Principal's Report

Dear Families, 

What a busy time we have had at Altona College these past two weeks!  

I commend our VCE students for their dedication and positivity as they faced their final examinations.  We had the majority of students in for revision sessions with their teachers, or they met in groups each day, to study and brainstorm the content together. I would walk into a classroom and see the whiteboards covered with key concepts and ideas and the links between them.  

The nerves certainly decreased as the examination period progressed which was pleasing to see, and when the students finally finished last week they were simply grinning from ear to ear.  It has been a huge year for them all and I cannot wait to hear what the future brings for each and every one of them.  As I say to them every year, please don't let your results define you as there are multiple pathways to achieve your dreams.

This week is one of celebration for our Year 12's and their families, now the pressure of the exams has passed.  Wednesday afternoon we are holding a farewell assembly with our student community.  It’s a time for our captains to bid the student body farewell and introduce the 2024 leaders. It is always an uplifting time for our students tinged with a little sadness as the reality of closing a huge chapter in their lives is apparent.

Thursday morning  I will be joining the Year 12 students for a farewell breakfast with the staff. They come dressed in costume as we say a final goodbye with a few fun awards. The students then meet with our prep students to bid farewell with a high five and a parade of their costumes.  Thursday evening is always the highlight of my year as we gather for our final graduation ceremony and dinner with their families. I  have known these students for 11 years and have a small group who were at Altona P - 9 when I first joined the community.  They have grown so much in their time with us and I have had the most amazing privilege of watching them grow and learn over the years. Mr Kelly, our Primary Assistant Principal, remembers the students commencing prep and to see them now as young adults showcasing our values is certainly heartwarming for us both. 

This Friday our students are looking forward to our annual Chill Out Day. The students were offered a number of activities throughout the day and have chosen their favourites which have also been added to their Compass schedule for the day. It is always a fun day for everyone!

This week we have our Year 10 and 11 students sitting their final exams. It will certainly be a busy week for them all, however, we know that they will be more than prepared to undertake their VCE programs in the coming year(s).  From next week, the Year 11 students will have a step-up week in preparation for 2024, and our Year 10's will be heading out on Work Experience to complete 2023!

On behalf of the College community, I pass on warm regards to those members who have celebrated Diwali or the Festival of the Lights this past weekend.

Our students held a commemoration ceremony for Remembrance Day at the College on Friday. Our College Captains stepping in for 2024, oversaw the acknowledgement with our student leaders out and about during the week selling memorabilia for the local RSL.

Wishing all our families a relaxing week as the silly season is in sight!

Julie Krause

Principal