Principal Report
Beginning the Journey
I’m excited to be the new substantive principal at Edenhope College and I’m looking forward to the challenge of leading our school as we move forward!
I’d like to thank the Edenhope F – 12 College community over the last couple of years, during the times that I have been Acting Principal. Previous principals, current staff, parents and most importantly students are the reason that I am here doing what I love doing. Thanks at the highest level goes to my lovely wife Sally for her support.
With the principal position in place, there is a short process to settle the Assistant Principal position.
Dean Greenhalgh has been leading the AP position for all of term 1 and has led like a seasoned professional. Unfortunately Dean won’t be staying with us long term, but will return to his family in Geelong. Thank you for your professionalism Dean and all the best for a very bright future.
As stated in the last Whytalla, Emma Wallace is also leaving at the end of the Term, to teach at Horsham Special School. We wish her all the best in her new adventure and thank her for her efforts over the last three years, and especially over the last six months.
Parent Teacher Interviews
We are running a different format this year for parent teacher interviews, with all staff in the Learning Centre. We will try this and seek parent feedback – as we are looking to improve the process. Staff have been spread out over the whole school previously, so we’ll try a more user-friendly approach this time. Parents are encouraged to bring your students with you to attend the Parent Teacher Interviews. The College Captains will be running a free sausage sizzle between 4.30 and 6.30pm. There will also be refreshments available in the room adjacent - IT1, over that time.
Students
Edenhope College is hosting an IT challenge in week 1 term 2. The Hack Challenge involves a host of schools attending our school, with teams of two to four students. The students go through a workshop on the day (22/4/21), with the theme based around Artificial Intelligence. The program is sponsored by Microsoft and a great experience/exposure for students with a passion in that area. We have four students keen and being guided by Cassie Stringer. Thanks Cassie!
Opening of the new School Library
We are going to have a public opening for our new library in term two. The week coincides with Book Fair so keep week 5 free and we’ll update you with a date for the opening early in Term 2. The library is a fantastic new additional resource with much more room, catering not only for academia but also providing that quiet place for students during lunchtimes.
Website Update & New logo
A big thank you goes out to our IT technician Varlin Duncan who has worked tirelessly on our school website, updating it, helping with timetabling, running our school IT and in amongst all that he has come up with a school logo.
He is a tireless worker and everything he does has the school and students at heart. Thank you Varlin!!! Students are also working on creating a new motto to go with our new logo. Getting students to decide on the school motto is helping to give them more ownership over their learning environment and a stronger student voice which is important.
School Council
Edenhope College has full representation across it’s committee, with 12 members comprising of two students, three DET members (school staff), and seven parents. It is a credit to the school community that parents, students and staff committed to serving their school on the school council. The request was put out and everyone responded immediately. A very positive start to the year - thank you!
Uniform
Just an update to the school community that the school council, Parents and Friends and the school are looking at the school uniform currently.
Nothing has been formalized and no changes made to our uniform, apart from supporting
students to wear our current PE top on the days they have PE or are involved in a whole school sporting activity (swimming/athletics carnival).
If there is ever a change this will be communicated with plenty of advance warning.
Uniform items currently available through the Front Office are listed below. Please get your student to come in and try on a sample size, particularly if you are looking at an extra layer for the approaching cooler months.
Trevor McClure
Principal
29.03.21