Principal's Report

We held our Leaders Induction Assembly this morning. It was wonderful to welcome student, parents and staff to our first assembly for quite some time and our first for 2022. Our special guest Member for Mordialloc, Tim Richardson, shared his insights into our growing college and the amazing culture we have fostered. We truly appreciate Tim’s time and support for our college.

The assembly was an opportunity to reflect on leadership and how the role of a leader has been transformed. Leaders have an impact on the myriad of circumstances events and people they encounter. Everyone has the potential for leadership; each student, each staff member, each member of our community.

Leaders encourage the voices of all to be heard
Leaders encourage others to join them
Leaders embody the values of the community
Leaders ensure the wellbeing of others
Leaders endeavour to provide hope in times of difficulty

After the challenges of the past two years, and the scenes of war that are on our screens, we must work even harder to remember to be kind, accepting and encouraging. It is important that we recognise, acknowledge and learn from the men and women who demonstrate balance and bravery during challenging times.

Some of you may have heard me say that 'The Diary of Anne Frank' should be compulsory reading for all students. This influential narrative came from a teenage girl named Ann Frank who lived in hiding from 1942 to 1944 during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II. Anne responded to her changing and frightening world by keeping a diary that shared her experiences during occupation.

While she was unsure of the world around her, she still found hope and optimism in her life. She wrote in her diary, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Her observations hold true today and while this is a different time and with different circumstances, her words are still relevant.

Anne’s curiosity in her diary highlighted other virtues such as her care and concern for those around her which in turn gave us insights into the depth of her relationships. Anne Frank’s optimism in the power of the individual to contribute positively to their world is also found in our CORE value of optimism.

We must now look towards our shared future and as Anne wrote, “improve the world”. Our 2022 leadership team have an important role to determine what you will do to improve the world. What impact will you have?

How will you encourage the voices of all to be heard?
How will you encourage others to join them?
How will you embody the values of the community?
How will you ensure the wellbeing of others?

I believe that you will do this not as individuals but as a team - collaborating, cooperating and caring. Each of you has the opportunity to lead your school community with purpose as you wear your school uniform with pride and act as strong ambassadors for the values of Beaumaris Secondary College. Your optimism for the future of our school and our world will be visible to all:

As you listen to new ideas of others and critically assess their merit
As you build friendships with different students moving beyond your comfort zone
As you lead in a positive and productive way embracing the diversity of those around you

We empower our students to adapt to a constantly changing world. We actively promote participation and shared decision making. Today’s leadership induction assembly allowed us to celebrate students who want to take a more active role. I look forward to working with each of you and have confidence that you will provide a strong student voice that will resonate and improve the world we are living in.

Each of you has something to contribute. So always remember: