Principal’s Message
Posted March 04 2010Thought for the week
“The definition of insanity according to Einstein is “keeping on doing the same thing and expecting a different result”
At the end of each day, write down at least 5 things that you are grateful for. Gratitude is one of the most powerful attitudes we can have to change our experience for the better. When we spend our time thinking of what we are grateful for, we begin to see the good that is really in our lives instead of focussing on the negative trivia that we can so easily become caught up in. Expressing gratitude for our home, family, car, job, country, bed, food etc., may sound flippant but if done regularly, preferably written down or said aloud, will change our outlook, our inlook and ultimately our lives.
Give it a try!
You will all have noticed the great progress with the building of the new Sport and Fitness Centre. It is intended that the roof will go on before the holidays so that the sand can be excavated while the students are away on holiday. This is certainly something to be grateful for. We are going to have a splendid new facility that will serve the entire community. I would like to thank all those who have already supported the project financially and would like to remind those who are still thinking about it that all contributions to the building fund are tax deductible. We still need to raise a considerable amount to cover the shortfall on the Federal Government grant. Close to $2 million will need to be raised. If you or your company are interested in contributing and would like to have your or your company’s name represented, please speak to Rob Kitchingman or to me. As has been done with the Hockey Astroturf, a list of contributors will be shown on a gratitude board outside or on the wall of the new building. All contributions, large or small will be gratefully accepted.
Our new PTA Committee was elected at the Annual General Meeting last week and it gives me pleasure to introduce the 2010 members to you. Brett Stringer (President), Catherine Jenkins ( Secretary), Bernadette Day & Dorothy Renai (Co-Treasurers), Phil Bradwell, Sharee Charrett, Debbie Davey, Debbie Jones, Kamal Unvala. We are very grateful to all the members of the committee and look forward to all the wonderful work they will do this year and in the years to come.
The PTA presented the school with a contribution of $34000 towards the new building and we are very grateful for their continual support and hard work.
The Senior School House Music Festival is underway and on Monday night we were treated to some solo instrumental performances of the highest calibre. Congratulations to all performers for their preparation and for the way in which they entertained us.
Thursday night will see the Grand Finale with all the large Choirs, House Orchestras and House Chamber Choirs. Congratulations to all the House Music Captains on their hard work and to the students for their positive contributions. I hope to see you all at the event.
You may have received a letter about interim reports this term. There may be some confusion. Due to the very short term, it has been decided that in Years 7 to 10, the interim report will be substituted with a Parent/Teacher interview. Students in the Junior School and those in Years 11 and 12 will still receive interim reports. This is related to the number of times a teacher sees your child in the 6 weeks leading up to the week in which they would be writing the report. We do not feel that they will have much validity. However, in the Junior School and with students in Years 11 and 12, teachers spend considerably more time each day with each student and consequently a valid interim comment can be prepared.
I hope this clarifies the matter rather than muddying the water even further.
Sholto Bowen
Principal
March 04 2010 09:24 am | All and Principals Message | 
