Talent and Perseverance
In this week’s newsletter video, the talent of our students in Carry On along with the ingenuity of Ms Marianna Lebiedzinska-Frost in writing and directing the musical has been spotlighted. You also have the opportunity to hear from Dr Nick Clements whose insightful research for his second book Tongerlongeter is well worth engaging with (a longer interview with Nick is available here.)
This last fortnight, we have already been reminded of the sporting talent of our students with seven soccer players selected for the State team and our Grade 7/8 Girls and Boys Soccer Teams winning their NSATIS Finals.
While these staff and students have shown great talent, they have also shown great perseverance in pushing through the inevitable highs and lows which come with any journey which involves intensive and sustained rehearsals, research, training or writing.
Grade 12
For our Grade 12, the School Ball last Saturday night was one of the high points of the final part of their School journey. Earlier in the year, a low for Grade 12 and for many in the School community was The Examiner and The Advocate reporting over Easter. Not long ago, I received a response from the Australian Press Council in relation to the complaint the School had lodged regarding the reporting and was informed that given the dialogue occurring between the relevant party’s legal representatives they are unable to consider the complaint.
Laurel House
During the course of this year the School has been looking at how we continue to develop our work in the area of consent. One of the opportunities we have identified is to work more closely with Laurel House. Starting this term, Laurel House staff will be leading six sessions with all of Grade 9 as part of their HPE classes. Laurel House will also be speaking with Grade 11 and 12 towards the end of the term and evening sessions for parents are currently being scheduled. Fraser House students have also selected to support Laurel House and have commenced this relationship by inviting Laurel House staff to speak at their House Meeting in addition to raising funds through a lunch time event last Friday.
Feedback and Suggestions
The School always welcomes feedback and suggestions on how we can make improvements to benefit the excellent education and opportunities provided to students. This week, we introduced an improved process for sharing feedback including concerns and complaints. Our students, staff, parents and carers, and members of the community are able to access the Concerns and Complaints Handling Policy from our website and provide their feedback through an online form. Further details around this process can be located here. The School Handbook also provides information as to who to contact about questions as they arise and this can be accessed here.
Learning Hub Development
For many students, the Senior Campus Learning Hub is a popular place to drop into throughout the day whether it is to read a book, get some work done, play a game of chess or simply have a chat with Mrs Parker. Currently the Learning Hub is undertaking a staged renewal following learning from a library review at both campuses last year. When the Learning Hub development is completed some of the improvements students and staff will enjoy and benefit from include:
- Additional study space in the main body of the Learning Hub;
- A large new fiction area with soft furnishings, river views and space to accommodate a class for reading;
- A dedicated teaching and research space for teachers taking a class to the Learning Hub;
- A more visible and accessible Careers Office;
- A closed in photocopy area to help ensure noise does not disrupt student study;
- An enclosed IT area with a user-friendly training/ help zone; and
- A welcoming arrival area where students can connect with and seek help from Mrs Parker.
COVID
Over the last 24 hours, the realities of COVID have suddenly come closer to home and there is a heightened level of anxiety in relation to whether a lockdown will be put in place. While we all hope this will not be necessary, I am confident the whole community will be able to navigate and do our very best through whatever restrictions may be required. If you are aware of your child being particularly concerned at present, please make contact with Heads of Campus so additional support can be provided. The School is ready for remote learning, continuing to follow Public Health advice and will always prioritise the safety of our community as decisions are made.