As I look back over our first term of 2026, I am so thankful for all the wonderful things that have happened. We started the term with our one-to-one student meetings which gave classroom teachers the opportunity to meet their students before lessons began. This set the scene for a great start and very soon students were settling into their learning routines, rehearsals for the musical began, students competed in the swimming carnival, music ensembles and choirs started, sports teams were organised and K-2 gymnastics began.
The Junior School is a great community, and I love how there are so many opportunities for parents to be involved. It is wonderful to have students presenting their work to parents in assemblies and singing, praying and reading the Bible in chapel. We also welcomed parents at our Welcome Night, Volunteers Morning Tea, Kindergarten Welcome Morning Tea, Parent Prayer Meeting and on excursions. All these things bring the community together to focus on providing a great school experience for the students who are at the centre of all we do. The term finishes with our Celebration of Learning Assembly, the K-6 Celebrations of Creativity, and Easter Chapel next week. All these events represent beautiful expressions of our community, where we are working together to provide the best school experience we can for our students.
While it may seem unusual to talk about celebration and NAPLAN in the same sentence, I believe it is important to recognise the diligence and commitment to learning that students demonstrated throughout these assessments. I am grateful for every student who applied themselves to these tasks with care and persistence. I am also thankful for the work of Mrs Seif, our K-2 Learning Support teacher, who has recently commenced her maternity leave as she awaits the birth of her twins. We continue to pray for her and her family as they prepare to welcome these new members.
It has been a joy to gather as a community throughout the term and to recognise the ways our students are growing academically, socially and personally. Every day in the Junior School, children demonstrate the quiet, steady behaviours that form the heart of genuine learning. They persist through challenges, support one another in moments of difficulty, and recognise when they need help. They share ideas, take turns, apologise, forgive and begin again. These simple actions form the fabric of our school community, and they are worthy of celebration.
When asked what God requires of us, the response in Micah 6:8 is beautifully straightforward: ' To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.' These values resonate deeply with the way we hope students will learn and grow.
Acting justly is reflected in fairness, kindness and courage. We see it when students make good choices even when those choices are hard, when they stand up for a classmate, or when they play a game with integrity. This is captured in the College value of Courage.
Loving mercy comes to life in compassion, forgiveness and a willingness to extend grace to one another. Students practise mercy when they accept an apology, let go of a small hurt, or respond gently to others. These habits shape strong friendships and a generous community. This is captured in the College value of Care.
Walking humbly reminds us that we grow best when we stay open to learning; when we acknowledge our mistakes, express gratitude, and recognise the support of teachers, friends and families. Humility helps students understand that “personal best” is not about being the best but giving their best and serving others. This is captured in the College value of Character.
While today's Assembly included the presentation of Navy Awards and other recognitions, we are mindful that many students who embody these values will not hear their name called. Awards are limited, but our appreciation is not.
As a community, we honour every student who has shown care, character and courage this term; each student who tried, persisted, improved, helped or grew in quiet and extraordinary ways. We want our students to know:
- We see their effort.
- We see their progress.
- We see the way they care for others.
- We see their character in action.
- We see their courage as they try new things.
- And we are incredibly proud of them.
As we move towards the Easter break, I give thanks for our students and the way they act justly, love mercy and walk humbly. I am thankful for our parents and their steady support for our College community. Finally, I am incredibly thankful for our teachers as they guide, encourage and champion our students every day.
