Acting Principal’s Report

You have probably noticed the reduction in updates from me on the newsfeed over the past week or so, as we have settled into the new normal of remote learning. There’s still lots of things happening around, much of which you can read about in this newsletter.

 

Year 7 Information Evening

On Tuesday 5th May, we held our annual Year 7 Information Evening. Previous to my role as Acting Principal I was the Assistant Principal for Years 7 and 8, before that Year 7 Leader and before that Assistant Year 7 Leader. So I’ve been to my fair share of these evenings over the years, but this one was certainly the most memorable, coming from a virtual television studio in the Library.

I’d like to acknowledge Anthony Breach, who gave us a great insight as a parent of two MGC students. The highlight as always was hearing from our Year 7 students and their experiences of the year so far. Thanks Ada Breach, Cate Leonard and Lily Bartram! Thanks also to Bridget Tellefson, Emily Miller and Rachel Robertson for their speeches on the night and to Rachel and Anthony Keen for their IT and Webex troubleshooting.

If you’d like to have a look please click here. Please also pass the link on to any prospective Year 7 MGC families that you may know.

 

MGC Virtual Tour in lieu of Open Day

Usually at this time we would also hold our Open Day but as we’re not able to this year, we’ve put together a 2020 Virtual Tour. Take a look here. In true MGC fashion, this has been narrated by our Year 8 Junior Ambassadors, so that our virtual visitors get a real understanding of our school from the student perspective. Thank you to Stephanie Valencia, Beth Barrass, Sylvan Dorney and Ella McDonald for their work on this. A big thanks to our Public Relations Captains, Yas Culnane, Jade Leung and Lucinda Op'T Hoog for all of their training of the JAs earlier in the year, and for co-ordinating the narrations.

 

Internet – Can we help?

As per Update 21 on the Compass newsfeed, MGC has been able to source data and devices from the DET and one of our technology suppliers. If your family is experiencing one of the following issues:

- no internet at home

- many people trying to use the family wi-fi at once causing internet congestion

- approaching data limits on your phone/home internet

- other internet problems

and the use of a device or SIM card will assist your child's learning, please complete this form as it is likely that we can assist (at no charge to your family). The form can be completed by a parent/carer or student.

 

Snap 10,000 Step Challenge

On Friday 8th May, MGC will be running our inaugural 10,000 Step Challenge to encourage our students and staff to make good use of breaks to get some exercise during remote learning. There are points in the House Cup and 5 x $50 gift cards to be won. Ask your child for the details on email or on Microsoft Teams. If you’re a parent who is working from home and you can join them on the challenge, this would be a great way for you to support your child and also get some exercise!

 

Year 12 Response to our Staff Isolation Video

You will remember at the start of this term our MGC staff put together a video showing what they’d been up to during isolation. Our wonderful Year 12 students have shown their initiative and responded, take a look here:

Finally, I would like to thank those families that have continued to send us their thanks and good wishes at this time. We recognise that remote learning and teaching brings about its challenges for many families. Certainly, teachers have been a bit of a political football in recent times and we appreciate your continued support of your children, our hard working staff and MGC.

 

Brent Houghton

Acting Principal 2020