Published on: 19 September 2024

  • Student involvement in campus tours
  • Feature phones
  • Staff Masterclass

Throughout the year, we host campus tours for prospective families. I thoroughly enjoy meeting families who come from close neighbourhoods, regional areas and also interstate and overseas. I guide them through the Preparatory and Senior Schools, offer them access to our classrooms and introduce them to our students so that they can see firsthand our focus on academic, social, and personal growth of each student. Students play a vital role in the tours by sharing their experiences and providing a genuine, unscripted insight into their daily life.

Hearing directly from students allows families to gain a deeper understanding of our culture of inclusivity, the strong sense of camaraderie among peers, and the variety of co-curricular opportunities on offer. It’s these personal stories and experiences that often resonate most with visiting families, as they learn how the School shapes academic success and also character and lifelong friendships.

There is currently a lot of public discussion about our youth and their use of phones and social media. Smartphones can be fantastic tools for parents to stay connected with their children and ensure they are safe. However, in today’s digital age, while smartphones offer convenience and constant connectivity, they can also be a significant source of distraction and social challenges for students. In contrast, ‘feature phones’ with their more paired-back functionality, offer a way to stay connected without the constant distractions of apps and social media. A feature phone focuses on basic functionality and lacks features such as the ability to browse the internet, access social media or use gaming apps. They promote healthier communication habits, better concentration, and encourage children to engage more fully in the real world. It is the family’s decision about when a child should get a phone and what type of phone they should have, and by opting for a ‘feature phone’, parents can help their children avoid many of the social pressures associated with smartphones, ultimately supporting better mental wellbeing and interpersonal skills.

Taking care of our teachers and support staff is a priority. This is the second year that we have offered staff the opportunity to participate in a bespoke ‘Masterclass’ program, designed for middle managers, which includes sessions on leadership, management, finance, strategic planning and more. Over eight months, participants are coached by members of the School Executive team to gain a high-level understanding of the strategic and operational running of the School, highlighting skills they can learn and apply in future roles. I am pleased to share that we recently celebrated a class graduating from the program and we look forward to identifying our 2025 Masterclass cohort.

Wishing everyone a safe and rejuvenating break. I look forward to welcoming the students back on Tuesday 8 October.

Alan Jones
Principal