From the Principal

A SCHOOL’S REPUTATION

As Principal of this wonderful College, I have always worked on the assumption that all members of our community strive to ensure that St Monica’s College, Epping is recognised as a very fine school.  I am seldom disappointed in that assumption.  Certainly, the high amount of enrolment enquiries we receive demonstrate that families do hold us in high regard.

Students have a critical responsibility when it comes to any school’s reputation.  From our Monican perspective, that is shown through the way every Monican student behaves at school and when in the public arena either commuting or on excursions. We always talk about demeanour, deportment, grooming and manners as being essential to Monican values.  Even a situation this week, we had my wife’s car serviced and the proprietor was hosting a Monican on Work Experience.  He praised him in the highest terms for his attitude and aptitude.  Take a bow, Jordan Lakovski, Year 11.

Students must be respectful, gracious and welcoming. Straight upon entering school grounds, visitors normally encounter students.  A helpful and genuine welcome goes a long way in raising the school’s general reputation. 

Staff attitudes and actions are equally important in raising and maintaining a high and positive reputation.  This applies to encounters with parents, students, colleagues and the general public.  Staff members are always keen to want to work in a school where the community recognises and appreciates their efforts and talents.

How staff work with their students, how they communicate with them and their parents, the advice they offer, the assistance they provide, all these enhance the reputation as parents share stories and seek opinion from families enrolled at the College.

Parents’ views and comments go a long way in promoting a school’s reputation.  They might meet prospective parents at work or in the Primary School playground: they can be great advocates for the College and suggest that a consideration is given to possible enrolment by other family or friends. 

A school’s publications are crucial, just like this fortnightly Principal’s Bulletin. All documentation should be error-free, attractive, informative, easy to access and promote the values of the school.  SMC’s efforts are very significant in this matter through written documents, online correspondence, business forms, and the manner in which people are treated by a Receptionist is a telling criterion when judging reputation.

I also contend that a school’s buildings, grounds, cleanliness, toilets and facilities, programmed maintenance, and overall presentation determine how the school will be regarded.  Dirty surrounds, shabby classrooms, smelly toilets, weeds, too hot or too cold environments are all negative. 

People who also play a really important part in proclaiming and judging a reputation include alumni who attended the school, parish and Primary School communities, passer-by pedestrians or drivers, fellow transport users and the list is not exhaustive.

Obviously, academic results are major, along with support academically when it is required, class numbers, diversity and breadth of curriculum, co-curricular, and proper finance dealings which all  play a significant  function in determining whether a school is considered excellent, good, fair or bad. 

All student Monicans are respected as members of our College’s community.  All staff are praised for their work and all parents are welcomed.  We are never afraid to trumpet our achievements and promote our strengths. 

Thanks are extended to all people whose comments, beliefs and recommendations enhance the reputation of St Monica’s College as an outstanding School of Educational Enterprise and high ranking educational institution in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.

Mr B Hanley OAM

College Principal