Principal's Report

It has been an enjoyable and successful start to the term, with a number of subjects soon to wrap up their Semester 1 coursework. 

Highlights so far this term have included Market Day, Dance Showcase, Year 10 Work Experience, House activities and much more.  

Behind the scenes, our teachers have continued utilising the PRSC Instructional Playbook, which acts as a one-stop shop for staff to access our agreed teaching practices, including entry routines, explicit teaching strategies, exit routines and much more. This work is being further supported through our latest Professional Learning Communities (PLC) cycle and classroom observations.

We recently took delivery of a brand new 32-seat bus, purchased using College funds, including money raised through Parents and Friends fundraising initiatives. The new bus complements our existing 25-seat bus and will help reduce the ongoing costs associated with regularly hiring additional transport to meet the needs of our growing school.

Year 10 Work Experience was also a massive success, with our highest participation rate ever recorded, as 94% of students completed a placement. Some students are currently negotiating extended or second placements, while others have already secured part-time employment opportunities as a result of the program. A big thank you to all of the businesses and community organisations that supported our students throughout the program.

Expanded House System

One of our College Captains’ major projects this year has been to expand our House System so that it recognises students, form groups and year levels across a broad range of endeavours — not just sporting carnivals.

To support this initiative, Mr Simon Andriessen has taken on the role of House Coordinator and is working closely with Ms Catherine Blackburne (Student Voice Leader) to monitor and communicate House point tallies across the College.

So far this year, students have been able to earn House points through:

• Attendance (95%+)
• School Wide Positive Behaviour posts
• Community activities and representing the school
• Swimming Sports participation and House colours
• Athletics Day participation and House colours
• Open Night volunteering
• Student leadership applications
• Lunchtime competitions
• Novelty events

This week, Mr Slater, Ms Cavey, Mr Andriessen, Ms Blackburne and myself cooked a hamburger lunch for the top 20 students in each year level based on House point totals.

NAPLAN Preliminary Results

We recently received the preliminary results for our Year 7 and 9 NAPLAN assessments and I am pleased to inform the community that, overall, Patterson River Secondary College has once again achieved its strongest NAPLAN results to date. A summary of the results can be found below.

Annual Report to the School Community

School Council recently endorsed our Annual Report to the School Community. The data sets contained within the report indicate that the College is performing very strongly against both similar schools and state measures.

The report can be accessed via the document below. Please note that it will remain in draft format while it undergoes quality assurance processes through the Department of Education. Once finalised, a final copy will be published on the College website.

e-Bikes and Scooters

We have seen a concerning increase in the number of students riding what appear to be illegal e-bikes and scooters including some without helmets. 

We are currently setting up Compass communications in order to be able to alert families where we have concerns about the legality / safety of an e-bike or scooter and then to follow up by confiscating or banning the riding of some bikes. While we encourage students riding bikes to school and reducing traffic congestion, we are concerned for the safety of a number of students and pedestrians. If your child currently rides or is considering riding an e-bike or scooter, I encourage you to review the below information. 

eBikes 

We have seen a noticeable increase in the number of students riding eBikes and eScooters. While many eBikes and eScooters are legal, these forms of transportation for students present significant safety risks compared to conventional bikes and scooters.

When is it a legal eBike?

• Provides power when pedalling up to 25km/h
• Maximum of 200watts 
• Can be used as conventional bike

When is it a motorbike and must be registered?

• Output that exceeds 200watts
• Can't be used by pedalling only 
• Provides power beyond 25km/h

It is clear that many eBikes being used by commuters exceed the restrictions for legal eBikes and it is therefore important that parents are aware of the bikes being used by their children to ensure their safety and avoid breaking road rules. Further information can be found by visiting https://transport.vic.gov.au/road-rules-and-safety/bicycles/electric-bikes. 

eScooters 

eScooters have different rules to eBikes and it is important that parents are aware that riders must be 16 years or older. Other rules include:

Use of e-scooters is legalised in Victoria.

You can legally ride an e-scooter in Victoria if you:

• ride on shared-use paths (not on footpaths), or
• ride on roads that have a speed limit up to 60km/h
• are at least 16 years old
• wear a helmet
• do not travel more than 20km/h
• do not use your mobile phone
• do not carry a passenger (dinking).

Mr Daniel Dew

College Principal