Year 12 in Week 6 and for the next month have their peak stress time at school. They have multiple assessments due towards the end of Term 3; the Queensland Core Skills Test is to be experienced on 3 and 4 September; and School exams in many subjects are spread over the next four weeks. However, spring warmth is arriving and they will soon be on their way to graduating at the end of Week 6, Term 4, 15 November. No doubt they will be counting down the days; and I am sure many have planned their work programme in minute detail. I wish all our Year 12 students a very successful time over the next month, and I am acutely aware of the work stresses they are under. Over the weekend I read their Short Story Assessment Task responses, and I was impressed with their attention to detail and skills. This was also evident in their practice QCS test performances which were returned to them recently with specific and individual feedback and suggestions. Perhaps a generalisation, but I have been impressed by their efforts and their willingness to engage with their markers’ comments for their learning and progression in their performances. These are great skills to take with you after you have graduated. We celebrated Book Week this week, including the School Assembly dress-up parade with the children. It’s a wonderful thing to be part of, helping to celebrate books and reading as surely this can be one of life’s great joys, in quiet self-contained pleasure, on summer holidays, or anytime. I thank our parents, our students, our staff, our classroom Teachers (particularly in Junior School), and Mrs Bloxham our Teacher-Librarian for arranging this splendid activity for our readers. Senior School Teacher Minions always have fun with the children in dressing up and enjoying the moment together and this was no exception. Congratulations to Jesse Smith (Yr 10) and Clive McCormack (Yr 9) for gaining selection in the Regional Athletics competition. We also look forward to our community service leaders supporting the 40 Hour Famine activities in the coming weeks, another great cause with which our students and staff come together. Dr Dirk Wellham – Principal Download the full newsletter here.