Published on: 6 June 2024

  • ARC opening
  • Reconciliation Week Artwork
  • Four Schools Chess Tournament

I trust you enjoyed the long weekend and were able to spend quality time with family and friends. The rains over the weekend were a welcome sight and we hope our boarding community received some much-needed millilitres.

Last night, we officially opened the Academic Resource Centre (ARC), an innovative space that combines the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department with the Senior School Library and Centre for Pedagogy. I would like to thank the Parents’ Association for their generous donation towards this new hub. Students have been enjoying this space for the past month, particularly as they prepared for their exams. Having ARC open for extended hours for the senior students around examination times has proven to be very popular. Students have responded to this initiative and used ARC to benefit their preparation for their examinations. The space is already being well-utilised to diversify our students’ lessons, with a visit by author Mark Smith in recent weeks, who shared his journey and inspiration for his books with students. The Centre offers students a wealth of digital resources, research support from our librarians and ICT experts, and a flexible layout to accommodate various learning activities. Staff training sessions and workshops on digital innovations will ensure we can guide our students as they explore emerging technologies.

I recently met with Friends of Walters, our boarders’ support group and was delighted to hear boarders have settled into the renovated Walters Boarding House. I thanked parents for assisting their sons in sharing snapshots of life at home with our community during Boarding Week earlier this term.

Anthony Lynch has resigned from his position as Director of Sport to pursue other opportunities. Anthony has achieved much in his time in the PSA at Christ Church, and we wish to acknowledge his contributions and significant service over the past 20 years. Drew McDonald will take up the position of Acting Director of Sport whilst the School looks to appoint a new Director of Sport.

Last week, we celebrated National Reconciliation Week, and you may have read about the artwork our Senior School students created during their normal Tutorial time. Over 800 students placed their handprints onto a canvas depicting the Aboriginal flag. The piece serves as a representation of inclusivity, harmony, and diversity in the Christ Church community. During the flag-raising ceremony last week, Year 10 Bidjara, Ghangulu and Iman Balladong, Wadjuk and Yued student Jeeo McGuire explained the history and significance of the symbols on the flag, which I would like to share with you. The flag was designed by artist Harold Thomas in 1970. The top half of the flag is black to symbolise Aboriginal people, the red in the lower half stands for the earth and the colour of ochre, which has ceremonial significance. The circle of yellow in the centre of the flag represents the sun. Together, the flag represents the connection Aboriginal people feel to the land. The artwork is currently displayed at Reception in the Main Administration building if you would like to view it in person.

Tomorrow, our Chess team will travel to Guildford Grammar School to participate in the annual Four Schools Chess Tournament. This event serves as an important precursor to the PSA Tournament in Term 3. Chess enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and concentration while fostering patience, sportsmanship, and resilience. Moreover, it promotes inclusivity and provides lifelong strategic and analytical skills essential for future challenges. The School has a long and proud history of offering Chess as a Co-curricular activity, with current opportunities to learn Chess offered to all students, starting as young as Year 1. Christ Church has a stellar record at the event and took out first position in PSA Chess for the 14th consecutive year last year. We wish the students participating the best of luck.

Alan Jones
Principal