From the Principal Class

Dear Viewbank Community, 

Another huge term and already some major events ticked off! 

Course Counselling and Subject Selection process is well underway. 

This is important planning time for the College for 2025 and it has flow on impact on our timetabling and staffing needs. 

Production 

We have just completed a full week of College Production, Seussical, and I want to acknowledge the enormous time, energy and effort that has gone into staging another successful event. 

We have incredibly talented and committed students, who thrive during production. 

For many, this is the highlight of their time at the College, where they find their place as part of a smaller community within our wider College community. 

Acknowledgement to our staff, who produce, direct and stage our productions. They put in enormous additional hours to support this amazing extra-curricular experience for students. 

Ben Mogford- stage, lighting, sound, sets 

Pas Bartalotta- Director 

Keah Mizzi- choreography 

Emily Palekis- Vocal Coach 

Jess Chong- makeup/backstage 

Caitlin Brown- costumes/backstage 

Pat Broadbent- orchestra 

Congratulations - Sukhjeet Singh - 3rd place – 2024 Parliament Prize, an annual competition.

Sukhjeet was selected from 1126 entries from over 200 schools. 

She was required to complete a 90 second video, acting as a member of Parliament and posing a question during question time. 

What an incredible achievement! 

Facilities: 

We have given our reception area a long-needed facelift and made it a far more welcoming entrance to the College. 

New fencing:

The College is looking to remove the old wire fences at the front of the property and replace them with more modern fencing. We are keen to improve the aesthetic of the school. 

Managing the roosting pigeon population: 

We are also aware of the problems associated with roosting pigeons, particularly around the Performing Arts Centre. 

We are engaging a company to install netting to discourage them roosting and reduce droppings on walkways, steps and handrails. 

Mobile Phones and social media: 

Unfortunately, the Principal team has had to manage some incidents of students filming and making Tik Toks whilst at school. 

This is against College and Department of Education rules and has wide implications for student safety. 

Whilst I understand that this generation of students are hugely connected to their phones, we are trying to develop the ability to connect with peers and teachers in a healthy way without phones. 

I continue to ask for support from parents and carers. 

Under Ministerial Order 1125, phones must be kept in lockers from the start of the day, until the end of the day. 

Phones provide a platform for bullying and are a huge factor in mental health concerns for young people. There are studies that now show that even just having a mobile phone near you reduces your cognitive capacity- ability to concentrate and learn. 

Please have a conversation at home to reinforce the College Mobile phone policy and to discuss the potential harm they cause.                                     

                                                                                                                    Sharon Grimes, Principal

Emma Ford, Assistant Principal

Rachael Smith, Assistant Principal

Anna Crosswhite, Assistant Principal

Penelope Cleghorn, Assistant Principal