Principal's Report

Principal's Report

As we approach the end of the year, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all members of the Collingwood College community for your unwavering support this term. Your encouragement during my transition into the principal role, especially following the unexpected changes early in the term, has been deeply meaningful to me. I have truly enjoyed collaborating with each of you, particularly the time spent in the primary school. Term 3 is always vibrant, filled with community events that allow us to connect and celebrate together. Book week, Swing into Spring, Multicultural days are just some examples of the community at Collingwood.

I am thrilled to announce that I have been appointed the substantive principal of Collingwood College. It is an immense honour to lead such a dynamic school and community. After 15 years in education, I can confidently say that there is no other place like Collingwood, where the warmth and heart of our community are palpable from the moment you step onto the grounds. While the timing coincides with my maternity leave starting in Term 4, I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition. Chris Millard – Campus Principal of Wurun Senior Campus and Mel Singleton – Collingwood Alternative School Campus Principal will be sharing the Acting Principal role in the first week of next term until the Acting Principal is appointed. I will conduct a thorough handover to support them during my absence. I am confident that our established school leadership team will provide strong support to them during their acting period. Many thanks to all the staff at Collingwood, every one of you works so hard to make our school the most incredible learning environment.

I will miss the daily interactions with all of you, but I look forward to reconnecting upon my return.

Staff Departures & Welcomes

As we close this term, we bid farewell to two valued staff members at Collingwood College.

Sarah Collins joined our Science department earlier this year and has made a significant impact by building strong relationships with her students and leading our RAISE mentoring program. We thank her for her contributions and wish her the best as she returns home to Ireland.

Jennifer Campbell is also leaving us after eight years. Jen has excelled as a leading teacher in the Senior School, guiding many students to success in Theatre Studies and English. She has been a champion for emerging leaders and has brought countless student stories to life through theatre. We are grateful for her dedication and passion over the past 28 years in Education, and we wish her all the best in her next career chapter. Thank you, Jen!

Phoenix Rogan will be replacing Jennifer classes in Term 4 and moving across to Wurun.

Scott Duncan is away temporarily for the start of Term 4 returning in Week 6. Our Primary School Leadership team for the beginning of the term is as follows -

Acting AP – Bianca Maxwell

Acting LT – Elly Louchart

EAL Support – Hannah Sykes

Many thanks to Bianca and Elly for their support.

Roof, Dollhouse and Theatre Upgrades

We have received correspondence with the Victorian School Building Association (VSBA) around starting upgrade projects on the Dollhouse (restoration) and Roof. They are moving towards being tendered to be started late this year and early 2025. More communication around these projects will be given when exact timelines have been secured.

The planning stages for the Theatre upgrade is almost complete with the design to be signed off in the next few months before the 2025 May state budget. We are hopeful the project will be included in the budget to begin the works in Semester 2 2025.

2024 Rotary Teaching Excellence Awards

Congratulations to Tarryn McRae and Lori Michael on their awards and recognition last night at the Rotary Club of Richmond’s 2024 Education Awards. This was the inaugural event recognising outstanding educational staff in the City of Yarra

We are so lucky to have such dedicated staff in all areas of our school community who strive daily to make our school better. Thank you to Tarryn and Lori.

Working Bee

Building on the success of our recent Working Bee, we have scheduled another one for Term 4 to assist Trevor with grounds upkeep. Thank you to all families who participated in the survey regarding the best times for these events. Our final 2024 Working Bee will take place on Sunday, December 1st, from 9 AM to 1 PM, with light catering provided.

Swing Into Spring

A heartfelt thank you to everyone for your support of the 2024 Swing into Spring festival last week. It was a wonderful afternoon filled with diverse events and activities, showcasing the unity of our school community. I was thrilled to see students engaging in various activities, from Mrs. Pockets to the toilet paper toss and our new silent disco. Special thanks to Hannah, Yvette, Darcy, Felicia (our social media/email superstar), Geoff, Emily Wearne, Uncle Ian, and Marguerite for their invaluable behind-the-scenes efforts. I can't wait for the 2025 Swing into Spring. And again, how lucky were we with such incredible weather!

2025 School Start Bonus

In Term 4, 2024, families with a child enrolled in a government school from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off $400 School Saving Bonus.

The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks.

The School Saving Bonus is not available for full-fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025. Before 18 October 2024, the Department of Education is asking parents and carers to:

Complete enrolment: If your child, or children are changing government school for Term 1 2025, or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025. For more information, read about Enrolling in School.

Check your contact information: Ensure your email address and phone number is up to date with us. You can check this information by contacting us directly.

We need to ensure your contact information is up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:

in October, to verify your email address
in November, with your $400 School Saving Bonus.

Please check your junk mail regularly to make sure you do not miss an important email.

To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus

Dear Parents/Carers,

This is gentle reminder regarding our voluntary Family Financial Contributions request for 2024.

Whilst Government funding is provided to every public school to fulfil the standard Victorian curriculum, it is contributions made by parents/carers that help ensure that our can continue to offer the best possible additional opportunities, facilities, and resources to develop to foster student learning and a passion for education.

With your continued financial support, we will be able to achieve this by contributing to the cost of consumables and resources that our students require throughout the 2024 school year. Any financial contributions you make will also assist in the development and maintenance of our school programs, our library and our buildings and grounds.

You can make contributions to the school at any time via Compass course confirmation, located in the top right corner of the Compass Parent Portal. You can also contribute over the phone, or in person at the school office.

If you need any assistance with this, please do not hesitate to contact us at the office by phone 9417 6681 or via email Collingwood.co@education.vic.gov.au

If you have any queries, would like to set up a payment plan or need support for any payments, please contact our Assistant Business Manager Kristina Smith.

Angela Watters

Acting Principal