From the Leadership Team
Thank you for your phosphorescence
Jon Charlton, Principal
At last Monday night’s Celebration Night event, I delivered my final address, one which I hope captured my heart-felt thoughts and feelings as I depart as Principal and begin a new chapter at the end of this year. I’ve drawn on that address to write my final article for In the Know.
Essentially, I want to say thank you for being such a brilliant community of people. Over the years, so much has been achieved due to the combined efforts of us all – students, staff, parents, the Alumni and Board.
Collectively, we have transitioned Kilvington from a struggling girls’ school, to the dynamic and flourishing co-educational school it is today. The addition of boys has only enhanced our vibrant community.
When I returned to the School in 2008, prior to it becoming co-ed, I remember one of my first Open Mornings. There I was, sitting uncomfortably in front of only four attendees. It was embarrassing to say the least. Today, we are capping numbers at 200 groups – even in the midst of a pandemic!
The key point is that this incredible achievement has not been about ‘me’, rather it has been a story of ‘we’. Together, as Team Kilvington, we have transformed this community.
Kilvington community, I thank you for your phosphorescence – your spark, light, personality – all of which are a constant reminder to me of your infinite value and intrinsic worth, and the need to treat you with the utmost dignity and respect.
I’ve loved your uniqueness, which has culminated in our incredibly rich and diverse community. Your uniqueness is so energising and life-giving.
Thank you for wholeheartedly supporting the School’s mission, upheld by four key pillars – Academic Excellence, Character, Care and Community. I’m proud of the part we have played in producing thinking, good, caring, connected and giving people.
One of my life guiding quotes, spoken by Baptist pastor and activist Martin Luther King, is ‘intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education’. Education is about transforming the mind and also the heart.
Last year, the pandemic reshaped education, and in future years it will continue to do so, but my hope is that it will make us a better people.
Moreover, increasingly we will see – with the pandemic adding impetus – less emphasis on narrow NAPLAN or ATAR measures, and more emphasis on the six global competencies often referred to as the 6Cs – Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity and Critical Thinking – attributes and skills that are seen as crucial for future employability across industries and countries.
To the Class of 2021 – thank you for your positivity, adaptability, dedication and resilience, particularly in the last two years. Your efforts have been quite extraordinary. I wish you every success in the future, and we look forward to celebrating your graduation in 2022.
My sincere gratitude extends to the PFA, its committee and its legendary President, Kirsten Brooks, who is stepping down from her role after nine years of brilliant service. Kirsten and the PFA have worked tirelessly to enrich the lives of us all, thank you.
One of the main reasons I returned to Kilvington in 2008 was due to the staff. They were, and throughout the years have remained, an incredibly passionate, professional, diligent and selfless group of people – continually going above and beyond to ensure students receive quality teaching, learning and care. We owe much gratitude to the staff.
A final thought - I hope the pandemic will be the making of us. That it will remind us of what is most important in life - ‘we’ is better than ‘I’. That it will ultimately strengthen us and give us the confidence to achieve even greater things together.
Despite the catastrophic nature and setbacks of World War One and the Spanish Flu, soon after, in 1923, an educator and her daughter dreamt big, worked hard and overcame numerous obstacles to start a small school in Ormond.
Caroline and Constance Barrett knew hardship, but overcame it and triumphed and today that school - Kilvington Grammar -continues to thrive, nearly 100 years later. Setbacks do give rise to comebacks.
I wish new Principal, Rob French, and all within our community every success, love, joy and peace.
Have a safe and happy festive season!
Non nobis sed omnibus. Not for our own but others’ good.
Staffing
We thank our temporary School Nurse, Chris George, for looking after our students in the Health Centre for most of Term 4 2021, and wish her well for the future.
In the new year, Chris will be replaced by Ellyn (Elly) Richardson who commences on the New Staff Induction day. Elly is a registered nurse and joins us from Sacred Heart College in Geelong.
2021 Kilvonian Yearbook
The 2021 Kilvonian Yearbook will be distributed to all students tomorrow (last day of School).
If your child is not at School or is unable to collect a copy, please feel free to pop into the School to collect from Main Reception. The School is open until Wednesday 22 December.
Enjoy!