Principal's message

Dear Parents, Carers and Students

I arrived back in Melbourne late Monday afternoon following an overnight flight from Japan. I am a little tired from the flight (as one never sleeps well on an overnight flight) but am otherwise fit, healthy and in good spirits. 

It was a privilege to have been selected to be part of the Educational Leaders Tour to Japan which was offered through the Japan Foundation in collaboration with Monash University. There were 18 school principals from all around Australia. We visited local elementary schools and high schools and I was extremely impressed by their programs. All of the students learn English as part of their daily program from elementary school onwards. 

Many elementary school children have daily routines that allow students to take on various responsibilities in their classrooms, thus giving them an opportunity to be leaders and have 'student voice'.The cultural activities also gave me an insight into their society, both past and present. We met with the members of the Japan Foundation and the Australian Embassy as well.  I would like to thank Carol Duggan for being in the role of Acting Principal during my absence. The school was in very good hands.

In my absence Deb Jarvis, Director of Middle School and Alison Pickard, Director of Personnel and Daily Organisation attended the Principal's Regional Conference which had a focus on 'Creative Leadership’. There were two fantastic speakers for this conference - Richard Gerver, from the UK and Sabina Read.  I look forward to hearing about their learning from this day at our next Leadership Team meeting.

Many of you will know that we have a sister school in Nagoya, Japan - Nakamora Senior High School.  Every second year we send students and teachers to experience a home stay and school environment and every other year we welcome them to do the same at our school. Last year our students had a terrific time in Japan and this year we look forward to hosting students from NSHS. Petra Witt (Japanese Language teacher overseeing the Nakamora Senior High School visit) is asking for expressions of interest from our families to host a student in the middle of the year. Their trip to Australia coincides with Japan’s summer school holidays. Whilst none of us know what the developments might be globally in regard to the spread of the coronavirus or whether or not travel to Australia will be restricted, I encourage you to consider hosting one of the students.

Kind regards 

Linda Brown