Principal Report

Time always flies when you are busy and having fun. We are already more than half way through the term. Our Year 12 students have taken up the challenge of doing their best in their final school terms of school. For those Year 12 students who were our original foundation students this is a true milestone. I still remember the first day for many of those students as they got off the bus at Mernda Central College for their first day of Year 7. We began the term celebrating the academic accomplishments and learning growth of our Senior school students by awarding their 2022 awards at an assembly with our new Year 7 students and Year 12 students. I have included many photos of the event below:

Enrolment & Staffing Update

We continue to grow in numbers with the college now at 1218 students for 2023 with over 130 teaching and education support staff. We began the year fully staffed but unfortunately we have had some immediate changes to staffing which has resulted in the College still recruiting for a further two new teachers and an increase in Education support staff. I can assure you that we will continue to use all our resources and DET resources that are available to us to find the best staff for your children. Our teachers continue to work with great commitment to support all the students by taking extra classes, assessing work, coaching each other while planning strong curriculum content. I would like to take this opportunity to thank a foundation staff member, Chantelle Gianinotti who has taken up a position at an external agency. I thank her for her years of commitment towards so many students and families. I wish her well and we are grateful that she was able to help all our community over the last five years.

I would like to welcome Laila Pawley - PE/Science/Health Teacher, a new Student Counsellor - Jodee Clover, and our new administration receptionist - Peta Milenkovic.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

A reminder to all families that the use of mobile phones is banned at all schools in Melbourne. Despite the best efforts of educating students about the policy and raising awareness of responsible social media use, the law around privacy, taking photos or making films without permission some of our students continue to push the boundaries of the policy. Students who continue to take their mobile phones out to use at school, are caught airdropping photos or films at school of other students or staff, fail to hand over their phones will receive serious consequences which includes suspension. The College will not hesitate in informing the Police of inappropriate images, and messages.  

Multicultural Awareness & Respect Morning Tea

On International Women's Day we held our first Multicultural Awareness & Respect Morning Tea. It was a great success and well attended by our parents/carers, student leaders, City of Whittlesea, Centre of Multicultural Youth, and Department of Education and Training personnel. It was a positive atmosphere with all attendees talking together and sharing ideas about how we can continue to work together to support the young people in our community. This was a great start to what we hope will be an ongoing conversation.

Joanne Camozzato

College Principal