From the Leadership Team
Rob French, Principal
End of Year
I love the final weeks of the school year, and the excitement of break-up celebration days, concerts and final assemblies.
The Kilvington tradition of holding the House Arts Festival on the last day adds to our Senior School students' level of anticipation.
The Early Commencement classes provide a solid base through these final weeks and give students a great head-start on next year’s courses.
Our Junior School students are looking forward to this year’s Prep to Year 2 Christmas play, Lights, Camel, Action!, and each ELC group is busy preparing their final concerts.
Across the School, I must commend our students on the exceptional manner with which they have navigated these last weeks. I know that many are eagerly counting down to their well-deserved holidays.
Celebration Night
We enjoyed a wonderful gathering of the Kilvington community at Celebration Night a few weeks ago.
While recognising the achievements of students in a range of pursuits, the night also provided the audience with a wonderful array of musical items, and of course, the massed singing to conclude the evening.
As a final salute to our centenary, we also enjoyed a range of interviews with Kilvonians from across the decades. It definitely says something about the School that our Year 12s still want to wear their uniforms one last time, despite exams having concluded several weeks ago. The traditional singing of ‘When Will I See You Again’ provides a moving final farewell to our school leavers.
Year 6 Graduation and Junior School Presentation Assembly
I thoroughly enjoyed our special graduation assembly for Year 6 last week. This is a significant milestone in a young person’s life, and I congratulate all of our Year 6 students on successfully completing their primary schooling. A highlight of the service was when our Prep students presented their buddies with their certificate to mark the occasion.
On Tuesday this week, we were joined by Zoe Daniel MP and one of Kilvington’s living legends, Mrs Judy Allen, as we celebrated the Junior School Presentation Assembly. I congratulate all award winners and thank the parents who were able to make it to the assembly.
Year 12 results
All the very best to our Year 12 students when they receive their VCE results on Monday. Each of these wonderful young people will leave Kilvington as so much more than their ATAR score, but I do hope that that all our students obtain the score they are aiming for. Support will be available at School all day on Monday, and Andrew Johnson will be ready to assist with changes to course preferences.
I also warmly invite all Year 12 students to School at 11.00am on Monday for Morning Tea to share some time with their peers and teachers. We will take some group photos on the PVC Green at about 11.15am.
Staff news
After six years, strings teacher Evelyn Searle will be leaving Kilvington. She will be missed by her students and colleagues, and we wish her all the best for the future.
Jason Moloney will be departing at the end of the year to relocate to Geelong with his young family. Jason has done a great job as Dean of Wellbeing (Year 9) in recent years and has been integral to the successful running of the Year 9 Impact Program. He is also a dedicated and highly respected PE teacher and sports coach. We wish him all the very best as he moves closer to his extended family.
I am pleased to announce that Emma Hedger will take over as the Year 9 Dean of Wellbeing. Emma is well known to our Year 8 students, having taught them for the past two years, and has previously worked on the Impact program.
We have employed Ms Demie Merkel to teach PE from the start of next year. Demie is currently the Head of Sport and Facilities Manager at Brighton Secondary College and has previously taught in the UK. We will officially welcome her to our community next year.
Happy Holidays
All the very best to the Kilvington community for a restful and enjoyable Christmas and New Year. We have enjoyed a wonderful year celebrating our centenary, and I extend my sincere thanks to the entire community. This is an amazing school, and it's a privilege to be part of it as we head into our second century.
Please stay safe and healthy, and I can’t wait to see everyone back for 2024.