PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRICIPAL

VCE ORIENTATION

Congratulations to Mr Noble, the Senior School Management Team and VCE teachers on running a very successful Orientation Program for our Senior School for 2018.

Students were given course outlines and a very good understanding of the course requirements for next year.  They all worked very well and I hope they cope with all the set homework.  All work is available on the VCE orientation google site.  More importantly I hope they enjoy the learning next year and thrive both academically and socially.

PEER SUPPORT

Our 2018 Peer Support Leaders have been selected from a large number of possible candidates. Year 10 students immersed themselves wholeheartedly into the Peer Support training program. I congratulate those selected and wish them well with the very important role they play in assisting our new students’ transition into our school.

I would like to acknowledge and thank Ms Fiona Wallis for coordinating this critically important program.

The following are our Year 11 Peer Support Leaders for 2018:

Nickol Abramov, Chad Aizicowitz, Vanessa Alexandrovsky, Adam Alfawwal, Annie Armstrong, Keelan Armstrong, Daisy Assauw, Liam Atchison, Maddie Axtens, Abby Bachrach-Cox, Sienna Beaves, Jay Bhojak, Aiden Bonney-Cole, Charlie Burnett, Amelia Bursztynski, Eryka Castro, Anna Chapman, Rheanna D'Souza, Max Diegelmann, Evie Dinkelmeyer, James Dobb, Seth Donovan, Jack Dunn, Josh Dunstan, Isabella Eikelis, Boris Elkin, Alexandra Enever, Giovanni Farag, Laura Feng, Laura Fischer, Romy Greenberg, James Hackett, Nadia Harari, Daniel Hatchuel, Jack Hodgson, Paris Hooper-Duffy, Ben Howells, Ash Hunter, Chloe James, Kaiyang Jin, Tom Johnston, Jasper Jorgensen, Georgie Jukes, Tal Kalisse, Myles Kelemen, Schuyler King, Ron Kotev, David Kupshik, Monique Kuzmis, Lachlan Macdougall, Angus Martin, Luciana Martinez, Tess McCartney, Estella Murphy, Ash Nathan, Emma Nowell, Lara Ozenir, Julia Pavlou, Erika Phan, Kathryn Polendakis, Jess Ponsford, Tristan Prazeus, Michael Pupko, Eliza Raju, Valentina Rakhmankulova, Owen Robinson, Damien Ross, Belle Rundle, Simran Sehmi, Lucas Semple, Sophie Shanahan, Nikita Shang, Oliver Sirota, Hannah St John, Eriks Stepanuks, Chelsea Stepowski, Chloe Swan, Liam Taffe, Son Tran, Georgia Tsoukalas, Sophie van Doorn, Lachie Vasic, Arwen Verdnik, Xavier Verdnik, Julia Vitiello, Andrew Wang, Catrin Watkins, Amy Wooller and Katie Zhou.

JUNIOR SCHOOL MUSIC CONCERT

Congratulations to all the staff and students involved in the music concert which was held last Wednesday 6 December in the School Hall. The standard of music was exceptional.

The growth and development that has occurred in our students' musical learning over a very short period of time is outstanding. I would like to particularly acknowledge the efforts of our very talented Music staff – their passion, commitment and dedication allows all students to thrive.

Thank you to all parents, grandparents and friends who attended to offer support and encouragement.

I hope all the children continue to enjoy their music and pursue their talents.

FRENCH EXCHANGE

On Friday 8 December, Ms Antal, Mr Casey and twenty-two students flew to Nice, France to take part in the second stage of the French Exchange program. After hosting their exchange partners earlier in the year, the students were very excited to live life in France, be part of a family and a school community. They will spend four weeks with their French families: two weeks of school and two weeks of holidays. During the school weeks, they will attend classes, help out with English lessons and go on excursions. Their two weeks of holidays will be over the Christmas and New Year period and the kids will spend that time in various parts of France and Europe. They will return on the 7 January. We look forward to hearing all about what they have learnt, shared and experienced.

THISTLE MAGAZINE

We have had published a most impressive Yearbook that truly captures the 2017 year.  It is a celebration of a tremendous year of activity and I thank all the staff and students who made it all possible.

The Thistle was produced by Mr Andrew Krause and Mr Adrian D’Ambra.  I thank them for putting together such a wonderful ‘keepsake’ with many memories captured for students, staff and parents.

We have also included QR codes and tinyurl links within the Yearbook for access to additional photos from 2017.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to staff members Brock Lynch (cast member) and Bec Ginsberg (Assistant Director), whose recent production of Thoroughly Modern Millie with Babirra Music Theatre was awarded the prestigious Victorian Music Theatre Guild Bruce Award for Production of the Year 2017, along with six other awards including Best Ensemble, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Costumes and Best Sound. An extraordinary achievement to have their efforts recognised with such a celebrated award.  Well done!

END OF YEAR

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all families the very best for the holiday season.  

Thank you for your kindness and support throughout the year.

I’d like to also thank the staff for their great work and the difference they have made and I look forward to the safe return of our entire school community in 2018.

Pitsa Binnion

Principal