It’s absolutely fantastic to see everyone back, buzzing with energy and excitement for the new term. Our theme of Phenomena promises to inspire learning in creative and impactful ways. I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to our dedicated teachers and leadership team. They’ve put in tremendous effort, working long hours to finalise our programs for this term and prepare for what’s to come next year.

At the heart of everything we do at Living School is exceptional teaching and learning. But our journey is also about strengthening our routines and reinforcing our shared expectations. Living School is a co-learning community where teachers, staff, students, and parents all contribute to our vision. It’s about trust – trusting in where we’re headed and celebrating how far we’ve come.

Our strategic direction remains clear and ambitious. We’re a progressive school with a unique approach, fueled by an incredible group of engaged and diverse individuals. We are adaptable, always seeking ways to improve and innovate. I’m excited to share with you what’s coming up this term:

• Fathers’ Brekky was a huge success! A massive thank you to everyone who attended. Special thanks to Anna, Cindy, and Alex for the coffees, and to Jane, Hailey, Mark and all the staff for their amazing support.
• Year 6 Camp kicks off this week, and there’s no shortage of excitement in the air.
• RUOK Day is this Thursday, with a special focus on supporting our staff as they balance the diverse needs of their students with their professional expectations.
• Onland Learning begins this Friday, with activities like surfing, hiking, canoeing, gardening, and cooking offering a fantastic hands-on experience.
• This Saturday, we’ll hold a Guardians of Purpose meeting—this is our Board of Directors gathering to steer our progress.
• Middle School Dance is next Wednesday, 18 September, and there’s also an IB Diploma Programme info session for parents interested in learning more about our exciting new program, held in our new Z Block building.
• K-4 Talk Like a Pirate Day is on next Thursday, so be prepared for some swashbuckling fun!
• Year 12 Graduation Dinner is next Thursday night, with a full Graduation Assembly on Friday, 20 September, replacing our regular Onland Learning that day.
• And the calendar keeps moving: camps, exams, and special events are all lined up. You’ll find the full details below!

Looking Back, Moving Forward

Last week, I shared a presentation at our Assembly. It was a bit long, but I couldn’t help it—we’ve done so much! Every photo on every slide (and there were over 100!) showcased the incredible learning experiences from just six weeks of last term. We do a lot here at Living School, and there’s always more to come. We remain committed to our vision: growing good people for a good community.

Primary School: Kindy to Year 4

Our Primary Learning Neighbourhood continues to thrive under the incredible leadership of Annie Roberts. We’re planning to enhance play spaces and facilities for 2025. This area of our school has a wonderful rhythm, and our exceptional teachers ensure a consistent and nurturing environment. Strategically, we’re looking to maintain a single-stream approach for these foundational years.

Middle School: Years 5-8

Development for our Middle School is well underway. We’ve submitted our Development Application, and while the process is taking longer than we’d hoped, it will be worth the wait! Good things take time, and this is no exception. For updates on our progress, please visit our website. For 2024, we’ve received approval to remain in our current building solely for Middle School. This means dedicated facilities, including our art room, science lab, design tech space, library, and more, will be fully available for our Year 5-8 program.

Academy: Years 9-12

We are thrilled to announce that we’re finalising an MOU with Southern Cross University for ongoing collaboration as we move our Academy into the Z Block building next year. This new space, along with our upcoming International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, will provide an exceptional environment for our Academy community.

We’ve also expanded our course offerings to include a wide range of subjects, ensuring our students have access to diverse learning pathways. From sciences to arts, global politics to environmental systems, we’re equipped to cater to every interest. With the expertise of Jo Loiterton, who brings a wealth of international experience, we’re set for a successful launch in 2025.

Living School is committed to providing multiple pathways for our students:

1. The full IB Diploma: An internationally recognized program that opens doors to universities worldwide and aligns beautifully with our VAST model.
2. IB Courses: Students can choose individual subjects, allowing flexibility while still gaining recognition from employers and universities.
3. Apprenticeships: We support students pursuing apprenticeships or TAFE pathways, ensuring they stay connected to our community while following their passions.

Departures

In any journey, we experience change, and that includes farewells. Bec White, after four years of outstanding service, is moving closer to home to be with her family. We wish her all the best and thank her for her incredible contribution. Leo Baker, who has been with us for a year, is also leaving to support his family in Timor Leste. We will miss both Bec and Leo dearly and wish them success in their next chapters.

The Road Ahead

Our success isn’t tied to buildings, individuals, or any one ‘thing’. It’s rooted in a belief – a belief in who we are and what we’re building together. That belief is called trust. Trust in our vision. Trust in our ability to adapt and grow. Those who trust in this process will be rewarded, as we are on a remarkable path, guided by incredible people.

It’s truly exciting – it’s good. Actually, it’s better than good. It’s phenomenal!