Head of Senior School - Edition 14 - 2022

Term 3

When I reflect on what has happened in Term 3, I have come to the conclusion that we could not have done much more.

The Years 11 and 12 students attended the Green and White; there have been House Dinners; House and Co-curricular photographs; Swimming and Athletics Carnivals. From an entertainment perspective, we had the Year 11 Play, the Australian Made and the SACE Dance performances, Music Night and Big Band Bonanza. We competed in a wide range of winter sports which culminated in the Intercol against Pembroke, our musicians performed successfully in the first face to face ABODA SA Band Festival for two years and our athletes have competed in inter-school athletics events. The Outdoor Education department ran several expeditions ranging from mountain biking, rock climbing and bushwalking in various parts of the state. I am sure I have missed other activities, but none of what happens in the Senior School would have been possible without the support, organisation and passion of staff and their willingness to work with the students to make ideas become reality.

The Chaplain Rev Phil Hoffmann walked to School from Henley Beach, accompanied by 30 students and staff. Collecting walkers along the way, he finished at School with over 70 having joined the trek. The walking continued later in the day with the whole School spending the afternoon walking around the School resulting in over $10,000 being raised.

I thank staff and students for ensuring Westminster is never a boring place and there are opportunities for everyone to find an activity to develop their passion.

I wish students and families an enjoyable holiday and look forward to seeing the students back for Term 4.

Year 8 Gala

One of the special annual events was held last week in the form of the Year 8 Fundraising Gala, with students running their own stalls to raise money for the Harris Family Seeds of Hope Foundation. The money raised will help to support educational outcomes for students less fortunate than those at Westminster, through orphanages in both Indonesia and Taiwan. The Gala provides the opportunity for students to demonstrate leadership, teamwork and creativity, while also developing their planning and organisational skills. So far the students have raised over $4,000 (and still counting) in a single afternoon.

On behalf of the Year 8 students, Westminster School and the Harris Family Seeds of Hope Foundation, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude for the support that has been provided by parents and businesses, with donations and also with driving students to shops and delivering items to the School. This ensured the Year 8 Fundraising Gala was a success, both for the funds raised and the learning that has taken place along the way.

An event like this would not be possible without the support and guidance of the Year 8 staff, Head of Year 8 Nicole Salamon, and Year 8 Tutors Angela Phillips, Jaimee Trewartha, Dee Barton, Jason Greenslade and Peter Walwyn. Also a very big thank you to the Property Services Team for all their work in supporting the event.

Student Leadership

At our final end of term assembly, the 2023 School Captain and School Vice-Captain will be announced. Current Year 11 students nominate to be a School Leader and then students and teaching staff vote for School Captain, School Vice Captain and also for School Leader positions.

During the first week next term, each House will elect their House Captain and House Vice Captain after which School Leaders will be determined based on the voting results. As with any election there will be some students who will be disappointed that they did not achieve one of the positions. However, there are many other leadership positions available within the Senior School. I would remind all students that there are always times when leadership skills have to be applied and as such we all have the opportunity to show leadership.

During Terms 2 and 3, the Year 11 students have led a week of Chapel Services with each House preparing and presenting services for the week. We have been doing House Chapels for many years and each year the quality of the message improves. Each Year 11 tutor group chooses a theme and then presents it in a values context using Bible readings, prayer, video clips and music. This is one way the older students are showing leadership and providing a positive role model to the younger students and set a standard for future years to aspire when they are in Year 11.

I would like to thank all the Year 11 students, Year 11 Tutors, House Heads and School Chaplain, Rev Phil Hoffmann for their involvement in these services.

Year 12 Students

This is not really a holiday period for Year 12 students – they will get their opportunity to relax after exams and final assignments are completed. However, there must be time for some relaxation over the next two weeks.

My advice to Year 12 students is to schedule around 15 hours per examined subject over this period, including Revision Courses, if you are attending any. If you are taking courses, keep concentration levels up during these by taking notes and clarifying everything in your mind. Complete final drafts of major assignments that are still due in Term 4 rather than leaving it for when you are back at School.

Plan your days and meet the objectives you set for each day. Think about going to a university library or some other location if TV, friends, or family members are proving a distraction. Keep a list of things that need clarification from your teachers in the last term.

When Term 4 starts, you will only have eight days on campus before your last day, and on these days most subjects will be revising and any remaining major assignments will be due. The responsibility falls very much on you to respond seriously to this time and make the most of your opportunities. This is a time when you can really make a lot of headway. Conversely, if you waste this precious time, others are gaining headway on you.

I wish the students and staff a well-earned break and hope they will be recharged for the final term for 2022.

David Wallage
Head of Senior School