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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 />

5

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