From the Principal
Andrew Watt – Principal
Recognising Gold Medal Academic Performances
Whilst Semester 1 seems like a distant memory, our academic high achievers and consistently hard workers were recognised at our High School Assembly this week. Inspired by the absolute passion, commitment and sacrifice of our Olympics athletes and swimmers, we presented our students who achieved perfect grades for both academic achievement and effort across all grades with a Principal’s Gold Award. Students were told that winning a medal is all about aspiring to be the best that you can be, and that no one can ask for more. It was pleasing to note that 146 students received a Principal’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement and/or Effort last semester. The awards will be mailed late next week. The Principal’s Gold Awards were received by: Liberty Waldner (Year 8), Tamara Aaron (Year 9), Lucinda Labi, Arielle Melamed, Ruby Miller and Coby New (Year 10), Lara King, Tara Linker, Jacob Rose and Jordan Stein (Year 12).
Promoting fitness through Inter-House Olympics
Our students have been encouraged to continue to stay active whilst learning from home and include physical activity in their daily schedule. Although our regular Sport Program cannot operate, students have access to a range of great opportunities through the online platforms.
Year K-2 students are participating in gross motor lessons, guided by videos from the Year 6 leaders. Years 3-6 are currently competing in the Inter-House Olympics, completing a range of challenges each week, and submitting their results to be in the running for virtual House Olympic Medals. House Captains provide regular Olympic report updates, and our Primary School students have also had the opportunity to participate in Zoom fitness sessions provided by sports coaches.
High School students have access to a wide range of online training programs across a range of sports and are also invited to take part in the Years 7-12 Inter-House Olympics, where staff are providing video challenges. Next week, the online Olympics moves to an inter-school competition amongst the CDSSA schools. The representative athletics season has been rescheduled to Term 4, with dates for both the Primary and High School pathways confirmed. A huge thank you to Kristy Genc and her sport team, for their unceasing effort to build both fitness and a sense of community, through these programs
Virtual Parent Afternoon Teas
On Wednesday afternoon, we hosted our first Virtual Parent Afternoon Tea (VPAT). This VPAT for Year 11 and 12 parents provided a forum for parents to join our Deputy Principals, Margaret Lowe and Adam Majsay; Director of Studies 7-12, Julian Abelson; Director of Students 7-12, Adam Ezekiel; Careers Advisor, Claire Pech and School Counsellor, Kim Slender to discuss the latest updates on assessment and the Trial Examinations for Year 12 students.
Julian Abelson outlined our strategies for providing a COVID-safe approach to the planned return to campus of our Year 12 students, while Kim Slender addressed strategies to counter the inevitable anxieties some of our senior students (and their families) are experiencing in this time of uncertainty. Claire Pech discussed the post-school pathways on offer to our Year 12 students.
The VPAT provided an opportunity for parents to have questions and concerns addressed, through the Q&A function online, and through pre-submitted questions. It was, from all reports, an informative and much-valued session. A video of the session can be accessed on our Learning at Home Resource Hub via the Parent Portal. Our next VPAT will be for Years 7-10 parents and will take place on Wednesday 18 August at 4pm.
What could this be?
Look out for an email from me on Monday and all will be revealed.
Quote of the Week
“The Olympics are a wonderful metaphor for world cooperation, the kind of international competition that’s wholesome and healthy, an interplay between countries that represents the best in all of us. “