My resignation
I would like to thank everyone for the many messages of support and appreciation that I have received since the announcement at the beginning of last week of my retirement in the middle of next year. This has been quite humbling and is also a further expression of support that I received throughout my time at PAC.
I provided Council with this extended period of notice to assist in the appointment process. There needs to be adequate time for Council to make the best possible appointment and to ensure that my successor, if external, is able to start as soon as I leave.
My decision to leave in the middle of next year, rather than at the end of the year, is also intended to assist my successor. Having started Headships on three occasions, I found that it was better to start in the middle of the year. This will enable my successor to be fully involved in planning for the following year and particularly in making staffing decisions and appointments.
As I said to the boys in the special assembly where I announced my departure, I am looking forward to a big final year at PAC. I will also look forward to connecting with the various members of the community during this final period.
Respectful relationships
Work has continued on our response to respectful relationships and consent issues, under the leadership of the working party led by Deputy Headmaster Greg Atterton. Dr Tessa Opie has now led workshops with all staff, parents and students in Years 10, 11 and 12 separately. Dr Opie's expertise in this area is very evident and I would encourage parents who are not able to attend this first workshop to do so when we run them in the future. Feedback from all the sessions has been very positive.
Dr Opie commented to us after the student sessions how impressed she was with the way the boys engaged in the session she led. She reported a high level of interest and positive interaction, which reflected what we had seen in the student surveys conducted by way of preparation for these workshops.
At the same time, the working party has continued its work in gathering appropriate material for distribution to students, staff and parents as appropriate. Dr Opie will be working with a number of staff to deliver further programs in this area.
Winter co-curricular program
I have enjoyed getting around to see our winter co-curricular program in action over the last few weeks, both in training and in competition. From my perspective, there is nothing like seeing all of our facilities in full use, whether that is for well-run and well-coached training sessions or in competition, particularly on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.
We should never take the quality of these programs for granted and we are indebted to all of our coaches and other co-curricular leaders for the quality of programs they run. Our Director of Co-Curricular Activities, Mr Troy McKinnon, and Heads of Sport, Mr Paul Brown in the Secondary School and Mr Sam Barton in the Preparatory School, work very hard to ensure the quality of what we do. This can then be seen in the way that our teams represent us in competition.
I would also note that overall the presentation of our boys is very good, but I ask parents to ensure that boys always have the correct uniform in every detail.
Staffing
Fernanda Garcia will join us at the beginning of next term replacing Amelia Norwood while she is on maternity leave. Originally from Argentina, Fernanda has a Bachelor of Teaching in English from the National University of Córdoba. She has taught ESL in Argentina and in Australia and has most recently been employed as a relief teacher.
Eugenia Hernandez will join us shortly as a Co-Educator in the Early Learning Centre. Eugenia has a Degree in Early Childhood Education from the Catholic University of Uruguay and has worked as a Teaching Assistant and Early Childhood Teacher in preschools in Uruguay and Australia.
Lisa Michelon has been appointed Administrative Assistant in the Preparatory School, replacing Melissa Dales who left us last term. Until recently, Lisa was Personal Assistant to the Head of the St Peter's College Junior School and is therefore ideally placed to take on this key administrative role.
Olivia McKenzie, who has been teaching Science in the Preparatory School whilst Emmy Gerlach has been on parenting leave, will move into the Secondary School teaching Mathematics part-time for the second half of this year.
Bradley Fenner
Headmaster