Today is World Happiness Day, and in a world that can feel a little unpredictable at times, it’s important to remind our children that joy, gratitude, and connection still matter deeply. Taking moments to recognise what is going well, to appreciate the people around us, and to focus on the positives in our daily lives helps build resilience and a positive outlook on life, something our young people need now more than ever.
As we move into the final two weeks of term, I want to remind students of the importance of caring for their laptops. Our campus currently has one of the highest laptop breakage rates in Australia, and the main cause continues to be poor student care. At the same time, the situation in the Gulf is now impacting Lenovo part supply, just as it is affecting other traded items. This means repair turnaround times are longer than usual, and unfortunately, we do not have an endless supply of loan laptops. Students who are repeated offenders may find themselves without a device for a period of time. Looking after school equipment is a responsibility we expect all students to take seriously.
Despite these challenges, there is plenty to look forward to as we approach the end of term, Athletics, RCH Day, and a strong, positive finish to the term. I would also like to acknowledge this year’s SLT for trying something different with our RCH Day activities and for the professional and courteous way they have networked with businesses and providers. Their initiative and maturity has been acknowledged by the many people they have been working with over the term.
Our VCE students are currently setting their academic goals for the year, and my recent conversations with the group, particularly our Year 12s, have been thoughtful and genuinely insightful. Many are recognising that they have just two terms of focused effort ahead, and that maintaining rigour, consistent application, and a clear orientation toward their program will be essential. This stage of schooling is undeniably demanding, but it is also profoundly character‑building and equips our young people with the resilience and discipline they will carry into life beyond school.
I also want to strongly encourage parents to attend next week’s Parent Teacher Interviews. In particular, we hope to see more Dads joining us. Your presence speaks volumes to your child and deepens your understanding of their daily school life. These conversations are invaluable in supporting their growth and success.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to make the final stretch of the term a productive and uplifting one.
