Principal's Report
Term 3, another school term like no other.
As the Term draws to a close, I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of both students and staff at our college.
Every day we all face challenges, what I am frequently impressed with is how many turn the challenges into opportunities. Although, we may be wishing for our lives could quickly return to ‘normal’, we have much to be grateful for.
When compared with other countries, enjoy high standards of living, enjoy political freedom and civil safety. Although, we are missing some of the things to usually take for granted, we have much to look forward to in the months ahead and much to be grateful for.
Melodie Beattie discusses gratitude and states,
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
Last weekend, the Premier outline the roadmap with Minister Merlino clarifying the implications for education.
In summary this is the proposed timeline,
- For the remainder of Term 3- Remote learning with continue for the rest of the Term. With some senior students required on site for Essential Assessment. Next Monday 14th September all Unit 3 & 4 students will be required on site to undertake an Essential Assessment task for English and EAL. Assessment tasks for other subjects will be undertaken remotely by students.
- First Week of Term 4- 5th-9th October.- Flexible and remote learning to continue for all students. VCE, VCAL and VET students attend on-site for essential assessments including the General Achievement Test (GAT) on Wednesday 7th October.
- Second week of Term 4. From Monday 12th October- remote learning will continue for all Explore and Enhance Program students (Years 7-10). On-site supervision for students of permitted workers and vulnerable students. Year 11 & 12 students will now attend on-site schooling fulltime. Year 10 students enrolled in a VCE or VCAL program will attend on-site of these classes.
- Date subject to health advice- All students (7-10) in Melbourne will continue with remote and flexible learning. A date for the return of these year levels to face -to- face learning will be subject to further health advice.
Throughout 2020, I see and hear our college values being realized. Respect, Learning and Working Together. Can you identify each of these values in this month’s Newshamper?
Student Led Conferences
Thank you to students, parents/carers and staff for taking the recent opportunities to reflect on student learning. This year we strived to shift the focus from teachers to students. We aimed to transform student involvement from passive recipients to active participants. A student led conference enables students to be empowered to take control of their learning. The teachers acted as the facilitator, offering questions to elicit student reflections. When we provide students the time and place for reflection, we empower them as learners and thinkers. Reflection on a lesson or on their own progress also allows students to build skills in critical thinking that they can apply when they are problem-solving and learning on their own.
Teaching and Learning Forum
Throughout remote learning we continued to building staff capacity to improve practice and learning outcomes for students. Earlier this week, we held our second Teaching and Learning forum which went to a whole new level as it was student led! and included student presentations. Thank you to our host Jasmine Kosyakova for doing an amazing job! Additionally, a big thanks to our student presenters Laurice and Mack, and all our wonderful staff that shared their best tricks and tips for effective remote learning and teaching.
Student Wellbeing
During difficult and challenging times, it is vital to look after oneself so that we may look after and care for others. Recently, our college acknowledged and celebrated Wear it Purple day. Acknowledging and respecting individuals for who they are, is one of the essential elements of a great school. Thank you to the Wellbeing Team who organised the amazing video – Why I wear purple?
This Thursday 10th September, our learning community will ask the question R u ok? It is a question not only for the 10th September, but of everyday. Looking out for others, for those who may not be travelling well is a caring, kind and friendly way to support members of our community.
Preparing for 2021
Work on our 2021 Timetable continues in earnest. In a school that offers students a more personalised program and enables students to be empowered to take control of their learning, our timetable is a vital mechanism to enable this. Student subject selection ultimately determine what subjects run and the number of classes in each subject required. Thank to Ms Elena Podsytnik, supported by Ms Haynes for this work.
Staffing
I am very pleased to announce the following staff have been provisionally appointed to our college the following positions for 2021.
Learning Specialist VCAL/VET Curriculum and Practice Leader - Ms Breanna Martin
Learning Specialist Data and Learning Growth Leader - Mr Broady Kata
Mental Health Practitioner - Ms Katherine Elliott
I would also like to congratulate Ms Erin Louden who has been appointed to the Acting Leading Teacher position – Student Engagement and Agency.
Facility upgrades
I am pleased to announce that the preferred builder has been appointed for Stage 1 of our soon to commence building works. This will see the single gymnasium to be converted into a double storey classroom complex and will form the future administrative base for one of our Houses. Stage 2 will see the transformation of our T Block into a new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) with discussions progressing well.
As this will be our final newsletter for Term 3, I wish all students and staff a stay and restful holiday.