Principal’s Reflection Term 3 2024
Science Classroom Refurbishment
Over the past 12 months, the College has been busy planning to refurbish our old Science classrooms. Whilst these rooms remain functional, they have had no significant changes or improvements since they were first built in the 1970s. I am pleased to inform you that the College has gained approval for works to commence in early October to upgrade three of these Science classrooms, with a further four classrooms to be renovated in October 2025. The total cost for this project will be approximately $2,500,000. I have no doubt that, once these works are completed, our students will enjoy being able to learn in modern, contemporary spaces equipped with state-of-the-art resourcing, appropriate for today’s 21st Century learners.
Creatives for Care
Recently, the College held its ‘Creatives for Care Showcase’ at the QPT. This showcase is a fundraising initiative with all monies raised going to support Centacare in Geraldton. Over the past several years, the College’s Music program has grown significantly, under the guidance of our Head of Music, Mr James Softly. This program now provides numerous opportunities for students to demonstrate their impressive talents. So too has our Dance program, with many students enjoying the classes at the College under the guidance of Mrs Alisha Wyatt and Ms Aleisha Hosken. The showcase featured a variety of musical and dance acts with additional items from St Lawrence’s Primary School. The final song which featured students from both schools together on stage was a highlight for me! My sincere thanks and congratulations go to all staff involved in making the evening such a success. Well done!
Grandparents’ Day Morning Tea
It was fantastic to see so many people able to make it along to our Grandparents’ Morning Tea held on a cold morning in August. Whilst addressing our Grandparents’, I noted the unconditional love that can exist between a grandparent and a grandchild. Grandparents being a presence in their grandchildren’s lives is so powerful. Being there to support them, listen to them and watch them grow, much as they may well have done with their own children, but through a different lens and perhaps with the benefit of wisdom.
Randolph Stow Awards
Winners for this year’s Randolph Stow Young Writers Awards were announced at a ceremony held at the Queen’s Park Theatre. This is an annual competition held by the City of Greater Geraldton Regional Library for all schools in the Mid-West to demonstrate their prose and poetry writing skills. This year, the Library received 451 entries from 20 schools across the Mid-West region. Nagle was well represented with students taking out 15 of the 17 categories for which we were eligible. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of Mrs Safire Beukes, Head of Learning Area – English, Ms Sarah Clune, our Library Manager and all other English staff who supported our students in preparing their submissions. It was wonderful to see so many of our students recognised for their fine work at this event. Well done to all our students who submitted entries to the competition and especially those who had their work recognised by the judges.
Athletics Carnival
My thanks go to all staff, and especially Mr Joe Italiano, Sports Coordinator, along with the Health and Physical Education Learning Area, for organising our Interhouse Athletics Carnival. It was a fantastic event, and it was great to see so many of our students competing for their Houses and enjoying the day. Congratulations to all our students who tried their best, regardless of where they finished in an event. The most important thing is that you try your best. A special congratulations to our students in Thomas House who were the overall winners! In addition, I offer my congratulations to all our students who were chosen to represent the College at the ACC Carnival in Week 9 where we finished fourth in B Division.
Book Week
The College celebrated Book Week recently with this year’s theme being ‘Reading is Magic’. It was fantastic to see so many of our students and staff get involved in the various activities organised by the English Learning Area and Library staff. Our Year 7 students, along with their senior school buddies, looked impressive in their costumes and the ‘Book Week Parade’ proved to be a huge hit. I am not sure who enjoyed dressing up more, our students or our staff! My thanks go to the many staff who made an effort to dress up for the occasion. Our students certainly loved seeing you dressed as your favourite book characters!
Year 9 Fathers’ Day Breakfast
The Year 9 Fathers’ Day Breakfast event acknowledges the contribution of fathers and significant males in the lives of our students. It was great to see so many gentlemen come and enjoy the morning with our students. I asked our students to take the time on Fathers’ Day to tell their dad (or significant male role model) how important they are to them and thank them for everything that they do. Whilst our young people may not realise it just yet, dads’, and male role models, play a key role in shaping who they are as a person and who they will become in the future. This is a truly essential role in society, as much now as it has ever been. My thanks go to Mr Mitch Boyle, Director of Students – Year 9 and Ms Jacky Patience for coordinating the event.
Principal’s Honour List
Our academically high performing students were acknowledged at our recent whole school assembly. It was wonderful to recognise the hard work of these students formally in front of the whole College community. The Principal’s Award provides a benchmark for others in their pursuit of academic excellence. To all of our students who achieved their academic goals in Semester 1 2024, well done and keep up the great work!
Year 12 Farewell
Our Year 12 students celebrated their final days of formal schooling this week. Their final Assembly was a great celebration and conclusion to their time at the College. It is important to stop and reflect on their achievement of finishing their secondary education. The College has valued the contribution that they have made as leaders. We thank them for their efforts and for further developing and nurturing the important sense of school spirit which we value so deeply. Our Year 12 students exited the College through a guard of honour. The front gates are then ceremoniously closed signifying that when one door closes, another door opens. We are proud of every one of our Year 12 students and we wish them every blessing and happiness as they begin the next chapter of their lives.
Kind Regards,
Mr Michael Williams
Principal