2022 was about reconnecting and establishing our new normal post-COVID. For us, 2023 is about providing opportunities for our community to grow. Our focus at Woodleigh is on the ‘purposeful development of creative, compassionate, skillful and resilient young people who thrive in an ever-changing world’.

At the start of the year, I spoke with staff and students about the importance of the Woodleigh story - the stories we create as a community that define who we are; as individuals, and as a whole. In our last Messenger, David Baker wrote that ‘a Woodleigh education is not only about what we learn academically, but how we develop and grow as human beings during the learning process’.

Woodleigh provides a place where students can learn, build skills, and be encouraged to try new things through a wide range of programs, in and outside the classroom; Activities, Camps, Music, the Arts, community service, sport, academic enhancement and wellbeing . A Woodleigh education enables students to find their passions, shine and learn more about themselves as people. By fostering students’ strengths and challenging them to think more deeply, we generate a respectful culture that celebrates personal growth and acknowledges that every student’s journey is unique.

What does this look like on the ground? The Year 11 Outdoor Education students have kayaked across Westernport to French Island in stunning weather. Our Year 7s have settled quickly and they have been terribly excited taking receipt of their new MacBook Airs. Their learning has been scaffolded by an extensive network of teaching, IT and operational staff who have helped them navigate their laptops, virtual platforms and campus life in general. School photos have been shot and are currently being processed. The Year 12s recently had an engaging session with critically acclaimed Tasmanian author, Robbie Arnott, joining us over the Tasman Sea via ZOOM to speak about the Year 12 text Flames. We were extremely grateful to have him donate his time to speak with our senior students as they dive deep into their English studies.

It was fantastic to be part of the Homestead Swimming Carnival at The Pines Aquatic Centre this week on a beautiful February day. Well done to Ben Davenport, the Junior Homestead Coordinators and staff for the set-up, organisation and supervision of a successful event. Congratulations go to Homestead 3 for taking out the win for the second year in a row.

And finally, Homestead 4 was officially opened by our Federal Member for Dunkley, Peta Murphy, on Friday 24 February.

IB Middle Years Authorisation

This year, Senior Campus will enter the final leg of the authorisation process to be recognised as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. Candidate schools embark on a rigorous process which is referred to as ‘Authorisation’. Senior Campus has applied to be recognised as an official provider of the IB Middle Years Program (MYP). The school must show that it has:

• understood and embraced the IB philosophy
• understood the programme requirements
• met the major objectives of its action plan to ensure successful implementation
• concluded that it meets the requirements to become an IB World School.

Woodleigh will submit its application and supporting evidence in preparation for the review. A verification visit from an external IB team will occur in Term 3, 2023. This will involve an assessment of the evidence to assess our readiness to be an IB World School. The IB Team will want to involve the entire community in its review of our application. We will provide with regular updates on our progress.

It has been wonderful to witness the Senior Campus community approach everything with enthusiasm to kick off 2023. We continue to remind students that they will only get out of the program what they choose to put into it. We would encourage all students to continue to think big, and not make their comfort zone their home!

I wish you a safe and successful term ahead.

NATALIE McLENNAN
Head of Senior Campus