From the Principal - Edition 18 - 2023

Last Thursday, we celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2023 with their Valedictory events, comprising Prize Giving, the Valedictory Service and Dinner. Valedictory is always a significant event in the annual Westminster calendar. It is our opportunity as a community to celebrate the fantastic journey that we have collectively shared with our now youngest Old Scholars.

Over the Class of 2023’s time at Westminster, we have encouraged them to find their own compass, guiding them to find direction in their life and to live with purpose. A compass that helps make decisions to empower themselves and others, allowing journeys to be planned into the great unknown in a considered and prepared manner. If at any time in their future our Old Scholars find themselves truly lost, we hope they will remember their compass to help them find their way again.

Farewelling any graduating class is a bittersweet moment. While the goal is to ensure our graduates are ready for the next challenges and adventures that life will bring, it can be hard for both sides to say goodbye. Teaching students in Years 11 and 12 is a fabulous experience because the quality of the relationships transcends all previous teacher/student classroom interactions. Year 12s are usually in your class because they have elected to be there. Regardless of career pathway, they will normally be working to the best of their ability. This means that Years 11 and 12 are shared journeys for students, families and staff with the capacity to offer all-round fantastic outcomes.

As the Class of 2023 departs, we also look to farewell staff leaving at the end of Term 4. We’ll include a list of longer serving staff in the last eNews but we shared news of one departure last week with our current families. Grant Bock is a well-known Westminster identity. He moved from being Head of Preparatory School at the end of Term 2 to join the Enrolments Team in which he has been making an outstanding contribution. But the call of primary school leadership was still too great and Grant has now advised that he has accepted a position as the Head of Junior School at Investigator College, Victor Harbor, commencing in Term 1 2024. Grant has been an amazing contributor to Westminster for decades and we are all sure Investigator will benefit from his tremendous experience and personality.

I hope that you will all join me in congratulating and supporting those members of our community, students, families and staff, who leave Westminster at the end of this year. This naturally occurs for every school as another year winds up but, at Westminster, we say farewell knowing that lasting friendships are to be cherished and the School gates will always be open and welcoming to our community.

At the Prize Giving Ceremony, Tuesday 23 November, the Principal delivered his end of year overview. The video can be accessed here: Principal's Presentation Prize Giving Ceremony 2023

Simon Shepherd
Principal