Principal's Message

                                                                     Mrs Josie Crisara

Welcome Back

We were excited to welcome back many year levels this week and look forward to a time when all students will be learning on site.  Please be patient as the busyness of school life begins to return to normal and routines and school expectations are put in place. The safety of our whole community is paramount and as outlined in the many communications sent out it is important that we all work together to do the best that we can. 

Farewell to the Class of 2021

Last week we held the final Year 12 Chapel and Assembly for the Class of 2021. Although we would have preferred to have the event live on site, the times did not allow for it. This rite of passage took a different format as a Zoom webinar.  I spoke to the students about times of significant uncertainties and how they have been adaptable, agile, and flexible. More importantly there was a focus on the legacy they leave behind for others, as we are all some part of a small cog in the circle of life and we can leave behind something for which others can be grateful. In many ways our Year 12 students are like the superheroes for they have endured but also left their mark.  This scene at the end of Superman versus Batman:  Dawn of Justice gives that clear message.

"If you seek his monument, look around you." In the movie it is a statement that sums up what Superman meant to Metropolis. The meaning behind the quote is that it  pays tribute to the man who in some ways built the city into something greater than it once was - but that was make believe!  

The quote actually comes from the inscription on the monument to the architect Sir Christopher Wren, who was best known for his role in designing many buildings in the City of London after the Great Fire in 1666. He was also a very significant figure for the history of science. Wren had engaged in many of the areas of research that marked the new, experimental science which founded the Royal Society of London. He made astronomical observations, explored the phenomenon of magnetism and investigated the possibility of transfusing blood into living creatures. Two key elements of the new approach were emphasised: the use of instruments, such as telescopes, microscopes, clocks and the production of useful knowledge, whether to aid medicine, navigation, or (of course) architecture.

As an example, he was the architect who designed St Paul’s Cathedral 

Twelve years after the completion of the beautiful and historic St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, Christopher Wren died. He was entombed in the bottom of St. Paul’s and his place is marked with a modest plaque. 

His son, desiring to pay tribute to the lasting mark his father left on the city through his buildings, inscribed the words “Lector, si monumentum requiris, circumspice,” which, translated, says “Reader, if you seek a monument, look around.”

The idea, clearly, is that Christopher Wren’s lasting legacy is not a statue of his likeness, but rather  the culture associated with these transforming buildings. Besides St Pauls, Wren designed and built numerous buildings with many still in existence today. 

Our challenge to the Class of 2021 was the question:  What is the monument you leave behind?

Their education will have had a purpose, their experiences will teach them lessons and they have the opportunity to prepare for an exciting future. They were challenged to: 

• Take responsibility for themselves and make things right
• Make their talents shine through
• Be positive and surround themselves with happy people
• Serve others so that they can contribute to community
• Love everyone regardless of color, ethnicity, language

The staff and the parents of the Class of 2021 consider each one a superhero, for they have endured and shown grace.  We thank them for the legacy they leave as they graduate. 

Finally, a blessing for them:  “May God bless you and keep you gently in the palms of His hands.”

Captains for 2022

We congratulate the Year 11 students who were selected to positions of student College leadership for 2022.

• College Captains:  Lorjel S & Kayla P
• Sports Captains:  Josephine M & Suna E
• Performing Arts Captains:  Makenzie H & Charleigh M
• Community Service Captains:  Maria N & Marwan H
• Student Council Captains:  Noah R, Ebony B & Monica C
• Wellbeing Captains:  Karla S & Simret G
• Sustainability Captain:  Luis G
• Millar House Captain:  Benjamin P
• Millar House Vice Captains:  Jasmine E, William B & Alyssa G
• Cameron House Captains:  Maryam T & Maddison C
• Cameron House Vice Captains:  Tanya R & David A
• Clarke House Captains:  Sophie M & Ojas S
• Clarke House Vice Captains:  Niamh W & Joshua P
• Brodie House Captains:  Hayley R & Zachary G
• Brodie House Vice Captains:  Simona M & Aadhya K

Year 12s

Fantastic outcomes for nearly 50 Year 12 students being offered a VU Guarantee, providing some certainty during a time of great uncertainty & high anxiety.  

I thank all of our students for their efforts in maintaining a COVID-safe environment through correct wearing of face masks, appropriate hand hygiene, social distancing where possible, and staying home when experiencing flu-like symptoms. The state of infections across most of Australia is a day-by-day proposition, with the College agile and flexible and able to respond as necessary.