Principal's Report

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal's Update

I would like to share a story that a parent has shared with me. 

“A man came across three masons who were working at chipping chunks of granite from large blocks. The first seemed unhappy at his job, chipping away and frequently looking at his watch. When the man asked what it was that he was doing, the first mason responded, rather curtly, “I’m hammering this stupid rock, and I can’t wait ’til 5 when I can go home.”

”A second mason, seemingly more interested in his work, was hammering diligently and when asked what it was that he was doing, answered, “Well, I’m molding this block of rock so that it can be used with others to construct a wall. It’s not bad work, but I’ll sure be glad when it’s done.”

”A third mason was hammering at his block fervently, taking time to stand back and admire his work. He chipped off small pieces until he was satisfied that it was the best he could do. When he was questioned about his work he stopped, gazed skyward and proudly proclaimed, “I…am building a cathedral!”

“Three men, three different attitudes, all doing the same job.”

The mindset of our students can be described in a similar fashion to the above story.  If students don’t understand or have no purpose for what they are learning there is no connection or motivation to do it well. If they feel the learning is compulsory then they do it but are counting down the clock to the end of the school day. However, if they see that their project has the potential to contribute to something greater than they are intrinsically motivated and engaged in the learning.  We want them all feeling like they are “building a cathedral”.

A new term begins…

Welcome back to Term 4.  It is hard to believe that we are at the end of this very momentous year for our students, school and community.  I had a restful break in Santa Maria, Azores.  We are trying to restore the home my grandfather built over 70 years ago.  It is quite a challenge but also very exciting. Just thought I would share some photos:

INNOVATE Expo

We are very excited to be holding our first Innovate Expo where students will showcase their creative solutions to real world problems using coding and a microbit.  It is the first of what we hope will be many evenings such as this.  We hope to see you all there supporting student innovation.

Student/Parent/ Teacher Conference

It was a terrific day/evening with lots of positive and useful discussions.  The appointments worked smoothly as we incorporated the use of a timer and parents responded well.  The Friday was a good day to have it as well as it led directly into a weekend break.  It was wonderful to hear and share about the growth that our students experienced.

Building and Grounds

Many of you would have seen that groundworks are now underway with the Multipurpose Pitch (MPP). They have been working on the ground throughout the holiday period and continuing this term.  The fencing posts are up and the materials delivered to start erecting the fencing.

Please find below a link to an article on limiting young peoples technology use which I am sure that you will find of interest.

How (and When) to Limit Kids' Tech Use - Smarter living Guides - The New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/guides/smarterliving/family-technology

School Council Introductions

The school council members have been a wonderful support to the school and have shared their experience, knowledge and skills to make the first year of our school run smoothly.  I would like to thank each member for their time and commitment and share with our community some further profiles below.

Shaun Mooney

I am delighted to be a School Council member and the Treasurer in the first year of the new Beaumaris Secondary College, using my 20+ years experience in Finance/Commercial roles to the benefit of our fantastic new local community secondary school. In my working life, I am Global Head of Automotive & Industrials at Toll Group/Japan Post after a career working in Australia, UK and France, while I am also a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants - Australia/NZ. As a passionate cyclist, I am a Board Member/Director and Treasurer of the Amy Gillett Foundation, a national organisation with a mission to reduce the incidence of serious injury and death of cyclists in Australia. My interest in all things sport also sees me as a Committee member and Treasurer at Cheltenham Swimming Club and a coach in Nippers at Mentone Lifesaving Club. My wife Michelle and I have three kids, the eldest Baden is in the Foundation Year of Beaumaris Secondary College, while our two younger ones, Kiara and Bryce, are at Beaumaris North Primary School.  

Jen Jakobi

I have been a Primary School educator for over 20 years which has equipped me with a deep knowledge, experience and passion for public education. Having this knowledge and experience allows me to understand the complexities of schools, as well as their teaching and learning. I am therefore able to raise many issues for discussion which are relevant to School Council and explain certain aspects of public education to my fellow Councillors.

Working with Debby Chaves, Deb Kirk and Peter Bartlett at Beaumaris is very rewarding.  Their varied and extensive skills and strengths complement each other and they form a formidable trio.  It is extremely rewarding to actively contribute to the foundation policies and fundamental workings of the school. The foundation School Council is a productive, cohesive team in which we are able to have respectful robust discussions around many varied issues and developments.  I feel very privileged to be a parent member on the School Council of Beaumaris Secondary College.  

My husband Dean and I live in Mentone. In my spare time, I enjoy going on adventures in the great outdoors with family and friends.  We have twin boys at the school this year and also have an older daughter Acacia who is at Mentone Girls' Secondary College.