Principal`s Message - The McDonald College

November 2013
BEHIND THE SCENES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Principal’s Message
Principal’s Message
Prompt Corner
Artist, Author and Star
Sleep Deprivation in Children &
Teenagers
Congratulations
Disability Provisions 2014
Wear it Purple
International Summer School
Disco
JUNIOR NEWS
Message from the Director of the
Junior School
Nobody’s Boy
Jump Rope for Heart Launch
Gold Award
Silver Awards
SECONDARY NEWS
Sport Report
TERM DATES 2013
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
We are proud to announce another wonderful
international faculty for our International Summer
School being held in January 2014. Guest teacher,
Chris Powney is currently the Artistic Director of the
Dutch National Ballet Academy and from mid 2014 he
will be the Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet School in London.
This is an amazing opportunity for our classical ballet students
aspiring to further pre-professional training beyond The McDonald
College. Be seen without the expense of travelling to Europe. Do
not underestimate the scope of this opportunity.
Congratulations and thank you to Lana Domeney, Francesca Walsh
(Year 10) and Adriana Parisi (Year 7) who raised over $500 collectively
for the victims of the recent devastating bush fires. Well done girls,
we are proud of you.
With another HSC nearly complete I am proud to congratulate the
following Year 12 students who have received nominations for their
exemplary practical works:
Nominated for OnStage (HSC Drama)
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE GP
Sam Allen
Madison Hodgkins
Damien Tran
Jack Mainsbridge
Isabella Calavassy
ONE IN THREE GP
Yvette Bugeia
Tristyn Martens-Shaw
Tess O’Sullivan
HERE COMES THE BRIDE IP
Georgia-May Davis
Nominated for Encore:
Hannah Caulfield
Jack Mainsbridge
Principal’s Message cont’d
Nominated for Callback:
Eliza Gray for Core Performance
Elena Salerno for Core Performance
Anneliese Kirk for Core Performance
Andrea Corish (Yr 12 2005) is Stage Managing DIRTY
ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
Zoe Goetz (Yr 12 2001) is performing in DIRTY
ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
Caitlin Stejskal for Core Performance
Daniel Russo (Yr 12 2006) is performing in GREASE
Georgia Wilson for Core Performance
Hugo Chiarella (Yr 12 2003) has been cast in LES MIS
(opening 2014)
Isabel Estrella for Major Study Performance
Anneliese Kirk for Major Study Performance
Caitlin Stejskal for Major Study Performance
Georgia Wilson for Major Study Performance
The following Year 12 Graduates have their next year of
study mapped out by accepting positions with:
Sydney Dance Company Pre-Professional year
Certificate IV in Dance: Angela Walker
Queensland Ballet company Pre-Professional year:
Caitlin Stejskal
West Australian Academy of Performing Arts
(Contemporary Dance): Eliza Gray
West Australian Academy of Performing Arts:
Sasha Brampton, Anneleise Kirk, Elena Salerno
Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) CSTD Level 6:
Rae Gear
Ev&Bow Fulltime Contemporary Course:
Isabel Estrella and Georgia Wilson
Current students are performing in:
Opera Australia’s ‘The Magic Flute’ – Alex Chorley
(Yr 8)
FALSETTOS – Anthony Garcia (Yr 7)
James Kohler (Yr 12 2004) is Sound Technician on
GREASE
Emily Cascarino (Yr 12 2007) is touring in WICKED and
arriving in Sydney soon.
Thomas Rawle (Yr 12 2009) and Tom Myers’ (Yr 12
2009) band PAPA vs PRETTY have just released a
new album and will be touring soon.
Luke Davison (Yr 12 2003 and teacher in College
Music Department) and Isabella Manfredi’s (Yr9
2002) band THE PREATURES have been on a
successful tour of the USA and the UK.
Christian Raw’s (Yr 12 2004) heavy metal band
MYRAETH are currently in pre-production for their
new album
Guiseppe Scaturro (Yr 12 2009) has been gigging
around Sydney in two guises...his solo industrial
metal music act “THE TORMENTOR” and his duo
“SNUFF”. ‘The Tormentor’ plays the Town Hall Hotel
in Newtown November 9th.
Katia Fuscaldo (Yr 12 2006) has been one of Jessica
Mauboy’s back up singers and gigging around
Sydney regularly at the Bourbon. One of her bands is
“pocketful of soul Sydney”
Our ARIA nominations:
Graduates of the College can be seen everywhere -
Luke Davison and Isabella Manfredi’s band - The
Preatures - Best Pop Release
Simon Plant (Yr 10 2008) has accepted a Contract with
the Australian Ballet for 2014
The Wiggles, Emma Watkins (Yr 12 2007) - Best
Children’s Album
Arkos Armont (Yr 12 2003) is playing BENVOLIO in
ROMEO & JULIET at the Sydney Theatre Company
As Peter Eyers has been heard to say:
Josh Quong-Tart (Yr 12 1993) is in rehearsals for THE
LION KING
“ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE and McDonald College
populates a lot of it!” Prompt Corner
Musical Theatre News
Having had a very relaxed couple of weeks holiday,
our High Performance Week showcase “This is it!” is
almost a distant memory.
Now here we are already in Term 4 and before you
can even click your fingers Santa will be coming down
that chimney with a Ho – Ho – Ho.
After all the hours of rehearsal and the hard
work, the students excelled and they should be
exceedingly proud of all they achieved.
Our students continue to explore their passion of
Musical Theatre and many have been or are currently
rehearsing or performing in musicals.
Huge thanks must go to our amazing Musical
Director and Director of Performing Arts, Peter Kraft,
our ‘go to guy’ for absolutely everything Peter Eirth
and costumes by Robin Chan and Beatrice Martinez
from The McDonald College Costume Department.
Thanks must also go to Bruce and Lesley Scott from
Dance Encore Productions, who always help with
costumes from their vast wardrobe. Thank you all.
Oliver Beard (Yr 10) appeared in the recent production
of “The Music Man”.
Portia England (Yr 7) is starring in “Seussical the
Musical” for Berowra and having an absolute ball.
Angus Crutcher (Yr 9) is part of the “Rent” company
for the Hills District and is already in rehearsals for “All
Shook Up”.
The new “Annie” cast not only includes Lana
Domeney (Yr 10) in the adult ensemble and Gemma
Nha as one of the orphans but Christopher Horsey our
esteemed senior tap teacher will be playing ‘Rooster’
which is exciting.
Speaking of our illustrious tap teacher, Christopher
has just become engaged to Lucy Durak, star of
“Legally Blonde” and they plan to get married next
year on Rottnest Island. We wish them all the best.
Lana is also playing “Cinderella” in the Warringah
production for Christmas.
Cherie Hou (Yr 11) has excelled again in Ballroom
Dancing.
Placed 1st in the DanceSport NSW Open--Adult Level 4
Standard
Placed 2nd in the DanceSport NSW Open—Youth Open
New Vogue
Placed 2nd in the South Pacific Dancesport
Championship—Youth Level 4 Ballroom
A special ‘high five’ to our dedicated, patient and
amazingly creative choreographers, Andrew Koblar,
Christopher Horsey and Stephen Clarke, who
brought a professional ‘look’ to the entire show.
Thank you guys.
The show ran so smoothly and each and every
performer had their moment to shine and shine they
did. Thank you to all our talented and dedicated
students who were outstanding in performance and
brilliantly behaved backstage – thank you.
Placed 3rd in the South Pacific Dancesport
Championship—Youth Open New Vogue
Congratulations Cherie!
Mr. Dunbar and I received a special invitation to fly to
Melbourne over the holidays for the Equity Lifetime
Achieve Award presentation to Jill Perryman and
her husband Kevin Johnston, both longtime stars
of Musical Theatre in this country. Not only was it a
chance to put on the sparkles and congratulate Jill
and Kevin on this outstanding achievement but to
Prompt Corner
catch up with many theatrical friends and to watch
the outstanding performances of some up and
coming young performers.
We especially want to wish our 3 graduates Yvette
Bugeia, Bonnie Moorhouse and Jack Mainsbridge
every good wish for their HSC and look forward to
hearing from them as they journey into life after
school.
The Musical Theatre Stream and the P & F are
joining forces to have a combined Disco evening
in November to assist us with fundraising for our
musical. We are looking for volunteers to help on the
night so if anyone is interested and available please
contact me dunbard@mcdonald.nsw.edu.au.
Musical Theatre News
We are excited to be welcoming
Sharon Millerchip to adjudicate
our Ann McDonald Scholarships
on Thursday, October 31.
Sharryn has starred in many
wonderful musicals and it will be
her first time out to the College,
so we will make her feel most
welcome.
Until next time.
Dolores Dunbar
Head of Musical Theatre
Artist, Author and Star
takes time to meet with
local students
Although Li Cunxin is probably best known as ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ he is in
reality not only a ballet star, but also an author and currently the Artistic
Director of the Queensland Ballet. It is a rare privilege to meet with him and
one that was provided to local students at the end of last term.
Year 6 students at The McDonald College were ecstatic when Li agreed to
meet with them and sign copies of his book prior to holding auditions for
the Queensland Ballet.
The McDonald College Year 6 students have been studying the novel
“Mao’s Last Dancer’ as a literary text throughout the term. The novel is a
wonderful insight to what growing up in rural China was like in the 1960’s
and documents Li’s training and dedication to become a great performer
and artist.
Meeting Li Cunxin was an amazing opportunity as it gave the students
the chance to pose questions and recognize the determination and
commitment that it takes to succeed.
Li spoke with the children and encouraged them all to pursue their dreams
and goals. He took time to answer questions as well as signing copies of his
book.
For Alexander Koulos (pictured) it was inspiring as he studies ballet at the
College each day and was eager to glean any secrets from a master dancer
and artistic director.
For Parents, Teachers
& Health Professionals
!
Sleep Depriva+on in Children & Teenagers: How parents and teachers can recognise it and what they can do to help Presenter: Dr Chris Seton
Term 4
Seminar
Paediatric & Adolescent Sleep Physician
Tuesday 12th November 2013
VENUE:
Parramatta Leagues Club, Sterling Room
13-15 OʼConnell St, Parramatta
TIME:
Registration 9.30am,
Presentation (including question time) 10am - 12pm
COST:
Seminar Payment Only
www.ldc.org.au
During this talk Chris will describe how our world has
become sleep deprived and how this has affected young
people. We now live in an electronic world where our needs
are at our fingertips 24 hours per day. This causes sleep to
be “de-prioritised” in our busy lives. Chris will explain the
specific causes of this in young people, how parents and
teachers can recognise it, & what can be done to improve it.
He will also detail the cognitive, psychological and other
effects of sleep deprivation in relation to learning difficulties
and other conditions such as ADHD and the impact it can
have at home and school.
$30 "
$65"
Seminar - LDC Member
Seminar - Non LDC member
$60 "
"
$75 "
"
2 registrants @ member rates per Individual Membership
Seminar entry & NEW Individual membership
6 staff @ member rates per School/Org. Membership
(till 31 May 2014)
Seminar entry & NEW School membership
Register online @ www.ldc.org.au OR
(till 31 May 2014)
complete this form and send with payment to the LDC OfÞce.
Seminar & Membership Offer
PARKING:
Seats are limited, REGISTRATION & PAYMENT must be
received by Tuesday 5th November
Free parking at the Club
Name: ____________________________________ School Name (if applicable): _________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________ Suburb: _______________ Post Code: _________
Ph: _______________________ Email (PRINT CLEARLY): __________________________________________________
Payment type (please tick) !
GST FREE
!TAX INVOICE
ABN 93 046 401 929
Paypal OR credit card (go to www.ldc.org.au)
Cheque/Money order (Made out to ÒLearning DifÞculties CoalitionÓ)
OfÞce Use Only
Post to: LDC OfÞce, PO BOx 140, Westmead, 2145
Date:
Receipt No:
Please insert your surname as the reference to verify payment
Reg List:
Email Reg:
Payment amount (please tick)
Contact:
Email Paid:
Direct Deposit (St George Bank, BSB 112 879, A/C No: 044 050 245
Seminar Payment ! !
$30 Seminar entry LDC Member
$65 Seminar entry Non LDC Member
Seminar & Membership Offer
$60 Seminar entry & NEW individual membership (until May 31, 2014)
$75 Seminar entry & NEW school membership (until May 31, 2014)
Refund of fees, less 30% administration, will be available up to 14 days prior to conference commencement. No cancellations accepted
later than 14 days to conference. Substitute delegates welcomed at no extra charge.
Congratulations
Before Emma Watkins (Yr 12 2007) took off on
the American/Canadian Wiggles tour recently she
managed to win a UTS Golden Eye Film award. Her
film, re-HEAR-se, was part of her Masters degree in
Communications and Media.
Emily Cascarino
(Yr 12 2007)
is currently
playing Nessa
Rose in the
WICKED revival
tour
Congratulations to Portia England (Yr 7) who has been
starring in the production of Seussical the Musical
by Berowra Musical Society. Portia has the leading
role, and spent two nights per week for four months
rehearsing for this production.
The film won the Experimental Section and features
two dancers, Andrew Koblar (Yr 12 2002) and Emma,
trying to communicate through dance, mime and
parts of Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN).
The film explores different choreographic
combinations associated with the different
colours of the rubix cube. Emma Directed and
Produced the film with Dance, Andrew Koblar, and
Cinematography by David den Engelsman.
Julian Visalli and
Ruben Antao
(Yr 6) received a
highly commended
for improv duo at
the City of Ryde
Eisteddfod.
Congratulations to Eloise Riviere (Yr 5) who has been
starring in the Strathfield Musical Society’s production
of ‘The Music Man’.
Disability Provisions 2014
Following a review of Disability Provisions provided at the College, some significant changes have been
implemented to ensure the continued fair and equitable support for all students requiring assistance.
These changes will align us with the Board of Studies requirements and create a fair system for all students. Students need to reapply for Disability Provisions each year as provisions do not carry over from year to year. If you would like to apply for Disability Provisions for 2014, application forms and further information can
be found on the College’s online resource library, McDig. Search for Disability Provisions and download the
application form and information package.
Please return the forms to me with the necessary documentation either in person or by email.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Leanne Harrington
Head of Learning Enrichment
harringtonl@mcdonald.nsw.edu.au
Wear it Purple
On August 30, the students and staff supported the rainbow community by wearing purple. Wear It Purple is
a youth-led organisation that exists to support and empower rainbow young people.
Wear It Purple believes that every young person is unique, important and worthy of love. They are working
toward a world in which every young person can thrive; irrelevant of sexuality or gender identity. Their aim is
for rainbow young people to be safe, supported and empowered in each of their environments.
International Summer School
7 to 17 January 2014
7-17 JANUARY 2014
SYDNEY
Our d
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Take advantage of this amazing opportunity to
work with our outstanding international faculty! We are giving a special privilege to students of The
McDonald College by extending our discounted Early
Bird fee closing date to Friday 22 November. Christo
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Places at Summer School are filling very fast and we
don’t want McDonald College students to miss out,
so reserve your place now! An application form and flyer are attached or you can
apply online via the website: www.mcdonald.nsw.
edu.au/iss
Please feel free to contact Summer School Director,
Jacqui Dumont on (02) 9752 0625 with any queries. Steve R
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Guest In
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Our distinguished
International faculty
will be joined by:
Christopher Powney
Artistic Director ,
The Dutch National Ballet
Academy
and
Didy Velman
International Choreographer
and Contemporary Dance
teacher
Matthe
NEW for 2014
Kate F
• Senior classical based or contemporary based course
• Junior Course
• A UNIQUE AUDITION OPPORTUNITY
From Lo
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JUNIOR NEWS
Message from Director of Junior School
It is exciting to be already immersed in Term 4 and to
be able to both look to the future and also back at
the successes of Term 3 with the fantastic Starburst
Concert and the High Performance season as well as
the opportunities provided to the students with the
visit by the surfing Scientist, a chance to meet with
Li Cunxin, author of Mao’s Last Dancer and Artisitic
Director of the Queensland Ballet, the excursions to
the PSB ballet, the production of My Girrigundji as well
as many and varied activities that fill each and every
week here at the College.
Our Junior School Athletics Carnival almost came to
fruition. With threatening skies but eager students we
headed over to Sydney Olympic Park on the Monday
of the last week of term but managed to only get
through our 100m events before the rain descended
and washed us out. We have been eagerly trying to
negotiate a date to complete some of our other track
and field events and will send home a note later in the
week with a plan for the completion of these Athletics
events.
Looking to the future is exciting. In 2014 the Junior
School will operate four classes teaching students
from Years 3 to 6:
Year 3 will be taught by Despina Petridis
Year 4 will be taught by Penny Christie
Year 5 will be taught by Elizabeth Kender
Year 6 will be taught by Peter Slattery
This class allocation fosters the College Council plan
for 2014 to promote small class sizes with intensive
teaching and the development of individualized
teaching programs. This initiative forms part of
the ‘Partnership Program’ where staff collaborate
with parents at regular intervals during the year
with the individualized education plans focusing the
discussions.
The classroom structure provides opportunities for
growth in enrolments with a unique educational
experience being supported with access to specialist
school based resources and facilities. Provisions
exist for the development of teaching French to all
students in the Junior School as well as a targeted
‘strings’ program for Year 3 students as well as
many other opportunities not available in other
institutions.
The McDonald College continues to be an institution
where learning and the pursuit of excellence is
paramount and the plans for 2014 support a vibrant
Junior School as part of a whole College education
environment.
Many of our junior students are looking forward
to our Junior School disco coming up on Friday
November 15 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Check out the
posters around the College and get ready for a night
of ‘Summer Heat’
Peter Slattery
Nobody’s Boy
Brought up as a foundling child by the wife of
a peasant farmer, Rémi is sold to a troupe of
travelling performers at the age of seven and then
abandoned at a workhouse in Paris a year later. All
his young life he has longed to know who his real
parents are and where he can find them.
This is the scenario of Nobody’s Boy, a
tremendously popular French language children’s
book (originally entitled Sans Famille) from the
third quarter of the 19th century. Nobody’s Boy has
been the class novel for Year 3/4 in Term 3.
As Rémi had just joined the workhouse and was
seeing for himself the treatment he could expect
at the hands of its cruel Italian proprietor, Signor
Garafoli, the class was asked to consider what he
(Rémi) would be doing in ten years’ time. Here are
two versions, from Axel in Year 4 and Ellis, Year 3:
Axel
Hi, it’s Rémi here. It’s ten years since Signor Vitalis
dropped me off at Garafoli’s house, promising
to come back for me in the spring. This is what
happened:
I still live in Paris and Vitalis has not come back yet but
I managed to escape Garafoli. I’m walking the streets
of Paris and I have to steal from people to live. I found
out that Vitalis is dead.
There is something good that got out of this stealing,
because I was stealing from a lady and she saw me but
Nobody’s Boy cont’d
instead of reporting me in, she took me to her house
to live with her. She was very nice and she fed me well
and loved me. I loved her too. I had a question in my
head: is she my mum?
I asked her, “Did you have a son called Rémi?”
“Yes, I did. How do you know?”
“Because my name is Rémi.”
“Are you my son?” she asked.
“Mum!” I said.
And we lived happily ever after.
Ellis
Hi, it’s Rémi here. It’s ten years since Signor Vitalis
dropped me off at Garafoli’s house, promising
to come back for me in the spring. This is what
happened:
I found a little boat not far from Garafoli’s and I
decided to go on it. After a year and a day I landed
in Australia. I couldn’t speak the language so it was
really hard to get things.
One day a man came up to me and recognised that
I was French and started talking to me in French. He
said, “I’m a ballet teacher and I could teach you ballet
and you could be famous and get lots of money”. I
thought long and hard and I agreed.
At first I was so bad but the man fixed my posture
and my technique until I looked like a professional
ballet dancer. He made me so good that he decided
I should go to Switzerland for the big competition,
and if I do well in this I can go to Sicily for the semifinals, and if I do well in that I can go to New York for
the finals and if I do well in that I can get a company
position.
All those things he said came true. I got a choice of
any company and I chose the Paris Opera and I’m
famous.
Jump Rope for Heart Launch
On Friday, October 25 Mitchell Watson from Jump Rope for Heart demonstrated skipping techniques to the
Junior School students. As part of the PDHPE program, all Junior School students are again involved in Jump
Rope for Heart. Jump Rope for Heart is a program designed to get students active, to raise awareness of heart
disease in Australia and to collect donations to continue the research into cardiovascular disease.
Students will participate in a skipping program in their PE lessons and will be asked to collect sponsorships. This
will culminate in a ‘Jump Off’ date later in November where students will participate in a jumping session and
showcase the routines they have devised in their PE lessons.
Gold Award
Congratulation to Tomas Hills in Year 4
who has received a Gold Award. Well done
Tomas on a wonderful achievement
Silver Awards
Congratulations to Natasha Alfonso (Yr 5), Tomas Hills (Yr 4), Regan Anderson (Yr 3), Bianca Mirarchi (Yr 2),
Keanu Awad (Yr 3) and Kameko Awad (Yr 6), who have all received Silver Awards.
SECONDARY NEWS
Sport Report
Athletics
On Tuesday, August 20 we took a record number
of athletes to CDSSA (Zone) – 60 students. We
competed against seven other schools, with many
of the schools with student numbers well over 800.
tremendous tournament,
finishing their round
games with only one
loss. They were joint
All students competed admirably, but most notably winners on Point Tally
after the rounds. In a
our girls, who were highly competitive. The girls
close and exciting Grand
were awarded Overall School Champions in the
Final, our Senior girls
point score beating all 7 other schools. To say the
gave it their all. With
students were excited was an understatement.
Yvette Bugeia (Sports Captain) went otno the dais some super plays and
some great hustling from
to collect the Shield to the cheers of the students
our centre court we were
and the PE teachers.
able to turn over many
So Proud! Congratulations go out to them all!
balls. Despite our efforts,
we narrowly lost to the IGS A
Netball Gala Day
team. Still, a fantastic result for
Following on with our previous sporting
our Seniors.
achievements last Term, we have had a successful
We were all very proud of both
start to Term 4. In Week 2 we took two teams of
teams efforts.
netballers to the annual CDSSA Gala Day held at
Moore Park.
Events Coming Up
We would like to acknowledge firstly all students
who trialled for this team and encourage you
to continue to put yourselves forward for more
sporting gala days. We were lucky enough to take
two strong teams to the gala day. Both teams
competed with sportsmanship and courage.
Week 7:
Monday 18th November – Touch
Football Gala Day
The Junior Girls Team played six games straight and
had several wins to finish 5th. Our Senior Girls had a
Yours in Sport
Sharlane Murphy/Rosalind Currie
Important Dates
Term Dates in 2013
TERM 4 – Tuesday 8th October to Wednesday 11th December
Staff & Students Commence Term 4
Tuesday 8th October
Secondary Speech Night Tuesday, 3rd December
Primary Speech DayWednesday, 11th December
Term 4 ConcludesWednesday 11th December
Calendar of Events
November 1 Year 9 Yearly Exams conclude
November 2 After Hours Classes Scholarships
November 4 Ann McDonald Scholarship - Music
November 5 Ann McDonald Scholarship - Ballet
November 6 HSC Exams conclude
November 6-8 Year 11 Crossroads Camp
November 7 Year 10 Yearly Exams commences
November 11 P&F Executive 6:00pm, P&F General Meeting 7:00pm
November 13 Year 10 Yearly Exams conclude
November 15 Junior School Disco - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
November 15 Senior School Disco - 7:00pm to 10:00pm
November 15 Ann McDonald Scholarship Finals
November 18 MacFactor, Conference Centre
November 19 Year 7 2014 Welcome Day
November 20 MacFactor Conference Centre
November 21 7th Annual McFest
November 24 An Evening of Classical Ballet, Opera Theatre, 5:30pm
November 26 CD Launch, Conference Centre, 7:00pm
December 2 Studio Recital 6:30pm
December 2-7 After Hours Classes Presentation Day
December 3 Secondary Speech Night
December 4 Studio Recital, 6:30pm
December 5 Year 10 Formal
December 7 After Hours Classes conclude
December 9 Year 7-11 Parent Teacher interviews
December 11 Junior School Speech Day
December 11 Term 4 concludes