Message from the Principal
Dear Parents, Carers and Students,
As Term 3 draws to a close, it has been fantastic to see everyone in the community working together to bring engaging lessons, events, and activities to our students both in and out of the classroom. I would like to thank everyone for their contributions this term. Working in partnership with the community clearly demonstrates that we have a common goal to broaden our students’ day-to-day experiences and opportunities.
Through Channels and our social media, we continue to showcase the positive experiences that our students have each week. This issue of Channels is no different. Our students have been involved in many activities such as R U OK? Day, interschool athletics and other sports, Lone Pine Service, and excursions promoting careers.
We held our annual Father’s Day Brekky and Stall on Friday 5 September. Once again, we saw an extraordinary number of students with their fathers and father-figures attend. There were lots of bacon and lots of eggs to go around as well as plenty of pancakes and juice for everyone. Thank you to our staff, students and community volunteers who came in extra early to set up and start cooking. With the stall held at the start of the school day, I hope those that received a gift from this stall enjoyed what they received.
We had R U OK? Day on Thursday 11 September, a great day had by all with activities for young and old and a free sausage sizzle. During the week, we also had many lunchtime activities for students to participate in. You will see further information about R U OK? Day later in this issue of Channels. Thank you to the Wellbeing Team for their work in running the day and our student leaders for running activities during the week. Thank you also to Ms Bianca Reidy and Ms Kaitlyn Souter for their leadership. When you think about it, any day is a good day to ask are you okay.
The Campaspe Interschool Athletics (Secondary Division) ran on Monday 8 September for our secondary students and on Monday 15 September the Primary Division for our Prep to Year 6 students. Lots of students involved and excellent participation by all. Thank you to the team of staff that supported these events.
As our Year 12 students finish off final assessments, they had a ‘mini-me day’ on Friday 12 September and finished the day with our Year 7-12 Assembly. Many of our students commenced practice exams in this final week of term and there will be many more practice exams at the beginning of Term 4. As they move into the holidays, some will be completing some work placements, work experience and some will use the two-week break to study for their practice exams. The end of the school year is nigh for our Year 12 students. I encourage them to use these next two weeks wisely and seek support from our staff if needed.
Practice exams for our Year 12 students who are sitting exams at the end of this year took place this week. It is very important to make the most of the practice exams to give students a good idea of how it will be at the end of the year. Focus on timing and building stamina will have been rehearsed throughout the year, yet the schedule for practice exams replicates the real program. Over the coming month, it will be a great opportunity to focus on their strengths and areas for improvement.
Our Lone Pine Service on Thursday 4 September is one way our school community stops to acknowledge and show our appreciation to those who served. The sun was out and shining bright on our school community and visitors when the service took place. Our Community Connections Coordinator, Janine Kreymborg, worked closely with Legacy to prepare and run the service. Thank you Janine and thank you Legacy for your work.
Lunch with the Legacy Ladies took place on Tuesday 9 September. This is where we had legacy ladies from our community, along with their Legatees, join our Year 6 Captains and Principal Class leaders for lunch. The Uniting Church allowed us to use their antique crockery, and Chaplaincy covered the cost of the catering. Some of our Year 10 students arranged the food and served it up to everyone who attended. This was another marvellous event coordinated by our Community Connections Coordinator, Janine Kreymborg. Without Janine’s drive and enthusiasm, we wouldn't be able to continually run such events. Thank you so much Janine for all your work once again.
Our Year 10 Formal was held on Friday 12 September. Another inclusive event where all students who attended were able to dress up and enjoy some food and dance the night away. Thank you to our student leaders who helped organise the night. Some students even arrived in a limousine! What a special night! Thank you also to Ms Kaitlyn Souter, Mrs Ali Wallace and other staff for their work to make the night happen.
Staffing Update
I am excited to announce that we have two more teachers joining us at the beginning of Term 4 who will be teaching Mathematics to our Years 7-11 students. We look forward to seeing Amrita Devi and Aman Kumar to our Kyabram community. Joining us from Fiji, they are both excited to start with us.
We will also see two more learning support assistants (LSAs) start with us in Term 4. They will be supporting our students across the college.
Returning from family leave at the start of Term 4 is Mrs Ria Boutcher. Mrs Boutcher will return four days a week and will teach Science at Years 9 and 10. Ms Sonia Layton will be taking leave for Term 4. We thank Ms Layton for her work this year.
We also extend our thanks to the casual relief teachers who have been teaching at our college this term with a weekly load of classes.
Thank you, Jackie
For twenty years, we have seen our wonderful pedestrian crossing lady, Jackie, support our students each morning arriving to school and again at the end of the day as they leave the school grounds. We thank Jackie for her work and wish her all the very best with her retirement. Thank you for your support, Jackie.
Thank you
On behalf of the college, thank you for your ongoing support and participation with the college. All the best over the two-week break from classes.
Marina Walsh
Principal