Principal's Report
David Reynolds - Principal
Stronger Learning Links
Over the past six months staff at Melton Secondary College have been visiting our feeder primary schools and meeting with primary colleagues. The reason for this work is that we want to make sure that our year 7 students make the best transition possible supporting their learning as they move from primary to secondary school.
In August I had the pleasure of meeting with Year Six parents and students at Wedge Park PS to hear their views about what a great transition would look like. Since then I have visited classrooms at Melton West, Coburn and Arnolds Creek primary schools to talk to Year 5 & 6 students about learning at secondary school and how our programs will excite and support them in their learning. Working with local primary school Principals and speaking with parents I am confident that we will be able to provide an even stronger start to students' education in 2019,
Student Leadership
It has been great to see Melton Secondary College students displaying strong leadership in recent weeks. At the end of Term Three our newly appointed Student Representatives on School Council, Sam Papas and Dominique-Dee Jones joined School Captains, Winona Duka and Aaron Churchman in welcoming some VIP guests. The Secretary of the Department of Education, Gill Callister, Deputy Secretary of Schools and visiting educational expert, Mary-Jean Gallagher were very impressed with the work students and staff at the College are doing to improve student engagement and learning.
Dominique-Dee Jones has also been a stand-out participant in the Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) Entrepreneurs Unearthed Boot Camp and showed exemplary skills in the final stages of the program. Greg George (Regional Manager) offered great praise,
I had the pleasure of watching one of your students (Dominique Dee-Jones) pitch their fantastic business idea to a panel of experts yesterday and she did a brilliant job. It was very obvious how much work Dominique had put into her presentation and idea - she should be very proud of what she’s achieved.
Well done Dominique-Dee!
Improved Student Attendance, Reading and Numeracy
Results from this year's NAPLAN assessment have shown steady improvement in Reading and Numeracy for Year 9 students. It is also good to see that student attendance is continuing to improve.
So far, attendance rates for all year levels are higher than last year with Year 7s the stand-out improvement. High rates of attendance are vital for student to improve their literacy and numeracy skills and achieve success in the later years.
From The School Council President - Chris Papas
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School Building Funding
For the past six years School Council has been lobbying local and state governments for money to upgrade our school. Having served the school well for more than forty years, most of the buildings are in poor condition and don't serve students as well as they should.
Over the next few years, the college enrollment is projected to grow to 1800 students. This is going to stretch the capacity of the current facilities to support the specialized programs that deliver a great education for our children.
In 2016 the Victorian Government provided funding for a master plan to be developed. Last year money was provided to build a new administration building. This shows some commitment from the state government, but it is the first stage of a much larger project that we are desperate to see to continue.
At the top of the list is an auditorium/theater space for our performing arts program which currently operates out of a standard classroom, when comparable schools across the state enjoy spacious performing arts centers. The oval is in such poor shape that it is unable to be used for sports and needs a reliable surface and change rooms. Given the central location of the College, both of these projects, if done properly, would offer a great opportunity for shared community use which both Melton City Council and AFL Victoria are willing to support.
Our children deserve schools with modern facilities where students can experience an outstanding education. Our community deserves facilities which can support the arts, sport and recreation and life-long learning. Please speak to friends and local representatives so that government can provide the funding our school needs to keep improving and provide a great education and future for our community.