Back in action for Term 4
It’s great to be back! Term 4 at Claremont College is going to be just fabulous with so much to look forward to and anticipate over the next nine weeks. We have... the Family Fun Night, Kindergarten 23 Orientation and Familiarisation, Amazing Me, Christmas festivities including Pixie Post and Christmas Chapel, Year 3-6 camps, the Year 2 day excursion and evening activities, the Infants Swim School (K-1), excursions, our annual special farewells and celebrations for our Year 6 Students, and Speech Day at UNSW for everyone on the very last day of the school year (Wednesday 7 December). After 2 years of COVID interruptions, we are excited to be having many of our events and functions return to how we love them to be.
Please see the list of dates for your diary.
Please mark them in but also be aware that there may need to be some changes as the term progresses.
HSC Best Wishes
We would like to wish our 2016 Year 6 students all the very best in their HSC examinations which started on Wednesday.
Music Showcase
On the back of our wonderful concert Mrs Yasmin Davis and Mr Thomas are pleased to invite you to a special Music Showcase on Tuesday 18 October from 4:30pm-6:00pm. The two years of COVID lockdowns certainly impacted music and performing arts programs in all schools, especially our band and small ensemble groups, so we are keen to bring back the array of wonderful sounds of children learning music in our school. ‘MUSIC@CLAREMONT’ will provide us with the opportunity to introduce our 7 tutors to you (Margaret Machamer - Cello & Senior String Ensemble, Dominique Guerbois - Violin & Junior String, Percy Reddy - Drums & Beginner Guitar, Carlson Luong - Piano, Sam Golding - Brass, Visnja Kosnaovic - Flute and Luke Galea - Guitar), to showcase some of our student and tutor talent as well as presenting a panel which will discuss the many advantages of Music in a child’s learning and academic development. All parents and their children are welcome to attend.
Strategic Intent
I am delighted to share our ‘Strategic Intent 2022-2026’ with our school community. Led by the Executive Leadership Team, this document represents two years of intensive consultative and collaborative work and includes the contribution and voice of students, parents, staff, alumni, school leadership and the Claremont College School Council. I am thankful to the many people who have contributed to this process. The input of all stakeholders reflects their investment in – and commitment – to the ongoing flourishing of our students, families and school community. Thank you to the many parents who participated in our many consultation sessions (mostly on Zoom across 2020 and 2021) around the high school expansion project, as well as the session about the school we hope to see in the ‘future’. The comments, guidance and the feedback that you provided informed much of the content of our ‘Strategic Intent’.
The Core Values of Claremont College are collaboration, innovation and compassion, and these are deeply embedded in the heart of our school. You will see that they guide us as we move into the future, providing direction for our priorities, plans and decision making for the next 5 years. With a clear sense of purpose, we move forward with confidence and excellence.
I specifically wish to direct your attention to an innovative feature of our Strategic Intent, which is our decision to define five areas of intentional commitment. I believe that these 5 areas reflect what is needed for our school to respond to the complexities and challenges of the ever-changing environment that our children and young people are growing up in.
This document also reflects what I see is the essence of what it means to be connected to one another in a diverse and inclusive community – giving dignity to all, listening to and learning from one another, with respect and trust, as together we solve the growing anticipated problems that the planet is facing.
At the time of publication, Claremont College sits with the uncertainty of a secondary campus. Irrespective of how we might be in the years ahead, offering either a K-6 or K-12 education, our Strategic Intent provides an inspiring and exciting roadmap for our school in the future.
Finally, I highlight our ultimate priority which is ‘love’.
“Love God with your heart, soul, strength and mind. And love all people as you love yourself.” Luke 19:27
A hardcopy of the ‘Strategic Intent’ will be sent home with your child next week. In the meantime, you can access this document on the landing page of our website. I am sure that you will be inspired and encouraged.
After School Language Classes
In February 2020, just as COVID first emerged, we had intended to launch after-school language classes for students. Now that things are back on track, I would like to revisit this possibility. With 2023 soon approaching, we welcome your feedback about what other languages you would like to see offered at Claremont College after school. Please follow this link to complete a one minute survey, to provide your ideas and opinions. The possibility of any language program would, of course, be determined by the availability of a well-qualified teacher and a minimum number of students to cover the costs of the delivery of the program. Please resubmit any thoughts that you may have previously provided.
Callling all Alumni Dads
Last term I extended an invitation to all Alumni Dads to take the opportunity to meet with you in September and to hear your reminiscences about your time here as a student of Claremont College. The meeting has now been arranged for Wednesday 2 November from 6:30pm-8:00pm at school. I will order some pizzas and beverages and spend a couple of hours sharing your memories and recollections. If you haven’t already, please let the school know if you can attend.
Doug Thomas
Principal
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