From the Principal 

Welcome to Term 3!

Welcome back and to those who are joining our community, welcome. 

We begin Term 3 with several camps heading out. These camps are always wonderful experiences for the students and staff. Many are linked to work from the classroom and help to improve the students’ understanding of concepts and to be involved with practical applications of those concepts. Our Year 5 camp and the Year 12 PDHPE camp follow this model and are wonderful learning experiences that link the classroom to practical activities.

The other camps may not be linked to the classroom directly but are fantastic learning opportunities for students and a great opportunity for staff to build and further develop their relationships with students. The Year 9 and 10 camps, which are also out this week, are great ways for students to challenge their thinking and in some cases their practical skills. Camps can offer students opportunities that they may not have had before and this is a chance to challenge themselves to try something new or different.

These camps also mean that teachers may not be available for classes here at school and this can be disappointing for students, however our teachers always plan and prepare learning opportunities for their classes while they are away and the students are not disadvantaged during this time. We are very fortunate at MAG to have a wonderful and talented group of relief teachers we can rely on.

Term 3 is also the final term for Year 12. This is a very busy time and most students begin to experience significant stress as they near the end of their study and preparation for examinations increases. This is the time for students to maintain balance in their lives, to continue to exercise and stay healthy. Our Year 12 Coordinator, Ms Deb Duncan, Mrs Hayley Catt and Mr Greg Cadd are great support for any parent or student who may need support during this term. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of them.

We have a couple of staff changes this term also. Mrs Kathleen Kemp, Mr Stuart Martin and Mr Dean Walton are all on Long Service Leave this term.  The role of Deputy Principal will be taken by Mrs Nici Deller and Head of Primary will be taken by Mrs Brooke Barber.  These are wonderful opportunities for professional growth and experience for our staff.

We have also had a couple of changes to our teaching staff; during Term 2 we welcomed Ms Kate Griffin to HSIE and English, and Ms Marion Martin to Mathematics, both in Secondary. We also welcomed the return of Mrs Fiona Gibbs and Mrs Keirra Patten to Primary Music. This term, Ms Elisha Johnson will share the teaching of 5B with Mrs Brooke Barber. 

While we appreciate that changes to teachers during the year can be disruptive and can challenge some students, it is also important that our teachers are able to take the leave they need for their own health and wellbeing and to take opportunities for growth and development for their careers.

We are looking forward to a very exciting term filled with a lot of opportunities for challenge and growth.

Mrs Carmel Spry

Principal