Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Caregivers

As we approach the end of the school holidays, I hope the past few weeks have provided an opportunity for some relief from early morning alarms, the morning flurry of uniforms, lunch boxes, rehearsals and practice. Whilst I always look forward to the commencement of each term, I must confess that I have enjoyed a slower pace of the often frenetic school life we all experience throughout the year. 

Last week we were delighted to welcome home the European Music Tour. The students thoroughly enjoyed the cultural and music immersion trip. The students shared a couple of the highlights of the trip which were Canzona singing in Melk Abbey (Austria) with its amazing acoustics, and the scenery and shopping in Salzburg. My sincere thanks to Mrs Angela Lockyer, Mrs Karen Gordon, Mr Tim Opstelten and Rev Paul Yarrow for organising this wonderful opportunity.

On Monday we look forward to welcoming eight new students to the College, with five of these students in the Secondary School and three students in Primary School. In addition, we will be hosting 39 international short-stay students throughout the term. We also will be welcoming a student from Trafalgar Castle School (Canada) into Year 11 as part of an Exchange Program. 

On Thursday 20 July we have our next Principal-led Tour, followed by our Head of Primary-led Tour on Friday 28 July. I look forward to meeting with prospective families on these days and thank you again for sharing your positive experiences of the College with your friends and family.

Our Boarder Marketing 2023 Regional Tours continue this term with a trip to Moree, Armidale and Tamworth in late August, followed by a visit to Longreach, Emerald and Middlemount in September. Head of Boarding, Mrs Kathryn Searle, Foundation Manager, Ms Meg Graham and Acting Director of Marketing, Communication and Engagement, Ms Emma Dixon look forward to connecting with current families and Old Collegians in these communities. More information will be provided in the coming months.

In addition to the College’s regular maintenance and refresh holiday schedule, I am pleased to share that the new Reception has been completed and is now open. The new Reception is located off the Rose Garden, opposite the Black Box Studio. The same late arrival/early departure procedures continue to operate from this new space, as well as the procedure for handing in mobile phones for students in Primary and Years 7 to 9.  The old Reception is being transformed into our new Wellbeing Centre, which will provide a hub for sick bay, our nurses, College Counsellor and visiting allied health professionals. More information will be provided to families in the coming weeks.

This term we welcome a new staff member, Ms Lisa Napier, who will be relieving in the Lower Learning Resource Centre while Ms Katie Harris is on maternity leave. We also extend a warm welcome to Ms Emily Rossow, our new Secondary English and Humanities Teacher, and welcome back Ms Perrie Bourke, Visual Art Teacher, who returns from Long Service Leave. Ms Julianne Cilliers, previously Accounts Payable/Assistant Accountant within our Finance Team, has commenced as the College’s new Enrolments Officer. Mrs Andie Sinclair will also be transitioning into the role of Acting Music and Engagement Administrator for the remainder of the year. Julianne and Andie are valued additions to our Engagement Team, who continue to shine our light within the community and connect with prospective and current families.

A reminder that the College will be hosting our Annual ‘Jazz on the Green’ on Sunday 6 August, 12:00pm – 4:00pm. Families are invited to come along and enjoy this huge celebration for our Clayfield community with an afternoon of jazz featuring the James Morrison Quartet, and one of Australia’s best-loved jazz vocalists, Emma Pask. Bring a picnic or sample delicious treats from our food trucks and bars. I hope to see you there!

In closing, I trust you enjoy the remainder of the break and I look forward to welcoming students back on campus on Monday.

Kind regards

Dr Andrew Cousins

Principal