As we come to the end of another fantastic year at Rockhampton Girls Grammar School, I want to take a moment to thank you - our parents and caregivers - for your ongoing support and encouragement. Your partnership with us has made such a difference in the lives of our students, and it’s been wonderful to share in their many achievements this year.
Looking back, 2024 has been full of highlights. We’ve celebrated our students’ academic successes, from individual achievements to group efforts in competitions and classroom learning. Beyond the classroom, they’ve shone in so many areas - sports, music, the arts, and cultural activities - showing resilience, teamwork, and a genuine passion for giving their best.
Our community events have been a testament to the strength of our school spirit. Beef Week was a great celebration of our region’s heritage, the fourth annual Long Lunch brought us together to connect and share stories over incredible food and entertainment, and the P&F Bulls 'n' Barrels event was a night full of energy, fun, and community pride. These events don’t just happen - they’re the result of so many hands and hearts working together, and I’m so grateful to everyone who contributed their time and effort.
We’ve continued to prioritise student wellbeing, and it’s something I am immensely proud of. Through our pastoral care program and BrainWise initiative, we’ve worked hard to ensure our girls feel supported and confident to take on life’s challenges. It’s so rewarding to see them developing the skills and self-belief that will serve them well, not just now but in the years to come.
On the facilities side, 2024 has been a big year. We’ve seen the refurbishment of Upper Luck House, giving it a revitalised and modernised look and feel for our secondary students. The Agricultural outdoor classroom and the Discovery Playground have brought new opportunities for hands-on and creative learning and engagement, and early works on the ELC stop-drop-go zone are paving the way for smoother, safer access for our youngest students and families.
As we head into the summer break, our non-teaching teams will be working hard behind the scenes to wrap up the year and prepare for 2025. Some exciting projects will be completed during this time, including the underground cabling project, which will see all overhead fire and data cabling removed along the service road.
When students return, Years 1 and 2 will be welcomed back to a revitalised Discovery Centre, with modern classrooms designed to inspire creativity and exploration. In addition to this, more outdoor seating, including picnic tables, umbrellas, and high-bar settings on McKeague Deck, will provide even more places for our girls to gather and connect.
I know some families are aware of the challenges we’re facing with teacher recruitment, particularly for specialist secondary subjects like Physics and Specialist Mathematics. This is an issue affecting schools across the country, especially in regional areas, and we’re doing everything we can to secure the best teachers for our students. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this, and we’ll keep you updated throughout December and January.
While many of us will enjoy a break over summer, many of our non-teaching teams will be hard at work. From deep cleaning classrooms to preparing audit documents and reports, their behind-the-scenes efforts ensure we’re ready for a smooth start to 2025. Teachers will also be busy with curriculum planning and professional development, making the most of the time between now and the start of the new school year.
We’re also excited to be launching a new communication app in January, which will make it even easier to stay connected with families. Keep an eye out for details early in the new year, along with updates on Reception and Uniform Shop opening hours during the holidays.
Our Executive Team will continue to focus on strategic planning, moving closer to achieving our bold Strategic Goals for 2025–2027. I look forward to sharing more in this space with our community in the new year.
As we wrap up 2024, I would like to thank all parents and caregivers for your support and involvement throughout the year. I wish you and your family a safe, joyful, and relaxing holiday season, and I look forward to seeing you all again as we welcome in the new academic year on Tuesday 28 January, 2025 at our Welcome BBQ.
Kara Krehlik
Principal
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