A Message from
the Principal
Dear Parents and Carergivers,
Thank you to everyone for a wonderful Term Two and to those who positively and actively advocate for our College and the amazing staff. So much has been achieved, no wonder we are all tired. We have had a respectful ANZAC Day ceremony, Primary Parent Teacher Meetings, Cross Country Carnivals, Excursions and Incursions as well as Inter-school carnivals and much more!
This Term, we have had a lot of illness and staff absence. Like all organisations, labour shortages are an issue for us too. Please know that when your child’s educators are
absent, we do our best to provide relief cover. However, sometimes this means we have to collapse our support or specialist timetables in the primary years and reallocate those staff members, or sometimes the Heads of School, to teach classes.
As you will also be aware the world is a very different place since COVID and schools are no different. We are seeing a rise in the number of students with complex issues. It is not unusual for a class to have 5 or 6 children with additional needs, and this is on top of the normal daily needs of students in a class of 30 to 32 students. There is also an increase in parental anxiety which is impacting our staff with some unrealistic expectations being placed on them.
Teaching is an intense, demanding job. If we want highly trained professionals prepared to inspire, nurture, teach and develop our children and our children’s children, we need to support our teachers. As the Principal of Salvado Catholic College I am always asking and considering, how can I support my staff, so that they are focussing on teaching and learning and not burning out.
As parents concerned about our children getting quality education, it is within our power
to support our teachers and our schools. At the very least, we can take responsibility for
not adding to the problem. We need not just to be kind, but to demonstrate respect and gratitude for our teachers, their expertise, and their capacity to make good decisions in
the interests of our children.
We should consider the broader context of a teacher already working overtime to educate students and whether our request/demand is warranted, fair or constructive. We should consider supporting school disciplinary strategies designed to deliver consequences for the inappropriate and disruptive behaviour of students.
We should consider whether we would tell a pilot how to fly a plane, a surgeon how to conduct an operation or a CEO how to run their business. Teachers are highly trained, well-educated professionals who are fast becoming an endangered species. How we treat them matters.
Staffing Matters
The following staff will be concluding their time at Salvado Catholic College at the end of this term, we thank them for all they have done for the College and our students.
- Mrs Mary Tierney-Dusenberg, EAL/D Coordinator
- Ms Megan Miller - HASS Teacher Secondary
- Ms Desiree Lange - Learning Area Coordinator: English
- Mrs Siobhan Young - College Accountant
The following staff will be joining the Salvado community at the commencement of Term Three, we warmly welcome them to Salvado Catholic College.
- Mr Evano de Pontes - Mathematics & Careers
- Mrs Kathleen Davey - Work Place Learning Coordinator
Mrs Kahlene Robinson, Educational Assistant, will also be on Long-Service-Leave for Term Three replaced by Mrs Julie Johnson.
Finally, I hope that everyone has a restful, relaxing and enjoyable break and look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday 15 July.
Peace & Goodness to all,
Ian Hagen
Principal