31 Mar 2015
It has been a pleasure joining this learning community and an absolute privilege to lead it. In my two terms as Principal I see a world of opportunity that our girls have access to and I'm glad to say the majority of students take full advantage of that.
This term has been one marked by special events and celebrations. It has been a very busy term as we celebrate a year of wonderful achievement here at GRC Penshurst Girls Campus.
On Tuesday 9 December our annual Presentation Evening was held, where we celebrated the confidence our girls have shown as students and as learners.
Our guest speaker was former Penshurst Girls student, Deborah Cheetham. Earlier this year Ms Cheetham received an Order of Australia for distinguished service as an opera singer, composer and artistic director, to the development of Indigenous artists, and to innovation in performance. Ms Cheetham took her first steps as a performer on the stage in our school hall. She fondly spoke of her time at Penshurst, and the supportive and nurturing environment that helped shape her into the woman she is today. She spoke to our current students about looking within and finding the ‘best version of themselves'. Our school community was privileged to welcome her back and celebrate her achievements and her success.
On Tuesday 25 November our SRC and a small group of performers attended the White Ribbon Day assembly at GRC Oatley Senior Campus. This event was a large and significant one, and culminated in the swearing of an oath to end violence against women and girls. The entire male school community at Oatley committed themselves to this pledge and signed the White Ribbon as evidence of their commitment. White Ribbon Day Ambassador Mario Fenech joined the assembly and spoke passionately and with commitment about his respect for women and his work to end violence against women.
Our students certainly gained much insight, and found new respect, as they listened to the reflections of many of the senior students and their commitment to live a life where respect for women is paramount.
Late in Term 4 we welcomed our incoming 2015 Year 7 students to our Orientation Day. Students and parents were taken on a tour of our grounds, and were able to observe dance and drama rehearsals, a musical recital in the Principal's garden, and a surprise petting zoo in our agriculture plot. Although a very hot day, our new students and their families left feeling welcomed and excited by the prospect of their first day of High School next year.
Year 10 finalised their Year 10 Record of School Achievement (RoSA) results this term, as well as undertook College examinations. Compared to state-wide averages, our results in the school awarded grades for the RoSA were excellent. Receiving a Grade A or B places a student's performance in the High to Excellent range. The following Grade A's and B's were awarded:
- In English 71% of the year achieved a Grade A or B.
- In Mathematics 52% of the year achieved a Grade A or B.
- In Science, 52% of the year achieved a Grade A or B.
- In Australian Geography, 43% of the year achieved a Grade A or B.
- In Australian History, 34% of the year achieved a Grade A or B.
- In Information, Software and Technology, 60% of the year achieved a Grade A or B.
- In Visual Arts, 84% of the year achieved a Grade A or B.
- In Industrial Technology (Multimedia), 66% of the year achieved a Grade A or B.
- In Commerce 64% of the year achieved a Grade A or B.
- In Photography, 52% of the year achieved a Grade A or B.
- In Chinese, a phenomenal 92% of the year achieved a Grade A or B.
Year 10 is to be congratulated. They must use their Year 10 results as motivation and inspiration for the challenges ahead of them. All years are in the process of receiving their Yearly Reports. The information contained within should be used to identify strengths, and target weaknesses. Students should use this information as a blueprint for action in 2015.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Mr Mark Treacy, who has been a wonderful Deputy Principal at our school. Mr Treacy will be continuing his role as Deputy Principal at Georges River College next year, but he will be moving to Oatley Senior Campus. Mr Treacy has been with us for 7 years, initially as Head Teacher TAS and then as Deputy Principal for the past 5 years. I would like to officially thank him for his work. He has demonstrated his commitment to our school community in many ways, including relieving as Principal for a substantial length of time. His contribution to the fabric of our school is very real and he will be sorely missed, but we wish him well in this new chapter in his career, and we can take comfort in the fact that he is still part of our larger College family, and that he will be actively working to ensure that our current Year 10 girls transition to Oatley under his expert care and guidance.
We will also be farewelling another important member of our staff this year. Mrs Pankhurst will also be moving to GRC Oatley Senior Campus. Mrs Pankhurst has been teaching here for the best part of 9 years and in that time has distinguished herself as an excellent classroom practitioner. Mrs Pankhurst has also contributed to the greater life of the school as our Head Teacher Engagement for the last 2 years. Mrs Pankhurst is a teacher with great compassion and a great commitment to public education. We wish her well.
I extend my warmest best wishes to our students and their families over the festive season. Have a safe and happy holiday.
Ms Noeline Ross
Principal