Principal's Update 

Welcome to the May edition of the John Fawkner College Newsletter. I am sure that you will find plenty of useful information and updates on the great work that has been occurring since we returned for Term 2.

COLLEGE MASTERPLAN

In the previous newsletter the College announced that we had received $50,000 from the Victorian School Building Authority to revise our Masterplan for new school buildings.

The interest demonstrated by the State Government in our school as well as Fawkner Primary School who also received Capital Works money in the last state budget, shows a willingness to support the Fawkner Community community. 

We have now appointed an Architect to work with the College in the new masterplan. This work will hopefully be linked to upcoming State Budget announcements.

STAFFING UPDATE

On behalf of the College community I would like to welcome 2 new staff members; Sandy Wijetunga - Science Teacher, and Dorothy Poulopoulos - English/Literacy Teacher.

As a part of our ongoing commitment to delivering a quality learning program at John Fawkner College, the College has made all possible attempts to recruit high quality teaching staff for any vacant positions.

Our remaining recruitment process will fill vacancies in the areas of Health and PE and Mathematics.

Currently, there is a significant shortage of teachers who are qualified to teach in these areas, and as a result we have a suitably qualified teacher filling this role temporarily. On behalf of the College, we apologise for the disruption this has caused.

We are working very hard and quickly to resolve this staffing issue and will be appointing new staff shortly to these roles.

Should you have any queries about this letter or any others issues please feel free to contact me directly.

EDUCATION WEEK

Education Week is back for 2021, which runs from Sunday 23 to Saturday 29 May.

This year’s theme of ‘Building Connections’ recognises the importance of schools, families and community groups coming together to support learning. Building connections provides a richer and more diverse learning experience for all students.

During Education Week, JFC will showcase how we are building connections with our local community. 

FAWKNER LIBRARY

Over the past months the College has been busy negotiating a partnership with Fawkner Library. As a pilot - in Term 2, we now look to providing the ability for students in Year 7 and 8 to have regular access to the Fawkner Library during class time. This will supplement the resources the College already has and will promote reading for enjoyment to our students.

CREATIVE WORKER IN SCHOOLS

John Fawkner College has been successful in our application to Regional Arts Victoria to have an artist in residence for six months. Over 550 schools applied for this program which helps artists from all different fields who have lost work due to COVID 19 set up partnerships with schools to deliver creative projects. Out of those 550, 130 schools were chosen from the applications submitted. Our artist is Daniel Kai Ming Lang who is a well-known DJ in Melbourne and will be working in our Music space with our Year 9 & 10 electives with the end goal being a sound engineering project, more to follow with this idea so watch this space! This is an exciting addition to our performing arts space with us now hosting two creatives as Luis Poblete continues to work in implementing drumming workshops in our 7 & 8 space.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

A day here or there doesn’t seem like much but…

PROTECTION OF SCHOOL COMMUNITIES

Victorian school communities are overwhelmingly positive and safe places for teaching and learning where we all play a role in supporting students in their achievements, engagement and wellbeing needs.

It is likely that you have heard the recent media announcements that the Victorian Government has introduced the Education and Training Reform Amendment (Protection of School Communities) Bill 2021. If passed through parliament, the proposed Bill would come into effect in May 2022.

The Bill aims to protect and keep school communities safe by preventing and deterring violent and aggressive behaviours from adult members of the school community and ensure that schools are positive, safe and inclusive places to work and learn. This Bill will apply to the small minority of adult members of the Victorian school community who engage in this behaviour, after early conflict resolution measures through non-legislative avenues have failed.

The proposed law will empower principals and other authorised persons to issue School Community Safety Orders in response to parents, carers and other adult members of the school community who engage in harmful, threatening, abusive or disruptive behaviours on school grounds or places where school activities take place, or inappropriate and harmful communication through emails and social media.

This Bill will apply to the small minority of the school community who engage in this behaviour when all other reasonable interventions have failed. The changes would ensure that all members of the school community are kept safe and to minimise any harm to their safety and wellbeing. There will be internal and external review mechanisms in place if a person who is subject to a School Community Safety Order wishes to appeal an Order.

Arrangements will be available to ensure parents can still remain engaged in their child’s learning to and to minimise any disruption to the student.

This Bill would not replace the existing avenues to raise any complaints, issues or suggestions with schools. By continuing to engage with these communication channels in a respectful and collaborative manner, we can continue to work together to support our students.

Further information about the details of the Bill will be communicated to you if the Bill is passed by parliament.