Senior School

As we draw near to the end of another School year, I am more profoundly aware than ever of the resilience and determination of our young people, and of the dedication and hard work of the staff team through this challenging COVID-season. 

Within living memory we have not experienced such an extended period of disruption to student learning as was the case this year. With students spending months learning from home, missing out on many of the myriad experiences of a normal year it would have been easy for them to switch off and disengage. It would have been easy for our students to drop out of Zoomed classes, to stop handing in learning tasks and to otherwise neglect their learning. Instead, we have seen the opposite, and it says something about the calibre of our young people. Our students remained committed to their learning, showing up to classes and working hard to ensure their learning was uninterrupted. Further, when at long last we returned to face-to-face learning our students jumped in willingly, relishing the chance not only to be with their friends once again but also to re-engage in person with their teachers and catch up in areas they felt they needed to. These past weeks of “normal” school have been a genuine pleasure. 

I have also been reminded in these past months of the dedication of our teachers and staff. Our teachers are Outstanding classroom practitioners, skilled in working alongside young people to help them achieve to the best of their ability. The rapid and unexpected jump into the online world once again this year posed our team logistical and pedagogical challenges, all in the context of our teachers managing their own families throughout the lockdown period. Again, it would have been easy for our teachers to “set and forget”, to disengage from their classes and lower their expectations. Instead we saw the opposite, with teachers carefully tracking the learning and engagement of each child, following up with emails and phone calls home, and working extraordinary hours to ensure that the young people in their care did not fall behind. Similarly, our administrators and educators worked around the clock to follow-up with families and to support those students needing additional assistance and enrichment in their learning. A genuinely remarkable team. 

At the end of this year we bid a sad farewell to some of our wonderful teachers and educators, and reflect on the impact they have had upon the lives of the young people of the Senior School. Mrs Morgan-Hort is the longest-serving teacher to conclude her time at the School this year, having joined the School in 2005. Many of the students in the School today were not yet born when she commenced her service with us, and she will be sorely missed. Similarly, Mrs Anagnostopoulos, Mrs Coultas, Mr Rajasekar, Miss Storaker, Ms Wiersma, Mrs Price, Mr Huynh and Mrs Mackinnon have all made their mark in our young people’s lives not only through the joy they have brought to classroom learning, but by modelling their exceptional character and engagement with the world. Whether in academia, in pastoral care, in sports, in Wilderness Education or in the smooth administration of learning, this group of educators have touched the lives of our students, and no doubt also our parents. If you have not done so already, I invite students and parents to take the time to thank them for their service and wish them well in the next season of their lives. 

Organisational Details:

Year 12 Waterslide

Year 12 students are reminded that they are to attend School no later than 10:00am on Monday 6th December. They are to wear suitable shorts and t-shirt to enjoy the waterslide. Please note: Students are NOT to wear their School Uniforms, as these must be presentable for Valedictory Evening on the same day. Year 12 Parents are warmly invited to attend the School to see your children on the Waterslide. Please note: Under the current health orders, in order to enter the School grounds all visitors must provide evidence of double vaccination status or a valid medical contraindication certificate. 

Year 12 Valedictory

Year 12 students are reminded that they are to attend School (Cuff Hall) no later than 5:30pm, dressed in full School Uniform. Due to COVID restrictions, parents are unfortunately unable to attend, however, the event will be live-streamed and the link will be provided to you on Monday. 

Year 12 Formal

Year 12 students are reminded that the Formal will begin promptly at )))) on Tuesday 7th December at the Carrington Hotel, Katoomba. We look forward to seeing you there to celebrate the end of your time with us at School together.

Senior School Presentation Ceremony

Our Senior School Presentation Ceremony will be held starting at 3:00pm on Wednesday 8th December in the Sports Centre. We are pleased to invite ONE parent per Senior School child, and the event will be live-streamed for those unable to attend. Students and parents are reminded that whereas in the past the School day finished at Lunch, this year students will remain at School until the conclusion of the Ceremony. 

Dr. Ken Marshall Art and Design Exhibition

Students and parents are invited to attend the Dr. Ken Marshall Art and Design Awards in the Art and Design Building from the conclusion of the Presentation Ceremony, expected to be from 5:00pm on Wednesday, 8th December. 

#bluemountainsgrammar: For those taking photos of our celebratory events for social media, please add the hashtag #bluemountainsgrammar. We will publish the best shots in a gallery across our networks.

Finally, on behalf of the staff of the Senior School, I would like to wish you and your family and Merry Christmas and God-willing, a COVID-free and Happy New Year. 

Mr. Owen Laffin

Deputy Head - Head of Senior School