SCHOOL LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
As always, life in a school is very busy. We’ve had the send-off (well, the first of several really) for the Year 12s, are busy prepping for whole school exams, have been interviewing for new staff, planning ahead for school expansion on top of our building program AND supporting both students and staff through a few difficult days here and there. Life is never dull in schools!
Building update
The A wing will be demolished in the Christmas school holidays. As there is asbestos in the A wing building, no one other than the removalists/builders will be allowed on the school site whilst this occurs. The takeover date for the new gymnasium is currently the 25th January 2023. We should have access to the new classroom building prior to the school holidays. We are excited about how these buildings are ‘shaping’ up and are looking forward to receiving and installing new furniture and seating over the coming months.
Year 12s
The Year 12 VCE students began their exams this week, starting with English on Wednesday. We wish all the Year 12s who are sitting exams the very best during this period and with their future pathways.
Time in lieu for school staff
The new Victorian Government Schools’ Agreement has included TIL for the first time ever to try and reduce the hours that school staff work unpaid over and above their 38 hour week. A full-time teaching staff member has always done approximately another 5.6 hours per week which acquits the school holidays and excludes 4 weeks annual leave. This 5.6 hours includes planning, preparing and correcting work which usually occurs at home in the evenings or on the weekends.
What parents may notice moving forward is that we will do what we can to ensure excursions run within school hours. At this stage, there has been no impact to our camps program, however, staff on camps can accrue significant time in lieu. We will monitor our capacity over the coming year at being able to acquit TIL for staff. In the future you may notice some staff starting early or leaving early, chances are – TIL is being acquitted.
We would take this opportunity to also remind parents and carers that we do not provide supervision for students prior to 8:30, teaching staff do not officially begin their working day until 8:50 however the vast majority of staff are here earlier. Students should not be at school prior to 8:30 and before the scheduled supervision time.
Like Minds Interviews
This week Mr Wilson, Ms Creaser and Mr Churchill have been interviewing students who are looking to become part of the Like Minds program in 2023. We are thrilled with the amount of interest and engagement with this program. Thank you to all the students who have applied. Mr Wilson, Mr Churchill and Ms Creaser were incredibly impressed with the calibre of applicants.
Smoking in cars and the law
Did you know that it is illegal to smoke in cars with children under the age of 18? And that it can carry a fine in Victoria of up to $500 and 5 penalty points? And yes, this includes e-cigarettes. https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/.../tobacco-act-1987/097
Children should not be subjected to second hand smoke and the law guards their rights. Disappointingly, we are noticing more parents picking up their children whilst smoking or vaping. This is a whole community issue. Smoking, in whatever form it takes is bad for your health, and if children are breathing it in, or being modelled these behaviours, nobody wins. We encourage our community to band together to help battle an issue which is gaining momentum and affecting behaviours amongst our adolescents.
Principal - Vaya Dauphin
Assistant Principal - John Wilson