Principal Team Report

Dear Parents, Students, and Staff,

Welcome back for Term 3.

Celebrating Our Students

I am delighted to share some significant updates and celebrations from our school community in the first couple of weeks. 

Firstly, a heartfelt thank you to all our staff involved in the instrumental music program, led by Ms Kirsty Mechielsen. Who worked tirelessly to support our students in preparation for the Winter Concert conducted at WHSC in Week 2 and students’ participation in the Victorian Schools Music Festival in Week 3. The opportunities for our instrumental students are fantastic.

In Week 3 the College celebrated NAIDOC via a College assembly and lunchtime activities which were such resounding successes. Led by Mr Khairi Razaii and in collaboration with local indigenous elders, the dedication and enthusiasm highlighted the importance of cultural celebrations and community spirit. The NAIDOC Assembly was a powerful reminder of our rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. We deeply appreciate your commitment to these events, which contribute significantly to our school culture.

2025 Subject Selections

Looking ahead to 2025, we are in the midst of preparing for the upcoming academic year. This includes our Subject Selections preferences process for students in Year 8 and above, which is crucial for ensuring that each student’s educational needs and interests can be matched to their desired pathway. Thank you for the active engagement of families in the process so far. Detailed information will be sent out shortly, and we will host several information sessions to assist with making informed choices. Our goal is to provide a diverse range of subjects that cater to the varied interests and career aspirations of our students.

Dress Code Process

In light of the colder weather, a reminder to all families about our Dress Code Policy. It is essential that all students adhere to the dress code guidelines to maintain a consistent and professional appearance. 

Parents and carers please provide a signed note from home each day for any non-dress code item/s. Students are required to submit the note to their Learning and Wellbeing Leader and complete a blue Dress Code pass for the day. 

The diverse clothing options approved by School Council allow for students to attend school and be comfortable and warm. If families require further support regarding school uniform, please contact the relevant SubSchool.

Learning and Wellbeing Conferences

Please be aware the College Learning and Wellbeing Conferences will be held on Thursday 29th August (12:30PM – 7:30PM).

Based on feedback from staff and families over the last two cycles, the conferences will continue to be delivered remotely, however, there are a couple of updates:

1. Conferences will be conducted via Webex; information for families and a ‘how to’ guide will be provided prior to the conferences. 
2. Each interview will be 6 minutes in length followed by a 1-minute change over between interviews. 
3. Bookings via Compass will open Wednesday 7th August and will close one week prior to the conferences (Wednesday 21st August at midday), to allow ample time for staff to prepare work samples and feedback. 

As always, the interviews are a valuable opportunity to discuss your child's progress and set goals for the remainder of the year. We look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions with you about your child's learning and wellbeing in class.

Professional Learning Day (Student Free)

Please also note that there will be a student-free day on Monday, 19th August, due to Professional Learning for our staff. This day is dedicated to enhancing our teaching practices and ensuring that our staff remains at the forefront of educational excellence.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Let’s keep the momentum going as we work together to make this term both productive and enjoyable for everyone.