Good morning to parents, carers, students, and staff.
As a nation Australia values the central role of education in building a democratic, equitable and just society— a society that is prosperous, cohesive and culturally diverse, and that values Australia’s Indigenous cultures as a key part of the nation’s history, present and future. Education equips young people with the knowledge, understanding, skills and values to take advantage of opportunity and to face the challenges of this era with confidence. Schools play a vital role in promoting the intellectual, physical, social, emotional, moral, spiritual and aesthetic development and wellbeing of young Australians, and in ensuring the nation’s ongoing economic prosperity and social cohesion. Schools share this responsibility with students, parents, carers, families, the community, business and other education and training providers.
What I have just read is the preamble to the Melbourne Declaration – it was written in 2008 by the Education Council and is an aspiration Document.
There are two goals in the declaration
Goal 1: Australian schooling promotes equity and excellence
Goal 2: All young Australians become:
– Successful learners
– Confident and creative individuals
– Active and informed citizens
I am currently involved with the update and rewrite of this important document that will set the markers for success in education.
But what does a well-educated person of the future look like? According to by Tom Vander Ark, Mary Ryerse and their fellow researchers – the attributes on the screen meet the profile
You will be a critical reader who can analyse and assess what you are reading. You will be able to express yourself in writing and speech. You will be understand mathematics and numeric thinking. You will be able to collect and use data and images.
But that’s not all!
A well-educated person will know a lot about the world – its history, cultures, sciences and nature. You will be keen to learn more. You will understand how democracies work and your role as a citizen.
But wait… there’s still more!
You will know how to use your brain to make sense of difficult ideas. You will be able to create your own ideas based on knowledge, you will be creative and see things in new ways. You will know how to work well with others and how to find the people who know what you need to know.
And they have kept the best till last!
A well-educated person will be a learner all their life, curious about themselves and the world, able to find and invent their own learning paths, careers and lives. You will know how to live a good life.
Whew! That’s a lot to learn.
And to then do this with a spirit of faith, hope and love, using Jesus as our role model and guide is a really big challenge.
What’s more it is something you are all capable of… using your own gifts and talents.
Whilst today we celebrate the 260 students who will be receiving awards that highlight their effort and joy of learning. The remaining 400 of you have much to give. You all have the opportunity to be well-educated young women of the future. So use today to be inspired and embrace every moment. Be alert and inquisitive, make the most of everything this school and the wonderful teachers and students here have to offer and play your part so that you know you are doing what needs to be done to become a well-educated person ready to live well in the world that awaits you.
Today we are also announcing the current Year 10 students who are our scholarship recipients for Year 11 and 12 over the next two years as they embark on their Senior Secondary studies in 2020 and 2021. This year we have also included a Vocational Scholarship for a student progressing from Year 11 to Year 12.
My last point is how excited we are to announce that we have been successful in achieving authorisation to become an International Baccalaureate World School. We have the makings of our first class of IB Diploma Program students for 2020 and 2021. And in a few months time, we hope to progress our way through the next stage of the Middle Years Program.
Loretta Wholley
Principal
