From the Principal

Student voice

I'm proud to report that student voice is being heard and considered more and more in our decision making around the school. From my weekly meetings with our Captains Savannah and Hilary, who also now sit on School Council with Ki Emsley to School Council receiving letters of suggested changes and entering into extended discussions prior to approval.

Our SRC recently started researching solutions to the litter issue at lunch and our year 9 cohort got to choose their classes in the week where they were supposed to be on camp.  I am a firm believer in student voice as it is their school, and the space they spend the majority of their week in.

Reports

Our parents who participated in the review reported that they would like more feedback for student progress.  The response that we received regarding these interim reports has been very positive. 

Staff have been busy entering results in Semester Reports, 16,377  results have been entered for parents and students to digest and discuss.  

Reports are open now on Compass, if you have questions please get in contact with your subject teacher first thing when school re-commences.

Remote Learning

I would like to commend the community as a whole on he way we transitioned from on site to remote learning during the recent lockdown period.  It really is a credit to the students, their families and our staff who all swung into action.

I was very relieved that we did not have an extended time off site and am aware that a lot of us are suffering fatigue as a result of the interruption and feel that the holidays will be a good chance to renew our energy levels. 

Here's hoping that by the time were return that restrictions will have eased even more.

NAPLAN

This year we held all of our NAPLAN testing in B Block and it was successful.  The data collected will assist us greatly in our planning.

Thank you to staff who volunteered in the HDSC kitchen to deliver breakfast every day for NAPLAN students.

Work Experience

I was so happy to receive the news that Work Experience could go ahead, I have heard glowing reports from our Careers Coordinator Mrs Vincent about students excelling at workplaces, and a few that found out that the chosen workplace was not what they thought.  This is one of the many reasons work experience is so very valuable.  Mrs Vincent has also launched Year 9 Careers Week with some venues cancelling due to covid, thank you for your efforts Mrs Vincent.

Capital Works

It was disappointing to find that we were not allocated any further funding in the State May budget which suggests to me that the School council needs to continue plead the case for the continuation of the necessary upgrade for students to ensure all areas are safe and fit for purpose into the future.  

The works are progressing well and the framework for Building B (Tech and Science) is almost complete with Building A (Admin, Food and Staff work area) at about 50% completion. The next step is to remove the gas pipe running above the outside veranda between B wing and the Library to re-rout and make safe the gas conveyance into the future. There is a state-wide shortage of timber for framing but Nicholson’s have managed to secure the required resource to site and have then send timber to the framing company to have frames completed. There have been minimal interruptions due to a good working relationship developed between the builders and the school operations team.  

We still await to hear back from DET representatives on the demolition of Science and Tech and the conclusion of the CW and any further demolition on East Campus.  

Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) 2021

Due to the Strategic Plan being complete we are now liaising with students and staff to gain input into the construction of an AIP for the remainder of the year that will then stretch into 2022.  

The Goals and relevant strategies for 2021 are as follows: 

GOAL 1: - To maximise learning growth and achievement for all students 

Key Improvement Strategy – To build the capacity of teachers to utilise data and differentiate learning. 

GOAL 2: - To improve engagement in learning 

Key Improvement Strategy – To build student and teacher capacity to activate learner agency. 

GOAL 3: To enhance the social and emotional development of all students 

Key Improvement Strategy – To develop staff capacity to support complex social, emotional and wellbeing needs. 

Catch Up Day

Catch up day is an initiative to further offer support to students who need greater assistance, or who missed exams, for a range of reasons.  If you feel your child needs further supports around organisation, please contact your Year Level Coordinator or teacher.

AtoSS - Attitude to School Survey

On the back of the disruption from remote learning it was decided to offer our students the shortened version of the AtoSS.

This data is used to track our progress in our AIP and inform best practice.

The Parent Opinion Survey will be issued in Term 3 and we look forward to hearing from the random sampling of parents.

Mayoral Visit with School Leaders 

Cr. Colliton met with our school leaders (SRC, Form Captains & Snr Leaders) to hear about the Council Plans process for 2021-2025. Attendees were asked about their wish list over lunch. There was a buzz from students in the room and a number of areas were identified such as greater access to Pedrina Park, outdoor basketball/bike facilities and more promotion of environmental/sustainable practices across the shire.

CSEF Extension

The Department has extended the deadlines for CSEF eligibility this year.

Families who have an  pension/health care card which is valid on 27 Jan 21, 19 April 21 and now 12 July 21 are eligible for CSEF.

Schools need to submit application by 13th Aug.

See link below if you need further info

https://edugate.eduweb.vic.gov.au/sites/i/Pages/school.aspx#/app/news/detail/5034/

Camps and Excursions

Year 8 camp was a huge success to Bogong and they even managed to see snow which was a thrill for many students and staff.  

Unfortunately due the location being in Melbourne, the Year 9 camp was postponed leading to a quick reshuffle to balance the 9/10 program with Year 10 being on Work Experience.  

This week the Year 10 students continue their work experience and Year 9 commence a week long careers week. This is a major benefit for our students to have real world experience and to have career support to authenticate the skills they develop at school.  

Music

Recently the ever growing music department held a recorded music concert that will be able to be published as soon as some technical editing is performed. Unfortunately, due to restrictions, there was no live audience but there were 10 ensembles as well as dramatic performance and singing. The music department is going from strength to strength with all year 7 students learning an instrument and many talented students from various levels returning to the program or taking up an instrument for the first time.  

From School Council

Catherine Egan, a parent representative on school council has provided the following report on a recent request from a community member:

School Council were recently approached by a community member wondering why we don’t have flashing 40km hour signs on Coleraine Road. We investigated this very valid question to discover that there is a certain criteria that makes roads eligible for such signage, which unfortunately, we do not meet. 

These include: 

• A supervised crossing 

• The absence of service roads 

We plan to continue investigating a way to make Coleraine Road as safe as possible for our students and members of our school community and if we are successful in this endeavour, we will be sure to keep you posted. Stay safe! 

Thanks Catherine and all members of School Council who give their time to ensure our school runs smoothly and has input from parents and community members.

Farewells and Welcomes

This term we have wished Miss Savage and Miss Kemp all the best as they take maternity leave.  Both are due in the holidays so I hope to report exciting baby news next term.  We wish them all the best and thank them as their roles included heads of departments as well as teaching loads.  Today we farewell Mrs Kavanagh who is retiring  after 11 years of assisting our students.  Thank you for your years of service.  

With departures come arrivals, we warmly welcome Mr Tom Watts into English.  Tom comes to us from Melba College and is originally from Warrnambool, we look forward to his contributions in English and across the school.

Mr Rhett Beattie also joins us in PE, Rhett is a local lad with a wealth of experience, coming to us from Good Shepherd College. 

We also welcome Mrs Tanya McLachlan into out Tutor Learning Initiative, Mr Roger Menicelli and Kellie Watson into Integration.

Mrs Cook is taking some very well earned Long Service Leave and will be away for Term 3.