ANNUAL REPORT | REDEEMER RECORD – DECEMBER 2017
Principal’s
ANNUAL REPORT
MRS TANYA CROOKS Principal
New Principal
Master Plan
The year commenced with the arrival at the College of the fourth, and first female Principal. I was overwhelmed with the warm welcome that was extended to me and this has continued throughout the year. It has been a great privilege to get to know the members of the College community from the opening service held for our Prep to Year 12 students through to the final Celebration Ceremonies held in the final week. During my time this year, I have attended many events including the musical, art gallery displays, sporting fixtures and grand finals, robotic tournaments, eisteddfods and concerts.
Early this year, the College embarked on a master planning process in consultation with the College community. Architect firm Fulton Trotter, headed up by Mark Trotter (a former parent of the College), worked with all sectors of the community to envision what the College should look like from 2030 and beyond to cater for the future educational needs of our students. The College also sought expert advice from Tony Ryan, a learning futurist and Dr Stephen Brown of the Brown Collective, an international expert and policy advisor in the area of change management and organisational development in education. The driving force for this plan is the implementation of a College wide approach to teaching and learning focusing on the development of future skills, namely collaboration, creativity, adaptability, leadership, ethics, persistence, empathy, global citizenship, patience and excellence.
Added to this, many parents took the time to speak with me either informally or at various Parents and Friends meetings. I had the pleasure of hosting every student from Prep to Year 6 in the College Boardroom and my office to see what it is like to be College Principal. Some of my best ideas have originated from the exciting conversations that were had during these visits. I also had the privilege of hosting for lunch every Year 12 student. They shared with me their journey through Redeemer and their hopes for the future. Time and again these young people spoke about how they felt valued and supported by College staff and of the fine friendships they had developed with their fellow students over their time here. Curious, Courageous, Christ-led This year we focused on a whole of College theme – Curious, Courageous and Christ-led. We explored these concepts through devotions, staff professional development, Junior School Assembly awards, conversations and newsletter articles. Wherever I went, the community was able to speak about these concepts and how they were essential as part of modern life preparation. We saw these concepts in action through class work, co-curricular activities and service learning opportunities at all levels of the College. The College will continue to focus on these attributes along with its core values of Integrity, Care, Excellence, Service and Self-discipline.
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The 2030 Plus master plan will have its official launch at the start of 2018. Further community consultation will be held early next year to determine which projects will be chosen as the first stage of the master plan for a possible construction commencement in the early 2020’s. Celebrating 10 Years of the Junior School This year the College celebrated 10 years of the Junior School. From its inception in 2007 as a single stream P-4 school, with two streams of Year 5, to a triple stream P-6 school with just over 500 students today; the College has a great deal to be thankful for. Some of the activities held included the opening of a 25 year time capsule and the laying down of a new time capsule, donated by the Springwood Logan Lions Club to be opened on 4 February 2030 to celebrate 50 years of Redeemer Lutheran College. Additionally the Junior School hosted a 96.5FM celebration morning with the radio station broadcasting live from Fred Davey Oval.