Weekly Wrap

Dear all,

 

Welcome to Week 1 of 2021.

 

Once again, I would like to congratulate the Class of 2020 on their magnificent results. Our Dux, Victor, scored 99.35 and we had the greatest amount of 40+ study scores the College has achieved since 2012. We are very proud of this wonderful academic success by our students.

 

Today we commenced Year 7 and Year 12 students into their academic year. In 2021, Our College has three main priorities: achieving academic catch up for those who found remote learning hard as well as extension for those who thrived in remote learning, supporting happy healthy and active students and mantaining a connected school.

 

The first day of Year 7 and Year 12 is always a significant milestone in a young person’s life, and we hope it was a wonderful one for all of our students. Connection activities were of prime importance to our Year 7 students, as was the task of mastering the combination lock. Year 7 students proudly took ownership of their new lockers and were finding their feet in the newly named William Barak Centre.

 

 

William Barak was a traditional Ngurungaeta (elder) of the Wurundjeri-willam clan. He became an influential spokesman for Aboriginal social justice and an important informant on Wurundjeri cultural lore. He worked tirelessly for his people and was a successful negotiator on their behalf. He was a highly respected man and leader, with standing amongst the Indigenous people and the European settlers.[4]

 

Barak is also remembered for his artworks. In 2005 a 525-metre footbridge called the “William Barak Bridge” was constructed stretching from Birrarung Marr to the MCG, improving the link between some of Melbourne’s biggest sports and entertainment venues and the heart of the CBD. In 2011 Barak was inducted on to the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Roll. The Year 7 Leonardo Project will now be renamed the William Barak Project. This project centres around Humanities, Arts and Technology, but also incorporates cross cohort connections and positive education.

 

The Year 12 students spent the day immersed in  activities designed to generate a sense of teamwork, promote mindfulness, meditation and resilience and prepare them for a wonderful academic year. Our Therapy Dogs, Casey and Echo were in and around our students across the day, and as usual were very popular with the students.

 

 

David Rogers

College Principal