Published on: 22 April 2021

  • Duke of Edinburgh
  • Playground opening
  • Principal’s Dinner
  • Winner of the Father Frank Sheehan Award 2020
  • Students’ Scholarship

A warm welcome back to everyone. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter and an enjoyable break.

Last Saturday I attended a service of thanksgiving for the life of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at St George’s Cathedral in the city. As a school that supports students participating in the Duke Of Edinburgh Award, we were proud to be invited and for Year 12 student Stuart Everett, Bronze and Silver Award holder and current Gold participant, to deliver a reading.

Yesterday at 8.30am we officially opened the new nature playground. This playground, phase two of the new Preparatory School build, is an amazing addition to the School and Christ Church community. The boys are ecstatic about every single piece of apparatus and for many years to come will develop self-esteem, collaboration skills, critical thinking and of course enjoy the physical benefits from playing in and around this wonderful space. Thank you to our team members Chris Coslani, Steven Males and John Price who were integral in making this happen.

Last night I hosted the Year 12 Principal’s Dinner for our Year 12 students. Every year we invite an old boy ten years out and twenty years out to come and speak to the current students about life after school. Alex Fisher (’01) recently returned to Perth after 13 years in Sydney and Melbourne, where he worked across a range of industries and he has recently been appointed as Senior Manager Marketing, Brand and Audience Development for the new WA Museum. The boys also heard from George Haggett (’11) who shared information about his career choices and his approach to life.

I want to congratulate Marmingee Hand, winner of the Father Frank Sheehan Award for Service to Community 2020. Marmingee was nominated for her work with children, which includes teaching them how to read and ensuring language and culture remain strong within the Fitzroy Crossing community. Watch this video to hear Marmingee’s remarkable story of growing up in Fitzroy Crossing, her special connection to Christ Church Grammar School, and how she has devoted her life to helping others.

On April 29 author and speaker Melinda Tankard-Reist will present on respect and responsibility. The topic of consent continues to be part of conversations globally and this features in Melinda’s presentation. Spaces are limited so if you would like to register your attendance at the community event please go to this link.

I wish to share the news that Simon Angus has accepted a role at Brighton Grammar in Melbourne and will be concluding his time at Christ Church at the mid-term break. I want to congratulate and thank Simon for his work over the past two and a half years and wish him, Emily and the boys all the best with their return to Melbourne. Mr Mark Morrissy will take up the position of acting Head of Senior School.

Lastly, I would like to congratulate the boys on the launch of The Students’ Scholarship campaign this week and look forward to seeing boys across the School supporting this incredible student-led fundraising initiative which will enable a young man a Christ Church education through the gift of a scholarship. Please see here for more details.