Principal's Message

Pirate Day at the Junior Campus was a day filled with laughter, imagination and purpose.

Our students arrived proudly dressed as pirates - eye patches, stripes and the odd cutlass, ready to walk the plank, hunt for hidden treasure and most importantly, raise funds for brain cancer research. The energy across the campus was infectious, with a wonderful sense of fun and community spirit at every turn.

As I walked down the corridor after lunch, I overheard a conversation between two Year 2 students. One declared, “This is the best day of my life!” to which their friend quickly replied, “Yeah!”

That small exchange made me smile and reminded me of the many “best days” our students experience throughout their time at school. These moments come in so many forms - from achieving a personal goal or mastering a new skill, to celebrating cultural events, performing on stage, or simply enjoying a special day like Pirate Day.

I feel confident the Year 12 cohort will remember their last day of school as one of their own ‘best days,’ filled with mixed emotions - the joy of celebration, the pride of achievement and the poignancy of farewell. It was a wonderful final assembly, where we reflected on their journey and many of their ‘best’ times showcased through a photographic montage.

We all know that not every day will feel like the best one. But it’s often those ordinary days - the ones filled with quiet effort, kindness and connection - that pave the way for the extraordinary moments our students will treasure for years to come.

However school life, like life itself, has its ups and downs. There are moments of challenge, disappointment and growth. This is where our commitment to the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) becomes so important.

The Berry Street approach helps us create a learning environment that supports the whole child - socially, emotionally and academically. It provides strategies for teachers and students to build resilience, regulate emotions and stay engaged in learning, even when things feel difficult. At its heart, BSEM is about relationships and wellbeing. It reminds us to focus on safety, connection, and positive emotions as the foundation for effective learning.

One of the key principles of BSEM is savouring - taking time to notice and appreciate the good moments, no matter how small they are. When students learn to recognise these positive experiences, they build gratitude, optimism and confidence. Days like Pirate Day and the Year 12 final assembly give us the perfect opportunity to practise this - celebrating together, feeling joy and being present in the moment.

Whether it’s a grand celebration, a special day or a quiet success in the classroom, these moments - big and small - are the treasures that shape our students’ sense of belonging and remind us why we do what we do, creating a learning community where every child can find and savour their own ‘best days.’

Vicki Angus, Principal
Friday 14th November 2025