Term 2, Week 1

A Warm Welcome Back!

I welcome back families to what I am sure will be a great Term 2. I hope all students feel rested and pray that families were able to spend some quality time together. I particularly welcome new staff, students and families who have commenced their Laurie’s Journey.

I also wanted to thank families, staff and students who have sent well wishes and have supported me during my acting Principalship. I also wanted to thank my wife Anna and my two girls for their unwavering support. Mr Lowrie returns next week and is excited about connecting again with the community. I thank Mr Lowrie and EREAC for the trust they gave me to lead such a wonderful community.

ANZAC Day

This Saturday we commemorate ANZAC day. A recent tradition at Laurie’s has been to honour the fallen through a whole school assembly on the Thursday 24 April and then gather together again with the local Tarragindi community at the Ekibin Memorial Park. All families and students are welcome to attend this service on Saturday, starting at 6.30am. While some limited sport will proceed this Saturday via trials vs Iona, I would encourage veterans and families of veteran’s, to proudly wear their medals. There will be a short ceremony at all venues this Saturday. It is a day of community, reflection and commemoration for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Every year, I reflect on my defence service (over 27 years), and often remember friends lost, and pray for those still suffering. I also recall a trip to Turkey and Gallipoli in the Year 2000. I was travelling across the Dardanelles from Canakkale to the Gallipoli peninsular and was approached by a group of young Turkish men. They asked me – ‘Why do Australian’s come here to Turkey every year….why do Australians celebrate a defeat?’ I explained to them that we do not consider this a defeat. We see it as a founding of our nation. A bedrock of values such as mateship, loyalty and sacrifice. We may have lost the campaign, but we gained an everlasting and unique Australian identity. 

Our calling is to continue these traditions and to always remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we currently enjoy. I thank and pay my respects to all who have served and pray that we take the time this Saturday to remember our fallen. 

The Real Value of Sport

On Wednesday this week, we celebrated and recognised our students who excelled in Trimester 1 sport. I spoke to the assembly about the true value of sport. One example I gave was a reflection on a powerful photograph (see below) of Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy – two runners, who, while competitors when racing, are respectful colleagues and friends when they are not competing. I wonder if this would have been possible from a historical context, where two competitors from different backgrounds embrace after a race such as this. My view is that sport has the opportunity to break down traditional barriers, where competitors are respected for their skills and sporting attributes, not for how they look. 

I congratulate and thank all students, staff, coaches and administrators who contributed to a great season in Term 1. I also thank those involved in holiday sporting events such as camps, EREA Soccer Tournament and Ballymore Cup over the break.

AIC Round 1 vs Villanova College – Saturday 2nd of May

We have been in discussions with staff from Villanova College. Round 1 will be quite busy at the Villanova College Sportsgrounds, as it will the Villanova old boy’s day. Parking will be very restricted. As a result, offsite parking, and/or student drop off, may be of benefit to families.