PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Tamy Stubley - Acting Principal

Welcome to the start of spring! We hope that a new season means a shift in focus and a return to some sense of normality soon. I find it incredible that we are in Week 9 - less than two weeks until our next school holidays.

Strive

Given the notable length of time that we have all been involved in remote learning, our survey data from parents and guardians raised questions about the preparedness and growth for future years of schooling.  Whilst we can all acknowledge that remote learning does not provide the same opportunities as face-to-face learning, it is important to reflect upon what our students have gained and developed during this time.  Many students have developed a range or proficiencies in time management, self-regulation, maintaining motivation, finding alternative ways to seek answers, creative problem solving and adapting to new technologies. There is no doubt that students, staff and parents and guardians continue to have good days and not so good days through this learning journey but by sticking together, leaning on each other when we can, we will go a long way to getting back on site as soon as possible.

Unite

We have been fortunate to receive funding from the DET as part of their efforts to bridge the VCE achievement gap between regional and metropolitan schools.  The DET’s made a substantial financial commitment to regional and remote schools to close this gap and part of a very broad range of reforms includes providing funds to allow VCE students to attend revision lectures that are often only practically available to students in Melbourne.  We’ve been able to work with all government secondary schools in the Barwon region to gain access to a series of lectures organised by the North East Victoria Region.  These live and interactive lectures started last weekend and they will run every weekend all the way through to the exam period. The details of the program and lecturers have been shared  with students in Years 11 & 12. 

Over the next couple of weeks we anticipate that we will hear more from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority regarding arrangements for the re-scheduled General Achievement Test (GAT) on Wednesday 7th October. We also anticipate that more detail regarding the Consideration of Educational Disadvantage – applicable to all students studying Unit 3 and 4 subjects this year, will also be released. As soon as we receive this information, we will share this with our community. 

Respect

I would like to acknowledge both Gayle Ianniello and Jenny Lambert who were recently nominated for the 2020 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards. This is in recognition of having demonstrated exceptional commitment to their profession, and outstanding contribution to student learning and wellbeing. We thank them for their commitment to our students and the community as a whole.

Flourish

You may be wondering what is happening on the school grounds at the moment. The answer is not much. Stage 3 restrictions mean that we have very few people onsite, except for a very limited number of mandated VCE assessments and the approved onsite supervision of a small number of students.  I would like to recognise and acknowledge the understanding of our school community, who have respected the guidelines for who is eligible to attend for onsite supervision, as we all play our part in reducing movement across the region.

If you have not driven past the school of late, you may not be aware that the stadium building works continue to move forward, in spite of the restrictions of the Stage 3 lock down. Continuing the construction has ensured the building is on track for completion in readiness for handover to the school in mid-December. 

Our Year 8 - 11 students have finalised their elective subject selections for the 2021 school year. This time of the year is exciting, because this is where we start to see student preferences take form and come to life. The transition journey begins to take place across the entire school, including rolling out the welcome mat for the new 160+  Year 7 students joining the Surf Coast Secondary College community next year.