<< Peninsula New 24 December 2007 - College holds presentation night >>

College holds presentation night

Brisbane Water Secondary College celebrated its annual academic excellence presentation night at the senior campus on Monday last week.

"The school hall was packed with parents, friends and members of the community to celebrate and recognise the efforts of students across the college," said relieving college principal Mr Gus Vrolyk.

"More than 300 awards were presented to students from the Umina middle school campus and the Woy Woy senior campus.

"Awards were presented by college staff and a range of special guests including School Education Director Mr Frank Potter, Member for Gosford Ms Marie Andrews, newly elected Member for Robertson Ms Belinda Neil, Mr Jim Henderson from the Religious Education Ministries, Jo Coulton, Kirsty Jones who presented the key note speech, Mr Aidrian Knight and Ms Catherine Knight, Mr Darrell Pannowitz of Tonkin and Drysdale Partners, Mr Wal Mapplebeck from Everglades Country Club, Mr Don Simmons from the Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club, P&C president Mrs Diane Gaston, Mr Jay Thorogood from the Rotary Club of Umina, Mr Don Burgin, a past head teacher administration of Woy Woy High School and Ms Elizabeth Ellis from Woy Woy Local Court.

Mr Vrolyk said that the key note speech from Kirsty Jones, a former student of Woy Woy High School, showcased "a remarkable journey of self discovery, achievement and selfless devotion to meeting the needs of people in developing nations who had experienced devastation".

"Ms Jones, who graduated from university with an engineering degree, recounted her experiences and development as a student at Woy Woy, highlighting how small opportunities gave her the confidence and determination to make a difference," Mr Vrolyk said.

"Most recently she was involved in engineering projects in war-torn Liberia in Africa, the Maldives, devastated by the tsunami in late 2004 as well as working in Afghanistan as a member of Red Cross international aid."

Recognition was given to Mr Pat Lewis, the inaugural college principal, who was retiring at the end of the year, by school education director Mr Frank Potter.

The awards presented on the night included both first place in year or course as well as awards for meritorious effort and achievement.

A range of community awards included those presented by the Religious Education Ministries, the Mingaletta Community awards, the Model United Nations award, the Jody Knight Citizenship award, the Wayne Coulton encouragement in music award, Defence Force awards, and an Umina Rotary Educational scholarship.

College presentations included presentation of the college captains for 2008, college all-rounder awards, creative and performing arts awards, VET student of the year, college P&C awards, principal's awards and the college SRC commitment award.

Ms Pamela McAlister, newly appointed principal of the senior campus, and Mr Michael Brogan of the Middle school campus, were honoured with school service awards.

The band Mind Priorities, comprising of students from the college, performed a number of "lively original compositions," according to Mr Vrolyk.

"The evening highlighted the enormous number of talented young people who attend the College and demonstrated the strength of public education on the Peninsula."

Press release, 20 Dec 2007 Gus Vrolyk, Brisbane Water Secondary College