Senior School Awards Evening

What a very busy time of the year! The College is buzzing with a celebration evening or showcase or concert almost every night at present. I must say that, while it does not leave much time for a personal life, I love seeing young people celebrating and being recognised for their successes. On the topic of success I would like to share the speech I gave at the recent senior school awards evening:

Tonight we join together in celebrating the many achievements of our students in years 10, 11 and 12.

Tonight we also acknowledge the people behind our students’ success – particularly their families and their teachers.

Life changes so dramatically sometimes.

At this time last year I would never have dreamed I would be standing here tonight as College Director -  but what an opportunity, what a challenge, what a privilege!
I say that because I have had many positions in education – from teacher to deputy to principal to executive director to assistant director general – but it is as principal of a school that you can make the most difference and reap the most rewards.

A principal needs to be sometimes inspirational, sometimes tough, sometimes gentle – but at all times needs to be very fair and have a very clear vision.

I am a very practical person – schools must be about great teaching and learning and working with parents to bring out the very best in the young people with whom we are entrusted… to guide them on the path to leading a successful life.

I love working with young people – I do not believe success is the key to happiness – I believe happiness is the key to success – if you love what you are doing you will be successful…. and, by the way – a message for those of you who are regularly late to school -  I agree with Woody Allen that 80% of success is turning up!

I also think to succeed you must truly know and believe in yourself. When you are strong enough to love yourself 100%, good and bad - you will be amazed at the opportunities that life presents you.

I’d like to finish with a short poem that sort of sums up what I am trying to say:

To laugh often and much

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition

To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived
That is to have succeeded.

(I must confess that I actually have a huge determination to make 3000 lives at Upper Coomera College more than a bit better while I am here!)

Anyway, enough of me – let’s get on with what the evening is really all about  - our students.

Next week the Junior and Middle Schools will hold their Celebration Evenings and Graduations, parents are welcome to attend, tickets can be collected through Administration.

Our year 10 and 11 students will be completing exams this week during the exam block, study hard students and do your best!

There are still 3 formal weeks of school left for P-9 students, please remind your students that they are expected to be in full school uniform and attending all classes right through until the 11th December. Misbehaviour from students in the last 3 weeks will be followed through with appropriate consequences.

Yours truly

Lesley Englert
Executive Principal
lengl1@eq.edu.au


From the Premier

Queensland’s 150th Celebrations Unit within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet is managing and coordinating a day of events for Brisbane on 10 December 2009 to commemorate Proclamation Day.

Proclamation Day is the day in 1859 that our first Govenor, Sir George Bowen and his wife Lady Diamantina Bowen arrived in Brisbane, at what is now the City Botanic Gardens, to deliver the Letters Patent declaring Queensland a separate colony to New South Wales.

The day will begin with a free public BBQ and will conclude with a Youth Parliament, hosted by the Speaker of the House, which will see up to 90 primary school students from across Brisbane debate and discuss Queensland’s past and share their thoughts and hopes for our future.

Additional information can be viewed online at www.q150.qld.gov.au