Principal's Report
As a College we have hit our six month milestone. It is a credit to all our staff and students that we have accomplished so much across our two campuses during this time. Our students have received their first Bemin Secondary College semester reports. I encourage you to take the time to read the report and also talk to your child about their achievements and areas of growth and improvement. Across the last two months we have received preliminary NAPLAN data and conducted our own baseline data collection with the students on reading, maths and science. We have many students who have strong results in this area and also students who we need to support further. Year 7 NAPLAN data will be released to Year 7 families in early Term 3. My key message is that all of us can continue to improve our learning and our students will be encouraged to extend themselves further next semester.
College Professional Learning
Over this semester we have continued to engage with three key educational consultants and hosted professional learning for other schools in the network. College staff have had the ongoing opportunity to work with Tom Campbell on Literacy; Rob Park - Mathematics and Greg Sperling - Leadership & Team-building. As we collaborate with our consultants we continue to build our professional capacity and in turn improve our practices so that we can further support our students to improve their learning. We also had the privilege of hosting an afternoon professional learning workshop on School Attendance and Strategies to manage school refusal. This was delivered by the team from the Travancore school and was well attended by over 30 leaders and teachers from across the network.
School Council Update
Our School Council invited Local member of parliament, Sarah Connelly to meet with the Council to discuss the importance and the need for Stage 2 funding from the State government to complete further four buildings on the Morris road campus. Ms. Connelly accepted the Council's invitation to meet and attended the College in June to speak with School Council President, Meeta Vyas, Councillor, Claire Saunders and Community member, Nick Ladbrooke. It was a positive meeting in which Ms. Connelly listened to the concerns of the School council and she acknowledged that the College will continue to grow at a rapid rate thereby needing further facilities. Traffic concerns and bus transport concerns were also raised. The School Council will continue to highlight to the Local member and State government the importance of completing the whole of the College as soon as possible.
Facilities Update
It has taken a little longer than first expected but our College oval at the Morris Road Campus will finally be ready for use in Term 3. The temporary fencing will come down during the school holidays. The oval will be welcomed by our students and our local community. There could be some healthy competition to see if whether our soccer players, cricket players, AFL players or rugby players take over. There should be enough room for everyone!
In Final
It has been a privilege to have opened the College as the Foundation Principal. Schools are always a dynamic place to work in. I can only hope that some times students do tell families about what they do and learn. Just these last two weeks I have enjoyed a staff versus student volleyball game; seen Breakfast club in operation; encouraged both the Year 10 Boys and Year 7 Girls soccer team; watched young badminton players practice on the Everton campus; attended two assemblies where students who have reflected our school values have been awarded with certificates; and tried Lemon Meringue Pie made by our Year 10 students.
I would like to thank all our staff for a very positive 6 months. I would like to especially thank the Assistant Principal team who have all worked tirelessly since the middle of January to ensure that your children learn to embrace their new school.
Enjoy the Winter holidays!
Joanne Camozzato
College Principal