DEPUTY PRINCIPAL REPORT

As the term draws to an end it seems like an excellent opportunity to acknowledge the fantastic work of our learning community across such a wide range of areas. Even in the past fortnight the engagement of our students across such a multitude of realms has reminded me so much of what I love about The Riverina Anglican College. Whether it is in computing, writing books for younger children, Agricultural shows by remote, competition problem solving, competing in chess or mock trial success, our students are knee deep in it and learning a great deal about the world and themselves at the same time. No doubt you have and will read a great deal more about these successes in newsletters over the next few editions!

It is no surprise that so many of these successes were built on teamwork, possibly the most important skill our students may develop over their schooling years. The capacity to show emotional intelligence and those other soft skills, as well as recognising the sheer pleasure of doing it together, is something of which our students should be very proud. 

The beauty of so many of these soft skills is that parents too can be involved in their development. These lie at the core of our learner profiles, including: 

• communication and collaboration skills
• self management, organisation, affective and reflective skills
• critical and creative thinking and transfer skills
• information and media research skills.

These are not just random reporting outcomes. These are the core of what we do. Of course, we teach the content of our Science, Technology and PDHPE syllabuses, this is what NESA requires. So much of the world is changing, though that it is just as important to teach the skills that indeed make a 21st century learner. Skills that will allow the acquisition of new knowledge, the capacity to sift information for truth and the ability to work in collaborative ways that better humanity. 

Pretty big stuff. But one of the key reasons we became teachers, and behind each of the successes is a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher. I would like to thank Mr Isaac Mannion, Mrs Kylie Woodgate, Miss Lauren Kelly and Mr Trevor Dawson for their efforts with our students this term and always. To all of our hardworking and dedicated teachers, thank you for your efforts this term and always.

Finally, a massive thanks to our parents for their support of assessment task completion, dropping your children off to school early on a Sunday morning, acting as a bank for study sessions provided externally for Year 12 students, sorting recess and lunch and uniforms and…. We know what you do and we thank you. 

Wishing all of our students and their families a safe and restful break.      

Anthony Heffer | Deputy Principal - Teaching, Learning and Innovation