After attending a summer production at the Sydney Festival, I became pleasantly reacquainted with the music of Bob Dylan. Arguably one of the greatest singer songwriters of our time, Dylan has gifted generations of listeners music that speaks of change, challenge, strength, and transformation – once musing ‘that the only thing stable is change’. Inspired by Dylan and the vitality a new year brings, in my address to staff at the beginning of the year, we too discussed change and the opportunities and energy newness brings to the school.
For children, change and newness can bring such joy and excitement, and wonderfully the start of a new school year is packed full of both. New shoes, uniforms, bags and hats, a change in teacher, classroom, classmates and subjects, new opportunities, new learning, new challenges, and new possibilities. Newness and change are always present at the beginning of the school year, opening a world of hope and potential for each of our students and all within our community.
Harnessing the enthusiasm and optimism of the new school year cannot be underestimated. In the Junior School and ELC we begin the year by opening the dialogue between home and school through our Insights meetings. These meetings allow parents and teachers to collaboratively develop goals and to set a path for positive change and growth for each learner. Actively listening and learning, our meetings are living example of the commitment we have to each family and student – we are a community of families working together.
This year we also welcome several new teachers to the Junior School and ELC. We attract the highest calibre of teaching staff and to welcome such a diverse and highly accomplished group of educators to CGGS will only strengthen our outstanding, professional team.
Jithmee Ranasinghe – ELC Co-educator
Bec Green - ELC ASC and Holiday Program
Phoebe Luo – ELC Co-educator
Sylvia Murry – ELC Co-educator
Karoliina Korkonen – Prep Teacher
Katie Colebrook – Year 1 Teacher
Shelley Salzke – Year 2 Teacher
Maimoonah Khan – Year 3 Teacher
Edward Jenkins – Year 3 Teacher
Wyana O’Keefe – Music Teacher
Rowena Middleton – Co-educator
Alison Seymour – EA to the Head of Junior School
Finally, we welcome back our most important people – our students. To each ELC and Junior School student: this year (through the lyrics of Dylan’s Forever Young) ‘may you be courageous, may you be strong, and may you be joyful’. Welcome back!
Peter McDonald
Head of Junior School