Principal's Message

Welcome Back - Learning and Growing Together

I hope your family was peaceful, healthy and happy during the two week break from school. I look forward to Term 4 as we move headlong into the summer months. The longer days of sunlight might give you all more time after work to take a walk and relax. I hope it treats you well.

I spent all of my time at home in Melbourne catching up with family and friends. My beloved Geelong Cats lost in the finals and I am still getting over it. I spent time reflecting on Term 3 and the successes and failures I had experienced. Working on the idea that 'failure is feedback and a rich source of learning' served me well. 

I have absorbed many valuable lessons during my time at Bairnsdale and I am very grateful. In a clumsy way, I am trying to use the experience of my own childhood to help our students see the many ways that life can work out. Being the last child of 8 in a busy home with few resources taught me wonderful lessons of perseverance and determination. Not all of our Bairnsdale families experience lack of  resources, but some do, and I want all students to succeed regardless of their circumstance. In some ways, I have a chip on my shoulder and I get very defensive when my Melbourne colleagues suggest that rural kids don't have the same life chances as those in the city.

I have tried to explain to our students that we should never be labelled and that you can make of your life what you wish if you work hard and be kind to each other. Manners and presentation matter in life and that is balanced with not forgetting who you are and respecting where you come from. At times, I have watched my own family push against society's rules and come unstuck spectacularly. I love my crew, but some of their choices led them to failure which has been sad to watch. Like it or not, we need to work out how the rules work and to fit into them to find our way to success. Success is happiness and that requires, most times, the ability to find a job, to read and be good at things like maths and managing your own finances. Being kind to others and getting along are also keys to a fulfilling life.

Whenever I think of our students, I ask the question, "Is what they are doing right now going to be successful in the real world?" If the answer is no, then we need to help them find another way. Success comes in many forms, but working inside society's rules and boundaries is a given and we must, as adults, help them see this to be true. 

Our students have kind hearts and wonderful potential. It is the task of the adults in their world to help these talents come to fruition. It is the task of the students to respond positively to the adults so we all work in harmony to support their futures. Everyone has a role and responsibility. 

Term 4 will bring challenges as we reinforce our expectations of learning, kindness and responsibility. It will not be easy, but it is the right path. Our Year 12 students will finish off the year strongly and with pride and our remaining students will forge a new future at Bairnsdale Secondary College. Like all of you, I plan on learning from mistakes and being stronger for it in the long run. 

Finally, thank you for the opportunity and trust to lead your school. I appreciate the privilege. 

New Principal Appointment

This term, it is anticipated that our Region will support us in the selection of a new principal who will start in 2020. We will keep the community informed as things progress. We hope to be able to announce the new principal to you before the end of the year.

Newsletter Frequency - Once per Fortnight

In Term 4, we will publish the i-Newsletter every fortnight. Last term, to launch the service, we sent one out each week. The change is to ensure quality and content assurance.  The newsletter is produced by a small team of contributors from each section of the school. The goals of the newsletter are to inform our community and to celebrate our students.

We hope you enjoy it and it is reaching its goals.