Principal’s Welcome

As a busy Term 1 closes, I take this opportunity to acknowledge the patience of students and staff during our extensive air conditioning renovation/replacement, which is a huge task involving several large trucks and cranes. The next (third) attempt is now scheduled for later this month as we have postponed the earlier install dates due to bad weather.

The Evening of Classical Ballet performance will return to the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House this year on Sunday, December 9. Please note that this date is after school finishes on December 5. I encourage families from our Ballet Stream to diarise this date now.

I urge you to read the Principal’s Spotlight on our website focussing on resilience. I am increasing aware that resilience is a skill that too often evades today’s children. We must all have the ability to bounce back and to adapt when things don’t go as planned. Let’s face it – life will not always go as planned. Will your child have the skills to turn adversity into something positive? Does the act of winning all the time teach us lifelong lessons? This message is particularly pertinent as we look forward to Term 2 and the auditions for Featured Artist spots in the September High Performance Season. Remember that auditions are an act of selection as opposed to exclusion.

In closing, I would like to acknowledge our dear friend and colleague, Carol Condran, and her time at the College. Her passing on April 11 was a shock to many in our community as she chose to keep her health a private matter. Since working at the College in 2003, Carol was one of the McDonald family. We will miss her warmth, efficiency, her vibrant approach to life, and above all, her friendship to us all. A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at Markham House on Friday 4 May for those who wish to attend.

I wish all our families an enjoyable and safe autumn vacation.

Maxine Kohler, MEd

Principal