End of Semester Principal’s Message
Well, another packed Semester 1 at the college, with our latest cohort of Year 11 students joining us from across the ACT – and beyond! It’s always a thrill to meet our new students, and to cement the relationships with our Year 12’s, who are fast approaching the end of their school education. It’s tricky in a two-year school setting to establish and nourish those relationships, but I am always amazed at the closeness that exists between our students and their teachers.
We all pushed through the challenge of the blue-green algae bloom in our lake at the start of the year – something that whilst unpleasant, actually resulted in something good for the whole of the ACT: as a direct result of the lobbying of our Board, the ACT Health Directorate has created a Fact Sheet in relation to blue-green algae blooms. This means we are better prepared for the next time this occurs on our boundary and in our neighbourhood.
Semester 1 saw our students involved in an incredible range of activities. Of course, there is a danger in singling events/people out, but I do want to mention the successful international excursion to the United States of America in April. We had 19 travelling students and two travelling staff, and it turned out to be far more than a trip – it became a community. I am sure each participating student will remember the experience for the rest of their days. Huge thanks to Luke and Tiffany for the above-and-beyond care of our young people, especially given how far from home everyone was.
Three of our students also successfully exhibited in a public art event, The Humans of Tuggeranong, at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre. The event captured an insight into the unique people of the Tuggeranong community, people whose stories may otherwise be left untold. Our photography curriculum is vibrant and high quality, and it is always terrific to see authentic opportunities for our photographers to engage with the craft.
In May, we had over 30 students attend our inaugural STEM camp out at the lovely Birrigai. The innovation and the thinking on display was incredible. Hats off to Elliot and his team (Scott and Brooke) for their commitment to camp-based education – something we want to see more of in our delivery of the curriculum. Watch out for Toby’s Writer’s Camp at Birrigai next week, as our next foray into learning beyond the classrooms.
I would like to reflect on the outstanding achievement of one of our staff members – Holly Godfree. In April this year, Holly was announced as the Australian school librarian of the year and presented with the accolade in a dazzling ceremony at the National Museum in front of her national colleagues. We are incredibly lucky to have Holly and her fellow teacher librarian, Lori, in our midst: the work they do in support of classroom teachers and students in our college is outstanding.
Our incredible art teacher, Rachel Rooney, mounted a public exhibition of her works in early June, highlighting the plight of endangered species around the world. The exhibition at the M16 gallery in Griffith was an outstanding success, and from it, Rachel has a follow up exhibition and enterprise based in Melbourne to further her campaign. Over many years, our art students have benefited from Rachel’s talent and her understanding of being a professional artist.
On a personal note, congratulations to our Chandra on her becoming an Australian citizen. I mention Chandra also because of her incredible work in fundraising as part of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and the fight to gain a better understanding of cancer treatment.
We celebrated the life and contribution of our Stewart Clode in June – one year after he passed away. His twin sons, long-time friends and colleagues in ACT public education came along to a commemoration, and to share great stories of his work. The college announced that the wing housing our technical workshops will be named in his honour as part of his legacy.
Some of you may know that in my spare time I try to get out on the waters of our region in the kayak. Ian and I spent some of the recent school holidays on the calm waters of Saint Georges Basin. Whale-spotting at Ulladulla and some casual bike riding at Sussex Inlet rounded out a rejuvenating week away. It reminded me how fortunate we are to live in this part of Australia.
I’m looking forward immensely to Semester 2 as we embark on School Review – a chance for the college to learn from external educational experts about how we can continue to improve our practices. I am confident our reviewers will find the care and compassion we show each other every day to be a highlight. We are, after all, about Learn, Thrive and Connect.
– Julie Murkins
Limelight Success!
A huge congratulations to all our students and staff involved in the Limelight exhibition that opened at ANU School of Art & Design on Tuesday night. We have received some great feedback about the quality of the work displayed by Lake Tuggeranong students. Such a great opportunity for students to see their work framed and displayed in a gallery!
Justice Oshyer with her portrait 
Harry Whalan with his work of the John Curtain School of Medical Research
Even more exciting news of the night was the awarding of the Isabel Matthews Scholarship to one of our very own international students Riley (Thi) Phan! This is the first year Limelight has offered an annual prize and this scholarship is in memory of Isabel Matthews who was a dedicated arts and photography student and highly talented emerging artist who died in tragic and unexpected circumstances in May 2018.
and her (very proud) photography teacher Tiffany Roweth
The Scholarship is awarded to a photo-media artists who shows exceptional creativity, originality and commitment to creating and showcasing digital photo media artworks. This amazing honour and prize includes a $500 cash bursary for the purchase of equipment and resources and a 12 month residency program provided by PhotoAccess to support the creative development of the artist. Riley’s work Planet B (below) was created as part of a Levitation Photography assessment in Semester 1. A huge well done to Riley, we look forward to seeing the many outstanding works you create.
The exhibition continues until 10th of August, go check out some of the amazing work from students across the ACT.
In addition to the Gallery’s standard hours (10:30am – 5pm, Tues – Friday), the Gallery will be open on Saturday from 10:30am to 2pm during the Step into the Limelight Exhibition.
Careers Information
Upcoming dates for your calender:
- 2019 Careeers Xpo is on 7th August
- UAC information Session (14th August) at 10:30am in the Lecture Theatre Pav 6.
Work Experience & Careers Opportunities:
- Hairdressing Apprenticeships available: 1 Full Time for a year 12 early leaver (Tuggeranong area) and 1 ASBA for a year 11 or 12 student (Garran Area)
- Hospitality ASBA Cert III in Hospitality (Canberra City)
- Applications are now open for Work Exposure in Government (WEX) 2019 – WEX is an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to learn about careers in the Australian Government. (Sunday 20 October to Friday 25 October 2019)
For further information contact Careers in College Life.
Lake Tuggeranong College 