Assistant 

Principal Report 

Over the past week I have been privileged with the time to spend three days undertaking the SPPIKE professional learning program which activates the vision and principles of the Marrung Education Plan. The program supports Victorian education leaders to develop and embrace Aboriginal cultural understandings and strengthen our capability to implement systematic workforce cultural change at schools (Edenhope College) and more broadly, in our community. The program specifically aims to equip participants to lead towards the strengthening in teacher capability and responsiveness to support improved student outcomes. Whilst the focus is on improving Koorie student outcomes, the philosophies, skills and knowledge are relatable to all student outcomes.

This professional learning program has equipped me with the skills to:

· Have challenging conversations

· Actively engage the school community and promote positive cultural identity and excellence in schools.

I have been supported to develop the tools to:

· Enhance my leadership capacity

· Challenge my own assumptions

· Contribute to the critical mass of creating positive climate for change in education.

I have had the opportunity to develop my knowledge in:

· Aboriginal Cultural understandings

· How to strengthen my capability to implement systematic workforce cultural change at Edenhope College.

The training has been intensive, beliefs and stereotypes have been challenged to collectively look at how we can develop a high-performance learning culture that promotes high expectations as well as embedding cultural inclusion in our school community. Each day has started at 8.30am and finished at 8.30pm, and full of rich and challenging discourse. The brain has been full and I am looking forward to the holidays to unpack and think about how the ideas and strategies can be applied to our context to improve student outcomes.

Last Wednesday the Kowree Sports event took place at the College and St Malachy’s. This year, our new VET Sport and Recreation class planned and organised the event with the support of Morgan Coventry (EC) and Sherryn Simpson (St M) as a part of their coursework. The event provided the students with a real-life opportunity to put their learned skills into practice. Below are some reflections from two students.

"On Wednesday the 31st of August the Edenhope College Sport and Rec class organised and ran the Kowree athletics day. Combined with Edenhope College, St Malachy’s, Goroke P -12, Apsley and Balmoral K -12 the day was extremely successful and everyone enjoyed it. Within all the age groups, there was 230 participants expanding from 5-year old’s all the way to 12 years and open. The Sport and Rec class have been hard at work for the last 4 weeks trying to make new score cards and organise the day to make it as swift as possible. Luckily for the day we were accompanied by Chris, a professional high jump coach, who helped everyone to jump their highest. Even with the low numbers of teachers around, we were supported by parents who helped out with holding the bars and encouraging the students. The best part about the high jump was that every kid gave it a try even if they didn’t jump well they still gave it a go. The Sport and Rec class stood up to the task of running events where there were no teachers or support staff. Thanks to all of the teachers and parents who helped make the day happen by either walking around groups or helping out with events, The day wouldn’t have been such a success if it did have the help that was provided." Buzz Brennan (who ran the high jump).

"On Wednesday the 31st of August the Kowree Sports were held at Edenhope College with primary students from St Malachy’s, Balmoral, Apsley, Goroke, and Edenhope College. This year, the VET sport and recreation class helped plan how the day would go and designed brand new school allocated scorecards for the kids to take home. The class also re organised and replaced the old, outdated paperwork that was being used. The VCAL class also helped, by running a canteen and cooking hot food for all that ordered it. The day was a big success with many parents coming to watch giving the day a great community feel. Activities were also run successfully, with each age group moving along to each different activity with little fuss. Thank you to all the parents, staff from the different schools and helper students that were involved, the day would not have been possible without you." Braithan Reid (who ran the target throw)

Term 3 has been full of opportunities and experiences for our student groups. The next two months will see our Year 12 students focus in on their final examinations and related preparation. For the first time, we will be hosting practice exams in the upcoming holiday period which will give teachers and students the chance to identify challenge areas and the time to work towards addressing these spaces. It is an exciting and daunting period for our young people and is important for families and teachers to work together to offer support and challenge so that they are in the best position to achieve their own success.

Chad Frost