Canterbury College – A Holistic Education

Dear Parents and Carers,

As a parent myself, I wanted my children to develop a broad range of skills from a variety of experiences, and to be challenged.

I widely researched options and found schools that provided opportunities and challenges for them.

As a teacher too, I held this same philosophy for finding the ideal school.

I wanted a school that valued not only academics – but the whole student.

Sport, culture, faith, wellbeing and community were all important to me and my family.

I appreciate a school with high expectations of its students in every aspect of their school life.

Three years ago, I found Canterbury College, a school that genuinely valued and promoted holistic education – and with high expectations of its students.

I have the greatest pleasure working with a Principal, Executive Team, leaders and teachers with these same values.

Every day on the Canterbury School Calendar is an opportunity for our students to grow.

This includes Sports Carnivals, Outdoor Education Camps, Chapel Services, Wellbeing Days, Leadership Events and wonderful celebrations like our United Nations Day Multicultural Festival – to name just a few.

I know that not every activity will appeal to all students; however, every activity will contribute to their individual growth and understanding of who they really are.

Sadly though, it seems that some students are not making the most of these opportunities, and are instead choosing to stay home and convince their parents or carers that nothing of value is happening at school.

This is far from the truth…

Careful consideration and planning across each school year ensure all aspects of a student are challenged and developed.

I encourage you all to consider and remember why you sent your young people to Canterbury.

I am sure you will conclude that it was not for a part-time education, but for a complete experience that challenges and supports them to discover their strengths and preferences.

And a valuable opportunity for them to develop resilience from a young age through full participation in Canterbury College life!

Regards

Mrs Rebecca Adamson

Head of Secondary School / Acting Deputy Principal

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PS: If you need any further proof from a student’s point of view, please read this article written by our recent Class Of 2021 graduate Anderson Som.

Anderson Som – Proximae Accessit, Academic Captain and Debating Captain | ATAR 99.70

I started at Canterbury College in 2016 going into Year 7, but little did I know just how much the next six years would have in store for me.

My first Canterbury year had me watching my peers immerse themselves into the school’s culture and offerings – opportunities that I let slip as I was simply too shy and nervous.

I made the athletics team in 2016, but it became clear to me that remaining uninvolved, would just leave me disappointed with my high school experience.

So I resolved to throw myself into Canterbury life – a decision that would change me fundamentally.

In 2017, I joined the boys vocal group, the basketball and debating teams, and participated in the F1 Schools Challenge, which involved designing a model F1 then packaging its marketing and sponsorships.

In 2018, I added hip hop squad and volleyball to the mix, and maintained these extra-curricular activities throughout 2019, as well as trying my hand at contemporary dance.

I cut down my activities in 2020 with an increasing academic workload, but remained determined to continue living the Canterbury experience.

I joined the College’s Australian Space Design Competition team, plus their first ever boys netball team, which received a wildcard entry into the Vicki Wilson Cup.

2020 saw my debut in the TAS competition’s premier stage, earning a place in the First VI boys volleyball team.

In my final year, despite academic pressure reaching an all-time high, I joined the College’s Rock School, becoming a vocalist for two bands and competing at the Battle of the Rock Bands where we won Gold.

Furthermore, I made Canterbury’s First XV Rugby team despite being my first year playing.

I also participated in a variety of leadership and entrepreneurial programs, like the Beenleigh Chamber of Commerce, Eureka Science Video Competition, and the gen[in] Student Innovation Challenge.

Academically, there was the Australian Maths Olympiad, Australian Maths Competition, ICAS Challenges, the Modern Language Teachers’ Association of Queensland’s competition in Japanese, and the International Chemistry Quiz.

I represented Canterbury at the Intermediate and Senior Schools Volleyball Cup, the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup in 2019 and 2021, the Nitro Athletics Competition, the Ballymore Cup and Rugby 7s Cups.

Arts-wise, I was an ensemble member for the 2018 Anglican Schools Music Festival and 2019 Canterbury Festival, among other performances with House of Champions and the University of Queensland Chorale.

My school achievements include Academic Excellence from Year 8 onwards, as well as various subject prizes to contribute towards the privilege of being named Dux of Years 9, 10 and 11.

I consistently achieved highly in academic competitions, culminating in two High Distinctions in 2021 for the AMC and ICQ, plus being a State Finalist in the English Speaking Union’s Public Speaking Competition.

On the sports court, a well-earned second place at the 2021 AVSC was a fitting farewell to my volleyball career after a second-place finish in the TAS season.

I enjoyed medal finishes at previous volleyball cups and narrow misses in netball, athletics and rugby.

Finally, I was privileged to serve as a Prefect and be the Academic Captain, as well as Debating Captain.

In 2022, I will enter QUT to study a Bachelor of Vision Science, into a Master of Optometry under QUT’s Excellence Scholarship for Academics.

I also plan to extend myself into volunteering. I’m excited for the future, but I will always be fond of the time I had at Canterbury.

Subjects: English, Japanese, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics.