From the Principal

From the Principal

I was pleased to announce our 2019 School Leaders  last week, a fine selection of students to lead by example in 2019 and I look forward to seeing what they implement and how they use their positions to effect positive change in our school community.

Congratulations to:

• Daniel Battista and Ksenija Gilchrist - School Captains
• Chandler Joseph & Leah Gardner - School Leaders
• Renae Wilkinson - Music Captain
• Mikayla Rice & Darcey Jackson - Bradman House Captains
• Peter Rafferty - Cuthbert House Captain
• Oliver Pitts & Sophie Robinson - Fraser House Captains
• Courtney Sanders & Charlotte Hunt - Laver House Captains

I look forward to working with you all in 2019, it was lovely to see you waiting on the 2018 Year 12's at their dinner, you're off to a great start already with 'Fushy' giving me some very positive feedback about what a good group you were.

Year 12 Dinner

I had the pleasure of dining with the 2018 Year 12 Cohort at their final official school function last night and didn't they all look on point!  It made me feel quite nostalgic for these young adults, recalling the time that I left school and all I had ahead of me whilst looking at these amazing young people, wondering what will become of them as they go out into the world to make their mark in whichever fashion they choose to do so. 

Our job is to see every student achieve success, so congratulations to all of the students who either finished yesterday or throughout the years from your cohort.  Success is defined as reaching your goal, achieving.  For many of you success meant completing Year 12, so now it's time to start making new goals or working towards existing ones. 

I wish you all the very best in wherever your path leads you in life, always remember  that you are a lifelong member of our Baimbridge Community.

Thank you to the staff who worked hard to bring you a lovely evening, with a special thank you to Ms Sharon Herreen who did a lot of the organisation whilst off work.  I thoroughly enjoyed the night, the students, the parents, the meal and the entertainment.

Below is a small selection of images from the night, keep an eye on Compass next week for the code to the secure page on the website if you are in Year 12 for access to them all.

Excursion cancellation

Many Year 8 and 9 students and parents expressed their disappointment that we had to cancel our planned trips to Kryal Castle and Sovereign Hill last week.  For clarity, the reason the trips were cancelled was that the consent and payment forms were not returned by the due date and we had to pay up front (as is the case with most excursions and camps)  so the possibility that we would not recoup the cost was very real.  

We never wish for our students to miss out on real world application of what they are learning in the classroom as that is often the most powerful form of education so we ask that in future all permission forms and payments are returned by the due dates supplied.  

You are more than welcome to contact the office on 55722788 to arrange payments if required.

Remembrance Day 2018

This year we added to our usual contribution of selling Poppies in the CBD by having our Year 7 cohort 'planting' 100's of poppies at the Cenotaph to form the words "Lest We Forget"  for the official service.

Thank you to all students who represented the school at the various Remembrance Day ceremonies throughout the district, you were wonderful ambassadors for our community.  

Mr Hill has completed a more comprehensive report and images further in the newsletter.

Well done John Garland

Congratulations to John Garland of year 12 whose work in the C4YB has been recognised in him receiving a Southern Grampians Youth Achievement Award.  There is an article about John in the following pages but I thought it important to congratulate him on this accomplishment.   I recall John speaking at the 2018 Great South Coast Regional Assembly where he relayed his dreams of the future for Hamilton to be connected to all opportunities and not disadvantaged by its geographical restraints.  It was an inspiring moment to watch one of our students effect real change in our community and this is a just reward.  This is what happens when you have the Courage to stand up and speak with Respect - excellent work John!

Holi Festival

Our Year 7 & 8 Students attended the WDHS Holi Festival on Friday last week, it was a Freeza Event and featured Greta Ray and a DJ, the students thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon out partaking in this event.

Step up Week

The Year 11's have been busy getting a taste of Year 12 this week in their step up classes.  Each student gets to spend a minimum double period in their chosen subjects for 2019 to go over expectations, holiday reading requirements and a general overview of the subject and all it entails.  

Finishing off the Year

With only 4 weeks left of school for Years 7 - 9, parents are reminded that students are expected to attend every day.  Our staff have been instructed to teach right up until the last day of classes so please contact us if your child is telling you that they are not doing class work.

Thank you volunteers

I spent some time yesterday with Aidie Stiff our canteen manager and her band of brilliant volunteers.  Without these amazing people who give up their time for our children we would not have the service to offer.   I cannot emphasise the importance of what you do for the school community as sincerely thank you for giving us your precious time.

Second Hand Book Sales

Our VCE Second Hand Book Sale has had to be pushed back to MONDAY 26th due to a delay in the subject selections being finalised.    Students have been issued a list of sellable books and encouraged to pass them on to the following year's cohort.  These lists will also be posted on the website shortly.

The 7-10 second hand book sale will happen on Orientation Day, Tuesday 7th December in WB1 from 9AM onwards.