Principal's Report

I’ve personally lived through 110 school terms, as a student, teacher and Principal. I can’t recall the nuances of all of them and would struggle to recall specific details about how I’ve been challenged and grown for many of these moments in education. But, I know I’ll recall this past term with absolute clarity for the remainder of my days. It’s been a long and arduous 53 days of schooling and for many of us has felt like a marathon. And we’re not at the destination yet, but we have arrived at a break in this interesting journey and we need to take in all the rejuvenating energy that the next two weeks can provide. I am certainly encouraging every staff member to largely switch off from school during the holidays and focus on their physical and mental wellbeing. I encourage you, as a family, to do likewise. Enjoy each other’s company, the limited opportunities we do have to escape from home to enjoy our surroundings and take a break from the intensity of a unique term of learning.

I also encourage you to jump onto the school’s Facebook page and check out the latest video that our school captains have put together to wrap up this long term. I echo the sentiments that they have made and offer the sincerest of thankyous to each and every one in our school community. The past 3 months have demonstrated again and again and again just how much of a partnership that education is. Everyone has had to lift to support our students and each other. And that’s been our default – to be more for one another.  Early on in the term, staff changed their email signatures to reflect this communal support for learning – “When we all come together, every Warrnambool Student Thrives”.  That’s exactly what’s happened, not by accident, but because through all of this we have all wanted the very best for every student in our care.

The virus is still with us, though at this stage not in our region which we are all thankful for. We cannot afford to let our guard down lest the disease spread silently amongst us.  And so the ‘new normal’ is what we need to get used to. Limited gatherings in our homes.  Less opportunities to travel. Social distancing. Regular hand sanitising and staying away from others when we’re even slightly unwell. It’s not what 2020 was supposed to be about. We need to be able to sit in the midst of this discomfort and appreciate that there is still a lot of things in life, in school and in our community to be positive and thankful for.  

I appreciate being part of this incredible community of learners and I am tremendously thankful for all the support that everyone provides.

Enjoy the break.

Kind Regards,

Dave Clift - Principal