During this last month, I received the usual number of emails and communication that one would expect as a Principal. Whilst many of them are ‘business as usual’, three made a significant impression on me. Each was unsolicited and each was a heartwarming observation of our ¼«Æ··´²îæ» students doing great things beyond the school gates.

The first was a personal visit from Mrs Finkelstein, a long-standing Perth Jewish Community Member. Her daughter-in-law works as a tour guide in Israel and had recently taken our Shorashim students on a tour of the Biblical Park Gardens near Yerushalayim. She suggested that our students were ‘the most respectful, polite and participatory group she had taken through the park’.

Next was Michelle Lewsen (Cultural Coordinator) from Maurice Zeffert Home. She reflected on the recent visit by the Year 7 and 8 students who ‘demonstrated exemplary conduct, impeccable manners and engaged thoroughly with the residents’.

Then there was the member of the public who happened to observe our students arriving at one of the beautiful beaches at Rottnest Island on the recent Year 9 Camp. This individual commented on our students’ listening skills, the fact that they seemed to know exactly what they were doing and that they all participated. Of particular note, this person made comments about the way we left the beach and that we had, in fact, completed some additional cleaning up of general rubbish which was not made by our group.

So why is this of significance to me this week? Our students are about to go on an extended break, andÌýI hope they will all enjoy life to its fullest. In so doing, I hope they will represent our School and our community with excellence. Equally, I hope that our community, and the broader Perth community; get to see the amazing things that our young people do.ÌýIf you do witness something special, I wouldÌýlove to hear about it and you can be assured that I will share your wordsÌýwith the students!

Wishing you all a wonderful Summer break.

Mr Chris Hall

Principal