Yearbook2017_demo
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Chairman’s REPORT<br />
“The task of a modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts.”<br />
C S Lewis wrote these words and even though they are now 75 years old, they<br />
resonate well with me when I look at how our team at Oxford Falls Grammar<br />
School do what they do, week in week out.<br />
Mrs Pam O’Flaherty<br />
Chairman<br />
OFGS is a thriving community<br />
where children are nurtured,<br />
challenged, encouraged and<br />
supported. And yes, as C S Lewis said,<br />
it is not about cutting down but rather<br />
building up. It’s about investing,<br />
academically and emotionally, in the<br />
next generation. It’s about providing an<br />
environment that enhances learning and<br />
having a team who genuinely care about<br />
children as they grow and develop from<br />
five-year-olds to young adults. I am<br />
pleased that that environment is alive and<br />
well at Oxford Falls Grammar School.<br />
2017 was another successful year<br />
at OFGS. In Term 2 we warmly<br />
welcomed Dr Peter Downey as our<br />
new Principal. Dr Downey is a highly<br />
respected and exceptional educational<br />
leader, with a wealth of experience in<br />
Christian education. We are thrilled to<br />
have him lead our School.<br />
This year saw the appointments of<br />
Mrs Rae Doak to Executive Leader and<br />
Mrs Juliette Siemsen to Head of Senior<br />
School. Both these women have been<br />
a vital part of our leadership team for<br />
many years and we congratulate them<br />
on these senior appointments.<br />
and pray they enjoy a happy, healthy<br />
and well-earned retirement!<br />
I acknowledge and thank our highly<br />
competent School Executive led by Dr<br />
Downey who, along with Mr Greg Morris,<br />
Mrs Rae Doak, Mrs Juliette Siemsen and<br />
Mrs Amy Corrigan, form a very strong<br />
and stable team, and continue to take our<br />
School from strength to strength. I also<br />
acknowledge the Directors and Heads<br />
of Departments and thank them all for<br />
the dedication and expertise they bring<br />
to these important roles in our School.<br />
I am indebted to our staff, a large and<br />
complex team, for their professionalism,<br />
talents and enthusiasm in all they do.<br />
The contribution they make to OFGS<br />
on a daily basis is so appreciated.<br />
OFGS is blessed with a wonderful<br />
community of parents who volunteer in<br />
many areas of school life. I particularly<br />
thank Mr Paul O’Brien who has served<br />
the School for the last two and a half<br />
years as the President of the P&C. We<br />
very much appreciate the time he has<br />
given to leading a team of parents who<br />
so willingly sow into our School. Huge<br />
thanks to our many parent volunteers<br />
and to our very supportive parent body.<br />
To our School Board I say a big thank<br />
you. Our President, Pastor Phil Pringle,<br />
our Deputy Chairman, Mr Craig<br />
Stanmore, and each of our directors are<br />
some of the most dedicated people I<br />
know. Their genuine love of OFGS and<br />
commitment to it is something I value<br />
highly and it is truly a privilege to work<br />
alongside each of them. I am indebted<br />
to them for their time and unwavering<br />
dedication to our great School. In that<br />
context I thank Pastors Phil and Christine<br />
Pringle for birthing our School 33 years<br />
ago, and the C3 church community for<br />
their continued support. In addition,<br />
Board member Mr Marc Forestieri is<br />
the Chairman of the OFGS Foundation<br />
and I thank him and his Foundation<br />
team for the time and commitment<br />
they give to our School community.<br />
Finally, I thank God for His continued<br />
faithfulness to us and for his blessings<br />
over 2017.<br />
Mrs Pam O’Flaherty<br />
Chairman<br />
At the end of this school year, two of<br />
our long-term staff members retired:<br />
Mrs Georgia Judge (who has been<br />
with us in the Junior School for 17<br />
years) and Mrs Liz de Guio (who has<br />
worked in our TAS Department for<br />
12 years). We thank them sincerely for<br />
their many years of service to OFGS<br />
OFFICIAL REPORTS CHAIRMAN REPORT<br />
Dr Phil Pringle<br />
President and<br />
Founding Member<br />
Mr Craig<br />
Stanmore<br />
Deputy Chair<br />
Mr Marcello<br />
Forestieri<br />
Director<br />
Mr Paul Macken<br />
Director<br />
Pr Tracey Berry<br />
Director<br />
Mr Ian Harry<br />
Director<br />
Mr Clyde Daish<br />
Director<br />
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