Springtime is one of my favourite seasons with its promise of growth and renewal. When Spring is in the air, we instinctively feel a longing to venture outside and become more active. With the promise of longer days and warmer weather, our campus is an amazing natural resource for all of our students, from Kindy to Year Twelve. Our green spaces and shady trees encourage our Year Twelves to recharge in nature whilst they prepare for their external exams; the raised veggie beds in Kindy are being warmed by the sun as our smallest learner’s plant seeds and eagerly await the first signs of new life. Finch Farm is being readied for new crops and opportunities for students to become attuned to the natural rhythm of the seasons.
Research suggests that, for many people, extended daylight boosts mood, wellbeing and energy. One theory is that dopamine – a chemical messenger that promotes pleasure, motivation, confidence and memory – increases with more exposure to sunlight. Whilst we might see Springtime simply as a time for our young people to spend more time outdoors, my challenge to you is to make the most of this neuroscience phenomenon to encourage and develop the skills of lifelong learners – curiosity, creativity and excitement.
At our annual Speech night this month, we will honour our most successful academic and co-curricular students. The students achieving an award epitomise our purpose; To Educate, To Inspire, To Make a Difference and are excellent role models for us all. We are looking forward to acknowledging student success at QPAC on Wednesday 12 October. We also welcome Professor Craig Munns from the Class of 1985, as our keynote speaker.
Term Four will also see us recognise students for diligence and enthusiastic involvement in the broader life of the College. It will be a significant milestone for our Year Twelve students who have achieved outstanding results whilst doing their ATAR coursework during a global pandemic. We are so proud of their leadership and resilient attitude since beginning their ATAR.
Congratulations to John Paul International College (JPIC) for winning the International Education and Training Award at the 2022 Premier of Queensland Export Awards! JPIC launched the ‘Your Passport to a Global Future’ initiative to help international students successfully transition to Australian mainstream classes and higher education. JPIC is now a finalist in the Australian Export Awards.
I wish you and your family a wonderful Term Four and hope you enjoy this Spring season.
