From the Principal

Thank you for 2017

This is the last newsletter for 2017 and as we draw to the end of 2017, our students have been preparing for their new year level through GradStart and SmartStart. 

Students have been provided with their Semester 2 Reports via the special Level Assembly on Friday 15th December.

Awards Ceremony

Last week we held our Awards Ceremony at Knox City Council Office. This was a wonderful night and a great opportunity for our students to be recognised for a wide range of achievements.

Instrumental Music

Thank you to our Instrumental Music students who along with teachers Peter Croucher and Nicole McAlister, played Christmas Carols for the customers at Knox City Shopping Centre on Wednesday 6 December.  Many people stopped to listen and they were very appreciative of the mini concert that was provided for their pleasure.

USA Basketball

Our basketball students had a wonderful trip to the USA where they played against other school teams in the USA as well as getting in a bit of sightseeing.  A fantastic experience for the team who also got to train with American coaches.  Thanks to Andrew Potter and Kirsten Bishop who supported the students.

Thailand Trip

Students who participated in the Thailand trip had an amazing time.  Part of the trip involved their special project in a remote village 20 km from the Burmese border. They had an incredible time building and repairing village facilities and playing with the kids in the village. After that, the students trekked 31kms through the hill tribe communities in the Chiang Mai Mountains. The next part of their adventure was a white-water rafting trip down the Mae Tang River with many wild rapids and lots of fun, followed by a trip to an elephant sanctuary.  Here the students got the chance to feed and bathe the animals who had been rescued from abuse. At the end of the trip, students went back to Bangkok where they visited the slums as a way of comparing rural poverty with urban poverty.  Thank you to Adrienne Tanner and Stewart MacCartney for accompanying them on such a life changing adventure.

Special Farewells

As in the case at the end of every year, we say goodbye to some of our staff.  These are people who are very special to us and have contributed generously to our school, students and staff in a myriad of ways and in some cases over many years.  There are some retiring, some transferring to other schools, some who have received a promotion and some returning to their home country, but whichever is their situation, we will miss their friendship and the valuable contribution they have been making to our Fairhills family.  As they leave us, we thank them most sincerely and wish them well for their future endeavours.

Promotion - Congratulations to Kath Middleton, Adrienne Tanner, Paul Graham and Nathan Goldfarb.  Best wishes for the new challenges that promotion brings.

Retirement - Congratulations to Irene Smith, Russell James and Margie Meadows for the contributions to education you have made over your career. Best wishes for the next stage of your life.

Transfer - Congratulations to Emily Basemore and Tracey Parker for obtaining a new employment position. We wish you well as you get to know your new classes and responsibilities.

Travel - Thank you to Anna Burch for spending time with us in OZ.  We wish you well. Bon voyage.

Thank you and Merry Christmas

I would also like to take an opportunity to thank all students and staff for a wonderful year. To the Year 12 students, thank you for your contribution to the school over the years and we all wish you the very best for your future. 

Lastly, may I wish all members of our school community a meaningful Christmas and an enjoyable and safe summer holiday.  See you in 2018.

Harvey Wood

Principal