From the Acting Principal 

All Year levels have now returned to site following the staged return. We are aware that students are tired, particularly later in the week, as they transition back to attending school onsite every day. Staff are exercising some leniency around uniforms that no longer fit, as students have grown so much during lockdown. Parents and students will be pleased to know that the uniform shop is now back up and running so that uniform items that are required can be purchased. If your child is unable to be in uniform please provide them with a note and they can obtain a uniform pass from the subschool office before period 1 as per our usual process. 

Our year 12s are now nearly half-way through their final exam period, they have been studying consistently and have been well supported by the staff at the school so that they can perform at their best. We look forward to celebrating with them their well-deserved results in December.

Last fortnight I was invited to attend the Meliora Sequamur Awards ceremony. The evening is focused around the nominations by staff and students for students that “follow the better path”, the motto of the school. I was so impressed by the students that were nominated and the reasons for their nomination, it was not all about excellence but celebrating students who have demonstrated our community’s vision and values.

A special thanks to the students, Sidney and Sophie, who hosted the awards and Katie Archibald and Peta Sirec for their work in organising the virtual event.

As I was listening to the words being spoken by the staff and students about the nominees, I started to note down the words being used to describe the students or the characteristics that described their contribution to the school and created a celebratory word cloud.

I was pleased to see so many staff attend the awards evening to share their gratitude for the students that they have been working with and some sharing their vulnerability in working in the current online environment. I was definitely left with a better understanding of the caring and support that our school community is capable of and was grateful to be part of the evening.

Last week students celebrated in a different way by dressing up for Halloween. Many of the students and staff made a big effort to celebrate some of their favourite Halloween characters and I thank the staff, particularly in the subschools for their involvement and the running of the lunchtime parade.

With immunisation rates allowing us to reach Phase C of the roadmap a lessening of the restrictions around events are now being implemented. It is great that we will now be able to run events face-to-face for our students and families. In particular it is great for our Year 12 students to be able to celebrate their graduation together with their families. Thanks to the Senior School Team who have now organised the event 5 times for different restriction scenarios.

Our ensemble groups are now back rehearsing onsite and it will be great to attend the end of year musical concert on the 24 November. Students have been practising their instruments throughout the year and some students who missed out on being able to perform at the midyear concert will have an opportunity to play to a live audience. 

Although daunting, performing to a live audience is an experience that cannot be replicated to the same level virtually and the experience of being in a live venue is itself something to celebrate. I look forward to attending the event with our families and encourage everyone that is able to be vaccinated, to get immunised so that our events are as safe as possible for our community. 

Please note that school events must follow community guidelines and will therefore have restrictions placed on density and immunisation status. We will work with venues to ensure that these restrictions are clearly communicated to families before the event to avoid disappointment. 

I look forward to meeting you in person at one of our community events. 

Chris Jones

Acting Principal