Valadictory
Tonight we have our Valedictory function for the Class of 2009. They have finished the exams which come at the end of 13 years of schooling and have every right to celebrate the completion of their studies. The guest speaker for our Valedictory function will be Carolyn Wilde, School Captain in 1997. It is always a delight to have a former student at these events, someone who can provide a perspective on the future for our graduating students. Maybe one of them will be invited back in years to come to farewell the class of 2020. It is exciting to wonder what the future holds in store for this fine group of young men and women and we look forward to hearing of their adventures over the coming years. At the Chapel service which precedes the Valedictory function, the students will hear an address from the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Reverend Brian Turner. Brian is an ex officio member of the School Board and has shown a great interest in the School over the years. As he is shortly to retire, it is singularly appropriate that he should be able to address the students on this occasion. He too, is embarking on a new stage of life!
Tertiary Tour
Over the last two days, our Year 11 students have been on a Tertiary Tour, an annual event in our School calendar which enables students entering Year 12 to give some thought to the options which lie ahead. Speaking to a few of the students on their return, they were tired, having endured two quite warm days on the road, but they all said that they had learned a great deal from their experience.
Rollover
Next week, we commence our rollover period. This means that the students are moving on to their 2010 Year level and meeting their new teachers. Not every school runs the early rollover and it is certainly an added stress for teachers and administrators. However, over the last few years, we have found it a very worthwhile procedure, allowing students to settle before the long break and, on their return, to hit the ground running! Of course, it is not a perfect transition, because some of our new teachers cannot be with us until next year, and some classes will not have their expected teacher. However, for the most part, they will be able to get to know their new teachers and, particularly in the senior years, be able to make sure that they have chosen the right subjects. Many of our new students are able to join us at this time, along with some of the new teachers, so there are a number of new faces to make welcome. In particular, I would like to welcome to the School two new Science teachers, Josh Flanagan and Leanne Caithness. Both of these teachers come highly recommended, so it is very exciting to have them with us. I will give a full list of all staffing changes in the letter which I send out to parents in January.
| Mike Clapper |
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