Dear Parents and Students,

May I extend compliments of the season and well wishes to you all for a bright 2008. I hope that you had a joyous Christmas and New Year and enjoyed a well earned break. The New Year brings with it great promises and prospects for Georgiana Molloy Anglican School. I hope you enjoyed the first edition of the GMAS Calendar and its practical way of displaying the School while at the same time reminding us of pending events. While it is expected that students will work hard and give of their best in the classroom, GMAS has a strong focus on holistic education and service. It is so important the students wholly involve themselves in as many activities as possible while they are in their formative development. There will be many practical ways students of all ages are able to engage in the life of GMAS. There will be two Musicals -Junior School and Secondary School; recital evenings, drama productions and dance; Saturday sport, outdoor education camps; Year 9 trip to Canberra; Arts and Artists Week; a tour to Cambodia in November, to provide community service to a Village or a school (Year 11 and 12 students; a history tour to Turkey in June / July (Year 8 – 11 Students); GMAS Foundation Day, 14th March 2008; Year 12 Ball, 14th March 2008; athletic and swimming carnivals; many opportunities to undertake service for others; Parents and Friends Association functions and the list goes on.

The Office and clothing shop have been open from 14th January, staff begin to return 21st January. New students to GMAS have their Orientation Day Friday, 1st February and School commences Monday 4th February. I look forward to greeting you on these days. Throughout Term 1 there will be a series of Parent Information Evenings across all Year Groups. Over the coming weeks the Heads of Sub-Schools Ms Jo Burns, Mr Adrian Scott and Mr Ted Kosicki will send detailed information on the organisation and running of the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools.

While students have been enjoying their holiday there has been a considerable amount of physical activity at the School. The Café and Staff Common Room have been completed, twelve interactive white boards are being installed in classrooms and work has begun on the building of eight classrooms and two outdoor multi-purpose courts, due for mid-year completion. The first portion of the year will be tight for students due to the new constructions however this inconvenience will soon give way once the classrooms are completed. During 2008 we will be making strong developments to the building of the planned Multipurpose Hall.

As I announced in my Presentation Address there will be changes to the Pastoral Care system in our Secondary School. Attached is a presentation letter and mind map outline of the House System. The Student Leadership Team, closely linked with the vertical House System, will assist in the leading of weekly House Meetings, and on a rotational basis, Chapel and Assemblies. They will help prepare the Year 7- 9 students for the leading of Middle School Chapel and Assemblies. The Student Leadership Team in the Secondary School will comprise of a Head Boy and Head Girl and a Captain and Vice- Captain for each of the six Houses. The Junior School will have a Boy and Girl Leader, a Leader for each of the six Houses and two Chapel Leaders. The Head of House and Student Leadership for GMAS is listed below.

Every best wish for 2008

Bruce Rixon
Principal

Student Leadership for 2008