Principal's Welcome

Welcome to the commencement of 2021. The beginning of a year is always a time to set goals, and as your new principal, I have outlined some personal goals for the College in 2021.

My educational philosophy focuses on the type of student who graduates from the College. If a student graduates with outstanding final grades and marks that puts them well on the way to a career pathway, this is fine, but it is not enough. If our students graduate without a sense of compassion, a willingness to help others, a strong sense of social justice and a desire to improve our society, all of which are based on gospel values, then we have failed as an educational institution.

To achieve this vision, the school needs to be student-focused, and Christ-centred. Students should be given every opportunity to become leaders in their school, and their voice needs to be heard. The student voice is a priority for me, and their feedback on a range of issues, including behaviour management and the student diary will be sought.

Students need to believe they can improve and are not locked into certain levels of achievement. This requires a “growth mindset” from students that is supported by their teachers. A growth mindset focuses on small or incremental improvements rather than quick and huge improvements that are unrealistic and quite often result in the student giving up and, in some cases, gaining lower grades. The growth mindset assists in creating a learning environment that promotes a love of learning and a recognition that we never stop learning.

The extra-curricular life of the College is an extremely important factor when parents consider enrolment at any school. These activities are often the fondest memories for students after graduation. I encourage all students to become involved with the extra-curricular life of the College and, as with their academic pursuits, to work to the best of their ability. This year we will review the extra-curricular activities to both maintain and improve our offerings in the future.

As teachers, we never stop learning, and our acknowledgement and demonstration of this further promotes a culture of life-long learning at the College. I can still learn from the newly graduated teacher, and they can learn from me. As principal, I will be working closely with all staff, both teaching and non-teaching, to develop an environment whereby The King’s College becomes a sought after “school of choice” in the region. 

As parents, you are the primary educators of your children, and the College staff will work closely with you on what should be an exciting journey in 2021. While the working environment for many parents can limit involvement, it should never prevent “engagement” with the College. Knowing what is happening, understanding, and supporting the high expectations of the College, giving feedback and feeling welcome on the campus, will further develop the strong sense of community that is an essential goal for our future.

Best wishes and God bless.

Ian Elder

Principal 2021