Year 11 Drama

Last week the Year 11 Drama students performed the play ‘Free or Fated’ on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights. I congratulate each of the cast members for their high level of performance in what I believe would be a difficult play, given the multiple characters many of the cast had to play, and the many costume changes that were required. The work they have put in to the rehearsal process was evident with the quality of their performance. I would also congratulate our Head of Drama John Doherty for his guidance of the students through the process.

Driver Education

Earlier this year the Metropolitan Fire Service presented their Road Accident Awareness Program to Year 11 students and an evening session for parents. On Tuesday this week the Year 10 and Year 11 students were involved in separate presentations by the South Australian Police on Road Safety.

As the Year 10 students are beginning to get their Learner’s permit, parents will be part of the learning process along with an accredited Driving Instructor. I have included a link from the Government My Licence website Supervising Driver Tips for ‘supervising’ drivers to help the learner driver.

Based on the number of questions that students asked there is definitely interest in this topic and the purpose of providing these seminars for the students is to provide them with the information so they will make the correct decisions when using the road.

Royal Show

Last week our Show teams were at the Royal Adelaide Show showing the animals they have prepared over the past few months. We had a Steer Team, Goat Team and a Sheep Team showing the animals they have been working with for most of Term 2. These students have been guided by our Agricultural teaching staff, Mr Clinton Seekamp and Farm Manager Mr Stefan Aynesbury. I would also like to acknowledge the valuable contribution that our students made. In particular Gus Llewelyn and Lydia Sanders for the extra time they put in to the Steer Team and Louis Tonkin, Jack Simpson and Angus Bryson for assisting with extra duties for the Sheep Team.

Westminster exhibited in three competitions this year, including steers, Angora goats and sheep and received ribbons in all areas. We entered three steers in the Schools Light Domestic Competition, resulting in first, second and fifth placings. All steers also qualified for the Thomas Foods International Export Team, which chooses the three best steers from each breed. Murray Grey Balyclare Percy was presented the Breed Promotion Group Trophy.

Lydia Sanders was selected for the Urrbrae Award for Best Relationship between Steer and Handler, taking out third overall. This is the sixth year in a row a student from Westminster has placed in the top three for this competition.

In the Angora Goats, Westminster proudly received the award for Most Professional School Team. We were also presented with the awards for Most Uniform Valued School Production Team and School Animal of Highest Commercial Value. In the Angora Junior Judging, Year 9 student Olivia Stead placed second and Year 10 student Maddi Bryson was awarded third place.

In the Merino Wether competition, Westminster achieved fifth and sixth placings in the Australian Wool Network Prize for Three Most Valued Fleeces. Westminster placed fifth in the ATSA Prize for the Most Professional School Show Team and placed fourth in the Urrbrae Prize for Highest Weight Gain by a Group. Out of 201 handlers, Year 9 student Tyler Gregory finished in the final 15 for Best Handlers.

In the Art Exhibition, we had some of our Co-curricular Photo and Art Club students exhibit their works, and three of our students were awarded with prizes. Year 12 student Bella Marchesan received 1st place for her Digital Art piece, Year 10 student Jack Grundy received two merits in photography, one being for his drone photography, and Year 8 student Jan McGinley also received two merits for photography.

The Westminster F1 Team won their division in the F1 in School State finals which has earned them an invitation to compete at the National Competition later in the year.

We also had staff and students helping at the Red Dove Café at the show. This is a café operated by volunteers from the Uniting Church in Australia and Westminster students have been serving showgoers for many years with many positive comments from the organisers and patrons.

House Dinners

During the course of this year there have been House dinners where the students and their families have been invited to celebrate the achievements of the House and the students who make up each House. I would like to thank all students and parents who have been able to support the House Head and the student leadership team by attending these dinners.

These dinners are an example of the unique nature of the Houses at Westminster, where the focus is very much on the students, building a sense of community and student wellbeing rather than just inter-House sporting events. The House system is a strength of the Senior School and provides a very effective way of delivering quality Pastoral Care to the students.

Given the busy nature of Westminster I would like to thank the Heads of House, House Captains and the leadership group for organising these dinners.

David Wallage
Head of Senior School