Celebrating our Grandparents

Grandparents Morning

What a great day we had honouring our amazing grandparents during Grandparents Morning. Thursday was a memorable and heartwarming day at Whitby Collegiate as we welcomed our grandparents to the school, celebrating and honouring an important part of our school community.

We were blessed with sunshine, great presentations, performances, and a delightful spread for morning tea hosted by our dedicated Parents' Association. This special event highlighted the strong bonds within our school community. Our students had the pleasure of showing their grandparents around the school, sharing their learning environment and daily experiences. It was a wonderful opportunity for the grandparents to connect with the school and see firsthand the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere their grandchildren are a part of.

We were incredibly moved by the speeches given by our students and, in particular, one of our grandparents. A special thank you to Mrs. Mary Egley, who spoke so beautifully about her gratitude for our school community's support of her granddaughter Louisa. Her words highlighted how our collective efforts have helped Louisa flourish into a confident and happy student who is making the most of her opportunities in a nurturing environment. Mary has kindly allowed us to include an excerpt from her speech:

“Whitby Collegiate is not merely a place of learning; it is a sanctuary of knowledge, growth, and opportunity. From the dedicated teachers who inspire and challenge, to the supportive staff who nurture talents, aspirations and leadership, every aspect of our grandchildren’s educational experience has been carefully crafted to help them reach their full potential.

This school is providing all the students with a rich tapestry of excellent academic resources, extracurricular activities, and real-world experiences, equipping them with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in today's ever-changing world. 

But perhaps most importantly, Whitby Collegiate is instilling in our grandchildren a sense of purpose and a commitment to making a positive difference in the world. Through community service initiatives, leadership opportunities, and cultural programmes, they are learning the importance of empathy, compassion, respect and social responsibility – values that will guide them long after they leave school, throughout their lives.”

The students' musical talents and performances were a highlight, bringing smiles and applause from the audience. We extend an enormous vote of thanks to Ms. Sauvao for coordinating this event and to Mr. John Fiso, the Chair of the Proprietor’s Board, for addressing the gathering. Our gratitude also goes to the Parents' Association for their unwavering support, with the morning tea greatly appreciated by all.

We are also very grateful for the ongoing willingness of our students to step up to help make the event a memorable one for our grandparents. A special mention must go to our Head Prefects, Jade Lin and Liam Cuming, for their leadership and warm welcome. Additionally, we would like to acknowledge our Audio Visual team of Will Whitehead, Caleb Whelan, and Caelan Taylor—as well as Louisa Egley-Turner and Adelle Tipper for their amazing speeches honouring their grandparents. Thank you also to Campbell Eggleton and our Prefects who helped to set up the gym for our special event. Isla Green, Holly and Chloe Newland, Natalie Barr, and Harshit Kumar were great hosts and tour guides. Their efforts ensured that the morning ran smoothly and was enjoyed by all our visitors.

It was truly a special event that brought our community together, and we look forward to many more occasions like this in the future.