Principal's Report
Welcome back to Term 3.
Once again, thank you for showing resilience, determination and patience at the start of this term, as we face another alternate learning situation. We are proud of our community for bonding together in these times of adversity.
Class Structure
During this remote learning time, we have two types of lesson deliveries for those students working remotely; Synchronous & Asynchronous
- Synchronous: Lessons delivered 'live' with new material introduced
- Asynchronous: No new material, a chance for staff to work 1:1 or in small groups with students
As a reminder, our current Learning Program is as follows:
- Years 7 to 10
- Working remotely
- 60 minute lessons
- Lessons delivered synchronously & asynchronously
- Years 11 & 12
- Face to face learning
- 75 minute lessons
Teaching & Learning
Over the past few weeks, staff have been working hard on developing Individual Education Plans (IEP) for our students with additional needs. These IEP's will be completed soon and will be made available to parents shortly.
Our Year 12 teachers are currently calling parents to provide an update on their student's progress in their classes.
Course Counselling
Course Counselling for 2021 is now completed for all year levels. Students who are yet to undertake this process are requested to contact the relevant Sub School Leader; Mr Jessop (Yr 7/8), Ms Kios (Yr 9/10) and Ms vanstan (Yr 11/12). Staff will continue to follow up with over the next week to finalise course selections.
Thank you and well done to all the staff who were involved with this lengthy process. A special thanks must go to Ms Karen Shiel, Ms Debbie Edwards, Ms Fiona Vanstan, Ms Eloise Haynes, Ms Georgianne Kios and the HPSC Careers Team.
Subject Selection Resources
Our 2021 Subject Handbook is published and has been made available to the community via the College website. I am also in the process of distributing a hard copy of the handbook to each of our local primary schools.
On our College website, I wish to direct all students, parents and carers to the following;
2021 College Subject Handbook.
The amazing document enlightens students and parents alike to all of the wonderful learning opportunities available for students.
Virtual Career and Pathway Expo.
The is another excellent resource available to inform and exciting young people about their future.
I would like to thank the excellent teams that have contributed to these outstanding publications.
Student Agency
Based on student feedback and the endorsement of College Council, our School jackets will be changing for 2021. Students voted on their preferred design and this will be phased into the College. This means that all new students will purchase the new style jacket and current students may wish to upgrade or retain their current jacket. If the jacket is outgrown or lost, the only jacket that may be bought will be the new jacket.
The style chosen by our students is Option 1 (below)
Students recently voted to select the preferred track pants and sport shorts that will also be available for the start of 2021, and the 2021 Year 12 Jacket design discussions are currently underway. We will share these design in the next Newshamper.
Student Wellbeing
You should already be aware that the College had a confirmed COVID-19 case during the Term 2 holidays. Contract tracing and communication with impacted staff and students was undertaken, and the whole College underwent a full infectious cleaning process.
There has been concern raised over the number of vulnerable students displaying wellbeing concerns. The Student Wellbeing Team has been working with the Sub School Teams to identify and support students of concern. Staff have also been contacting families to offer support and additional opportunities for students to be working and supported from school.
Entry and Exit to the College
Temperature checks are being done on all persons who enter the school; students, staff and visitors.
We have limited entries and exits to the school and students are asked to adhere to these.
Year 11: Enter via Canteen gate
Year 12: Enter via E Block gate
We have also introduced a staggered finish time for the Year 11 & 12 students to reduce close contact, with students being dismissed 15 minutes apart.
Student who are unwell must remain at home. Unwell students should get a COVID-19 test and remain at home while waiting for the results.
Students must remain at home if any member of their immediate family has tested positive for COVID-19. Close contacts must be tested and isolate for 14 days. On day 11, students must be tested a second time, and proof of a negative result must be provided to the school prior to the student returning to face to face learning.
Staffing
We would like to welcome back Ms Georgianne Kios and Mrs Christina D'Sylva, both returning from maternity leave. Ms Kios will be replacing Ms Emma Craven as Middle Sub School Leader. I would like to take this time to thank Ms Craven for her work as the Middle SSL during Semester one.
We have recently been notified of some sad news. Mr Max Stephen, one of our Technology staff members, has retired on health grounds. Max has been a long-standing teacher at the College and I wish to acknowledge his work and contributions to the lives of the young people of Hampton Park Secondary College. We wish Max all the best.
We are currently advertising the following positions
- Learning Specialist: Data & Learning Growth Leaders
- Learning Specialist: VCAL/VET Curriculum & Practice Leader
Facilities
Over the holidays and into this term we have conditioned with the facilities upgrades for the College, including
- External Courts: Have been refurbished with synthetic grass, additional lights and security cameras.
- Classrooms: Flood damaged classrooms are being worked on and doorways have been raised.
- Front Office: Meeting room upgrades, including painting and acoustic panelling
- CRC: Plumbing issues have affected our newly refurbished Resource centre. New plaster and carpet tiles are being installed currently. This facility should be fully operational soon.
