The end of 2023 has arrived, and the Academic Awards Assemblies have taken place. These not only gave the opportunity to acknowledge students for both their great academic achievements and sheer hard work, but they also acknowledged students who have been recognised by others for applying their personal qualities to helping others. The fact that these Excellence Awards are presented at the Academic Awards is a testament to the importance we place on both Wellbeing and Learning and Teaching, and how intrinsically linked they are. You cannot achieve your full potential unless you have a strong sense of wellbeing. The College takes this very seriously. We have a suite of wellbeing supports. Our systems encourage everyone to have high expectations of themselves and others, while promoting personal responsibility - we are all responsible for our own behaviour.

We have many supports in place that reinforce this. These include our Homeroom structure, the Year Level Leaders and Heads of School, our Behaviour Support System, which includes our Student Support System, the Chill Room, which is a self-regulation tool, Learning HQ, our independent learning space and our wonderful Wellbeing Counselling Team. We are fortunate to have such a variety of supports for our students, but the success of all of this relies on good communication between students, teachers and parents. Contact from your child’s Homeroom teacher will happen early in the year, and I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to begin positive dialogue right from the beginning of the school year. This makes such a difference to the development of positive relationships for all concerned, an important factor for both academic and wellbeing success. Our Parent Engagement Program offers informed support to our parents through current pedagogical and wellbeing information supplied by renowned speakers, ensuring the opportunity for everyone to be on the same page is provided. We are very proud to be able to offer this, and I encourage all parents to consider taking up these opportunities into the future.

The end of 2023 is also the end of my time at Sacred Heart College Kyneton. This has been a wonderful eight years and I could not have asked for a better place to finish my career in education. I would like to thank you for your support of all we try to do at the College and, although we may come at an issue from different perspectives, our common goal is always what is best for the student. I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas, and a wonderful 2024 and beyond.