, 8 and 9 on camp. Yesterday, Year 9 headed to Maria Island and today Year 7 and 8 departed for Spring Beach. A camp experience early in the year is intended to help foster relationships and to learn important lessons about how to stretch oneself when facing challenges or new situations.

Yesterday was also our Year 6 leadership induction assembly. Congratulations to Annabelle, Ayden, Lucas, Hannah, Shane and Isabella who have been appointed to the leadership roles this year.

As part of the Assembly, Mr Richardson and I spoke to the students about servant leadership. Looking to the example of Jesus, the servant leader focuses on the needs and interests of those they lead, above those of their own. They are committed to doing the best they can for the benefit of others. Each of the students shared some of what they wanted to achieve through their role.

I also spoke about the challenge of putting ideas into action. When students have to try to realise their goals, they often come to see that taking action is complicated. There will often be hiccups and points of frustration for students to work through. Students need to demonstrate courage, perseverance, and adaptability as they work through each step. As a College, we look to provide students with opportunities to exercise these qualities as they experience both the challenges and the joy of reaching for ambitious goals.

We want to provide such experiences to students because we know they are what they will need to draw upon as they navigate a complex and rapidly changing world. Andreas Schleicher, OECD Director for the Directorate of Education and Skills (PISA) highlighted the kind of education that we need to be providing for our young people:

“In this world the kind of things that are easy to teach and test are also becoming easy to digitise, automate. Education has to be about building in students the tools to navigate this world with confidence. Success in education today is about building curiosity and opening minds. It is about compassion and opening hearts. It is about courage and mobilising our cognitive and social and emotional resources."

I am excited to see the impact that both our Primary and our Secondary leaders will make this year within and beyond our school community.

Jodie Bennett

Principal