Welcome back to Semester 2. Term 3 has started on a high note with several public acknowledgements of our students’ hard work and achievements.
Last night, I had the pleasure of watching our Year 12 Drama students present their HSC works. Their performances were a testament to their dedication and preparation. I’d like to thank Mrs Lakin for her role in guiding this class. Her experience and commitment were clearly reflected in the students’ polished performances. We wish all Year 12 students the best as they prepare for their trial examinations, which will begin in Week 3 of this term.
At our Tuesday assembly, we recognised several students for their outstanding achievements. Year 10 students Rikin Gowda and Jane Yang were celebrated for their successful application to the Global STEM Change Makers program. In this project, they will tackle social innovation challenges, explore solutions to global issues, and develop a project aimed at creating a sustainable impact in their community. We look forward to hearing about their experiences.
Liliana Clarke from Year 12 was acknowledged for receiving the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. During her speech, she shared how the award helped her face and overcome challenges, highlighting her character and motivation. This is an impressive accomplishment for a Year 12 student.
Fleur Hillsdon, who won the North Coast Plain English Public Speaking competition with her speech on the objectification of women and misogynistic views on social media, presented this to our assembly. Her talk initiated an important discussion on unacceptable attitudes such as sexism, racism and bullying within our community. I reminded students that they can be powerful agents of change by standing up against comments that do not align with our values. Being an upstander requires practice. Parents can support this by discussing with their children how to respond and practising with simple phrases such as:
“It’s not OK to say…”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Do you know what … means?”
“Do you know why it is hurtful?”
For additional resources on being an upstander, please visit the Safety Commissioner’s website. It’s crucial for our students to navigate both in-person and online interactions safely and respectfully. I appreciate your support in fostering a respectful and safe environment for all our students. It’s been an inspiring start to the term, showcasing our students’ efforts and their potential to drive positive change.
Paul Rikmanis
Head of Secondary School