Welcome to the final blog post for the year. As we approach the remaining days of 2025, I find myself reflecting on our year at Richard Gill School. After returning from maternity leave in Semester 2, it has been nonstop action for our staff, students and community.
During our End of Year Celebration Assembly, we recognised the efforts of students in a variety of categories. From effort to growth and personal character strengths, it was clear to see how hard our students had been working all year to achieve their goals.
Please enjoy a snippet of my thoughts as we look back at 2025.
Our Wonderful Students
Your efforts and achievements this year have been truly outstanding. I've seen your resilience when things got tough, your creativity in the classroom, your kindness in the playground, and your commitment to your learning. Whether it was mastering a tricky Maths problem, learning a new instrument, writing a compelling story or being a thoughtful friend, every step forward is a victory.
The Heart of Our School: Our Staff
I want to take a moment to express my overwhelming gratitude for our staff. To our teachers, support staff and everyone who works tirelessly behind the scenes; thank you! The immense dedication, passion and sheer effort you put into every single day for the benefit of our students is truly humbling. You go to extraordinary lengths—arriving early, staying late, planning engaging lessons, offering comfort and fostering the spark of curiosity in every child. You are the heartbeat of this school and I am profoundly thankful to lead such a brilliant and caring team.
The Importance of Music
As an independent school, we have the flexibility to place real emphasis on what we believe truly enriches a child's education. This is why I want to reflect on the words of the late, great Australian music educator, Richard Gill AO, who said:
"We teach music because it is unique and good. We teach music so that children can make their own music. We teach music because it acts in a unique way on the heart, mind, soul and spirit of the child, stimulating thought and imagination in very special ways."
Music, as Richard Gill believed, isn't just a bonus subject; it is central to developing a complete, imaginative, and thinking human being. It requires intense concentration, allows abstract thought, and, when properly taught, provides lifelong benefits that enhance all other areas of learning. We are proud to keep this vital element at the core of our students' experience.
Looking to the Future
While we all look forward to a well-deserved break, there is also so much excitement for what is to come in 2026! We have new initiatives planned, new ideas to explore, new grades to teach and new adventures waiting for us. Our school will continue to grow and evolve, but our core commitment to providing a nurturing, high-quality and holistic education will remain absolute.
A Truly Special Place
The Richard Gill School is more than just a place of learning; it is a community bound by shared values, mutual respect and genuine warmth. It is an environment where every child is seen, every voice is heard, and every person is valued. I am so thankful to be a part of it—to witness the magic that happens here every day. Through every challenge, we persevere and grow more steadfast in our commitment to our students and the unified purpose that guides everything we do here.
Thank you,
Tara Stanford
