Principal Message
Dear Families and EMC community,
Welcome to the first edition of our College newsletter for Term 3. It's been a wonderful few weeks across the college, full of the kind of moments that remind us what a vibrant and connected community we are.
Congratulations to our Production Team
A huge congratulations to our production team on We Will Rock You a fantastic achievement that showcased the talent, creativity and commitment of our students both on and off stage. I'd like to particularly acknowledge the leadership of Em Ellis and Renee Taggert, whose vision and dedication brought this production to life. Their work, alongside the countless hours contributed by staff such as Skye Brennan, Dom Parsons, Alice Csabi, Simon Chiodo, Sarah Ashdown and students, is a wonderful example of the opportunities our students have to shine outside the classroom.
Central Australia Camp
A huge thank you to the staff who gave up a good chunk of their holidays Jarrod Haines, Phoebe Hough, Kendall Otten, Shona Janky, Katelyn Thompson and Ella Walsh to accompany 45 of our Year 11 students on the Central Australia Camp, running from Saturday 20 June to Friday 3 July. The group experienced underground accommodation in Coober Pedy and travelled through Uluru, Kings Canyon, Karlu Karlu, Katherine, Kakadu and Darwin, taking in places of deep cultural significance. By all accounts our students came away with a real appreciation for the history, culture and stories connected to this country a wonderful experience, and our thanks again to the staff who made it possible.
Specialist Program Night
Thank you and well done to Nikki Tinker for coordinating a highly successful Specialist Program Night, which saw approximately 300 parents and students attend. Turnouts like this reflect the strength of interest in our specialist programs and the value our community places on understanding the pathways available to their children.
Year 9 into 10 Course Counselling
Course Counselling for Year 9 students moving into Year 10 has been underway, with families coming in to discuss their student's preferred pathway and the subjects that align with it, including university prerequisites choosing the right subjects based on pathway, engagement and learning outcomes makes a real difference to a student's success. This year's event was organised by Kate Carroll, Karlee Rich and Jenelle Zaffarese, who adapted and pivoted fantastically after industrial action clashed with their original date. The strength of the organisation behind the event, and the value families place on it, meant nearly every family in the cohort booked in over 250 families in total. Thank you also to the course counsellors who gave up their time to support students with this important work.
Year 9 NAPLAN Results
I'm pleased to share some strong NAPLAN results for our Year 9 students. Reading results came in at 68%, above both similar and network schools, while Writing (65%) and Numeracy (64%) were on par with or slightly above similar and network schools across the board. This is a great reflection of the work our staff and students are putting into learning growth, and a real credit to the whole college community.
Parent–Teacher Interviews
A reminder that Parent–Teacher Interviews are coming up on Thursday 13 August. This is a great opportunity to connect with your child's teachers, celebrate their progress and discuss how best to support their learning. Please make sure you book in to see your child's teachers we look forward to seeing you there.
VCE, VM and VPC Update
As we move through the year, our VCE students are beginning to turn their attention to exam preparation, building on the skills and knowledge developed across Units 3 and 4. It's a period that calls for focus, resilience and good study habits, and we encourage families to support their students with routine and balance over the coming months. Alongside this, our VCE Vocational Major (VM) and Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) students are progressing well through their units, continuing to build the practical skills and real-world experience that set them up for their next steps beyond school. Whatever pathway our senior students are on, we're proud of the commitment they're showing and wish them every success as the year progresses.
Kind regards,
Matt Hyden
Assistant Principal