As Term 3 draws to a close, I have taken the time to reflect on all that has been achieved over the last 9 weeks. The term is always a curious one which begins in the depths of a Melbourne winter and ends in the first days of Spring, which this year have been unseasonably warm! It provides a real sense of change and movement.
The Term 3 calendar is also a busy one which includes Careers Expo, Jazz Night and Spring Concert, and culminates in the highlight of the Senior School House Calendar – House Arts! While the performance element may not necessarily be everyone’s cup of tea, it is certainly a delight to see whole House participation; an opportunity to come together and be a part of something bigger than any one student.
As I write this on Wednesday, the rehearsals have been in full swing and halls, rooms and any spare space across campus has been alive with the sound of music! Almost exactly at the time that you will be reading this, I will be announcing the winners and thus the term will come to an end.
Many of you may recall the project which was featured in my Presentation Night address in 2022: the Year 9 student-led initiative which saw the realisation of a recycled fitness centre for the TKS community. Initially emerging from a Year 9 module in The Cube, the project soon became a reality with the final product being delivered to TKS earlier in the term.
This week, I was privileged to stand side by side with two of the students involved as we officially turned the soil in readiness for the installation in the coming days.
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Whilst the equipment will provide an enhanced experience for many of our students now and into the future, the project is an emblem of so much more.
The theme of Presentation Night 2023 is Dream, Believe, Achieve. I can think of no greater example of this theme than the fitness station project. What began as a dream in a Year 9 classroom quickly emerged into a reality through the dedication and commitment of the students – their ability to believe that this could be possible so that ultimately, they would achieve their goal.
In my address this year, I will explore and celebrate some of the many examples of such initiatives which we have seen on campus this year and will invite several of our students from across the School to share their stories.
It is a humbling experience to work with such wonderful young people every day. Our students provide the inspiration and ultimately the reassurance to the adults that our world is indeed in good hands.
As many of our community will travel over the next few weeks, I do hope that you travel safely and rest well; take the time to enjoy the extended daylight and the warmer days. With the start of Term 4, comes the final days for our 2023 graduates and the start of transition to the next stages for all of our remaining cohorts. It is both an exciting and a challenging time with much to keep us busy along the way.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our Presentation Night and having the opportunity to celebrate the many and varied achievements of this wonderful community, taking the time to come together as a community to take time to dream, to believe and to achieve.
Have a wonderful break.
Ms Nikki Kirkup
Principal and Chief Executive
