Principals Report/Update 

Return to Onsite Learning.

Congratulations to all students for a successful return to onsite learning. The College environment has been safe and orderly with many of our students responding well to the learning routines and expectations. It was also delightful to have our Year 7 students here on their own for a couple of weeks. This provided them with an opportunity to re-familiarise themselves with the College, teachers, friends and lockers! During this time we also provided them with some of the learning opportunities they missed out on during remote learning. For example: classes were able to cook in the Food rooms; experience some science experiments and the Design Technology workshop activities. 

I would also like to commend all our families for doing their best in organising school uniform during this time. In particularly after Monday 9 November it was apparent that students were predominately in correct summer uniform. Building the culture of a new College and do want to continue to build the reputation of the College as having high expectations in both teaching and learning as well as in school pride. Our students who wear the uniform in the correct manner and positively contributing to this.

During the month of November our students will experience a range of assessments in particular in Maths and English to benchmark students; as well as measure learning growth. The College uses the following data tools: PAT Maths; PAT - Reading Comprehension; PAT - Spelling; Ondemand Testing for both Numeracy & English; Learning and Assessment Framework (LAF) for multiplicative thinking; and Ewrite to name a few. The data collected is used by all teachers to plan differentiated and scaffolded curriculum aimed at individual student point of need.

Tutoring Program and DET funding 2021

It was announced by the Minister of Education, Mr. James Merlino that all schools will receive funding in 2021 for a 26 week tutoring program. Schools will determine how tutoring support is best implemented in their school. The tutors will provide targeted teaching to students, with a focus on literacy and numeracy as these are the foundational skills. This extra support is provided to students during the school day and it is likely to consist of having more than one teacher in some classrooms; delivery of specific literacy and numeracy pedagogy for increasing skills in these two key areas; as well as some small group work. Students who receive support are identified according to school literacy and numeracy testing results. As we continue to receive further information I will update you. However, it is important to note that this is NOT an after school tutoring program.

Our Middle School Principal - Phil Adams and our teachers have organised an after school trial Learning Extension program that has been offered to some students to assist in re-teaching some key Maths or English concepts that were not mastered during remote learning. This opportunity was also offered to some students on Wednesday after lunch during the remote learning period in Term 3.

Covid Safe Behaviours.

As I write this Melbourne has achieved 16 days of zero identified Covid-19 cases - something to be highly commended. Currently, we need to all keep wearing our masks at school and again, I have been very impressed with the respectful effort all the students have made. 

At Edgars Creek Secondary College we continue to follow our Covid-safe plan which addressed the four areas depicted below. As restrictions continue to be lifted across Melbourne we will respond accordingly at school.

Thank you for all your support and I ask that you continue to keep all children home from school if unwell and seek medical advice. It is by continuing to work together that we will be able to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all our school community.

Update on Stage 2 Build

It was a relief for all of us to observe the Stage 2 build continue during the second lockdown. Despite the restrictions the build is at this stage only a week behind schedule. Over the next two weeks you will be able to see the framework go up for the second floor of the Performing Arts centre and possibly the framework put in place for the sports hall. I have been working with the Architects and project managers in discussing the furniture needs of these buildings and the interior colours. 

It is also very exciting to note that the build includes outdoor fitness equipment  that can be used by the students and possibly members of the public. Over the coming months I will continue to work with Melbcon and the Victorian Schools Building Authority to ensure that we continue to work to high safety standards as the build progresses. 

Getting Ready for 2021

We are currently expecting over 230 new Year 7 students for 2021 which translates to 10 home group classes. In total the College will have close to 700 students onsite in 2021. We have been recruiting new staff members since July and will continue to recruit into December for the staff we will need to begin the College academic year. Some of you may remember we opened with 12 staff members - next year we will have over 70!! Ordering classroom furniture for our new portables; lockers for all our students and expanding our organisational systems is also part of the operational planning that is occurring for 2021.

The Secondary College, along with Edgars Creek Primary school and the Early childhood Centre will certainly make for an exciting learning precinct in 2021. We look forward to the partnerships we can build for the children and young people of Wollert with all of them.

Joanne Camozzato.