Maryanne Walsh - 1 December 2009
The past few weeks have been high with emotion – year 12 Graduations both at our Flexischool and Centenary Heights mainstream settings followed by the most amazing Formals for both graduating groups. The very positive and respectful relationships mutually enjoyed by students and their teachers were on show for all to see. As I said in my Graduation speech positive relationships are the key to quality learning – without such an underpinning even the best subject content would fall on deaf ears. I was especially thrilled for our families as they enjoyed seeing the culmination of these past years. I acknowledge the work of Karen Vorpagel, Tenille Frame and Jo Brennan in coordinating the splendid quality of both functions.
Once again Centenary Heights positions itself in the top 3% of the State with graduating school based trainees [SAT]. In November the amazing figure of 46 year 12s and their families enjoyed a special graduation from their SATs. This function appropriately heralded our local employers and the efforts of Head of Senior Schooling Tim Ryan and his committed staff Ruth Rose, Maree Krause and Phil Wareham. Their follow through and support for our students is second to none.
While on Graduations I acknowledge local employment organisation DISCO and their wonderful 6 month fulltime program Get Set for Work. Each 6 months we refer anywhere between 5-9 students aged between 15-17 years to this program. The vast majority finish their program with offers of fulltime apprenticeships and, along with a very healthy resume as a result of their work training and work experiences, have matured into responsible young adults. In November our 5 students were ‘standouts’ on Graduation night. Our Special Education Awards night ‘Night in November’ was again a high profile function – so many families – so much pride. Organisers Christy Parker and Andrea Malone – excellent!
Well done to 3 of our 2009 year 12 students – Manuela Mwilambwe; Derek Shi Cheng and Tita Wu who were successful in their applications for half scholarships to Bond University. Each student shone in the criteria of academic excellence and community service and as such start their 2010 year at Bond in the knowledge that the $50000 scholarship will assist them throughout their respective courses. A sincere thankyou to Bond University with whom we have enjoyed a long partnership and also to our Guidance Officer Peter King who has both forged and strengthened that partnership in support of our students.
To begin 2010 we welcome new teachers Tanya Sleeman; Daniel Machulka and herald the very welcome return of Kylie Schwerin to our sensational Special Education Unit. It will not take them long to see and feel the amazingly positive culture of Centenary Heights SHS. At the same time I say, on behalf of all staff and students, a fond farewell to Joe Ciantar. Joe will begin 12 months long service leave in 2010 and intends to then retire. No doubt Joe will have much more time to indulge his passion of long distance running. I thank Joe most sincerely for all the care and concern and time he has taken over the years to truly know his students.
Our Facilities refurbishment program continues in a big way over these upcoming holidays – pool amenities re-done; a lift upstairs to E Block completed – for our wheelchair students; reshaping of the area outside the Library into an outdoor classroom/lunch area; repainting and recarpeting of many classrooms and staffrooms with new furniture to both. In 2010 work will be both begun and completed on turning a large locker area into a classroom and our brand new 1.97 million dollar Science Languages building. Exciting times!
Volunteers in these times are few and far between as family life just gets busier. We enjoy the selfless service of a committed number and it was a pleasure earlier in Term 4 to nominate Gaylene Hermann and Val Kliese for the Darling Downs South West Region Service to School Community Volunteer Awards. Appropriate acknowledgment! Other unsung heroes are parent Anne Huth who, because she is a teacher by profession, cannot assist in Tuckshop and so each fortnight she bakes multiple healthy treats and drops them in to our Tuckshop on her way to work. How good is that! Sincere thanks to Golding Homes who provided weekend labour and materials free of charge to construct our new finish to the exit path on the corner of Ramsay and South streets. Thankyou Scott, Ross and team.
My sincere thanks to our exiting Student Leadership group – year 12 students: Louise Bowden and Jack Mathewson [School Captains]; Dani Kamst and Marc Mallet [School Vice Captains]; Derek Shi Cheng [Cross Cultural Captain]; Fariha Alam and Bob Ashford [Student Council President and Vice President]; Lachie O’Connell, Jacob Denman, Meg Cunliffe, Cindy Morris, Trent Jerome, Zac Wilson, Emily Galbraith and Jacqui Twidale [Sports Captains] – a Principal could not have hoped for a stronger more motivating and responsible group than they proved to be. It was an absolute privilege to work with them.
A reminder to all who will join us in 2010 that our Student Free days are taken on Thursday 21 and Friday 22 January.
In the meantime have a safe and restful Xmas break.
Maryanne Walsh
Principal
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