Middle/Senior School Bulletin Issue 6 / 6 May 2016
From the Principal J Block Fire Update It has been a challenging past couple of weeks for the College as we come to terms with the destruction that the fire on ANZAC Day has caused to J Block. Whilst it has been hard on everyone in our community, particularly our Senior School students and staff, the very best of what makes St Andrews such a special place has been evident. We have witnessed the very best of the human spirit in these trying times - people coming together to care for and support one another. Teaching staff have been very intentional in endeavouring to make sure that the learning program of our students has experienced minimal disruption. Our students have taken the events in their stride, remained focused, and just got on with things. Thanks to the efforts of senior staff, interim plans were quickly developed and the Senior School students experienced the loss of just one teaching day of school – it could have been so much more if not for the work of the Senior Leadership team. As much as humanly possible it has been business as usual.
I know that senior students are keen to be able to access lockers to see what personal possessions may have survived. Unfortunately this cannot occur until the ‘make safe’ phase of the recovery process is complete. This phase is underway and should be completed in the immediate future. Plans for the medium term, including the ordering of portable/relocatable buildings are now underway. These portable buildings will be of good quality to ensure that our students continue to have access to quality learning environments. The College has also commenced planning work on the rebuilding of the spaces destroyed. The process of rebuilding will take time, and people’s patience and understanding in this process is asked for. The College is confident that the facilities once completed will actually be enhanced and add to our community.
The response from both our internal community and the wider external community has been overwhelming, and for that the College is deeply appreciative and humbled. It is understandable that people feel helpless at this time, yet at the same time want to provide help in any way they can. Many people have asked about helping with practical things like the clean up. As always, the safety of people comes first, and so modern Workplace Health and Safety legislation prevents us from asking for assistance for things like this. At this stage the efforts of the College needs to be on keeping the learning of students focused, and working methodically through the initial steps of the recovery process. The College is conscious of involving the St Andrews community in the recovery process, and as we navigate our way through the initial phases we will look for ways to do this. One initial way of engaging in this process might be to attend the P & F Meeting on Wednesday 8 June 7.00pm in the CRC. Part of the focus of the meeting will be how as a Parent Body the P & F might be able to assist the College going forward. Thank you for your ongoing prayers as we move forward together. In closing, congratulations to our Combined Troupe and Percussion Ensemble that were awarded 1st place at the Starbound Dance Eisteddfod – all with borrowed costumes and equipment. It was an amazing moment for all concerned, especially after dealing with the loss and devastation of the past week, but one that typified St Andrews Lutheran College. Tim Kotzur Principal