A/ Principal Report

Steve Swallow

Steve.Swallow@education.wa.edu.au

I spoke to the Year 12’s recently and pointed out just how close it is to Graduation and the end of the College year. In reality they only have five College working weeks to the end of Term 3 and then two weeks in Term 4.

I also emphasised that some assessment tasks are completed in the final stages of the year and hence a concerted effort in Terms 3 and 4 can contribute greatly to the final outcome.

This is most important for those students who might be sitting on the borderline of a lower grade. It would be of value if parents could reinforce the need to put in a big effort to the end.

Alison Ramm (Regional Executive Director, Southwest Region) visited the College earlier this term.  Alison has line management responsibility for the Denmark and Harvey campuses of the WA College of Agriculture. She has an extensive knowledge of the Agricultural Colleges and is from a farming background.  Her brother also attended Narrogin Agricultural College.  Alison spoke to our students about agricultural education and career opportunities that will become available in the future.  She also toured the Design Technology workshops, Equine facility, College farm and Robotic Dairy.

Student Enrolments 

The College commenced this year with an enrolment of 142 students and at the recent August census we still have 137 students. The College’s A/Deputy Principal Amanda Gaunt, and I continue to be busy interviewing prospective students for 2021 on most Tuesdays and Fridays.  The College is currently, essentially, ‘full’ in regard to enrolments for 2021. There is also over 30 students on the ‘waiting list.’ Applications are still open and final numbers will be determined at the end of the year.

2020 Parent Survey

In the next few weeks I will be asking parents to complete the online 2020 Parent Survey. The feedback from this survey is critical to our self-improvement processes, so it would be greatly appreciated if parents/carers could find 10-15 minutes of their time to complete the survey when it becomes available.  Feedback from the 2020 Parent Survey will be reviewed closely by College Staff and by the College Board as part of our annual self-review process.   A copy of the survey will also be published online early in 2021.

Phase 5 of the WA COVID-19 roadmap pushed back

Based on the latest health advice, Phase 5 of the WA COVID – 19 roadmap due to be implemented on Saturday, 1 August, has been delayed. A final decision on when Phase 5 can proceed  will be decided in the coming weeks. 

As a result, the College will continue to operate using the Phase 4 Operating Guidelines for Western Australian Public Schools which includes:

• Social distancing and health and hygiene practices incorporated into all residential activities and wherever possible during the day programme
• Split sittings for some meals have been introduced to reduce numbers in the dining room
• Additional cleaning during the school day and in residence on weekends and evenings
• Food/meals are being served by kitchen staff. Students are required to sanitise before entering the dining room and practice social distancing.
• Sanitisers have been placed in all bedrooms, classrooms, vehicles and common areas.
• Staff and students are to stay home or return home if unwell.
• Parents and family members are to report to the Administration building when visiting the College. Visitors and non-boarders are not permitted in the residential areas.
• College is limiting unnecessary visits from non-school staff
• Avoidance of direct social contact (handshakes, hugs, etc)

2021 Student Information Day

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the majority of W.A. College of Agriculture – Denmark prospective 2021 students and their parents/carers have not had the opportunity to visit the College in 2020. The College Open Day, another opportunity to inspect the school has also been cancelled for this year. 

The College community is inviting all new 2021 students and their parents/carers to attend a Student Information Day at the W.A. College of Agriculture – Denmark.

The Student Information Day will include:

• A presentation in the College lecture theatre outlining courses of study, vocational educational and training qualifications, tertiary pathways and training pathways.
• An inspection and tour of the metals and engineering workshop, automotive workshop, classrooms, science laboratory and computer rooms.
• A tour of the College farm, horticulture enterprise, vineyard and robotic dairy.
• An introduction to the residential and boarding facilities including a guided tour of student dormitories/rooms, dining room, laundry and sports gymnasium.
• Lunch in the College dining room.

The 2021 Student Information Day will be held on 21 August 2020 from 8.45am to 1.00pm

Staffing Changes

We are very pleased to welcome Jason Frankham – Eade to the College.  Jason has been appointed as a Dairy ATO and is enjoying his role at the College and living in Denmark. He has also demonstrated his knowledge, skills and experience in the Dairy Industry. 

The College is now advertising for the second time for another ATO Dairy position which we hope to fill in the next few weeks. 

New 2020 – 2023 College Business Plan

College staff have been busy developing the College’s new 2020-2023 Business Plan – our second business plan since becoming an Independent Public School in late 2016. We are planning to present the final version of the new business plan to the College Board for input and feedback on Friday 28th August. 

College Ball 

This year’s College Ball is set for Friday August 28 and will take place at the Pepper and Salt restaurant / winery just outside of the Denmark township.  While the Ball is primarily a night for our students, it does provide one of the few opportunities during the year for our parents and College staff to get together and enjoy each other’s company over an evening meal at the Boston Brewery.  If you’d like to join us this year, please RSVP to our school officer Julie Lehane as soon as possible so we can make bookings. 

Just a reminder to parents about our approach to the ball.  First and foremost, we approach the College Ball as a school activity and we therefore aim to make it as safe an event as possible for our students.  In keeping with that approach, it is our preference for all residential students to remain in residence on the Friday night.  Residential students will only be released from the College on the Friday night after the ball to Parents or Guardians.   

 College Board Annual General Meeting 

The 2020 WACOA- Denmark Board AGM will take place in the College dining room at 6.30 pm on the night of the College Ball, as soon as the students have left for the Ball.  Families and staff can then travel to the Boston Brewery for dinner after the AGM.