Principal's Message

Good afternoon and welcome to week 8 of the term. Yes, indeed the term and year is flying by. Not news really, every week seems to get shorter!

Last week I spent a day and a half up at Mallacoota P-12 College, to support them in their review process (plus, it was a very nice place to spend the weekend). Myself and a number of other Principals supported the first step in their community consultation process. On Thursday evening we walked tables of parents/carers, students and teachers through a number of questions about the College. What things are going well, what concerns people might have and how, as a parent/carer, you can contribute to the future improvement steps for the College? Then on the Friday we followed up with learning walks throughout the College and sitting and supporting staff around teaching and learning. It was really a very interesting couple of days. 

REMINDER: Don’t forget that our consultation nights are coming up early in term 2.  

Friday 5th March we had a student free day for staff professional development.  The first half of the day was with Dan Petro who is a Behaviour Analyst, the main focus of the session was learning what the behaviour of the students is telling us.  The second half of the day, Michelle Roberts (Psychologist)  from the Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network  (ACATLGN) and ANU informed the staff of the TRUST program.  The TRUST program utilises a cultural change approach that recognises the need for a parallel process of support for staff and children.  Both sessions were outstanding. The challenge now is to ensure that the concepts that the staff learnt on the day, are now built into their classroom practise and relationships.

Parent Teacher conferences are coming up at the end of term, so please be sure to make an appointment. Conferences will be held via Webex or phone (this system worked so well during the Covid time, why would we change it?) Parents and carers will be able to make bookings for conferences via Compass from Wednesday 24th March.  If you would like this to be a face to face chat, please contact the relevant staff member and make a suitable time. 

The newsletter has a 'Dates to Remember' page - so please always check these, as events can sneak up on you quickly.

You will have noticed the fences going up around the College. This is exciting, because it signals the start of the next stage building works. Over the next 3 weeks and the holiday period 'B' block on Wallace Street  will be demolished and on McKean Street we will see a new Science classroom, plus 4 new 'normal' classrooms in the senior wing. This work will see the conclusion of Stage 1 of the College rebuild. 

Stage 2 was confirmed with the recent announcement of the $8 million dollars for 4 more Science rooms and a Year 7 wing, consisting of 10 new classrooms. The end product will be fantastic, but there is always a bit of inconvenience along the way. If you are keen to discuss this or have a look at the plans feel free to make an appointment and I will 'talk you thought it'.

Something to Ponder: When was the last time that you played a board game as a family? Some friends and myself sat around a monopoly board last weekend and enjoyed chatting, strategising, plotting property take overs, plus of course some food and beverages. Try it this weekend ........... I was reminded how much fun it is.

Yours in education!