Neale Armstrong

Neale.Armstrong@education.wa.edu.au

Second term heralds the start of shorter days and cooler mornings with the hope that the rain will come and help fill irrigation dams. The days have been beautiful, but it’s been a slow start to the growing season. We are implementing some ways to reduce water consumption and follow through with drought mitigating strategies just in case.

VALE Lachlan “Lockie” Hernaman 1998-2019

It was with great sadness that we witnessed the passing of Lockie Hernaman on Tuesday 30th April when he collapsed and was unable to be revived during a normal football training with the local “Bulls” team.

Lockie was a popular student of our College during 2014 and 2015 and played basketball and football alongside many of our students, both past and present. He attended the local Primary and High Schools and for some staff members, was a friend to some of our children and a compatriot to the staff in both a professional and personal capacity. He was also a mentor to many being the coach of one of the local basketball teams in which some of our current students belong.

Lockie at just 20 was taken from us in the prime of his life and our heartfelt condolences are offered to all who are close to him, but particularly to his mum Mel (a former Residential Supervisor at our College) and his extended family.

“Rest easy Lockie till we meet again.”

Staffing 2019

Farm Staff Employment Pool

As part of normal staffing, we have set up a process inviting interested and qualified people to apply to become members of the farm team by way of being selected to become part of a “pool.” In this regard, a panel looks at an applicants credentials in order to judge their suitability. Successful applicants can then be offered positions as they become vacant throughout the next 12 months.

We know of several fixed term vacancies soon to arise and this is seen as the most efficient way to fill them. Mr Jeff Gale, who has been with us in Horticulture, has decided to retire in the next few months. Ms Ferraro will be a proud mother shortly and will need to take maternity leave from her position at Dairy and Mr Harbour has been on extended leave.

All positions close on the 30th May and hopefully we can work on a seamless process without too much disruption to students.

As you know, I will be taking extended leave at the commencement of the second semester and a new Principal will be appointed. It is unknown who this will be at this time and again, I hope that the changeover will be seamless and have no disruption to the normal operations of the College.

We seem to have had a recent spate of technical officers who have become indisposed through injury, along with the people on industrial leave. I thank all who have been on site in a relieving capacity.

Open Day - Saturday 25th May 2019

The big one (OPEN DAY) will soon be upon us as we open the doors to “all and sundry” in an effort to enable the current students to “show off” their College.

We expect about 800 to be part of the Open Day program and in particular, I wish to thank all who will be on site for Saturday 25th May 2019. For students, DAY AND BOARDING, this is a compulsory function, for which we extend the following public holiday weekend in lieu of the attendance at Open Day. Therefore, I wish to remind parents that the closed weekend will commence from 2.35pm on Thursday 30th May and students will be expected to return in time for normal school on Tuesday 4th June 2019.

This year marks the 21st Anniversary of our College as an "independent" entity, so we will dine out on this fact during Open Day. Otherwise, everything will once again be on display for you to enjoy, so come along and be part of the event. I’m sure there will be a few surprises as well.

For all students, kindly remember that you are ambassadors of the school and must wear correct uniforms and have name tags on the day. “Be professional, punctual, helpful and polite.” Parents may take their child on leave from the College at the conclusion of the day.

I wish everyone a very enjoyable day.

Tryout Week

We will have a Tryout block happening during the last week of second term during “ Country Week” when it is expected that some 65 students once again will be representing the College.

During this time, hopeful young people will be with us “trying out the place.” First round offers for 2020 will be sent out on the 2nd August and the next block of “Tryouts” will join us during the Dowerin Field Day which is at the end of August.

Final round offers are expected to be posted to all hopeful students by the end of week commencing 2nd September.

Good luck for Open Day and all students studying for Mid Semester exams.

Term Planner

Term 2

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