Principals' Report

Principal Team Report 

We are coming towards the end of a challenging, yet generally productive term. I would like to formally thank all members of the College Council who have made up a cohesive and positive team throughout 2019 and into 2020. I would especially like to thank the retiring members, Annaliese Hawkins, Seb Jose, Jo O’Donnell and Eric Zou for their contribution and dedication to the Council.

It is also appropriate to thank the ongoing members for their commitment and welcome Frank Tlozek (parent of Nell in Year 7) and new student representatives, Sarah Whitebrook (School Captain) and Katinka Schmid (Year 9) to the Council. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

COVID-19 Update

The last 7 days have been interesting and at times confusing with all the news and information about Coronavirus. It is challenging and we can understand it may be causing members of the community to feel both confused and anxious. The situation is constantly evolving and we have aimed to share advice which is provided regularly from the Department of Education as it arrives.

Here are the facts from the school’s perspective:

• No staff member, student or family member from Koonung Secondary College has been reported as infected with Coronavirus.

• The school remains open as we follow the best advice from the Department of Education. This may change and we will let families know immediately if there is to be a school closure – this could happen at short notice.  However, DET have assured us that they will give at least 24 hour notice if the decision is made to shut State schools.

• We have set up some rooms near the Health Centre to isolate any students or staff members who may feel unwell during the day.  Parents and carers are notified to take students home. (This is generally our practice at all times anyway).

• Students have been informed about the importance of good hand hygiene and requested to inform us if they are not feeling well. They have also been encouraged to take home their laptop, chargers and key text books to ensure they can continue their learning if there is a school closure.

Some decisions which have been made already include:

• No Whole School Assemblies until further notice

• The Autumn Music Concert has been cancelled

• No Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences – Interim reports have just been completed for your son/daughter providing you with a brief snapshot of their performance to date in a variety of areas. In addition, at least one assessment/learning task will be completed per subject with feedback by the end of term. Traditionally, we follow interim reports with Parent/Student/Teacher conferences. In the interests of minimising risk for all members of our community we will not run this event in the usual format for Semester 1 2020. 

As previously planned, classes will be cancelled on Thursday 26 March from 9am - 4 pm, allowing staff to be available via email during the hours of 12pm-4pm to discuss your child’s progress. Any parent wishing to make contact is encouraged to do so, we would particularly like contact from parents to whom teachers have indicated that an interview is recommended on the interim report, or with any other specific concerns.  Please note that staff will be unavailable on this day from 9am-12pm, as they will be involved in planning lessons in the case of potential future school closures.

• All events, excursions and inter-school sport will be reviewed and postponed or cancelled as required.

•Major camps and International tours will be postponed or cancelled as required.

•School Tours and the Open Day have also been cancelled.

We are all trying to continue with business as usual during unusual times, however, I am as always impressed by the calm, determined manner that our staff and students are going about their work.

Our staff and students are working very hard to prepare for the transition to remote learning. We will be providing all families with a remote learning handbook which will outline expectations and responsibilities for staff, students and parents/carers to support student learning in the event of the school closing. 

As always we appreciate the support of our communities, we were heartened to receive this email from our parent community: 

Dear All 

We wanted to send you a message of thanks and acknowledgement for your professionalism, support & care for our students, especially the VCE cohort.

It is a time of anxst, debate, conjecture and bizarre behaviour. Amongst all of this, we do sincerely appreciate what you are currently doing and the plans being put in place.

Stay safe and take care of yourselves and your families.

Year 7 picnic

The annual Year 7 picnic, held on Thursday 13 February, was very well attended with parents and students coming along to enjoy a pleasant evening chatting with teachers, fellow parents and new friends. The student leaders did a great job of organising activities, music students performed a number of pieces and PFA members were also present to welcome new families to the College. It was a very positive event.

Whole School Swimming Carnival

Attendance was very strong with 767 students present this year. The inclusion of novelty events allows a greater range of students to participate, thus increasing access. There were some great individual performances in the racing and diving pools whilst the toddler pool was a hive of activity and excitement. The volleyball was particularly robust. Thanks to all who contributed actively to support Sam and Sarah and the students. Congratulations Sam and Sarah and thank you for your hard work and efficient organisation.

Year 7 camp – Alexandra Forest Adventures

All participants had a fabulous time; the weather was kind to the group. The students participated in a range of activities such as canoeing, climbing wall, high ropes, low ropes, swimming, raft building, flying fox, etc.

205 students attended, along with 17 staff, 8 former students and 32 student leaders,. Thank you to the Middle School team led by Allira Howe and all staff and student helpers who all made it possible.

VCE information evening

On 24 February, the Senior School team hosted Year 11 and 12 parents for the VCE Information Session. This session covered the structure of the VCE programs as well as the different ways in which students are assessed in Year 12 to achieve an ATAR score. Topics such as the General Achievement Test, folio subjects, possible tertiary pathways, and key revision techniques were discussed by Dr Michael Harte and Karen Riding. Conor Sheehan concluded the evening with 16 tips on surviving the VCE for parents and students based on the work of preeminent child psychologists Dr Michael Carr-Gregg and Professor Martin Seligman.

French exchange visit

We farewelled our French visitors Lycée Baudimont, located in Arras, France on Saturday February 29 after 2 glorious weeks.

Our Koonung host students, who will (hopefully) travel to France in September, were sad to see them go after doing many activities together including Day Excursions to Botanical Gardens, South Melbourne Market & St Kilda beach as well as an excursion to Healesville Sanctuary.

At school, the French students went to the classes of the Koonung host students as well as experiencing special classes in Art, Food & Music. They also walked the Koonung Trail. Host families did many activities outside of school hours such as trips to the Victorian coast, Sydney and the night market to name a few.

A big thank you to the Koonung host families and the students for their wonderful generosity. We hope to be in Arras in September. Trish Paddick, Ste

Working bee thank you

On Saturday 14 March, we held our first working bee for 2020 and we would like to warmly thank the more than forty hard workers who attended. A combination of parents, students and staff  worked hard across many areas of the College,  with a focus on gardening, mulching and general tidy up of grounds. Some during and after shots are included below. It really is amazing what can be achieved in a short time with our community working together. We hope all members of our community appreciate the efforts and treat the gardens with care as they go about their work. 

Capital Works Program Update

College Council has signed off on the final Schematic Design report, details of which are below.  We are looking forward to participating in the first design development meeting, which will be held in the following weeks.

Stace Kerr

Business Manager