A Note from Craig

As I shared in this year’s 2021 Echoes publication, the Board is very proud of the efforts of all our School community in dealing with the issues that have arisen in 2021 as a result of the global pandemic. Through these times, our School continues to provide the best education environment possible for our students.  The re-focus on the areas of Board Strategic Responsibility has been an important process to ensure the School supports its Purpose and Concerns, now and for the future. 

As the world navigates challenging times, the next 2 years will see important and significant strategic priorities undertaken at Friends’. I thought it timely to highlight the critical work being undertaken with regards to child safety.

Our underlying Quaker values ensure that the health and safety of everyone, and especially children, is at the centre of all that we do at The Friends’ School.  Furthermore, we have a legal responsibility to protect our students from harm and to ensure that any allegation, disclosure or concern about child abuse is promptly and appropriately addressed.  In recent months, the School has embarked on updating its Safeguarding Children Policy, Standards and Expectations.  This process has been undertaken in conjunction with Child Wise who work all over Australia and the world, to empower organisations  to prevent children ever being abused or harmed.  The aim is that the School will be accredited with Child Wise in 2022.

As part of our accreditation pathway, an updated reporting process has been implemented.  In early November, I wrote to Principal Nelson File on behalf of the Board of Governors with regards to the Board’s expectations regarding Child Safety Reporting at The Friends' School. Nelson and School’s Principal’s Committee members have been advised of this updated process and we look forward to providing more information on the accreditation process in Term 1, 2022.

On my regular visits to the School, it is pleasing to see the new Sports Centre taking shape at the Commercial Road Campus.  This exciting first phase of the School’s Master Plan will provide significant enhancements to our student’s learning opportunities, along with supporting health and wellbeing for our community. I’d like to thank those who have provided philanthropic support to date to enable this vital redevelopment project.

In November I wrote to School families advising of Principal Nelson File’s continued leadership until the end of 2023.  The Board of Governors is pleased that Nelson will continue to provide strong leadership and guidance for the next 2 years.  The Board would also like to thank Nelson for enabling a planned and thorough recruitment process in order to facilitate a smooth transition to his successor.

Thank you to all the Board members, Board Sub-Committee members, parents/guardians, family members and volunteers who provide support in many ways that help make the Friends’ community strong and welcoming.

I wish you and your family an enjoyable and restful Christmas break.

Warm regards,

Craig

Craig Stephens

Presiding Member, The Board of Governors