From the Head

Just last weekend I took the opportunity to walk the Bendigo Creek Trail twice, first on Saturday morning as part of the local effort for Clean Up Australia Day.  Around two dozen residents from my suburb ventured in and around the creek to pick up rubbish from the wetlands.  Plastic and glass bottles figured prominently amongst the rubbish.  It had rained heavily the previous night which, in turn, saw the creek levels rise.  Undeterred, I made the effort and retrieved three shopping trolleys from the creek – they had been bothering me for some time.  At the end of the morning, Jenni and I met up with the other volunteers where we discovered that, collectively, we had removed a truckload of rubbish from the waterway.

On Sunday morning I took the same walk to Lake Weeroona, and on to Rosalind Park, this time in the midst of the runners in the Bendigo Ford Fun Run.  Amongst the volunteers, I saw many a Girton student giving up their Sunday morning to help out, with the cause of raising funds for the Children’s Ward at Bendigo Health.  

I share these two events to highlight, even celebrate, the welcome return of community events, events which underpin our philosophy of community service at Girton.  It’s a philosophy that has been ever present at Girton through the pandemic, just in a differing form.  We all welcome the opportunity to connect, to belong, to be in the physical space and company of others.  As we all know exceptionally well, interaction with others is necessary for us all to thrive.

Building on that thought I was similarly delighted to welcome many new parents, and an equal number of familiar faces, to the first Girton Parents and Friends meeting of the year at the end of February.  The message could not have been clearer, parents can’t wait for the opportunity to return to school events.  In answer to the call, a parent social event has been added immediately after the GPF AGM later this month, we have rescheduled the new parents’ sundowner and the school has plans of a family picnic and film night before the end of term.  In particular, I commend the work of the GPF to you; they have a strong desire to re-build connections within the school after a two-year imposed hiatus due to COVID.  I also acknowledge the work and leadership of outgoing President, Mrs Olga Davenport who has been in the leadership role since 2019.  At the AGM on the 22nd March, we will elect a new President and office bearers, parents who will follow in the philosophy of Girton, and the example of our students, and serve the school community to make it the very best it can be.  

I encourage everyone to embrace these opportunities, to support these events and to take an active part in the welcome return to a shared school community experience in 2022.

Dr Clayton Massey

HEAD