Principal's Report

Dear Students, Parents and Carers,

I will begin by saying that last week was a very sad and challenging time for our learning community with the passing of one of our senior students and also a parent, both following major illnesses. Respecting the privacy and wishes of families, no names have been mentioned.

ANZAC DAY

On Friday 24th April we commemorated ANZAC day. Thank you to Mr Rob Leonard, our Humanities Domain Leader,  student  Domain Leader Ailava Tamaka and Assistant Principal Ms Eloise Haynes, for their work in preparing the slides and video for our reflection and commemoration. On the morning of 25th April, Anzac Day, many members of our community including yours truly rose before dawn and stood in silence on driveways, verandas or balconies to reflect on the sacrifices made by many to keep our country free. We will remember them. Lest we forget.

UPDATES

There is currently significant discussion around whether schools should return. Although there has been an easing in restrictions in some other states, this is still yet to be applied in Victoria. Next Monday 11th May, the Premier will hold a press conference and advise of any changes to the current restrictions. Any changes or easing of restrictions may or may not apply to schools. Each state and territory is different, and as such we should not be confused from what is happening in other regions of Australia.  

REMOTE LEARNING

We are now entering Week 4 of Remote Learning. I wish to take the opportunity to thank all staff at our College for quickly responding to the challenges to support learning in a very different way. I wish to thank the leadership team for supporting me and other colleagues during this challenging time.  We have tried new things with some things working better than others.  We knew that it was not going to be easy or perfect. What I can say, is that the staff at the College have tried their best to support learning and respond to the continuous feedback. Thank you to all Students, Parents/Carers and Staff for responding to our recent survey on remote learning. This information will guide our planning and decisions moving forward.

Prior to the commencement of the term we published remote learning guides for Students, Parents and Carers, and one for Staff. I trust that you have found these informative, useful and a helpful reference. Adjustments have been made in response to feedback. Prior to Remote Learning commencing we adjusted lesson length from the usual 75 mins to 60 mins, to help reduce screen time and allow ‘brain breaks’ and a chance to stretch. Commencing tomorrow, Monday 4th we are now requesting every student to complete a ‘check-in’ using Compass prior to 9.30am each day. This new added process does not change the expectation of students attending their lessons or completing the required work.

During Remote Learning there are times when the teacher is interacting with students in ‘real time’. We call this synchronous learning. While at other times, the teacher may have prepared a pre-recorded video or upload a lesson with links to learning tasks. We call this asynchronous learning. Some lessons may in fact have aspects of both synchronous and asynchronous learning.  

LAPTOPS

We have distributed over 50 laptops to students to assist with learning. Last week, it was wonderful to read an email from the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, responding to an email our year 10 student Amelia Jane had written thanking him for the loan laptops and the additional support that this has provided to her learning.

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE DAY

Next Monday 11th and Wednesday 13th May, our teaching staff will engage in their Professional Practice Day.  Each Term staff have the opportunity to spend time planning, correcting student work, cross marking with their colleagues etc. During these dates in Week 5,  students from respective classes will be working asynchronously, from work that has been left by teachers.

CANCELLATIONS & POSTPONEMENTS

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, like many schools we have had to postpone numerous events. The Queensland Great Barrier Reef Tour and the College Production 'Aladdin' have both been postponed until next year.  Later in the year, we are hoping to offer students the House Athletics and Cross Country, along with the Year 11 Formal and the Valedictory Dinner for our graduating students. All of this of course, will be  subject to the easing of restrictions around social distancing.

STAFFING

I am excited to announce that this term we welcome Karly Pearson, our new Careers Practitioner who has joined our Careers Team. Due to Remote Learning, Brad Andrews, our new English/Humanities teacher, will join our learning community next term, as he continues to support students at his current school.

I would also like to congratulate Sophie Gregory on her 2-year secondment to DET for her work with Literacy. We wish her all the best in her new role. Her replacement will be advertised to commence in Term 3.

FACILITIES

During every crisis there is opportunity. While most staff and all students have been off-site and engaged in remote learning, we have used this opportunity to further clean and upgrade our college facilities.

Works undertaken or in the process of being undertaken include:

• A refurbished Resource Centre (Library) - new carpet, painting, signage, etc
• Furniture upgrade to areas of the FLS
• External painting to buildings
• Installation of large digital screens across the College for enhanced communication  
• Garden works - Tree trimming, possum barriers, mulching, weeding
• Paving repairs
• External seating, repairs, replacement and painting
• Installation of external new permanent synthetic grass volleyball court
• Basketball backboard replacement
• External Basketball/Netball/Futsal court refurbishment - this will includ

Wayne Haworth

Principal