From the Principal 

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain.

While most families expect literacy and numeracy to be part of our curriculum, the number one priority for most parents is that their children are taught to be kind.  At College, we do so many things well but there is always room for improvement when it comes to this critical human behaviour.  So as we start a new term, I encourage all students and staff alike to consider how we might show more generosity and concern for others, without expecting praise or reward. 

Certainly our international students achieved just that at our first senior school assembly. Their brilliant reminder of the important place cultural diversity has at our school and in this community was moving.  I congratulate Ms Tseng, Ms Liu, Mr Guez and Mr Cameron on their organization and applaud the efforts of all students involved, especially Justin Lee.  It was also fabulous to see Ashley Woo and the Ly brothers perform all the way from their homes in China and Cambodia. 

Speaking of someone who personifies kindness, it is my sad duty to inform our College community that Mrs Julia Winter Cooke will retire at the end of 2021 to spend more time with her family.  Julia first commenced at College in 1987 as ‘sports mistress under Principal Mr Stephen Newton and since that time has been a much-loved member of our staff.  Julia has invested her heart and soul into the College. She led seven delegations to China, almost twenty Year 9 ‘Melbourne Experiences’, and countless Year 7, 8 and 9 camps. As a member of the College Executive and Head of Middle Years, Julia has made an immeasurable contribution to our great school and is highly regarded by all the College families and students who have been under her care.  Finally, Julia’s leadership and commitment to delivering positive education for young adolescents has established the Middle Years Positive Education Centre into a revered teaching and learning hub.  We are thankful for her dedication to this field, both for College and the district. We will publicly acknowledge her invaluable role at Speech Day later this year and look forward to her continued involvement with the Sesquicentennial celebrations in 2022. 

We truly have much to be grateful for at College and I wish everyone great success in the term ahead!

Dr Andrew Hirst