As Principal of Nowra Anglican College, it is my responsibility to ensure that we are living out our College vision, mission and values. Because these words – about striving for excellence, unlocking potential, and developing active learners – must be more than a line in a glossy brochure. They need to shine through everything we do at school, both in and out of the classroom. As I move forward, working to strengthen and develop the college, I want to ensure these are deeply embedded in all that we do here, and are enacted through each aspect of College life.

Firstly, I want to make a commitment to all of you. I will endeavour to ensure that every member of this community knows they are valued and belong. I want each young person to know that they – you – are a unique creation. You have your own strengths, passions, interests and experiences, and they matter. Each of you has something to offer this community.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of your Heavenly Father. His love for each of you is so great that He would not even spare His only Son so you could be reconciled to Him. Before all else, we want students to know how wide and high and deep is the love that the Father has for them.

The second is our determination to help each of our students strive for excellence, to unlock their individual potential, and support them as they step into their learning, growing in confidence and ownership along the way. It has always been my passion as an educator to see each child discover that they have immense capacity to learn.

"I want them to understand that learning should be challenging, there should be stretch and there will be times when it will be uncomfortable or even overwhelming. But there will also be times of joy and wonder, breakthrough, success and satisfaction. This is the learning journey, and it is an enormous privilege to be on it"

At Nowra Anglican College, we aim to foster the attitudes and dispositions that support powerful learning. We want our students to know that how they approach their learning matters. That learning takes resilience, a willingness to fail and get up and try again. That they must be resourceful, applying their creativity and intelligence to the challenges in front of them. That they must learn to reflect upon their learning and their attitudes to improve. That being relational – willing to work together and improve the lives of those around us – counts.

We want our students to thrive as part of our school but, more importantly, we want to equip them to take their place in society and make a positive difference to the wider community. We aim for them to take what they learn (and how they learn) into every situation.

We want them to know that they are a powerful learner with the skills and dispositions to navigate complexity and challenge. We want them to know that they, and each person they meet, is of immense worth. As they live in Christ’s world, we hope they will consider how they can serve others, how they can use their talents to bless those they encounter.

"As Principal, I will mirror the learning dispositions we are developing in our students: providing leadership that is resilient, resourceful, reflective and relational"

I will ask the tricky questions, to stretch staff and students, to encourage all of us to grow and develop. I commit to always look forward, to see potential and reach for it, to build and refine, and keep growing towards the future.

Mrs Jodie Bennett
Principal

‘Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path’ Psalm 119:105