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From the Principal
Congratulations to Lilli Blommestein (Year 12) who is the worthy recipient of the 2019 Premier’s Award for VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies. After receiving a perfect study score of 50 in Outdoor Education, we were thrilled to learn that Lilli was one of the top ranking Outdoor and Environmental Studies students in Victoria which has earned her the Premier’s Award. Her proud teacher, Mr Anthony Brown said, "I would like to congratulate Lilli on her amazing achievement of receiving a Premier's Award in Outdoor & Environmental Studies and obtaining a perfect study score of 50. As her teacher, I would like to say how proud I am of Lilli and what she has been able to achieve. Lilli is an exceptionally hard worker who spent countless hours studying, completing a multitude of practice exam questions; ultimately striving to reach her goal. Congratulations Lilli, an amazing achievement".
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the awards ceremony has been postponed, but we look forward to celebrating Lilli’s achievement within the school community and proudly attending the awards ceremony later in the year. Congratulations Lilli.
COVID-19 has caused many other important events to be cancelled or postponed. My thoughts were with our Year 12 students last weekend when we should have been enjoying the Year 12 Formal. The Debutante Ball scheduled later this month has also been postponed. Social isolation has been very difficult for everyone, but it has hit our young people particularly hard. They are missing the regular contact with their friends and the much anticipated social milestones such as the Formal and Deb Ball. There is some consolation in the knowledge that we will eventually emerge from this isolation and when we do, I can assure everyone that we will find new dates for the important events we have had to postpone this year.
Thank you to the parents and students who completed the survey this week which sought feedback on the Remote Learning Program. We are currently sifting through the data and have noted some clear trends. While it is obvious the majority of staff, students and parents are very keen to get back to school, it is pleasing to note that most members of the school community remain positive about learning at home. We are grateful for the comments and suggestions provided in the survey which have proven very helpful. We will share the results of the survey early next week.
There is no doubt that our teachers are working extra hard in this remote learning environment, as are many of our parents, as we endeavour to keep our student’s learning on track. It is heartening to note that the students appreciate these efforts. Here are some student comments from Ms Russell’s Wellbeing class;
“I would like to say even with the whole pandemic going on the fact that all the teachers are trying their best to give us an education by making YouTube videos, Google Meets and just giving us their undivided attention says a lot about how much you care. So thank you and all the teachers for the effort you have put into our learning.”
“Honestly, I am so surprised how organised our school is for this whole online learning. Overall, I think our school is doing really well - compared to all my friends who I talked to.”
“I believe that the school has made a lot of positive effort into the remote learning and [it] has paid off.”
After surveying the school community about Casey Grammar School’s mid-year holidays, I can confirm the following holiday dates for this year;
Friday 19 June – end of Term 2
Tuesday 14 July – students return
Please note these changed school holiday dates in your calendar.
I would like to extend my thanks to Mrs Monique Riviere-Pendle and the Casey Grammar School students who sent their condolences and gratitude to Victoria Police last week. The student’s beautiful artworks and messages of encouragement were collated by Mrs Riviere-Pendle into a heart-felt video which was distributed to local Police stations. It is wonderful to note that the messages from the children gave some consolation to the Police. One Policeman responded by saying "It can be easy for us as police, to forget that there are people in the community that appreciate the work we do and your words and artwork inspire us to keep going, even at this very difficult time". Thank you, Monique and students, for your beautiful work.
We have now completed four weeks of remote learning. Congratulations to all parents, teachers and students for continuing the learning in these very difficult conditions. To all parents, I thank you for your continuing support of your child’s learning and cooperation with the teaching staff. I look forward to the time when we can meet again face to face. In the meantime, I again commend the ISV Parent Portal to you for well-researched and valuable advice on how to manage through this crisis.
Wishing all of our mothers a relaxing and peaceful day with your family on Mother's Day. Enjoy!
Mrs Fiona Williams
Acting Principal
