Tempe High School

I was immensely pleased to be a part of the Annual Presentation Day at Tempe High School this week. It was a day to celebrate those students that had truly embraced the schools motto 'Labora Fortiter' or 'Work Hard' (good advice). 

The guest speaker for the day was Dr Anne Summers. A distinguished author with vast experience in politics, media and business alike she gave a striking address that gave the audience much to reflect upon. I was particularly pleased to present Tina Nguyen a Senior Prefect with my Outstanding Leadership Award for 2012. Mr Fairburn, in nominating Tina noted that she had 'fulfilled her duties with great enthusiasm' and was 'a great role model for students'. Again, I congratulate Tina on her achievements and wish her and her classmates all the best as they make the move into tertiary education. 

Finally, it is with sadness that the school farewells its longstanding Principal Mr John Fairburn this week as the academic year draws to a close. John is rightly a respected educator whose leadership of staff, students has been long admired and whose tenure as Principal has been one of great change, development and excitement for the school. Although John departs the school this week his successor is already there in current Deputy Principal Socrates Dassaklis.

On behalf of the community I wish John all the best in his retirement. An outstanding educator he will be missed not just by the parents, students and staff of Tempe High School, but the State's education system to which he has made such an outstanding contribution. I congratulate new Principal Mr Socrates Dassaklis on his appointment.