FROM THE HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL
Valedictory Week Tractor Pull contest , this year won by St George ’ s House .
Each of these milestones are important in reminding us that we must keep moving forward and learn from new experiences .
environment where students from rural and regional areas can experience a first-class education . This project highlights the commitment to a bold vision by so many different groups – the School Council through to the parent and student groups who were our final ‘ consultants ’ after a number of design briefs and plans were created .
• The resilience , adaptability and enthusiasm of our students . I see this so many times each day . It is infectious and is the inspiration that drives our staff to be grateful for the opportunity to work in education with our young people . This was demonstrated by the adaptability shown as our students negotiated their second stint of remote learning ; the grit and drive of our Year 12 Music and Drama students who performed over four consecutive nights in their final week of Term 3 ; or seeing a student who I know probably went against advice to do ATAR , soldier on , work hard and receive a pleasing set of final marks and an early offer to round out their schooling and head off to start their course of preference .
• Acknowledgement of Country . A new feature in 2021 has been the inclusion of an Acknowledgement of Country at the beginning of each Senior School assembly . This has predominantly been offered by students , but it has also
been wonderful for staff to offer their reflections and experiences on why this important and significant ritual is special to them and their individual contexts . This has taken the whole Senior School on a collective journey , to the places we have heard about and stories shared . It has helped us understand the importance of ‘ place ’ and the connection to country has in shaping all our lives .
• The gratitude and care our students show for staff . Whether it be the incidental thank you at the end of a lesson , the nominations I receive in my inbox for weekly staff recognition , or the box of macarons delivered by a Year 12 student to our crosswalk attendant
for “ keeping us safe all these years .” It is pleasing to know that our students have an awareness of the privileged opportunity they have to be at a school like ours and the integral role our dedicated staff have in creating this environment .
• Despite the School being 125 years old , there are still plenty of firsts ! This year , our female and male students competed together at ACC Swimming and won our division . Our fully female First XVIII Football and First XI Cricket teams represented our school on the hallowed Roberts Oval turf . In a PSA first , Theatre Sports was included as a competition for member schools , where our male and female students competed together and took out the inaugural trophy . These are only a few of the many ‘ firsts ’ that took place . Each of these milestones are important in reminding us that we must keep moving forward and learn from new experiences .
Undertaking your own personal reflection on the year that has been can be a reaffirming way to head into the festive period and new year . I encourage you all to take the opportunity to reflect on 2021 and some of the special moments which make you proud to be associated with our wonderful school .
Mr Brad Evans Head of Senior School
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