Welcome Back to a New Year of Learning and Partnership
Welcome back to a new school year. I hope the summer break provided your family with time to rest, reconnect and be refreshed.
For my own family, the holidays included a remarkable opportunity to cruise to Antarctica from South America. Standing together on the deck of the ship, watching towering ice cliffs, penguins gathered along the shoreline, and whales surfacing in their natural habitat, was both breathtaking and deeply grounding. The vastness and beauty of the White Continent was a powerful reminder of perspective, of how important it is to slow down, notice and be present with one another.
Looking ahead – 2026 Strategic Priorities
As we return to the rhythm of school life, that sense of renewal and perspective is something I hope we can carry into the year ahead. It has been a joy to see our College alive again with the energy, curiosity and anticipation that a fresh beginning brings. Whether your family is returning or joining us for the first time, I warmly welcome you and look forward to partnering with you in the year ahead.
At the heart of our College is a shared commitment to seeing every student flourish – academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. Our 2026 Strategic Priorities call us to be a faith‑fuelled community of excellence, where students are known, cared for and supported to achieve their personal best, and where strong learning habits and resilience are intentionally developed. This work does not happen in isolation. It is most powerful when school and home work together with clarity, trust and shared purpose.
The Parent/Carer and College Partnership
I recently read about some Australian research by Dr Jenny Brown of The Parent Hope Project, focused on strengthening children’s wellbeing by restoring parents’ confidence in their role. Dr Brown’s research highlights something both reassuring and empowering: children do best when the significant adults in their lives are calm, clear and confident in their respective roles. When parents are supported to lead with confidence at home, and schools provide consistent, caring structures, students are far more likely to engage positively with learning and relationships.
For us as a College, this means creating learning environments where students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning, to persist through challenge, and to develop strong habits of reflection and effort. Our teachers will continue to focus on high‑quality instruction, feedback and care, ensuring that every student is both supported and appropriately stretched. We want students to know that effort matters, that growth takes time, and that setbacks are a normal and valuable part of learning.
For parents, this year we invite you to be confident partners in this journey. Confident partnership does not mean having all the answers or removing every challenge for your child. Rather, it means trusting your role as a parent, maintaining healthy boundaries around routines such as sleep, organisation and screen use, and encouraging your child to engage respectfully and responsibly with college expectations. When parents and teachers send aligned messages about responsibility, perseverance and learning, students experience the security and clarity they need to thrive.
In practical terms, you can support your child this year by:
Taking an interest in their learning without taking over their learning.
Encouraging problem solving and help seeking rather than immediate rescue.
Trusting teachers to work with you when concerns arise.
Modelling calm, respectful communication, especially when challenges occur.
Our Strategic Priority of A Community Where Every Member is Known and Cared For also reminds us that relationships matter deeply. We are committed to clear, timely communication and to building strong connections with families. When questions or concerns arise, we encourage early, respectful conversations grounded in trust and shared care for each child.
As we begin this year together, my hope is that our students experience a sense of belonging, purpose and challenge, and that our parents feel assured, informed and confident in their partnership with the College. When we each stay focused on our role – college and home working side by side – we create the conditions for young people to grow in confidence, character and capability.
Thank you for entrusting us with your children. I look forward to a year of learning, growth and strong partnership together.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2
God bless,
Mrs Naomi Wilkins
Principal