and instrumental programs and cocurricular tuition. Skills developed in these areas are showcased in a variety of performance opportunities within the college community, including productions, concerts, festivals, exhibitions and House competitions. Southern Independent Schools Cornish College is part of the Southern Independent Schools network of fifteen schools offering regular interschool sporting and cultural competitions throughout the school year. Sports include athletics, cross country, swimming, baseball, basketball, cricket, football, handball, lawn bowls netball, soccer, softball, table tennis, tennis, touch rugby and volleyball. Cultural events include chess, debating, drama/TheatreSports, Teen Chef, Book in a Day and Public Speaking Championships. Sport Sport takes many forms at Cornish College to best serve students’ needs and developmental progression. Both internal and external sporting competitions are offered with a focus on ‘sport for all’, so that every student has the opportunity to participate in activities that best fit their skills and confidence. Healthy and inclusive competition is provided within the House structure with students able to participate in one of the three major sporting competitions – swimming, cross country and athletics – and through specific, individual competitions. All students in Years 3 – 6 compete in our major House carnivals – swimming, athletics and cross country. In Years 5 and 6, Cornish students participate in the Coeducational Independent Primary Schools Sports Association competition, competing in a range of team sports against other coeducational independent primary schools. From Years 7 – 12 students participate in the Southern Independent Schools sporting competition in many different sports. Awards The college, as well as individual staff members, has won a variety of awards including: 2011​ NEiTA Inspirational Teaching Award – Kirsty Liljegren, Director of the Early Learning Centre John Laing Principal’s Award – Kerry Bolger, Principal 2012 Australia Day Hero Awards through Backpack Bed for Homeless – School of the Year Winner 2017​ Environment Education Victoria Awards – Excellence Award Nicola Forrest, Deputy Principal Australia Day Hero Awards through Backpack Bed for Homeless – School of the Year Winner 2018 Greater Dandenong Sustainability Awards – Community Category Victorian Schools Garden Awards – State Award, for Prep to Year 12 schools Victorian Schools Garden Awards – Regional Award, Most Engaging Student Garden for Learning 2020 ResourceSmart Schools Awards – Finalists, Embedding Sustainability ELC-Year 6 – ​​Curriculum Leadership School of the Year (Primary) and Embedding Sustainability – ​​Curriculum Leadership School of the Year (Secondary) NEiTA Innovation in Online Teaching Award – Annemarie