Principal's Report

With the VCE examinations well underway, the year is rapidly coming to a close.

For four years I have constantly stated that the VCE and the generation of an ATAR is not the only part of the education provided at Suzanne Cory High School.  With students aspiring, indeed committed, to attend university, the ATAR, and therefore the exams, are very important and symbolise the conclusion of secondary schooling. However, we should always maintain perspective when considering the idea of success at school.  That four digit number called an ATAR has a shelf life of about five weeks; it ceases to be important when first round university offers are made.  And as a school we consider success not in terms of the ‘score, but in terms of the percentage of students who gain entrance into one of their top three university course choices.  Last year nearly 85% achieved this level of success.

An even more important symbol of the school’s success, and a celebration of both individuals and the community, is Presentation Night. It’s been four weeks since the school community gathered at the Melbourne Town Hall to participate in what is the most important event on the school calendar.  Professor Alex Parker, our guest speaker, spoke directly to the students about their future and their mental wellbeing; apposite topics for the younger generation.  The awards presented on the night reflected the diversity of talent in the school and celebrated some amazing achievements, including the presentation of two Renaissance Awards. And the music program throughout the evening amply demonstrated the standard of music the school can now produce.  Of course the highlight was the entire student body singing in unison to conclude the event.

While having Presentation Night in the first week of term guarantees a frenetic start, the conclusion of the evening doesn’t mean the pace of the school slows down.  A little over week later the Year 12 students were celebrating their ‘final’ day of school and shortly after that we conducted an information evening for our 2019 new students.  And while preparing the transition of the 200 new Year 9 students, 28 new Year 10 and 14 new Year 11 students, we were concurrently finalising subject selections for our current students; Term 4 is always very busy! 

Transition begins on 26 November; in effect, this is the start of the 2019 academic year.  We treat these two weeks like any other part of the year and our expectations regarding attendance remain the same.  This is an important time to ensure all our students are prepared for the beginning of next year.

There are two major celebrations to still occur this term. The first one on the calendar is the Twilight Fair on Friday 16 November. A basically free event, I encourage all members of our community to attend and enjoy the entertainment and food. And then, on 21 November, the day the VCE exams conclude, Year 12 Valedictory Dinner will be held in the Member’s Lounge at the MCG.  This event is always a wonderful celebration of the Year 12 cohort.  I look forward to seeing many of you on the night.

Colin Axup

Principal