Principal's Report
Dear Collingwood College,
I'm delighted to be writing for our first official newsletter of the year. With Tim Arundell's retirement, we warmly welcome Alina Allery as our new chief editor and publisher!
We are aiming to produce two large newsletters per term in 2024 where we can share updates and highlights of our programs, as well as reflect on our collective efforts to advance the educational needs of our students at Collingwood College, Collingwood Alternative School (CAS) and Wurun Senior Campus.
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the North East Melbourne Area Principal Forum, an experience where principals from our region hear and discuss Department of Education initiatives, as well as share and showcase successes with colleagues. One thing that I did notice is that the 2024 regional priorities resonate deeply with our aims at Collingwood College. In fact, our school is working towards these priorities, and in some cases leading the way. This year, our work will
- Continue to focus on achieving nation-leading attendance rates
- Provide explicit instruction at the centre of common teaching and learning approaches
- Work as part of a system-wide effort to lift numeracy outcomes
- Continue to implement the three key reforms:
a. Senior Secondary (VPC, VM, VET and VCE)
b. Mental health
c. Disability Inclusion
This relates to our most recent staffing update. We now have a larger leadership team, supported by fantastic middle leaders who are all committed to our strategic direction in 2024, which we will publish early next term. Rest assured, our young people are in good hands.
Principal Class
College Principal – Sam Luck
Assistant Principals – Sormeh Afkari (Primary), Angela Watters (Secondary), Melanie Singleton (CAS), Chris Millard (Wurun Campus)
Leadership
Teaching and Learning (Inc MYP) – Lori Michael
Student Operations – Rachel Wood
Positive Culture for Learning/Data - Rebecca Cooper
Coaching/Transition/Mathematics – Mihi DeSilva
ELC, International and EAL – Felicia Peh
Leading Teacher (Primary) – Bianca Maxwell
Year Level Leaders
Year 7 – Sarah Powers
Year 8 – Annie Rose Maloney
Year 9 – Aaron Jobe
Year 10 – Vicki DeRome
PLC Leaders
English PLC – Lori Michael
Humanities PLC – Rachel Wood
Maths/Science PLC – Mihi DeSilva
Health/PE PLC – James Agombar
LOTE (Chinese/Mandarin) – Xioming Li
Art/Tech PLC – Emily Jones.
Three-Way Conferences and SSG Meetings. A big thank you to those who participated in last week's conferences. Your input is invaluable, and we welcome feedback to strengthen our collaboration. These discussions are pivotal, enriching our understanding and shaping our approach to cater to each child's unique learning journey.
Infrastructure Updates. Progress continues:
- The VSBA roof repair and replacement project is moving ahead with contractors now appointed. Details on schedules and any disruptions will be communicated soon.
- The school ramp project is nearing completion. Sign off in the week.
- The junior side garden/playground is also nearing full completion. We are just waiting on the last concrete pour at the Hoddle st end. Sormeh has sent correspondence to Parents and others to attend a Welcome Ceremony conducted by Uncle Ian Hunter.
- After discussions with the Department of Education, I'm pleased to report that the DE will fund the Doll's House repairs to meet the required standards it being a heritage-listed site. Works to commence next term
- The Arts/Theatre project is still with the architects in the design phase. We anticipate sharing the completed designs shortly, ahead of seeking QOS funding approval.
- Year 7 Area is awaiting Lotus Doors and new Classroom tables and chairs. We hope to be fully ‘in’ by Open Day on the 26th.
School Council Update
Please be reminded that our new School Council is scheduled to convene on Thursday, 21st March. We extend a warm welcome to our newly elected representatives:
Parent/Carer Member Category:
Darcie Kane-Priestley
Hannah Marshall
Yvette Lanfranca
Department of Education (DE) Employee Category:
Melanie Singleton
Angela Watters
Student Category:
Owen Casey
These individuals will be joining the existing School Council members:
Saturn Woodfield (Student)
Melissa Fitzgerald
Jess Hyslop
Geoff Rundell (School Council President)
Sormeh Afkari
Lori Michael
Sam Luck (Executive Officer)
Privacy Policy. It is that time of the year again that we are required to remind you about the Schools’ Privacy Policy. This policy informs the school community that information about students can be shared to fulfil the schools’ core functions of educating and supporting our students.
The Schools’ Privacy Policy establishes a clarified ‘need to know’ framework, where school staff share information about students with other staff who need to know as part of their role. This is consistent with Victorian privacy law.
The policy applies to all central, region and school staff including:
- principals
- teachers
- visiting teachers
- social workers
- wellbeing staff
- youth workers
- nurses
- Student Support Service officers (SSSOs), and
- all other allied health practitioners.
This means the ‘need to know’ framework also applies to all school staff, whether employees, service providers (contractors) and agents (whether paid or unpaid) of the Department. Further information can be found at https://www.collingwood.vic.edu.au/privacy-policy/
As we approach the holiday break, I want to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to all of you. Although our paths may not cross in the corridors or during my Thursday afternoon yard duty!, I wish you all a great break. Enjoy the moments with your families and loved ones during this period. I look forward to our students returning to Collingwood College ready and recharged for Term 2.
Thanks,
Sam Luck
Sam Luck
College Principal
Collingwood College
Cromwell St & McCutcheon Way, Collingwood, Vic, 3066
Ph: 03 9412 7700