From the Principal 

Welcome Back Year 11's

What an epic journey our Year 11's have recently embarked on with their tour up to Broome and back! Staff and students returned last Friday exhausted but happy and by all reports a fantastic adventure was had by all. I'd like to acknowledge how proud we are of how the students represented both themselves and our College throughout the tour. I'd also like to acknowledge the monumental effort put in by our staff, both in the lead up and during the camp, as trips like these most certainly do not organise themselves. 

Year 12 Transition

Reality is starting to kick in as our Year 12's come to realise just how close they are to completing their 13th and final year of schooling. This can be a challenging time for students, as pressure mounts to both complete their remaining course requirements and start organising their next big step into the real world. This is a big and somewhat confronting step for many young people.

Staff continue to closely monitor progress and I encourage all Year 12's to track where they are at and what they need to complete. Should any student start to struggle, please reach out as we are here to help all students achieve their individual potential.

We know our graduates leave us highly skilled, work-ready and employable. It is now that time of year when employers reach out to identify prospective candidates for employment and apprenticeship opportunities and I encourage students and families to actively pursue any opportunity that appeals to them.  

Opportunities are shared on our various student noticeboards across the College and on the Cunderdin Ag Parents Facebook page.   

Link to the page - Cunderdin Ag Parents | Groups | Facebook

Industry Engagement

We have had a fantastic response to the WA Competition Shearing Association (WACSA) shearing and wool handling training day for tomorrow (Saturday 6 August 2022) with close to 60 members from industry and the community registering and over 20 of our students signing up for the day. We have also had significant interest in our Drones in Agriculture Demonstration Workshop on next Wednesday 10 August 2022 (information flyer in the College news section of the Chatter).

These events provide our students an opportunity to learn first-hand from those who are leading the way in their respective industry, along with connecting with our community and strengthening industry partnerships. Thank you in particular to Sheep Technical Officer - Wayne Laird and Head of Curriculum - Sarah Aynsley for their efforts in coordinating these events.

P&C Annual General Meeting (AGM)

On Wednesday the P&C held their AGM to appoint the incoming committee. I would like to warmly welcome the new committee and sincerely thank outgoing President - Terri Tholstrup, Secretary - Mandy Chapman, Treasurer - Rachael Hill and the 2022 committee members for their contribution over the last 12 months. Our students are very grateful of the contributions the P&C have made which include:

• Contribution toward the commercial umbrellas and outdoor furniture
• 50% contribution toward Tomorrow Man/Tomorrow Woman Workshops
• Upgrades to televisions, sound bars, couches, bean bags, outdoor seating and the pool table
• The graduation gift for our Year 12 Leavers

Thank you again for your contribution and welcome to the incoming committee who are already doing a great job with organising this year's Year's 11 and 12 Parent Function on the night of the College Ball (see ticket booking requirements in the P&C section of the Chatter).

2022/23 P&C Committee

• President - Raelean Kirchner
• Vice President - Lynne Norwood
• Treasurer - Fiona Kuss
• Secretary - Tanya Mason
• Committee - Jo Gatland, Leanne Childs, Lisa Thompson, Joanne Walker and Kerrie Read

Vaping

Schools must be a smoke-free environment. This includes an environment free from tobacco and e-cigarettes. Research has found that some e-liquids sold as “nicotine-free” contain nicotine. Nicotine is a highly addictive and poisonous drug. E-liquids also pose a poisoning risk.

It is reported that young people often purchase vapes online, from retail stores or from friends and contacts in the community. However, it is illegal in WA to sell e-cigarette devices and nicotine vaping products to anyone regardless of age, unless they are prescribed by a doctor for smoking cessation purposes and obtained with a prescription from a pharmacy.

In WA, e-cigarette devices and their components, whether or not they contain nicotine, cannot be sold by tobacco or general retailers. It is also illegal to sell vapes to friends at school or in the community.

Students are reminded regularly that there is zero-tolerance to possessing or using vapes on our College site and that students who breach this policy will be suspended for a minimum of 2.0 days. Students who are found to be supplying vapes to others on site, may have their residential status reviewed. I ask that students familiarise themselves with our College Guidelines.

Long Service Leave

This will be my last Chatter for a couple of editions, as I head off on 3 weeks Long Service Leave during Week 5, 6 and 7. While I am exploring the Italian and Croatian coastline and sampling the local delicacies, Tim Pass will be replacing me as Principal of the College. Tim is a semi-retired school administrator with a wealth of knowledge and experience (and is full of character to boot).  

I hope you have all received a bit of this rain that has come through and that your crops and pastures are looking as happy and healthy as ours. Have a great weekend.