PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Dear Parents/Students/Community Members

It has been great to welcome our year 7 and new students along with their families to the college this year. The year started with a fabulous camp to The Summit where students and staff spent a few days getting to know each other and forming new friendships. They should all be proud of the way they have stepped up into high school, building their knowledge to navigate their way around a large site, being open minded to accepting challenges in their numerous classes and being caring and principled when building relationships with staff and peers. I want to thank our new families that have taken the time to communicate their gratitude and thanks to individual and teams of staff that have contributed to your young people feeling valued and listened to and supported in their academic and social emotional journeys at MESC.

Congratulations to all students that have demonstrated risk taking to apply for student leadership. I often talk to young people about my leadership path and how in awe I am of how many students put their hand up for leadership. When I was at school, it was the cool kids or most confident that year in year out were leaders in my school, I was not one of those. I acknowledge and thank our primary schools for the work they have done in this space in recent years, instilling pride and ‘can do’ attitude in our young people. I am always impressed by the students that are not successful in attaining a position, so often asking how they can be involved in the college in another way - that too is leadership! A big congratulations to the students that will be leading our college in a formal capacity in 2023. I am excited to see all of your ideas come to fruition, and watch your leadership capacity grow.

I would like to draw attention to our amazing College Captains, Jimmy Richards and Chelsea Rix. Our community may be aware of the media interest the college received over some of the older buildings we have at the college and lack of Government funding in decades. Chelsea and Jimmy, with the guidance of School Council representative, Bill Di Blasio, have been communicating with Chris Crewther and Peta Murphy to highlight the need we have as a college to have upgrades to support up to date and best practice teaching and learning. Keep an eye out for a petition being developed for the Mount Eliza community to support Chelsea and Jimmy in their endeavours. They will be meeting with Chris and Peta on two occasions next term. Thank you to the two of you, and we can’t wait to hear how it all goes.

I would like to thank, congratulate and welcome our 2023 School Council. It was an exciting time for us, as it is the first time in my decade at the school, that we have had so much parent/carer interest that college council nominations went to a vote. College council is a big responsibility in doing the best they can to represent the parent/carer MESC community. Should you ever wish to have a matter raised at college council pertaining to the council role, these can be shared via our President or other members.

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/school-council-powers-and-functions/policy

College Council President- Stephen Baker

Stephen.Baker@education.vic.gov.au

College Council Deputy President

- Bill Di Blasio

Treasurer - Tony Walker

Parent/Carer Members

Katanya Barlow

Kate Eadie

Kat Howell

Lisa Ingerton

Carolyn Smith

Nigel Church

Hannah Swaffield

DET members

Angela Banfield

Marcia Claringbold

Lynn Swannell

Student Member

Mylo Maciver

2023 has seen the introduction of Families and Friends. This is an opportunity for members of the MESC community to provide support to the college in raising funds and volunteering at events or in college programs. All are welcome to come to meetings, or provide support when initiatives arise. Keep an eye out on COMPASS and our socials for upcoming meetings and events.

The first event will be a Mothers’/Significant friend Day Breakfast on the 11th May, 7am-8.30am.

In recent weeks our year 8 students have attended a CITY camp where they have been exposed to issues and support networks for the CBD community. I had the pleasure of attending last Friday with 8E. I was so impressed by the calibre of conversations, presentations and questions being asked of the onsite teacher, guest speakers and each other. It is this pride as a Principal that reinforces why I do the job that I do. I want to thank all parents/carers for your support during these camps, as I know there were many early mornings, afternoon pick-ups, sleep overs to support other families and carpooling. I can tell you that your logistical support was well worth the depth of learning and experiences had by our year 8 kids.

We continue to gradually work on the buildings and grounds in the college. This week I have found myself imitating the ‘Colourbond ad’, admiring our new sign at the college’s administration entrance. By the end of the term we are hoping all new signs have been installed, and the wrapping around basketball courts as well. We are patiently waiting for design confirmations for our new bathrooms, but like many other builds in the State at the moment, this is proving to be a slow process. I have sent off confirmed plans for landscaping at the front of the school, with these works hopefully starting in September holidays.

This Term we have witnessed some changes in student behaviour which have encouraged us to reflect and revise college processes and policy around student management and wellbeing regarding MESC as an orderly and safe environment. Violence, bullying, inappropriate social media use and illicit substance use has plagued our community and beyond post COVID and unfortunately our college has not been immune. I am confident in the skills and knowledge of my leadership and staff to navigate our young people into making better choices and provide families with the support they need as well. It is important that a community, school or any organisation is not judged on a minority or individual events, as what this Newsletter has shown is that most of our students and their families are extraordinary, achieving great things and supportive. I am very aware of how fortunate I and MESC staff are to be working is such a great place.

Term 2 will see the implementation of these processes to support students to be conducive to high expectations. I have had several conversations with college staff in the implementation of these processes and the importance of consistency. I ask the same of our parents/carers. It is important that students leave home ‘ready to learn’. Leaving proactive and consequential actions to school alone, does not allow positive relationships between student, home and school – it really does take a village.

We have recently experienced an increase in the use of e-cigarettes (vapes) across the College in recent weeks. While this behaviour is concerning for all age groups, it is our younger students that are typically being found in possession and use. In response to this unsafe behaviour, we follow DET policy and processes around detention/suspension for having an illegal device on school grounds, however our long term focus and arguably most important is around health and education. This is something all of us must be a part of. Due to the physical attributes of ‘vapes’ they are attractive to more young people than smoking in previous decades, students reporting to us that they are more open to trying them than cigarettes because they don’t smell or taste offensive. Last year we installed sensors and we have cameras that monitor bathroom behaviour. We have had educational incursions with experts in this field and through our HPE program. The following link provides ideas about what you can do as parents/carers.

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/e-cigarettes.html

In addition to this we provide for your consideration the Mobile Phone policy and the Dress Code policy.

I ask that all families are aware of both policies and the processes we follow as a college. I ask that parents/carers support us in the collection of phones/devices after 3 infringements, as this is an area we are finding challenging in gaining support. We have had some issues with CRTs allowing these devices, however a clear message has been shared with CRTs and our own staff that use of mobile phones during school hours is against Ministerial policy formally issued by the Minister for Education under section 5.2.1(2)(b) of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic).

Our Dress Code and Policy will be updated over the break with the inclusion of the optional jacket and legging items. Term 2 will see staff most mornings at locker bays to support students to be in correct uniform and have appropriate learning materials and be on time to class. There will be the re-introduction of uniform detentions, with escalation of repeated infractions.

Over the break, please support your student and us in making sure they have appropriate uniform items, in line with college guidelines. If you have concerns or challenges in making this happen, please reach out for support.

TOP 5 uniform issues

Long sleeve items under uniform. We have many uniform items to meet the needs of health concerns and temperature. Students are permitted to wearing plain, white undergarments that cannot be seen.
Shoes – all students must have leather/leather look, lace up school shoes (not boots). Exemptions must be made through college Principal
Socks – grey, school socks only
Piercings/jewellery/nails – it is a shame that students have campaigned successfully to school council and a few are not respecting this by wearing rings instead of a small stud. Students should have one bracelet/bangle, ring on each hand is okay and single chain necklace. Nails are to be just past finger tip and of neutral tones.
Uniform appearance – dress length is to be to the knee, skirt knee or below. No hair ties synching in waists

It has been a long 11 week term. I hope all students and families have a well deserved break. If you are travelling have a great time and stay safe.

Danielle Vaughan

Principal - MESC