Principal's  Report

Remote Learning

By the end of this term we would have completed 39 days of remote and flexible learning.  Reflecting on the achievements of the College I would like to share with you the work we have been doing this term.

• Conducting regular wellbeing checks on students and families
• Ensuring students are connecting and that rolls are accurate
• Increasing our focus on engaging and fun learning activities
• Increasing our focus on wellbeing supports and strategies
• Adapting the way we give feedback to students – conducting one-on-one conversations, using rubrics, feedback via learning tasks on COMPASS
• Checking work that is submitted on learning tasks – each piece needs to be looked at on line vs in the classroom where teachers can observe the tasks being done
• Conducting assessments on line in particular VCE formal assessments
• Creating powerpoints and recordings to support what is being delivered in classes
• Learning the technology including the setting up and learning of the Teams platform
• Trying to engage growing numbers of students who are finding remote learning challenging
• Providing extra help and support to students
• Providing Individual Learning Programs (ILPs) in challenging remote settings
• Providing on-site supervision for students every day
• Making constant adjustments to events, calendars, plans and programs
• Adapting all of the programs, events and activities that we would have done on site to a remote or online format, including parent teacher interviews by telephone
• Providing tips and resources for students, staff and families
• Providing regular communication and updates via COMPASS, Facebook, Instagram, the Newsletter and the website
• Sending to all students a postcard from the school with an inspirational message
• Increasing the awarding of merits for desired behaviours and outcomes
• Continuing rehearsing for the school production on line
• Acknowledging attendance via certificates

I am extremely proud of the way our staff has delivered the remote and flexible learning program this term and I want to acknowledge and thank them. They have put in so much extra work and effort to engage students and ensure that students’ wellbeing is being supported. They have continued to increase their own knowledge and skills with the new technologies by attending professional learning on line.  Many staff members have been helping each other and offering tutoring sessions on particular elements of Teams, Webex and COMPASS as well as sharing their engagement strategies in Professional Learning Communities. They have done all of this while navigating and managing their own personal circumstances during these uncertain and challenging times.

I also know that many families and students are finding remote and flexible learning, as well as the current lockdown situation, an enormous challenge. We will continue to provide academic and wellbeing support off site and on site. We are waiting for the government’s directions and the Department of Education’s guidelines for the return to school in term 4.  As soon as we receive what the return to school looks like for all cohorts we will communicate that via COMPASS and our other platforms.

School Production

We are so excited to see our students continuing to rehearse with Grace and Jack from GJ School Productions on line via zoom. Grace and Jack report that the student performers are doing really well.

We are also excited to announce that the production will be recorded and live streamed.  See the notice in this newsletter with dates and details and a fantastic video to whet your appetite. Thank you to our wonderful student performers and to Callum Harber the Production Coordinator and to Grace and Jack for their passion and enthusiasm around the show.

Presentation Ball

We are holding our Presentation Ball on February 25th 2022, to enable our participants to have a full rehearsal program before the end of the year.  If there are any other student couples interested in joining in there is still time. Please contact 

Farewell

At the end of the term we say farewell to Catherine Brockhouse who has decided to take a different direction with her career.  Catherine has been a fantastic classroom support staff member, deeply committed to supporting our young people. She is a well-respected member of the staff who has contributed to the broader College program as the Assistant Daily Organiser and the Staff Representative on Consultative Committee. We wish Catherine all the best in her new venture. 

We also farewell Sheryl Johnson, whom many of you remember as the Business Manager. Sheryl retires on the 20th September, following the leave she has taken for the past three years. We will send Sheryl a gift from the College acknowledging her and thanking her for her service of over 35 years at our school.

Term 3 Break

I wish all our students, families and staff all the best for a safe and restful term three holidays. Please keep in touch with the school’s communication platforms – COMPASS and Facebook where we will keep you updated with what is happening in term 4.

Pauline Barker

Principal