College Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back for Term 2.  I hope all our students had a tremendous break from school and feel refreshed and ready to go with their learning.

Year 7 Camp 

We have kicked off the term really well seeing our students participate in several activities and events of which I would like to thank the students for their participation and our staff for their organisation.  Such activities included our Year 7 Camp where students were able to work with their peers and develop valuable skills that they will carry with them as they progress through the school.  Students challenged themselves through a ranges of opportunities including team building activities, abseiling, and the giant swing.  We all remember our Year 7 Camp.  I hope our students will have made memories that they will treasure for years to come.

ANZAC Day Service

I am extremely grateful and proud to see our students all come together to show their respect for the ANZACs.  On Wednesday morning, our student leaders led the whole school with a service in the hall.  Thank you to Mr Bob Stone for his very moving speech at our college service. Our captains also represented the college at the ANZAC service at Memorial Gardens in town on Thursday as well as visited Warramunda on Wednesday afternoon. 

College Cross Country

This was a whole college event this year!  It was terrific to see our students take part at every year level.  We had a range of lengths for the different age groups.  We also had a shorter walking track for the students that were not able to run the course but wanted to take part to gain participation points for their houses.

Well done to Allan house for taking the 2024 Cross Country win. 

School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support BLUE AWARD

To finish this week off, we had our whole school assembly in the hall.  At this assembly, we had an overwhelming number of students receive a College Value Award. 

I would like to thank all our students for their positive behaviours and contributions to the college as we continue to implement our School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework. During Term 1, we successfully introduced the SWPBS behaviour matrix which clearly lists the behaviours we, both students and staff, demonstrate as a member of the college. We also introduced our renewed College Values Awards of Respect, Responsibility and Community. Since the beginning of the year, we have seen over 400 students received a College Value Award.  A remarkable achievement by our students. 

Our SWPBS Rewards Shop is in its final stages of development.  It will be stocked with a range of rewards that students can redeem using the points that they have accumulated through demonstrating positive behaviours.  Our Connections teachers will also have a tub of rewards that students can redeem. 

SWPBS Rewards Chart

We received the SWPBS Blue Award this week in recognition of the work we have already completed which includes creating and working through a current action plan, forming an established team to lead the implementation of SWPBS across the college, and collecting and using reliable data over the past twelve months.

It was great to see our Senior Education Improvement Leader, Mr Paul Hon, present this award to our college.

Kyabram Kindergarten Official Opening

On Wednesday 17 April, I was very proud to attend the official opening of the Kyabram Kindergarten on our school site.  At the opening, we were fortunate to meet the Member of Northern Victoria and Minister for Children, Jaclyn Symes MP.  To see the kindergarten in person, how the rooms have been set up as well as the playground, was wonderful, especially after working through the design and development stages throughout 2023 and seeing how the building has been established from a drawing and concept.  

Upcoming Events

As emailed last week, I’ve included upcoming events to promote opportunities for our students and their families to join us as well celebrate and show gratitude. 

Staffing Updates and Changes

We continue to work to recruit new teachers and education support staff.  I am pleased to introduce the following new staff:

• Natalie Hargadon is joining our team of Learning Support Assistants (LSAs).
• Dan Davidson will be joining the Technology Team each Friday from Week 2 for Term 2 to teach some Year 7-10 Technology classes.
• Shane Sheoran joined us at the end of Term 1 to pick up Science at Years 8, 9 and 10.
• Jodie Walsh is our new Facilities Coordinator joining our Administration Team.
• Jaimie Nolan has returned to us to join our Years 5/ 6 team. 

We also welcome back Fiona Wallace after taking on the Acting Principal role at Stanhope Primary School during Term 1. Fiona will continue to develop her leadership skills when she goes to East Loddon P-12 College for Weeks 3-6 (Monday 29 April – Friday 24 May) to complete her internship as part of her principal preparation program.

Policies

We want to set our students up for success in their learning and growth at school.  I want to take this opportunity to remind our students and their families of the Mobile Phones Policy.  Let’s switch off the phones to switch on to learning.

Mobile Phone Policy

We have developed some other policies to share with our college community of which we would be happy to receive feedback. Please have a read of these policies:

Graduation Policy 

Student Drivers Policy

Smoking/ Vaping Policy 

Curriculum Framework Policy

This Policy was recently reviewed and updated by our Education Subcommittee of College Council. 

Communication with Staff Policy

Finally, we have updated our Communication with Staff Policy.  This policy clarifies who our parents/ carers can contact at school with their enquiries. When an enquiry comes through to the school, the key person/ people involved will endeavour to follow up within two school days.  Matters deemed as urgent will be followed up within 24 hours.

On behalf of the college, we appreciate your ongoing support with the programs and events we have planned. I look forward to seeing you at our Open Night on Wednesday 15 May. 

Marina Walsh

College Principal