Principals Report 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we finish the school year, I look back at all of the challenges and obstacles we have faced as a school community and I am extremely proud of all our students, teachers and parents. We have come through this time mostly unscathed, although none of us could say we haven’t been affected in some way. It has been a year of missed opportunities and disappointments, but also a chance to review and renew our practices. Some exciting new approaches to Learning and Teaching are being explored and developed as our focus turns to the future. 

A number of staff leave us at the end of the year. We farewell Mrs Yvette Colquhoun, Director of Studies, after a long association with Monivae, and wish her well in her new role as Deputy Principal at Baimbridge College. Mrs Helen Henry is perusing a new focus in local Council, in the Southern Grampians Shire, and I thank her sincerely for the tremendous role she played in directing our musical last year. We will miss her energy and enthusiasm as a teacher of Drama and English. Mrs Alison Churchill (Humanities), Mrs Andy Kirkwood (Art) and Mr Nicholas Nedelkovski (PE/Health), finish their replacement roles and I also wish them well in the future. 

Our Development team sees a change in personnel and roles. Mrs Jill Whiting finishes at the end of the year as Community Liaison after five years at Monivae. Mrs Whiting has been a tremendous asset to the College and we will miss her vibrancy and cheery nature. Mrs Chloe Boyle, Marketing Co-ordinator, will not be returning to her role after maternity leave. Mrs Boyle has been instrumental in re-branding the College. Mrs Renae Porter will take on a new role as Community Liaison and Registrar in 2021. Although we are sad to farewell these staff, we are very positive about their replacements and the direction the College is headed.

These Christmas holidays are a time to rest and re-set. Monivae is planning for a ‘normal’ 2021, whatever this looks like. 

I hope and pray that you all find peace and joy with family and friends during this festive season. I will finish this newsletter and the year with a quote from Pope Francis. Merry Christmas.

“This Christmas, let us ask Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, to help us see in our neighbour the face of Jesus, God made man.”

Jonathan Rowe

Principal