Welcome Back to Term 4!
Welcome back to Term 4! I hope everyone had a restful break and is feeling refreshed and ready for the term ahead. This is always an important time of year, especially for our Year 12 students as they approach their final assessments and prepare for graduation. There are so many exciting events and milestones to look forward to over the next few weeks, and I can't wait to see all the wonderful things we will achieve together. Let's make this final term a great one!
Commencement Assembly
We started the term with our Commencement Assembly, where our Year 11 Portfolio Ambassadors gave us an insight into some of the exciting events coming up and took a moment to reflect on last term's highlights. It was wonderful to see their confidence and enthusiasm as they addressed the school community. A particularly special moment was when we celebrated the achievements of students who have excelled in areas like sports, robotics, and languages. I was incredibly proud to see the dedication and hard work of so many students recognised. Congratulations to all our award recipients!
World Teachers' Day Celebration
On Thursday, we took a moment to celebrate World Teachers' Day with a special morning tea for our incredible teaching and support staff. It's always a pleasure to show our appreciation, and this time, we had a coffee van and a lovely spread catered by the Christ Community Church in our Staff Wellbeing Room. It was such a great way to start the day and to remind ourselves of the hard work and dedication that goes into shaping the futures of our students. Thank you to each and every member of our staff – your commitment does not go unnoticed!
ACEL Conference in Adelaide
Over the holidays, I had the opportunity to attend the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) Conference in Adelaide, and I came away feeling incredibly inspired. The focus of the conference was on innovation in educational leadership and how we can create future-ready schools. There were some fantastic discussions around student agency, well-being, and the role schools play in fostering continuous improvement. I've already shared some of the insights I gained with our leadership team, particularly on how we can further support both students and teachers in these key areas. It's exciting to think about the potential for growth and positive change in our community!
STEM Tours Recap
During the holidays, our STEM Tours took students on unforgettable journeys to Japan and Europe, offering them the chance to explore key scientific, cultural, and historical landmarks. Throughout the tours, students spent time at language schools in each country, fully immersed in learning the language of their chosen destination. This immersion not only helped them develop their fluency but also gave them deeper insight into the culture and way of life.
The Europe trip kicked off in England, where students visited Oxford University and explored London. After that, the Europe group split into three groups, heading to Italy, Germany, and France, all while working closely with their supervising teachers to plan activities that aligned with their CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) requirements.
Each group visited remarkable sites. The Italy group experienced the grandeur of the Vatican and explored ancient history at the Colosseum and Pompeii. Meanwhile, in Germany, students marvelled at the architectural beauty of Schloss Charlottenburg Palace and took in the historical significance of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. My group in Nice immersed themselves in the local culture and explored the beautiful Côte d'Azur.
It was incredible to see our students take the lead in planning their activities, balancing cultural visits and educational experiences with teamwork and independence. We wrapped up the Europe tour in Paris, where all groups reunited. Together, we explored the famous fashion boutiques of Paris, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower, marking the end of an extraordinary adventure.
In Japan, students visited world-renowned science museums, admired the breathtaking Tokyo Skytree, viewed the countryside from the beautiful Mount Fuji, and explored the Kaiyukan Aquarium in Osaka. They also delved into the country's rich history by visiting shrines, temples, and feudal Japanese castles. It was a powerful experience for our students, one that blended learning, exploration, and personal growth!
