From the Executive Principal

Dear St George’s community

WELCOME! Whether you are a new student or member of staff, parent or carer, or you have returned for another year, it is good to have you as part of our St George’s family. Meeting many new parents and carers at the Sundowner earlier this week, it is clear that we share the same desire for your children – that their time at St George’s is full of joy and curiosity; full of academic challenge and nurturing support; filled with opportunities to experience success and failure, to fall and to rise up. I know our dedicated and caring teachers and support staff will do their best to ensure these experiences form part of your child’s education at St George’s. Our staff won’t get it right every time; but their commitment to you is to try their very best, placing student wellbeing (both individual and collective) at the fore of their decision-making.

We end Week Four in our academic calendar, yet it seems like the first week of school again! What a start it has been. From start-up to lockdown, masks to breathing freely – and its only mid-February. We are in for a year of challenge and opportunity. ‘Flexibility’, ‘adaptability’ and ‘resilience’ will be the key words of 2021. Be assured that we will do our best to achieve steady, uninterrupted learning for students, no matter what the external factors imposed beyond our control are. St George’s opens the year with record enrolments. We welcome some 50 students over and above the December close. This affirms the decision of the Anglican Schools Commission (ASC) some seven years ago to acquire Murdoch College, rebrand as St George’s Anglican Grammar School and relocate to the CBD. Further, the ASC took the decision at the time to bring the teaching and support staff with us, as they are the great asset that underpins our culture and standards, bridging the past with today and taking the School forward.

Faculty Speaking of our people, let me welcome to our community new members of our faculty, both academic and support:

Mr Anthony Bochrinis - Head of Mathematics Mr Paul Smith - Mathematics Mr Tom Hatton - Science Ms Taryn Sephton - Humanities and English Ms Courtney Fraser - Humanities and English Mrs Jenny Vong - Education Assistant Mr Shaun Morton - Assistant Business Manager Mr Jeri James - Maintenance Officer

Thank you to our staff who enabled the School to move to online teaching and learning for the Year 11 and 12 students during the lockdown. In a matter of hours, teaching staff and students were ready to enter remote learning once again. It is easy to maintain equilibrium in a school when the routine is established. On the other hand, it is when that routine is

upended that we really see the true character of our community. Our students were ready to learn and prepared to adapt to the changes brought about by their online learning experience. This was also borne out by the students returning to school with their colourful masks in the post-lockdown week. I’m sure they had smiles on their faces… if only we could have seen them behind the masks! Adaptable and resilient they have proven to be.

Despite the Covid-19 disruption early this term, we are back on track with School life and events. The highlight of the annual Swimming Carnival this week was the Synch Swim Competition, an Inter-House event that defies description other than to say that it is unique, hotly contested and entertaining. Although we are now in our seventh year as St George’s Anglican Grammar School, there are some traditions that we have carried from the days of Murdoch College, of which Synch Swim is one. At the same time, there are some events that are newer and have become valued traditions, such as the ‘On the Roof’ Concerts and the annual Colour Run. Another is the award winning Electrocity Ensemble’s participation in Perth’s Fringe Festival. These are the events that become traditions which help to build community and House spirit. We are indeed blessed to be able to combine the old with the new to become quintessentially St George’s.

Lent This week, we resumed our weekly Chapel Service at St George’s Cathedral in time for the start of the season the Church calls ‘Lent’. Our Chaplain, The Reverend Sarah Stapleton conducted some of the Ash Wednesday services at school in Religious Education classes, and one service was held at the Cathedral. On Shrove Tuesday (or Pancake Day as it is known by some) our students enjoyed pancakes (or were they pikelets?!) to mark the ‘end of the feast’ before Lent began on Wednesday.

Part of being an Anglican school is our rich tradition of Christian worship. Whether this takes place in a classroom or in the beauty of the Cathedral, we know that we are connected to a world-wide communion of people doing the same.

2020 was a year to ‘get through’. But we would be foolish if we did not reflect on the many learnings that came from the struggles of the year. Lent is a time for reflection; that is, a time to consider not just how we can be better prepared for Easter, but reflect on what God does in and through people – in and through us - to make God’s world a better place. Each of us at St George’s play our part, making our school community a better place.

Congratulations to Mrs Susan Lazenby Susan was recently awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority for her valuable contribution, leadership and generosity in supporting teachers of Literature, particularly as Chair of the Literature Curriculum Advisory Committee. On behalf of all teachers, staff, and the wider St George’s community I would like to congratulate Susan and thank her for all her tremendous work. We are so very blessed to have her as part of our team here at St George’s.

As I conclude these few months of serving as Executive Principal, I thank particularly Ms Karen van Rooyen (Personal Assistant), Mr Hilton Hardman (Head of Pastoral), Ms Vickie Kelleher (Head of Curriculum), Mrs Susan Lazenby, (Head of School Operations Acting), Ms Nicole Sangrigoli (Business Manager) and The Reverend Sarah Stapleton (Chaplain). Their leadership and support are greatly appreciated across our community.

It has been an unexpected joy and challenge to step into the role of Executive Principal since early November. That said, I look forward to returning to life as the ASC’s Chief Executive Officer fulltime after next week! The school is in outstanding hands with new Principal Mrs Tina Campbell commencing on March 2. Many of you have already met her over the past month or so as she has been in the School on numerous occasions. Mrs Campbell is a highly respected educational leader who brings a wealth of experience together with a real heart for young people. Working closely with new Chair of School Council Mr Tom Carmody, she is well placed to lead St George’s for the years ahead.

I pray God’s blessing on all at St George’s. You remain close to my heart.

Every blessing. The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM Executive Principal