08 Dec 2020
Presentation Day 2020 was a first for Blaxland East, moving from a night time celebration to the day in an attempt to spread out and socially distance – COVID style. It was definitely a huge success and a great highlight for 2020 as we acknowledged and congratulated a large number of very worthy award recipients. Joining us on the day were special guests; Mr Guy Power, representing Mrs Susan Templeman, Federal Member for Macquarie, Mrs Trish Doyle MP for the Blue Mountains, Mr Tony Lowe from the Glenbrook RSL sub branch, Mrs Anthea Strathdee, President of our P&C and Mrs Kerry Bryan, School Principal.
The highly accomplished school band kicked off the assembly with the ever-popular Disney Medley, featuring Under the Sea, Circle of Life, Friend Like Me and Beauty and the Beast. They performed beautifully and set the tone for a wonderful day of awards and celebrations.
Our school leaders did an outstanding job hosting the assembly. Our special guests commented on how they delivered their speeches with such confidence and diligence. Congratulations Jonah, Emily, Marcus, Chelsea, Ethan, Lucy, Elijah and Deanna – a job very, very well done!
Mrs Bryan gave a detailed account, providing a summary of the highlights and many changes we implemented during the year of COVID. Teachers presented their class awards and certificates and trophies were awarded for School Service, Core Values, Environment, Science, ICAS, Spelling Bee, Sport, Art, Performing Arts and Leadership.
The school band returned at interval to entertain us with Boléro – an orchestral piece by the French composer Maurice Ravel, which got our feet tapping and our shoulders shimmying.
Special mention should be made of Elijah Freeman, who took home the DUX Award for 2020, a very proud moment for Elijah, his family, and his classmates. Also, to Jonah Lamplough for winning the highly esteemed Peer Recognition Award. Jacob Przydacz, took out the Sportsman of the Year, while Isla Puri and Deanna Drake tied for Sportswoman of the Year Awards. Ania Bestley also won the highly regarded RSL Club Award for Core Values, and Ella Haldane took home the Rotary Award for her contribution to Primary School Community Service.
Mrs Dunning was honoured to present the NSW Minister’s and Secretary’s Award for Excellence to Penny Haldane, grandma of Ella in 6 Magenta. Penny received this award for generously giving hours and hours and hours of her time over the past six years, helping with reading, writing and craft. She has helped students change home readers, hunt down lost property, assisted during art lessons and covered hundreds of exercise books and library books. Our guardian angel grandma will be dearly missed as Ella moves onto high school.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the day, including our office staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
Congratulations to all award winners – you should be very proud of your accomplishments.
For more photos of the day, please go to our Gallery.
Liz Dunning
Organiser