Last Friday we held our annual Volunteers’ Lunch to thank our volunteers for their generous gift of time and talent which contributes greatly to the quality educational journey of our students.

It was a good turnout but I recognise that it is not possible for everyone to attend and there are countless others who weren’t able to make it. Please know that you and your contributions are greatly appreciated.

Our Hospitality students catered for the event as part of their assessment and I can only imagine they all received glowing results. The three course meal was delicious and the service was friendly and professional. Volunteers’ Lunch Photos.

I realise that our students are the main beneficiaries of volunteering but they aren’t the only ones. Here are just five benefits for those who do the actual volunteering.

1. Gaining new experiences and insights:  Volunteering allows parents and caregivers to develop technical, social and even academic skills that enrich life. Whether you are reading in the library or helping in the classroom, volunteering allows you to experience different environments and situations. You also gain an insight of school ‘behind the scenes’ that you would not otherwise experience. It may help your understanding of what your child is learning or simply provide you with a glimpse of daily school life that you would not have otherwise known.
2. Giving back and helping others: In our honest moments we know how fortunate we are. We live in what is usually termed ‘the lucky country’. Our children have clothes on their backs, food in their stomachs and enjoy an education that would be the envy of many other countries. A wonderful way of expressing gratitude is by giving back. Volunteering at GCC or in the local community is an ideal opportunity in our own backyard.
3. Becoming great role models for your child: Volunteers create better environments and healthier communities. When our students learn that someone isn’t being paid but doing something just to help, it sends a powerful message. In an age where money is a dominant motivator, volunteering teaches children that there are more important things in life.
4. A sense of accomplishment: Volunteering isn’t glamorous, easy or appreciated as much as it should be but it is one of the most uplifting activities we can do. There is no financial gain but those who volunteer will tell you their experiences bring many more intangible benefits.
5. Building Career Options: You would be surprised at how much you can add to your resume from the skills learned through volunteering. In this day and age where people change not just jobs but whole careers, you never know when running the reading group, helping out in Tuckshop or coordinating the chocolate drive may be a good thing to have on your resume.

Book Week

This event is one of the biggest in the year and is a full week of events and activities. The highlights were Monday’s Middle and Senior School Character Day and yesterday’s Primary Parade. There is going to be a big wrap up of Book Week next week but in the meantime, below are the photos from Middle and Senior School Character Day.

Photos from Primary Book Week Parade are on Facebook now and will be in next week’s Eaglet.

Shine on the Arts

This time next week the College will be abuzz with setting up for Shine on the Arts. I can’t wait to see what our talented students have prepared for us and hope to see you there also. Shine is on Friday 1 September from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.

Mike Curtis, Principal