Principal's Message-

Laura Spence

Dear McClelland families,

November is an important time for our students, with the conclusion of Semester 2, final assessments and examinations, Valedictory celebrations for our Year 12 students, and preparations for Headstart and the 2027 school year. Whilst there may be a dip at this time in teenager energy, we will keep students focussed!

I am commencing leave for the remainder of November, spending some time with my family before travelling to China as part of a Department conference tour. I will be representing McClelland College at international student recruitment conferences and have also been invited to visit Hangzhou Yangzheng School, just south of Shanghai. Earlier this year, the school brought a group of Year 7 and 8 students to McClelland for a visit, which was very well received.

Hangzhou has a fascinating history, with its origins dating back to around 3300 BCE. Today, it is recognised both for its significant Neolithic heritage and as one of China's major technology and internet hubs.

During the visit, we will explore the possibility of establishing a sister-school relationship, including opportunities for students from both schools to participate in shared learning experiences, as well as potential professional learning opportunities for staff. We will also consider opportunities for McClelland students to visit China in the future, perhaps through study tours connected to our STEM and/or Humanities programs.

The Department conferences I will attend during the remainder of the trip will provide further opportunities to strengthen our international connections and promote McClelland College to prospective international students and their families.

During my absence, our Assistant Principal, Jodie McCabe, will be Acting Principal. I know Jodie and the wider leadership team will continue to support our students, staff and families, and ensure the College runs with its usual calm focus and purpose. I look forward to returning in December and sharing some updates from the trip.

Finishing Semester 2 well

As students approach the end of Semester 2, we encourage them to maintain their focus, attend regularly, and continue to put their best effort into their learning. The final weeks of the semester are important opportunities to consolidate learning, complete assessment tasks and demonstrate growth made throughout the year.

For our senior students, this is also a particularly significant time. We wish our Year 12 VCE and VCE VM students all the very best as they complete their examinations, final assessments and other requirements. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at our Valedictory Presentation, where I will make a distant cameo!

I also want to acknowledge and thank the parents, carers, and students of our 2026 graduating cohort. They have been a wonderful group of young adults who have been outstanding role models for our younger students. They have demonstrated dedication to their studies and have been visible ambassadors for our College values throughout their time at McClelland. We wish them every success as they move into their next chapter.

Looking ahead to 2027

Headstart will provide students with an opportunity to meet their teachers, become familiar with their new subjects and begin building connections with their classmates for 2027. These transition experiences are an important part of helping students feel confident and prepared for the year ahead.

Students can also expect teachers to revisit and reinforce our College expectations around positive and safe behaviours, classroom routines, academic rigour, College uniform, attendance, and participation. 

These expectations provide the foundations for a positive and productive learning environment, and we look forward to students embracing them as they begin their 2027 learning journey.

We encourage all students to approach Headstart with a positive attitude and make the most of the opportunity to get a strong start on their learning goals for next year.

As always, thank you to our families for your ongoing support and partnership. Our values of Community, Ownership, and Growth remain central to the way we work together, and we appreciate the contribution that families make to the learning, wellbeing and opportunities of our students.

I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of November, and I look forward to seeing our students and families again in December as we celebrate the end of another busy and successful year at McClelland College.

Kind regards,

Laura Dowdell Spence

Principal - McClelland College