It’s often the ‘lasts’ that we look back on and realise they no longer happen – some time after they stopped. I remember having this moment several years after I no longer took my own children to ‘you-beaut’ playgrounds. It’s funny how it can be tiresome and then when you realise it’s no longer a ‘thing you do’ that you think more fondly of the positives of these moments, activities and stages. 

These last few weeks across the College we are recognising many of the ‘lasts’. 

For Middle School, it’s our Year 9s finishing their Middle School years. There was a formal acknowledgement at the Middle School Presentation Ceremony. There is a personal opportunity for them this Monday as they do a mountain climb and reflect back and think intentionally about their futures. Then, there is a Celebration Dinner next Thursday. The parents are invited to this as it really is a joint night of celebration and I think of any parenting stage, this is one to celebrate – both fondly and proudly! Middle School years are wonderful but tough years. The analogy of the chrysalis becoming a butterfly comes to mind. These wonderful young people are becoming adults. However, a chrysalis has an easy gig in comparison. The chrysalis has a rip van winkle-type sleep and then ‘Hey presto!’ – everything is beautiful. Mr Pienaar, Ms Hilton and Mrs Kombanie have guided the Year 9s this year but over the course of their Middle Schooling, there have been many teachers mentoring, supporting and helping them navigate becoming young men and women. However, the lion’s share is the parents/caregivers. So the night of celebration is an opportunity for us all to acknowledge how far these young people have come. 

The Presentation Ceremony was another opportunity to celebrate those students who received awards. Throughout the year, all Middle School students who qualify, receive an Academic and or Diligence certificate each term but at the end of the year, 10 students receive an academic award in each year level, five awards are given for Diligence and five the G.R.E.A.T. award. These are indeed accomplishments worthy of note. I also want to acknowledge and honour the four Year 9 students who received the prestigious awards. They were: the Middle School Dux, Amyliah Harrison; the Community Service award winner, Joanna Zelazko; the All Rounder, Indiah Loveday; and, the Principal’s Award to Madeleine Mullins.

Next week all Middle School students will have time to celebrate with their Pastoral Care teachers on Thursday with an all day activity. From Monday to Wednesday, there will also be programs and opportunities that are different to the regular timetable and will be dependent on their grade. On Wednesday students either have a sport clinic for SCISSA sports, Musical practice or other all day programs on offer. The Year 7s, 8s and 9s  have been sent information about this.

I pray you will be able to celebrate the gift of Jesus with your families this Christmas and that you will have safe and happy holidays. Thanks for your support and working with us this year.

Jacq Vreeling, Head of Middle School