Published on: 23 May 2024

  • Musical talent on display
  • PESA Conference
  • Year 11 and 12 exams
  • PSA concussion protocols
  • Post-school success review

Every year we invite our Music scholars to perform at an intimate concert for family and friends, and every year we witness outstanding performances. Each student has their own area of strength and their musical talent has manifested in different ways, and I would encourage you to view their performances on Facebook and witness their skills for yourself. The evening included vocalists and instrumental performances, including the trumpet, cello, guitar, piano, violin, clarinet, marimba, and electric guitar. The wide variety of instruments reflects the wide range of options available to our students. This, combined with the School’s support for students to choose lessons with either external teachers or on-campus instructors, ensures that our Music program is of an exceptionally high standard. The event also highlights the amazing work of our Music Department, led by Director of Music, Chiara Kingwell, and supported by a team of outstanding professionals.

Over the weekend, we proudly hosted the Positive Education Schools Association (PESA) conference, welcoming around 200 educators from across the state onto campus. PESA is the leading association for wellbeing education and aims to integrate the science of wellbeing and positive psychology throughout the education system, ensuring that all students, schools, and communities can flourish. At Christ Church, we believe in nurturing not just academic excellence but also the emotional and psychological wellbeing of students. The event reinforced the importance of embedding wellbeing into the fabric of our educational experiences, ensuring that our students are equipped to thrive in all aspects of life. We are currently undertaking a review of our Centre for Health and Wellbeing, recognising that health is not just the absence of illness but a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and permeates the entire community.

As the academic year progresses, Year 11 and 12 students at Christ Church Grammar School are diligently taking part in exams. These assessments play a crucial role in evaluating students’ understanding of their subjects ahead of the important end of year exams. These internal exams serve as a significant milestone in the academic journey of senior students as well as offering teachers an opportunity to identify any gaps in knowledge or skills.

Each Principal/Headmaster of the seven PSA schools form a committee that runs the PSA. I am pleased that this body places the wellbeing of the students and coaches at the forefront of their decisions. At our recent meeting, the PSA adjusted the Concussion Policy to fall in line with community regulations which require an extended period of rest should a student be concussed at either a school or club game. Additionally, last month the Principals/Heads of the PSA and IGSSA schools met to ensure the calendars of these schools lined up in the Term 2 break. I am pleased to inform you that like schools will now enjoy the same mid-year holiday break, making life easier for families.

The Department for Education has established a project with the aim to assess whether current pathway options effectively prepare students for the broad spectrum of further study, training, and employment. The School will participate in the Pathways to Post-School Success project which will help to get a greater understanding of :

  • effective pathways
  • how to promote learning and relevance
  • how to reflect diversity and uniqueness
  • optimising student engagement
  • ensuring system integrity
  • finding achievable solutions

I look forward to providing more on this project as it takes shape.

Alan Jones
Principal