Wollaston's Wrap

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers

 

Welcome to the new school year! It was lovely to welcome back students on Tuesday morning looking bright and bubbly after the long summer break. A special welcome to new school families. I look forward to meeting you at our many events throughout the year.

 

I think all Australians will remember this holiday season, as for many people there was little joy of Christmas festivities or holiday spirit. Extreme temperatures, fires, floods and drought impacted so many communities leaving terrible damage to property and personal heartbreak. As we have come to see so often see in times of crisis, the resilience and fighting spirit of people have shone through and the slow process of re building has begun.

 

As a staff we have already extended support to our ASC sister school, Cathedral College in Wangaratta. Many members of their community were involved in fire- fighting and protecting their own properties. As a collegial gesture to their Principal, Nick Jones and staff, we provided morning tea for them last Friday. Closer to home, Ramsden House has been proactive in organising a whole school fundraiser for communities ravaged by fires, details of which will be published in due course.    

 

New staff and students

We have commenced 2020 with 923 students plus 14 Little Wollies and two ongoing international students. Our new students, 130 in total, come from far and wide and it is a delight to welcome them.

Three new staff have joined the School. We welcome to the Executive, Kylie Virgo who joins us from Aquinas College; Georgi Hodges who will teach part time in both Kindergarten and Year 1 and Kirstyn Fuller has joined the Mathematics Department in Term 1 replacing Wendy Surgeson who is on leave.

We welcomed back from leave Debby De Martinis (Humanities), Akiko Fuchino (Secondary Japanese) and Jeanette Lyons (Primary Art). 

 

2019 Year 12 Academic Results

The School's 2019 academic results were very pleasing and I would like to acknowledge the students, staff and parents for their achievements and support of each other during a demanding final year at school. It was particularly pleasing to achieve a median ATAR above the State median. Our results placed us as the top performing school in the district.

 

We all know that academic results are but one measure of a school’s performance, there are many other factors that are of equal or greater importance, the quality of pastoral care being one. Nonetheless, maintaining a good academic record is important. Parents need to feel confident that their children will receive quality teaching in a learning environment that is conducive to achieving excellent educational outcomes. At John Wollaston maintaining a strong academic culture from the early years to Year 12 has been and will continue to be, a priority.

 

The School Executive

2020 sees a restructured Executive with some new faces. We look forward to working with you and the staff to ensure your children have an enjoyable and productive educational experience this year. Please don't hesitate to make contact with us should the need arise. Joining me are the following colleagues:

  • Ms Anne Harris, Head of Senior School
  • Ms Kylie Virgo,  Dean of Pastoral Care
  • Mrs Tracey Rogers,  Head of Primary
  • Mrs Fiona Currey,  Deputy Head of Primary
  • Mr Derek Heatherly,  Business Manager

 

Key events

There are several key events in the early weeks of the term. Last week, Year 12s spent a day of orientation to provide a focused start to their final year. The students enjoyed the camaraderie and opportunity to address key issues to assist their studies for the year ahead. The annual School Ball was held on Friday 31 January. A great night of eating, dancing and socialising was had by all in attendance. Congratulations to the Belle and Beau of the Ball, Ella Dodds and Santiago Cowley.

On Wednesday we held our annual  Primary Information Evening which provided parents with valuable information, the opportunity to ask questions and meet Primary staff.  During the next fortnight, there will be Parent Information Evenings for Years 7, 10, 11 and 12. I urge you to attend if you have a child in these year groups.

I look forward to meeting you at one of our events in the coming weeks. Should you wish to speak with me at any time, please do not hesitate to contact my Personal Assistant, Susan Kirby who will be happy to arrange an appointment.

 

With best wishes for the year ahead.

 

Anne Ford

Principal