My second year at Bayview College has been filled with expectation and the challenges that arise as a result of having stewardship of a vibrant and enthusiastic community.

Our College is a “people place” where the talents, interests and motivations of the students, staff, parents and the Portland community are clearly evident. Our College is a place of great opportunity where a variety of activities take place all supported by caring and responsive staff and volunteers who actively engage our students.

We are focussed on nurturing and developing the huge potential evident in our community. The self-discovery process that is education is clearly evident in the faces, the comments and the activities that you see reported in this publication.

We are very blessed overlooking beautiful Portland Harbour. Our heritage, commencing in 1862 with Mary MacKillop and followed in 1884 by Mary Ward and the Loreto Sisters, is something to celebrate. Our 146 years leading education in Portland is a tribute to the need for Christian schooling as a vital part of growing our society. This heritage is supported by fabulous modern equipment and facilities that we are justly proud of.

We are currently experiencing a healthy growth in enrolments and the decision to have three classes at each year level means we are embarking on a refurbishment and development program in staffing, buildings, facilities and in equipment, particularly in ICT (Information Communication Technology).

Our new Vision and Mission Statement launched so well at Speech Night this year will form the basis of our continued growth as a Christian school where Compassion, Integrity, Respect and Responsibility is lived every day. Our challenge will be to have Christ as our model and mentor as we strive to make ourselves, our College and our world a safer, happier and more just place where we can grow in care and respect for God and one another. Our challenge is also to link ideas and reflection with action. We must strive to make a difference and understand that we as individuals can and should consider our daily lives as an opportunity to serve our community as students, staff, parent or volunteer.

I would like to thank those myriad of people who have given of themselves; their time, energy and expertise to Bayview during 2008. It is one of the strengths of our community and the platform that growth for the future is built on. The vitality, exuberance and energy of our school and the people in it, gives us a bright future and it is appropriate that we focus on giving our students opportunities, processes and confidence for the future. 2008 has been great and so for the future let us … “show our light for others, so that they may see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven.” (Matthew Ch 5:15-16)