As the year concludes, it was a great pleasure to conduct the final assembly and Senior Prize-giving for boys in Years 11–13 and to look forward to this same event for boys in Years 9–10 following their camp and community service week, respectively, on 2 December. Ending the year in any school always has its challenges because, as we wrap up, we also seem to be planning for the future as we are trying to finish well.
As we are all aware, it has been another extraordinary year when it comes to planning ahead. Things move from ‘levels to lights’ without much notice and impact on what we think we can do into the future.
This is certainly the case with regard to how the school was assuming vaccination status would impact on enrolment from the start of 2022. However, it is now clear that schools are specifically excluded from setting any entry requirements for students based on their vaccination status and, therefore, our soon to be sent request to parents for information relevant to their son’s vaccination status is a matter of statistical collection for the Government as we prepare for the new year. It is pleasing to let the community know that there has been overwhelming support for the education workforce vaccination mandate within College. It is evident though that ease of engagement in all school activities – given that so many of these impact on the wider community – will be facilitated by being fully vaccinated. I therefore encourage as many students as possible to take the option of vaccination.
Many legacies will be left by our retiring Chaplain, Rev. Bosco Peters. One that I think will be much acknowledged is the creation of a unique Christ’s College school lesson based on the Parable of the Good Samaritan. As I encourage you to read Bosco’s final submission for In Black & White, I also suggest that you take the time to view the specially created video explaining our school lesson that can be found here.
At the start of this year, Christ’s College began a journey into its past as a consequence of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. That journey has led to a significant number of Old Boys being in touch with us. Each and every one of these Old Boys has had a direct response from, or contact with, our Board Chair, Hugh Lindo. This has been an exceptional commitment from Hugh and as the year concludes, we can do so with the soul of our school much strengthened by our willingness – led by him – to address the past in an honest and open way. Hugh’s commitment to this task has allowed us to move forward with a greater sense of integrity and our entire community owes him a great debt of thanks.
Read on