Principal's Message

‘We Grow Through Connection’

Dear Families,

After a period of consultation, we can now confirm our new College Motto:

‘We Grow Through Connection’

I believe that our growth and improvement is linked to the positive relationships and connections we have with others and our new motto centres on this important theme.  As mentioned in previous Newsletters, a College Motto is a rallying point for our work as a school community and it should relate strongly to existing values at the school.   ‘We Grow Through Connection’ supports our existing SOAR Values of Social Responsibility, Opportunities for All, Achieving our Personal Best and developing Respectful Relationships.  I am thrilled with our new College Motto and it will be used to support our College Community well into the future.

Today (Friday 25 November) was an opportunity for staff to correct student assessments and reports as part of our Report Writing Day.  Our Report Writing Day was very productive which will help staff meet report distribution timelines for the end of the year. 

With less than four weeks remaining until the end of the school year, we are continuing with our planning for 2023. Given the increase in enrolments and more student choice with respect to subjects, we have a number of teaching positions advertised moving into next year.  Our staff will continue to work hard in the remaining weeks to develop curriculum, programs and assessments for our students in 2023.

As mentioned in previous Newsletters and via Posts on Compass, we are in the midst of developing and finalising our 2023 Annual Implementation Plan (or AIP) for next year.  This is an important plan for our College as it sets out our improvement agenda for 2023.  Our leadership team and staff have been busy developing our 2023 AIP, and families are welcome to share their thoughts as part of the process.  Please contact the General Office on 5945 1433 if you would like to contribute your thoughts and opinions with respect to the development of our 2023 AIP. 

We are thrilled to announce that we have appointed Genelle Lentini as Leading Teacher for the Performing Arts.  Genelle will commence in the role as of 2023 and she will bring a wealth of experience to the Performing Arts at Pakenham Secondary College given her excellent work in schools and in the community.  We look forward to Genelle further leading and developing our curriculum and co-curricular program in the Performing Arts – our students will enjoy the opportunities that will be created in this area of the College.

Our Headstart Program for existing Year 11 students concluded yesterday and our existing Year 7 to 10 students will embark on their Headstart Program, Monday 28 November.  Our successful Headstart Program allows staff to set expectations with student learning for the year ahead.  Students have the opportunity to get a ‘head start’ on subject and program requirements for 2023.  We thank our staff for all their work in developing and implementing our Headstart Program, and we acknowledge the efforts of students as they work their way through the activities and tasks provided.

It is at this time of year that we are able to recognise student effort and achievement.  There were Sub School Assemblies yesterday (Thursday 24 November, our Year 12 Valedictory Dinner will be held tonight (Friday 25 November) and we have our College Presentation Evening on Thursday 15 December.  These events are incredibly important for our College Community and we congratulate our students for being recognised in so many areas throughout the school.

Please be reminded that we will trial a Year 7 Home Group Program for PSC to commence in 2023.  A trial of this nature will provide almost instant feedback as to the benefits of such a Program, together with learnings as to how the trial may be considered throughout the College in 2024. 

Our co-curricular program continues to grow from strength to strength and we are planning even more opportunities in this important area of the College for 2023. Further opportunities in Sport, the Performing Arts, Community Connections, Excursions, Incursions, Camps, Lunchtime Clubs and House Competitions will figure even more prominently on our PSC Co-curricular Calendar next year.

After a rigorous selection process, we are pleased to announce our new College Captains for 2023, Arshdeep Singh and Abigail Delia, and our SRC President, Tara Cudmore. Please read on in the newsletter for more information.

We thank our families for being so supportive of our College.  We enjoy the partnership we have with our families to best support our students with their learning and wellbeing.  There is a strong sense of community at Pakenham Secondary College and this is best demonstrated by the outstanding team work on display between students and families and staff at our great school.

We Grow Through Connection.  We are proud of our College and what we represent including how we best support all of our students,

Regards 

Aaron Smith 

College Principal – Pakenham Secondary College