The Anchor

Principal's Report

Take time to be grateful

Toward the end of term students will often have more assignments and tests that assess their progress over the term.  Teachers have additional marking and report writing.  The additional stresses that these pressures create can often lead to tiredness, less patience and irritability. We tend to focus more on the negatives in our lives at these times. Recently, I came across this inspirational note: 

 

What if you woke up TODAY with only the things you thanked God for YESTERDAY

 

This really struck a chord with me! When we are tired, being challenged and under pressure, we often forget the many blessings that we experience daily! Our theme for the term, Living Well, encourages us to acknowledge those things that do challenge us, but at the same time, to take time to be grateful for the many people in our lives and the great things that we are free to do and experience.  I thank God for the wonderful and dedicated colleagues I work with each day. I am also grateful for our students.  I have the privilege to see them being creative and engaged in their learning; having fun in the yard at breaks; and experiencing their leadership and compassion, their sporting talents and musical abilities that bring them joy and fulfilment. What huge blessings!

 

As the season of Lent leads us to Easter Sunday, we are also reminded of the sacrifices that Jesus made for us, dying on the cross to pay for our sins, and rising from death to give us hope and life beyond the grave.  His love and sacrifice allows me to overlook those things that are challenges in my life and to be grateful for all that I have.

 

I pray that all families are able to find time over the Easter and holiday break, to relax and enjoy the gifts we have been given and to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection that brings hope.

 

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him." Mark 16:6 

 

Thanks and Farewell

During Term 1 we have been blessed with the skills and abilities that Stephen Orr has brought to his English classes and the Chess Club. We sincerely thank him for stepping into those classes to cover staff on leave and wish him well as he takes on new challenges ahead.

 

We also farewell Jo Koch who has served our students and the broader community for just over two years in her role in Learning Support. With strong skills in Mathematics and Science, she has capably supported many students to reach their potential.  Jo moves to take up full time work in clinical research.  We thank her and wish her well as she begins her new role.

 

New Building – Senior Years Wing

We are excited to let you know that we have finally signed a contract with Mossop Construction and Interiors to begin our building project next term.  This major project will provide much needed learning and study spaces for our senior students, together with new specialist facilities that will enhance our learning environments well into the future! Fencing for the construction site will be erected during the school holidays and then building will commence.  It is envisaged that the project will be completed in time for the start of the 2020 school year.

While the building site will be quite contained, parents and students should note the following changes to our site from Term 2:

  • There will be no student or staff access via the Mall door on the northern side
  • University Boulevard pedestrian traffic will be directed to the east end of the College
  • Parents dropping off or picking up students along the University Boulevard may experience some inconveniences, depending on the trades working on site at any particular time
  • Access to the canteen will be restricted to the service counter inside the mall.  It will, however, be ‘business as usual’ and more detailed instructions will be given to students at the beginning of Term 2
  • A number of parking spaces in the Staff Car park will be decommissioned

We anticipate that the ‘kiss and drop’ zone together with bus drop off areas on the northern side of the College will function as normal.  We will keep you informed as best we can in the coming weeks.

 

Senior Years Review – Parent/Caregiver Reference Group

Thank you to the parents/caregivers who have already indicated their willingness to contribute to our Senior Years review, by being on a Reference Group. On Monday 6 May we are hosting a breakfast meeting from 7.30 – 9.00am, where our progress to date will be shared and input from parents/caregivers will be sought.  If you are keen to be part of this group, and have not yet registered your interest, please contact Carolyn Wachtel via email  to do so. 

Heather Vogt

Principal

Principal's Performance Review

Part of the responsibility of the governing council in Lutheran schools is to work with district authorities to periodically conduct a principal’s performance review. Ms Vogt is due for such a review in 2019 and to this end, staff, student and parent representatives will be asked to contribute to this process during the early part of Term 2. All staff and some parents will be invited to complete an online survey, and a number of students have been invited to participate in a focus group. Parents have been selected primarily using the length of time they have had students at Endeavour as the key criteria. If you receive a request to participate in the survey, I would encourage you to take the time to complete it. It is important that we can provide Ms Vogt with considered, timely feedback about her performance leading the College and I thank you in advance for being a part of that process.

 

Merryn Ruwoldt

Council Chair