Concord Connect

Principal's Report 

COVID Safety Update

 

The Acting Premier announced yesterday that all students will be returning to school tomorrow. Many of you will spend this evening clearing the books and other items off the dining room table in preparation. The school staff cannot wait to see your children back in the classroom. Please note that from tomorrow all students are strongly encouraged to attend school and no remote learning will be provided.

 

Goodbye Colin and Welcome Bronwyn

As mentioned in a previous newsletter, Colin Simpson (Assistant Principal - Student Wellbeing and Engagement) is retiring at the end of this term after 41 years working in Special Education. 

 

Colin and his wife Helen, who many students will know as a Concord School Epping bus supervisor, are moving back to their home country of New Zealand. They have built a house (largely remotely) and are looking forward to spending time with their only grandchild who they have yet to meet. Colin and Helen moved across to Melbourne following the Christchurch earthquake and Colin began his role at Concord School soon after in 2011. 

 

Colin’s overall responsibility has been to provide a safe and secure learning environment for our students. Through the introduction of preventative programs and his leadership of our wellbeing and behavioral support teams I believe that he has achieved this. A walk around the classrooms and playgrounds will almost always find all students engaged in their learning and treating each other with respect. 

 

Those students who require additional support are provided with it to ensure they have every opportunity to be the best they can be. This is a testament to Colin’s work and I’m sure you will join with me in thanking him for his contribution to the lives of many of your children and the culture of the school more broadly.

 

Colin’s retirement has created an opportunity for Bronwyn Hart who has been appointed to the position of Assistant Principal (Student Wellbeing and Engagement). Many of you will know Bronwyn from her role as the Team Leader of our Secondary 11/12 section over the past four years and her time acting previously in Colin’s role. 

 

Bronwyn has been an innovative leader who has positively influenced the VCAL curriculum, transition processes and year 11/12 events such as the Presentation Ball, Graduation and interstate camps. Bronwyn’s greatest asset is her ability to build strong personal relationships with students and members of the wider school community. 

 

I look forward to Bronwyn joining Flora, Kath and myself in the Principal team. For the remainder of 2021 the Secondary 11/12 team will be led by Jane Stacey and Megan Prenc.

 

School Council President Report

School Council Meeting was held at 7:00pm on Monday 7th of June 2021 via Webex in which the following matters were discussed:

 

  • Provision of Remote and Flexible Learning 
    • Continue to provide support for children of essential workers and vulnerable students on site.
    • Welcomed back Secondary 11/12 students and staff last Friday.
    • Specialist staff are also on site catering for student learning for Secondary 11/12 students.
    • Remote and flexible learning includes activities for reading, writing, maths and specialist components depending on section needs.
    • There has also been an additional layer of support with some sections providing Webex lessons, Speech/OT Webex lessons as well as Wellbeing and Engagement staff also providing Webex sessions where appropriate.
    • There are hard copy learning packs available upon request and staff have been calling and emailing to support families on request.
  • TheirCare Establishment Grant
    • At the last School Council Meeting, Michael from TheirCare presented information regarding accessing the Establishment Grant. 
  • Approval of the Volunteer Register
    • The Volunteer Register was tabled and endorsed. A Volunteer Induction session was held at a later date this year than first scheduled due to the snap lockdown earlier in the year.
    • Due to the current guidelines we are not hosting volunteers on site at the moment. Once the restrictions are eased and volunteers are able to come back on site, personal OHS Inductions will take place as required and the register will be updated accordingly
  • Concord School Building Works
    • Masterplans and Stage 1 Building plans were shared at the last meeting. Further discussion has taken place regarding minor alterations to the existing plans which were tabled and endorsed
  • Watsonia PS Oval and Shared Car Park
    • Plans were shared and discussed regarding renovations which will include an update to the current entry of the Watsonia Concord Campus. Parking spaces will be defined for both schools including disabled parking and direct access to the road crossing will ensure safer access for the school community

On behalf of School Council, I acknowledged and thanked Colin Simpson’s leadership and dedication to Concord school and for his efforts with School Council, SRC, the development of the Wellbeing and Engagement portfolio and for always stepping up to lead the school whenever he was required to do so. You will be greatly missed by staff students and Concord school families. We appreciate you and will miss your fun and quirky nature. Enjoy going home.

 

Next School Council Meeting: Monday 26th July 2021 @ 7pm 

 

Thank you 

Mark Lancaster

School Council President.

Principal Award-  Cerona Rex

 

Cerona is a kind, caring and supportive classmate to all those at Concord School. She comes to school each day with a positive attitude towards her learning and consistently demonstrates our Concord School Values.

 

 Cerona gives all tasks her best effort and shows enthusiasm and resilience when completing more challenging tasks. Cerona willingly assists her peers in their learning and out on the yard. She is respectful to all staff and offers to help in any way she can. 

 

This year, Cerona has regularly stepped out of her comfort zone when sharing at both our 7/8A weekly Class Meeting and our 7/8 Whole Section assembly, showing strength and determination. 

 

Congratulations to Cerona! 

 

"Students striving to be the best they can be"

 

Jason Coningsby

Principal