From the Leadership Team
Term 1 wrap-up
Rob French, Principal
We have enjoyed a wonderful Term 1 at Kilvington despite the various challenges associated with the transmission of COVID-19.
It's been great to see our students reconnect with a full range of co-curricular offerings and activities at School, from sport to drama to debating. These types of activities go beyond the traditional classroom to truly enrich the school experience, and I am certain that for many students they will form part of their fondest memories of School in the future.
THE IMPACT OF PASSION
Our character trait this semester is passion, and through a variety of co-curricular options, we have been supporting students and enabling them to discover things they are passionate about.
World-renowned psychologist, and one of the leaders of the Positive Psychology movement, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, found in his research of flourishing that our sense of wellbeing increases markedly when we are involved in activities that we feel passionate about.
When we are pursuing an activity that we love, we often move into a state referred to as ‘flow’, which usually results in time standing still as we are so absorbed in what we are doing in the moment. Of course, if the activity is physical in nature, we also benefit from the release of endorphins through exercise and increased fitness, which also increases our sense of wellbeing.
THE VALUE OF CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Another benefit of co-curricular activities is that they often require students to develop key life skills such as collaboration and teamwork, communication, creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving.
These skills have become much sought-after in the evolving modern workforce. Often dubbed as ‘21st century skills', young people who are able to demonstrate these skills are much better placed to thrive in the future world of work and achieve success beyond the school gates.
Last Monday, I was lucky enough to witness some epic performances from our students in the pool at MSAC. I was delighted to then see several of the same students performing at the Jazz Cabaret on Friday night, highlighting their diverse interests and willingness to try different things.
It has been a particular highlight of the term to see our students once again become fully involved in the co-curricular side of School life, allowing them to derive the many benefits of these experiences.
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
Another highlight of Term 1 has been seeing the community come together again after an interrupted two years. I have thoroughly enjoyed hosting parent functions onsite in recent weeks and witnessing firsthand the enjoyment of our students as they settle back into the rhythm of face-to-face schooling.
Events such as the Walsh Club Lunch (which sees Kilvonians who left School fifty or more years ago gathering together) clearly displays the richness of our community.
I was enthralled by a conversation with a group of women who are still best friends today after going through Kilvington together in the 1950s. It was a pleasure to hear about their School experiences, and to see friendships that started some 70 years on still thriving.
This is a wonderful community, and I am sure that right now, in front of our eyes, we are seeing friendships form that will still be strong 70 years from now.
STAFF NEWS
As the term concludes, we thank and farewell Elayne Flanagan, Francis McGinley, John James and Leanne Clinch from the Junior School team, although we look forward to welcoming Francis and Leanne back from their periods of leave.
We are also farewelling Laura Tough from Senior School, and we wish Jacqui Goldenberg all the best for her term of Long Service Leave. I thank Lisa Graham who has been looking after Main Reception throughout Term 1. My thanks and best wishes go to all of our departing staff members, and I thank them for their outstanding service to the School.
Next term, we will be welcoming several members of staff back from their well-deserved breaks: Ben Wood and Andrew Johnson to Senior School, Paul Stefanetti to Junior School and Peter Woolfrey to the maintenance and grounds team.
We also look forward to welcoming Katrina Sleeman, our new fulltime receptionist, to Kilvington. Kathy McLaren, our long-serving receptionist, will be taking up the new position of Student Services Officer upon her return from leave next term. Margie Luxford (Enrichment) and Skye Restorick (Learning Support) will also be joining us in Junior School.
I wish all Kilvington families a safe and enjoyable Easter break, and I look forward to the fresh challenges and opportunities of Term 2.