Principal’s Message | Dr Michael Carroll
Dear members of the Terrace Family,
The end of this week marks the half-way point of Term 4. That is somewhat amazing as it feels as if the term has only just started. With this in mind, my comments this week are focused on the need for all students to be working hard and ensuring that they are keeping up with both class and assignment work. By ensuring the hard work is done over the next couple of weeks, the end of term exams, which are three weeks away, will be more manageable. A reminder that assessment calendars, term planners and checklist booklets are all available online and provide excellent support and organisation. The next couple of weeks are very significant.
Congratulations to our Year 12 students for a great start to their external exams this week. These exams are spread across 16 days, with some subjects involving two papers. The exam block is a challenging time for the students, but I know they have the support of the entire Terrace Family. Before the English exam on Monday, the Year 12 students gathered in College Hall as a sign of support and solidarity for each other. They then made their way to the Campbell Centre through a student tunnel, formed by all the other students from Years 5 – 11; a traditional Terrace way of wishing our Seniors good luck. Following the English exam, the Terrace Ladies Group and Year 12 parents put on lunch for the Year 12 students, again as a sign of support. There is no doubt that the external exams are challenging. However, there is also no doubt that our Year 12 students are not facing the exams alone – we are all with them on the journey.
The Celebration of Excellence, like many other events and activities this year, will look somewhat different in 2020. This year, there is a limit to the number of people who can attend the event, and as a result, only the parents of prize winners, along with some staff and a small number of students involved in the band or other performances will be able to attend. These restrictions are unfortunate, but as was the case with arrangements around Term 3 sport, are necessary to keep us healthy and to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. The Celebration of Excellence will be streamed so that other family members can view the event.
This Friday, we celebrate World Teachers’ Day. We are very fortunate at Terrace to have a dedicated and professional staff, both teaching and non-teaching. To all of the Terrace staff, my thanks for all that you do for the extended Terrace Family.
Finally this week, I remind parents and other drivers to exercise caution and consideration when driving near the College and also when driving near Tennyson. Please be considerate of our neighbours and aware of the students as they cross the road. Thank you for your ongoing support with this issue.
Have a great week.
God Bless.
Dr Michael Carroll College Principal