Finally! A Whole Term, Uninterrupted!
I write this week's Messenger article just days from completing my first uninterrupted term at Woodleigh. No lockdowns or COVID isolations to slow us down – and as such, we've packed as much as possible into the last nine weeks.
Images from Thursday's Winter Musicale. An amazing celebration of skill, talent and creativity.
As we are chilled by Melbourne's winter cold and watch as we move forward with a new government, we also move on from the vigilant mindset COVID imposed on us and raise our heads to look to the future and consider just where we want our School to be in 2030.
Looking to The Future
While COVID restricted many aspects of our operations, we used that time to consider what the future of education needs to look like and how Woodleigh can continue to lead the development of contemporary, progressive education in Australia. We have spent time with staff, students, parents, and community members, asking them about the future of Woodleigh and their aspirations for our school.
This appreciative inquiry has produced a clear direction for Woodleigh School. A path that encourages us to challenge the norms of education and be at the forefront of implementing goals that look to holistically develop each of our students – developing character and the capabilities they will need to be successful contributors to society.
These ideals are not new to Woodleigh and are reflected in the sentiments Michael Norman spoke of when he first had a vision for our School in the early 70s. The opportunity we are presented with is to be deliberate and purposeful with the many experiences we have at Woodleigh and to measure that which we value.
Images from Minimbah and Penbank students' recent trip to Senior Campus.
Learning to Thrive
Next term, we will launch our new strategic plan for Woodleigh's future. This document is called Learning to Thrive. It will outline how we can be deliberate in our pursuit of transformational learning for our students and the development of capabilities that will serve them well in an uncertain and unpredictable world. Underpinning our hopes for the future will be the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Inner Development Goals that our young people will need to make a difference in the world in which we live.
As a school, our mission is simple, direct and clear. The purposeful development of creative, compassionate, skilful, and resilient young people who can thrive in an ever-changing world.
What we do needs to reflect this mission; if not, we must question the value of these experiences. Our mission comes with commitments, and at Woodleigh, we continue to commit to:
- Knowing and celebrating the unique strengths, interests, and abilities of all learners
- Fostering a sense of awareness, empathy and identity that supports personal and collective wellbeing
- Encouraging curiosity, initiative, and responsibility in the lifelong pursuit of learning
- Engaging as active citizens of our local and global communities
- Contributing to local, national, and global conversations that promote intercultural understanding
- Acting as stewards for the sustainable use and protection of our natural environment
At Woodleigh, we educate students Heart, Head and Hands. We cultivate the learning of young people who can apply their knowledge to solve real-world challenges and make a difference in the lives of others. Our approach emphasises learning by doing, through immersive and applied experiences, and learning by caring, through social-emotional development, the promotion of positive relationships, and active engagement as responsible citizens.
Images from Penbank's last School Meeting for Term 2, and the Year 3-4 Learning Expo
Committing to The Mission
But mission statements need to be more than words and glossy brochures. They require us to live and breathe our commitments. They are the actions and projects that will help us deliver on these commitments. They are also the plan for the physical development of our campuses to ensure we continue to provide outstanding environments where our students can thrive.
These commitments and ideals also require a way of thinking and a way of being. For some time now, Woodleigh has been a part of the Compassionate Systems Network. This global network comprises members who have completed the Master Practitioners course at MIT. We are fortunate that two of our leaders, Richard Owens and Jodie Kirchner, have completed this course and that the Woodleigh Institute is now a centre of awareness-based systems leadership.
Through immersive professional learning opportunities for our staff we can and will continue to bring this way of being into our School.
The Woodleigh Institute provides a unique approach to professional and organisational learning through its Awareness-based System Leadership (ASL) offerings. ASL is an immersive method that challenges participants to explore how an integrated focus on self-development, team learning, generative dialogue and systems thinking can support school and system innovation, effectiveness and improvement.
Awareness-based System Leadership is an approach that draws upon Peter Senge's theories about organisational learning and Otto Scharmer's work on awareness-based change to address important questions about personal and collective capacity building, sustainable innovation, and effective change management. The approach provides a nurturing forum for educational leaders to revitalise a personal vision for their own development while deeply examining the relational and transformational elements of their leadership role.
Images from Minimbah's Space themed PFG Disco
Rest Up, Refresh, Restore
I hope each of our families will have an opportunity to stop, breathe and enjoy time with each other during the upcoming break. Whilst it has been an amazing and successful term, I think we all deserve a break to rest and regather ourselves for the second half of the year.
Take care, and we will see you in Semester 2.
DAVID BAKER
Principal
Minimbah Production Update – The Little Mermaid
As Term 2 comes to a close, we reflect on a busy but productive term of preparations for our upcoming production of The Little Mermaid.
Rehearsals are well underway, and the school has been a hub of activity, from set construction, prop making and costume designing to blocking scenes, rehearsing the well-loved songs and learning lots of choreography! It has been amazing to see the production journey so far. From the excitement of cast announcements to the team spirit of working together during rehearsals, we look forward to sharing this incredible show with the whole school.
Productions have a special way of bringing a community together, and this year, we look forward to including the whole school in this show and performing on a real stage to a live audience once again! In the last two years, we have persevered through many challenges to mount a school production, as we were forced to have audiences view our shows through a camera lens.
Believe it or not, the last time the whole school was involved in the school production was in 2017! We are beyond excited to bring Minimbah together for this momentous occasion and cannot wait to share our performance of The Little Mermaid with you in Term 3.
Cinderella Excursion – Year 5 & 6
The excitement was palpable as our Year 5 and 6 students embarked on their excursion to see Cinderella at The Regent Theatre. As we stepped through the theatre doors, we entered the magical world of Cinderella. With each scene change, we were transported from the cottage in the woods to the splendour of the palace. Students were transfixed by the dazzling costumes, which transformed from rags to riches in the blink of an eye. We were transported by the music, singing and dancing to a different world. Excited words like, "brilliant", "aesthetic", "fantastical", "mesmerising" and "how did they do that!?" were overheard during the interval and as we headed back to school on the bus.
Experiencing live theatre not only entertains us as audiences, but it also inspires us as creators, artists, engineers and performers. It makes us wonder, question and strive in our own pursuits. And so, we take our collective experiences and apply them in our everyday lives to create, develop, experiment and share our ideas.
Live theatre is back, and we love it!
SERENA WONG
Minimbah Dance and Drama Teacher
Minimbah SPACE DISCO
On Friday, after two long years of waiting, we finally had our school disco. Yay! When you walked into the disco, it was mayhem! People were dancing like crazy. Everyone seemed like they were having the best time of their lives. Max and Digby were doing the worm, and it was awesome.
There was lots of delicious food such as fairy floss, sushi and pizza. When all the beats were playing, everyone went up and showed off their moves. Ms Wong showed us all how to do the Nutbush, and everyone joined in. The DJ was great because he was so funny. He was even doing the macarena!
Everyone was amazing at dancing and brave enough to show off their moves. When the DJ saw a great dance, he would turn the music up really loud. It was a blast. Thank you to all the parents for helping out and organising everything, and especially to Merryn and Lisa, who helped us create some amazing artworks and Rozzo the Robot.
Amy, Alice, Digby and Charlie Y4
The Resilience Project – Resilience Update
In the final part of The Resilience Project's digital series, Hugh shares an important message about allowing our children to experience adversity.
The key to building resilience in our children is allowing them to experience failure, hardship, disappointment etc. As parents, we can be too quick to resolve our children's challenges which can deprive our children of enormous growth opportunities. These typically happen when we experience failure and uncertainty. As parents we should be there for our children when they fail, but not fight their battles for them.
View Part 5 of the series here - Summary
Thank you for participating in this Parent and Carer Digital Presentation series. You can re-watch the videos and access activities and resources anytime via the Parent & Carer Hub.
You can also stay up to date with The Resilience Project news and events by signing up to their Newsletter.
ROD DAVIES
Deputy Principal – Head of Minimbah Campus
Minimbah Christmas in July
Rod and Kerrie invite all Minimbah Parents to celebrate Christmas in July.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Join us in the Minimbah Hall for an evening of fun and games in a wintry Christmas wonderland.
Have a boogie to the tunes of our fabulous DJ, Father Christmix, and enjoy a drink on arrival, further drinks at bar prices, and delicious food!
Bad Christmas jumpers are encouraged… warm Christmas spirit is essential!
BOOK NOWGolf Links Road Upgrade – Warrandyte Road Roundabout Closure
The six-way roundabout at Baxter-Tooradin, Golf Links, Warrandyte, Grant and Lower Somerville roads will be closed: from late June to late July
The upgrade of the six-way roundabout, addition of safety barriers and resurfacing of Golf Links Road continues.
What is happening:
From late June to late July, roadworks and safety improvements to upgrade the six-way roundabout are happening.
To ensure these works are completed safely and get the job done quickly, construction crews are closing the roundabout and will work Monday to Sunday from 6am to 6pm. These works are weather dependent.
In late July we’ll open Baxter-Tooradin and Lower Somerville roads while we continue working on the Golf Links and Warrandyte road approaches to the roundabout until late August.
What do the works involve?
- Removing the existing road surface
- Installing new drainage
- Building a new teardrop roundabout island
- Asphalting and line marking
- Adding guard rails and lighting for safety
- Planting new vegetation.
How will these works affect you?
Please follow detours to access homes, schools and businesses which will remain open during the works.
Buses
During the school holidays, from 25 June to 10 July, no school or public buses will be operating. From 11 July, school buses will be diverted around detours and shuttle buses will operate 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday for public routes at bus stops along Baxter-Tooradin Road between the six-way roundabout and Pearcedale shops.
For enquiries, call us on 1800 105 105 or email contact@roadprojects.vic.gov.au
For more information about the Golf Links Road Upgrade please visit roadprojects.vic.gov.au/projects/golf-links-road-upgrade
Almost, Maine – Tickets on Sale
Almost, Maine (PG)-is a series of loosely connected stories about the residents of a fictional remote town in Maine called “Almost.” Each scene happens at exactly 9:00PM in the middle of winter, as the northern lights hover in the sky.
Relationships end, begin, or change beyond recognition, as strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and lovers turn into strangers.
“Well, I can’t help it. It just came over me…I’ve fallen in love with you…”
At times realistic and at times absurd, Almost, Maine is mostly very funny with an element of sentimental “magic.”
Experience the life-altering power of the human heart and have your heart touched and warmed in the process.
Note: Almost, Maine will be streamed to ticket holders in the event that a live performance is unable to go ahead due to Covid.
BOOK NOWAs Term 2 comes to a close, we reflect on a busy but productive term of preparations for our upcoming production of The Little Mermaid.
Rehearsals are well underway, and the school has been a hub of activity, from set construction, prop making and costume designing to blocking scenes, rehearsing the well-loved songs and learning lots of choreography! It has been amazing to see the production journey so far. From the excitement of cast announcements to the team spirit of working together during rehearsals, we look forward to sharing this incredible show with the whole school.
Productions have a special way of bringing a community together, and this year, we look forward to including the whole school in this show and performing on a real stage to a live audience once again! In the last two years, we have persevered through many challenges to mount a school production, as we were forced to have audiences view our shows through a camera lens.
Believe it or not, the last time the whole school was involved in the school production was in 2017! We are beyond excited to bring Minimbah together for this momentous occasion and cannot wait to share our performance of The Little Mermaid with you in Term 3.
Cinderella Excursion – Year 5 & 6
The excitement was palpable as our Year 5 and 6 students embarked on their excursion to see Cinderella at The Regent Theatre. As we stepped through the theatre doors, we entered the magical world of Cinderella. With each scene change, we were transported from the cottage in the woods to the splendour of the palace. Students were transfixed by the dazzling costumes, which transformed from rags to riches in the blink of an eye. We were transported by the music, singing and dancing to a different world. Excited words like, "brilliant", "aesthetic", "fantastical", "mesmerising" and "how did they do that!?" were overheard during the interval and as we headed back to school on the bus.
Experiencing live theatre not only entertains us as audiences, but it also inspires us as creators, artists, engineers and performers. It makes us wonder, question and strive in our own pursuits. And so, we take our collective experiences and apply them in our everyday lives to create, develop, experiment and share our ideas.
Live theatre is back, and we love it!
SERENA WONG
Minimbah Dance and Drama Teacher
On Friday, after two long years of waiting, we finally had our school disco. Yay! When you walked into the disco, it was mayhem! People were dancing like crazy. Everyone seemed like they were having the best time of their lives. Max and Digby were doing the worm, and it was awesome.
There was lots of delicious food such as fairy floss, sushi and pizza. When all the beats were playing, everyone went up and showed off their moves. Ms Wong showed us all how to do the Nutbush, and everyone joined in. The DJ was great because he was so funny. He was even doing the macarena!
Everyone was amazing at dancing and brave enough to show off their moves. When the DJ saw a great dance, he would turn the music up really loud. It was a blast. Thank you to all the parents for helping out and organising everything, and especially to Merryn and Lisa, who helped us create some amazing artworks and Rozzo the Robot.
Amy, Alice, Digby and Charlie Y4
In the final part of The Resilience Project's digital series, Hugh shares an important message about allowing our children to experience adversity.
The key to building resilience in our children is allowing them to experience failure, hardship, disappointment etc. As parents, we can be too quick to resolve our children's challenges which can deprive our children of enormous growth opportunities. These typically happen when we experience failure and uncertainty. As parents we should be there for our children when they fail, but not fight their battles for them.
View Part 5 of the series here - Summary
Thank you for participating in this Parent and Carer Digital Presentation series. You can re-watch the videos and access activities and resources anytime via the Parent & Carer Hub.
You can also stay up to date with The Resilience Project news and events by signing up to their Newsletter.
ROD DAVIES
Deputy Principal – Head of Minimbah Campus
Rod and Kerrie invite all Minimbah Parents to celebrate Christmas in July.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Join us in the Minimbah Hall for an evening of fun and games in a wintry Christmas wonderland.
Have a boogie to the tunes of our fabulous DJ, Father Christmix, and enjoy a drink on arrival, further drinks at bar prices, and delicious food!
Bad Christmas jumpers are encouraged… warm Christmas spirit is essential!
BOOK NOWThe six-way roundabout at Baxter-Tooradin, Golf Links, Warrandyte, Grant and Lower Somerville roads will be closed: from late June to late July
The upgrade of the six-way roundabout, addition of safety barriers and resurfacing of Golf Links Road continues.
What is happening:
From late June to late July, roadworks and safety improvements to upgrade the six-way roundabout are happening.
To ensure these works are completed safely and get the job done quickly, construction crews are closing the roundabout and will work Monday to Sunday from 6am to 6pm. These works are weather dependent.
In late July we’ll open Baxter-Tooradin and Lower Somerville roads while we continue working on the Golf Links and Warrandyte road approaches to the roundabout until late August.
What do the works involve?
- Removing the existing road surface
- Installing new drainage
- Building a new teardrop roundabout island
- Asphalting and line marking
- Adding guard rails and lighting for safety
- Planting new vegetation.
How will these works affect you?
Please follow detours to access homes, schools and businesses which will remain open during the works.
Buses
During the school holidays, from 25 June to 10 July, no school or public buses will be operating. From 11 July, school buses will be diverted around detours and shuttle buses will operate 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday for public routes at bus stops along Baxter-Tooradin Road between the six-way roundabout and Pearcedale shops.
For enquiries, call us on 1800 105 105 or email contact@roadprojects.vic.gov.au
For more information about the Golf Links Road Upgrade please visit roadprojects.vic.gov.au/projects/golf-links-road-upgrade
Almost, Maine (PG)-is a series of loosely connected stories about the residents of a fictional remote town in Maine called “Almost.” Each scene happens at exactly 9:00PM in the middle of winter, as the northern lights hover in the sky.
Relationships end, begin, or change beyond recognition, as strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and lovers turn into strangers.
“Well, I can’t help it. It just came over me…I’ve fallen in love with you…”
At times realistic and at times absurd, Almost, Maine is mostly very funny with an element of sentimental “magic.”
Experience the life-altering power of the human heart and have your heart touched and warmed in the process.