This week I want to update you on some developments that we are undertaking on our property.

Firstly, with all the wet weather we have been having and the increase in student numbers over the past two years (now sitting at 1100), we have run out of suitable all-weather areas for PDHPE classes and other outdoor activities including lunchtime play. Unlike public schools who often all get facilities like this as part of the State Government’s support for public schools, we must fund projects like this ourselves.

In our Master Plan we had hoped to re-locate the existing outdoor basketball/netball courts to the end of the soccer field to open up more field and play space. This is a costly exercise and was contingent on a few other things happening as well. We have decided to go ahead and re-surface and cover the existing courts in situ. We can make adjustments to the Master Plan so we keep faith with it, but the need for more covered space is now urgent and will remain so for the coming years. It is hoped the project might be complete for the start of the 2023 school year.

The second major project is a re-design of the top floor of the library which currently houses our IT Department, our Counselling Centre and many of our Enrichment staff, who look after learning support needs. While we cannot make any significant structural changes, our architects are confident they can create better spaces for these activities and incorporate more people in as needed.

The third project is perhaps the most significant. For many years people have talked about a Memorial Garden to commemorate staff and students who have passed away while involved in the school. We have several memorial trees on the property and the passing away of Mitch Brown at the end of last year has been a good stimulus for us to actually get something done. The planning is complete, and construction has started, so keep an eye on our social media links to see photos of the project as it comes together. We will be inviting the families of those who have loved ones who have passed away in the history of our school to come along for an official opening and to plant a tree in the garden if they wish. We will also have a plinth on which we can put a small plaque to remember each individual.

The garden will certainly be a place of memorial for families affected by the loss of a loved one but we also hope it will be quiet place of reflection that any member of our school community can come along and use. We all need quiet spaces at times to reflect on life and to re-charge so that we re-enter the fray of life ready to take on its challenges.

My thanks to our Green Team who undertake the maintenance and care of our property. They have had huge challenges with all the rain but are now working on getting our gardens back into good shape again.

Phillip Nash