COVID Matters
Overall, I believe that we have emerged from the recent lockdown and other COVID restrictions reasonably well. All staff and students are now back at the College, after some had had to complete periods of quarantine.
I believe our period of remote learning went smoothly, benefiting from the lessons learnt during last year’s experience. I am very grateful to all our teaching staff for the way that they embraced these challenges and particularly acknowledge the good work of Director of Teaching and Learning Ben Evans and Assistant Directors in overseeing the remote learning program.
We have now been able to resume most activities at the College, with sport now back under way. There are, however, still restrictions on visitors to the College campus. Parents would be aware from previous communication that visits to the College campus are to be kept to a minimum. Moreover, visitors must wear masks at all times. This means that we will not be inviting parents to events they would normally attend, such as assemblies where their sons are receiving awards. Details regarding attendance at co-curricular events have been circulated separately.
Olympic Games
By now, I believe that most in our community would be aware that Old Scholar Alex Hill (2010) last week won an Olympic gold medal as stroke of the men's four. Alex had won a silver medal in this event at the last Olympics and had also won gold at World Championships, but winning the gold medal achieved his long-term dream. I have written to Alex to congratulate him on behalf of all of us are PAC and have invited him to visit the College when he returns to Adelaide, so that we may congratulate him in person.
Winter Intercollegiate Fixtures
This year, we are hosting all the first team Intercollegiate fixtures with St Peter's College. We intend that the program will go ahead as planned, but with significant limitations on spectators, in accordance with COVID restrictions. For student spectators, we will ensure that current Year 12 students have priority in attending the different events. Complete details about the arrangements for these fixtures will be provided in due course.
Whilst these restrictions will inevitably have some impact on the events, we are focused on ensuring that the fixtures are able to go ahead as planned.
Secondary School Library/Classrooms Project
Apart from the period of lockdown, work on the Secondary School Library/Classrooms project, above the Dining Hall, has proceeded satisfactorily. During this week, the structural steel has been assembled, so that we can see the shape of the building developing. The roof will go on in the next couple of weeks and we anticipate the project will be completed in November.
While this is happening, the Secondary School Library has been relocated to the McBride Room in the RED Centre. I would like to express my appreciation to Library Manager Ana Grieve and her team for their management of this relocation, and also to staff and students for the way they have coped with the changes involved.
Staffing
Darcie McMurray, who joined us recently as a Co-Educator in the ELC, has now been appointed to a full-time teaching role in the ELC, replacing Harry Ren. Chelsea Fanker, who has been also been working with us in the ELC, has moved to a teaching role, replacing Alex Schmidt.
Indira Sanderson-Brewster has been appointed to the position of Preparatory School Library Officer, following Jan Buchanan’s retirement. Indira holds a Degree in Science from Adelaide University, a Graduate Diploma in Biodiversity and a Diploma in Library and Information Management from the University of South Australia. For the last seven years, she has worked as a Library Assistant at Pembroke School in both the Junior and Senior Schools.
I am also pleased to confirm the following appointments:
- Deb King will be Acting Deputy Director of Boarding for the remainder of this year.
- Jennifer Russell will be with us covering Jonathan Scobie’s classes for the first three weeks of this term.
- Mike Steer will be Aboriginal Students Coordinator for Term 3, replacing Monica Magann while she is on long service leave.
Sam Evans will finish up with us on August 20, 2021, following 18 months with us as a GAP Assistant. Sam has made a huge contribution to the life of the College, particularly in our sporting programs, in physical education and in boarding. Sam is been appointed to a position at Brighton College, which is one of the more highly regarded independent schools in the UK.
I am sorry to advise that my Executive Assistant, Sarah-Jane Arnold will be finishing up at PAC on August 27, after three years of outstanding service to the College. Sarah-Jane has been appointed Executive Assistant to the CEO of Helping Hand. I would like to acknowledge the wonderful support that Sarah-Jane has provided for me and the College Council during her time in this role.
Bradley Fenner
Headmaster