Dear Parents and Guardians,

Over the holidays Mr Mountain, Mr Pyne and I had the privilege to attend the 22nd Annual International Boys’ Schools Coalition conference in South Africa. We gathered with 648 delegates from 128 schools in Cape Town to study ‘Lessons from Madiba’. The conference was opened by Archbishop Desmond Tutu who reflected that in a world of finite resources there are still infinite possibilities. He advocated a new approach to leadership which encompassed nurturing our young to dream and not be bound by limitations. Over the following three days the conference provided enormous opportunity to share pedagogy, vision and philosophy with the best boys’ schools around the globe. I thank the Headmaster and Council for this extraordinary opportunity for professional development.

The new term has started well. This week we celebrated NAIDOC through a range of games and activities designed to raise awareness of our indigenous heritage. At assembly Mrs Deanna Schreiber, Aboriginal artist and tribal elder, opened with a ‘Welcome to Country’. She was followed by a short address to the College by Mr Lloyd McDermott, Australia’s first Aboriginal barrister and Wallabies representative. This was a wonderful follow-up to our successful celebrations of diversity at the end of last term.

I remind all boys to set high standards for their personal grooming as their dress reflects their pride in the College.