Principal's Report

“You want weapons? We are in a Library! The best weapons in the world!”

Dr Who

Our library has opened with the wonderful parent volunteers who are supporting by giving of their time every lunchtime so that students can come in and read in a welcoming space filled with words and ideas. Thank you so much to all those who have brought this all together with a special thanks to Liz Kelly and Tanja Hetherington.

It is amazing to think that we are finishing up Term 2. There have been so many highlights this term that I am sure you have read throughout the newsletters this term. A highlight for me was being able to unveil our Year 9 Specialisms that will start in 2020. Students will have a choice of over 40 different specialist subjects which we are calling Specialisms. These specialisms have been created by our fantastic teachers and linked directly to the Victorian Curriculum. We introduced them to the Year 8 students and parents last week. We have received very positive feedback and look forward to helping students make choices in the coming month.

Beauy Bake-off

Congratulations to our amazing bakers who produced such wonderful goods today in the Beauy bake-off. The judges had a very tough job with results to be announced soon. Our bakers were able to raise $250- towards ' Australia's Biggest Morning Tea'.

Staffing Update

We have appointed Angela Bell as the new kitchen assistant for the rest of the school year. Angela will be working 3 days per week. We have appointed Kanshan Chandnini as the education support role that will be responsible for First Aid and Attendance. Also, joining us is Lynda Crane providing classroom support in Year 8.

We have appointed Monique Chisholm and Ella Chapman (now known as Keating) as our Learning Specialists who will lead our Peer Observation at the college. They are both highly skilled classroom practitioners who will continue to spend the majority of their time in the classroom delivering high-quality teaching and learning and have a range of responsibilities related to their expertise, including teaching demonstration lessons, observing and providing feedback to other teachers and facilitating school-based professional learning.

I held a Prospective Staff information evening last week. There were about 40 prospective staff members which was very positive. We will begin the teacher selection process next term as the jobs will be advertised over the school holiday period.

Artist in Residence Program supported by Bayside City Council

We are excited to offer our 2019 Artist in Residence Program with Rhiannon Slater, professional photographic artist. Students are invited to apply for this cocurricular program that will run one session each week in Term 3 culminating in the Art Show Exhibition. Students selected for the program will work with a professional photographer to gain insight into the artistic process and use digital photography to create and install artworks at the college.

We have received a number of entries and will be finalising those in the program by the end of the term. This is a fantastic opportunity awaits for 26 budding artists.