From the Acting Principal 

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to Term 3. Our students have successfully completed Semester One and now have the opportunity to build on and extend their skills and knowledge in Semester Two. It is an action-packed term with a lot to look forward to, such as hearing from Cyber Expert, Susan MacLean, Matilda the Musical, Wellness Week and College Has Talent, Sheepvention, all co-curricular sports and activities, and more!

Our Year 10s have enjoyed an amazing fortnight on the Central Australia Experience and will return home this weekend.

During the holidays, NAIDOC Week was celebrated across Australia.  The theme for NAIDOC Week 2022 was ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’ which celebrated those who have affected, and continue to strive for, positive change for the First Nations peoples and communities.  In our local area, we have many Elders and local community members that have driven and championed positive change over generations and it was a privilege to have Uncle Johnny Lovett, respected Gunditjmara / Boandik Elder, provide a Welcome to Country at our first whole school assembly in our sesquicentennial year. Head of the Junior School, Stephen Nelson, spoke at the Assembly about NAIDOC Week and the importance of our First Nations peoples’ history.

You may have read during the holidays that The Commissioner for Children and Young People has released new Child Safe Standards that organisations must take to keep children and young people safe. These new Safe Standards apply from 1 July 2022 and replace the current 7 standards and principles. The College is currently working through our policies and procedures to respond to these new requirements. Information on the new child safe standards can be reviewed here. 

Finally, I must talk to the ongoing topic COVID-19. It is frustrating that two and a half years on, we are still talking about and dealing with COVID. All College families should have received a letter on Tuesday (from Linda Archer) which is jointly signed by the Government, Catholic and Independent Schools Victoria.  I know many of people have had enough of masks, however, we must ask that you work with us, and the whole community, to slow the spread of the virus. The medical and scientific community agree that this new wave is moving faster than before and will put immense strain on the healthcare system. It is proven that face masks slow the spread of the virus and are an important part of fighting COVID-19.   We are watching this space very carefully and will continue to closely monitor case numbers within our own setting. 

Best wishes for a safe and positive Term 3. 

Kristen Waldron

Acting Principal