A Uniting Church coeducational independent day and boarding school on Kaurna Country, Adelaide, South Australia
Early Learning to Year 12
It has been very positive to have elements of the co-curricular programme begin and I know this has been well received by the students. It is an important part of the school and provides the balance that students need to cope with the demands of their academic studies. From a sporting viewpoint, it will be a lengthy ‘pre-season’ for most teams, and I am sure that we will be ready for the first competitive matches in Term 3.
For students who are not yet involved in the co-curricular programme, I would encourage them to consider choosing an activity or club so they can interact with others who have a similar interest. We have seen that this is beneficial for wellbeing which can flow through to their studies.
One of the interesting aspects of COVID-19 has been the way the student leaders have adapted to provide leadership when they are unable to present at school assemblies, Chapels and House Meetings. Many of you would have seen an ‘online’ Chapel presented by the School Leaders and a podcast by School Captain Kaine Baldwin and Vice Captain Ruby Liptak. In addition to these two examples of leadership, Houses are conducting House Meetings using technology to bring students together and to also actively involve all members. I have probably seen more interaction between year levels within a House during this time than when we were able to all meet in the one space.
It would have been easy and possibly understandable for the Leaders to feel disappointed that many of the plans they had made at the beginning of the year have not been able to happen. The way they have looked positively at the situation and innovated to find solutions rather than give up is a credit to the Student Leadership Team and the Year 12s as a group for their positive attitude. It is the kind of role modelling that we want from our Senior students as it encourages the younger students to aspire to act in a similar manner.
Apple founder Steve Jobs said ‘Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower". If this is the case, we have a lot of leaders among the Senior students!
People parking in the wrong places is an ongoing problem on campus. This situation has been exacerbated with parks being taken up by construction activities around the School. I would please ask that parents and all other visitors to the School not park in the Staff Carpark adjacent to the courts, or use this as a waiting zone (accessed via Barry's Lane, Sports and Swimming Centre entrance).
David Wallage
Head of Senior School