Principal's Message Term 3 Week 4 | Dr Michael Carroll
There has been significant media coverage regarding the latest COVID wave and its impact on health services, staff shortages, infection numbers and tragically, the increase in COVID related deaths. We have not been immune to the impacts of COVID at Terrace, particularly regarding staff and student absences. However, I do wish to acknowledge and thank the Terrace Family for their level of compliance and consideration to staying at home when unwell as this has greatly assisted in keeping our illness levels manageable. According to current modelling, we are not out of the woods yet, but we are already seeing a decline in the number of staff and students who are absent. We are weathering the storm, and I thank you for your ongoing support.
Last Thursday Terrace took possession of ‘Pindari’. This is a strategic purchase for the College and will enable Terrace to enhance the quality of its learning environments and allow the further development of specialist facilities such as music and science. The purchase will also ensure our various campuses are welcoming and contemporary and facilitate efficient student movement on compact campus sites. Work has already commenced planning how the Pindari site can most efficiently meet our strategic needs. As these are significant decisions that will influence development at Terrace for the next 5, 10 and 20+ years, careful and considered deliberation is critical. We are fortunate to have talented and dedicated parents assisting this process via our various Committees, as well as expert staff who understand what modern teaching and learning environments need to look like. This investigative process will continue over the coming weeks and months, and I will provide updates as the discussions progress.
By the time you read this, I will be driving back from Parkes in the Central West of New South Wales, where I attended my Uncle’s funeral. Brian Carroll was a Terrace Old Boy and finished Year 11 in 1946. Brian, like my father and his older brother, are all proud Terrace Old Boys. This was highlighted to me when Brian’s daughter asked if a Terrace crest could be placed on Brian’s coffin, a request specifically made by him. The connection with Terrace runs long and deep. I refer you to the GTOBA website to discover more about the work of the Association, particularly their recently launched ‘Mentoring Connect’ program.
On Friday our Year 8 students will travel to All Hallows' School to participate in a combined presentation and workshop facilitated by Melinda Tankard Reist, which will focus on Respectful Relationships. A significant aspect of this day will be the fact that it will be the first time we have joined with All Hallows for a presentation of this type. I thank the staff of both schools for their vision, organisation and importantly, their focus on ensuring young men and women openly communicate with each other around respectful relationships.
Finally this week, I am pleased to share that Mr David Mandall continues to recuperate from his surgery and is preparing for his chemotherapy treatment over the coming months. David has been overwhelmed by the support and well wishes he has received from the Terrace Family and wishes to pass on his sincere appreciation for the support.
Have a great week.
God Bless.
Dr Michael Carroll
College Principal