Why is the sky blue? Why did I lose my hair? Why do whales explode? The world is full of “why” questions. When a “why” question is posed by someone, it invariably requires an answer. Why is the sky blue? Well, air particles scatter light from the sun and blue light is scattered more than the other colours so the sky looks blue. Why did I lose my hair? Well, male pattern baldness … and I don’t want to talk about it anymore! Why do whales explode? Well, they do, and there’s an answer to do with gas build up but it’s a bit long for this newsletter.
This week then, a question was not so much posed as posed itself. Why is it so quiet? Well, after a busy week last week our Year 12 students are in a time of transition. Some, having already completed 25% (in the case of Science and Mathematics subjects) or 75% (for other subjects) of their assessment internally here at the College, move quietly in and out of the grounds. Over the course of the next three weeks they will make up the remaining percentage by sitting their external exams - focused and concentrated, armed with internal assessment marks in the bank for solid preparation and steadfast support.
A significant number on the other hand, will have more rapidly left behind the trappings of school, taking up new routines, wearing new uniforms and attending new workplaces.
Staff move intently from one part of the campus to another, in quiet deliberation. Their focus is on preparing assessment, supporting assessment and marking assessment, as well as the many day to day interactions that happen so naturally here on the hill. Students, Year 7’s, 8’s, 9’s and 10’s, travel in a twilight of regular routine. Lessons go on, preparation for, and completion of Semester 2 assessment gains momentum. The place, our hill, however, seems bigger - for some reason, the space between people seems to have increased, there is more room.
Year 11’s take their first tentative steps into leadership and the responsibilities that follow. The traditional migration from their regular haunts to the “Year 12 Area” under the shadow of the Edmund Rice Building hasn’t yet begun. They hesitate, perhaps out of respect but migrate they will.
Why is it so quiet? Well, the sounds of life in the College continue but the Year 12 Class of 2021 has begun the process of leaving us. It’s their time and right to do so, looking to the next phase in their lives. I wish the Class of 2021 the very best and look forward to celebrating their graduation at our upcoming Valedictory Dinner. They leave an empty space on the hill. Quietly, it will be filled by the next generation of Eddies leaders. As sure as the sky is blue, as hair is lost or whales explode the cycle will begin anew.
Non-State Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB) Review
This week the College, as part of a five yearly review process, undertook its Non-State Schools Accreditation Board review to renew its accreditation as a school. A report will be submitted to NSSAB once validated.
Open Learning Centre (OLC)
Members of our community may have noticed that after what may have seemed like an eon, the scaffolding has finally been removed from our Open Learning Centre. Work continues apace with internal fit out, landscaping and the addition of the burnished copper screening work, all in progress.
Over the next few weeks, builders will take possession of the old Library for conversion to a new Pastoral Centre including the RTC (Responsible Thinking Classroom) and office areas.
The OLC will be a signature building, complementing the Edmund Rice Building and creating a striking vista from Mary Street. Most importantly though, it will be a valuable and hopefully well used resource for our young men and our community. Completion for College use is due in January 2022.
