Assistant 

Principal Report 

Over the past two years we haven’t really had a time when we have had 6 weeks of school without having at least some remote learning. Whilst there have been some interruptions for our students, staff and families, it has been fantastic to be able to be in the classroom, with face-to-face learning. As we reach the midpoint of Term 1, it is really important we continue to lookout for everyone as we rebuild our ‘match fitness’. In the classes that I am teaching, everyone is rapt to be back (especially now that masks aren’t mandatory, at least in the secondary), but over the past week or so, I have noticed that the students are starting to look tired. As the term continues, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that our students are getting enough sleep each night, having some time away from our screens, eating well and making sure they have some time socialising and getting some fresh air.

Year 7 BBQ

On Wednesday February 23rd, we welcomed our Year 7 families at the inaugural Year 7 BBQ at Henley Park. Whilst the temperature was stifling it was great to have so many families attend for an informal get together, to meet and greet, put faces to names and to ask questions. Good parent-school partnerships are one of the best ways to support children’s learning, development, and wellbeing and this is one 

area we are focusing on improving for the betterment of our whole school community. Thanks to everyone who could attend we look forward to future engagements.

Camps 

Our Senior students (Year 11 & 12) are heading off to Deakin University for our first camp with our cluster partners, Goroke and Balmoral on Wednesday March 16th. The camp was originally penned in to occur in Week 2, but was postponed due to the COVID restrictions. It is great that we can head off and it give our students the opportunity to be immersed in a full tertiary experience staying on residence and being engaged in a range of seminars and activities to engage and inspire our Senior students. Irrespective of their course of study our students will have the opportunity to investigate a broad range of post-secondary options and careers. There will be a strong focus on teamwork and developing positive relationships across the three schools, and naturally, having a lot of fun. 

We will also have our Year 7 & 8 students heading to Gariwerd (the Grampians) for our Grampians Explorer camp from March 30th to April 1st. Again, we will be teaming up with our partners from Goroke and Balmoral to explore the stunning National Park. Students will have the opportunity to take on leadership roles and responsibilities whilst participating in hiking, camping, and a range of nature based outdoor and adventure activities. It will be a values-based camp whereby students will be developing their sense of team and belonging through collaborative activities as well as developing their resilience through the undertaking of a range of challenging hikes and rock climbing. It will be a great opportunity for our students to network with other young people from our region. 

Junior Shooters Licence 

In conjunction with our local constabulary, Edenhope College is offering students the chance to gain their junior shooting licence at school. It is a great opportunity for our students, and we are thankful for the support from the Police. We are looking to build an Edenhope College Field and Game team, and this is one of the building blocks for putting together our team – not that it is compulsory to join. The course is great for our young people to learn about firearm safety and potentially involve themselves in a new sport. Students have been signing up and dates and forms will be sent out as soon as possible. 

Chad Frost

Assistant Principal