Principals Report

Dear families,

I extend a warm welcome back to our students and families as we commence our second term of learning. I do hope you all enjoyed the long-awaited break after our first full term back onsite. I know many were able to enjoy the outdoors, a camping adventure or a long-anticipated interstate holiday after two years of uncertainty.  The term ended slightly later this year after a ten-week period and as such we were certainly lucky to have had such lovely warm autumn days throughout the holiday period. 

We have had a very smooth start to the term and I know our students and staff have thoroughly enjoyed the lovely weather and taken every opportunity to be out in the welcome sunshine during the day.  I congratulate them for the way in which they have returned from the break ready to reengage with their learning. The school term has seen our students out and about at a number of extracurricular activities this past fortnight after two years of cancellations and disappointment. The return to a far more predictable program of events has certainly contributed to improved student wellbeing. Lunchtime clubs are again up and running with the schedule available on compass and on display across the college. These include indoor passive activities and a range of active sporting events outdoors or in the gym.  House competitions are also occurring during the lunchtime period.

This term students are expected to be in the formal Winter uniform and the weather these past two days has been a timely reminder that it is time to change from the summer uniform items. A copy of the uniform policy is available on the website or in the student diary.

What a wonderful celebration we had this week with our annual Mother’s Day event on Wednesday! We welcomed mothers, grandmothers, aunts, fathers and special people in the lives of our primary students for a special afternoon tea on the lawns at the front of the school. The Food Technology Centre was a hive of activity throughout the morning with scone and sandwich making culminated in grazing boxes being assembled by a team of staff, student teachers and volunteers. The traditional high tea was adjusted this year to ensure it was covid safe and by all reports it was a wonderful success. I extend my appreciation to everyone that attended the event as I know how much it means to our children to have their special visitors join them at the college. There was nothing but excitement from our students as they prepared for your visit on Wednesday.

NAPLAN TEST PERIOD COMMENCES NEXT WEEK

NAPLAN is an annual assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It tests the types of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. The tests cover skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. The assessments are undertaken every year in the second full week in May.  Further details have been sent to families and are available in today’s newsletter.

ALPINE SCHOOL

The Alpine School Campus at Dinner Plain has welcomed our Year 9 School team for the Term 2 2022 Alpine School Campus, School for Student Leadership (SSL) program. Last Sunday afternoon six of our current year 9 students bid their families farewell as they dropped them off at the Alpine School campus. Michael Sperling and I met with the students for lunch last Friday to wish them all the best on their upcoming adventure.  Emma Barger and Lachlan Christopher two staff members also joined in the farewell sharing stories of their experiences at the Alpine School during their secondary years.  I extend our very best wishes to Jack Limbrick, Harry Nugent, Jackson Barker, Chelsea Brasher, Savanah Zito and Nikita Hansen who are our inaugural attendees in the program.  I look forward to watching them grow throughout the coming term and learning of their adventures. The students will be expected to undertake a community project on their return from the school. They will remain at the campus until Saturday 25th June. Families are able to visit and take the students for a family connection visit at the mid-point of the program.

OPEN EVENING

We received an overwhelming response to our open evening last night.  Our two year 7 information sessions were full, with families keen to learn more about the college. The staff displays were well attended and the VCAL barbecue was much appreciated on a cool night. The key learning area teams set up displays across the college to showcase their curriculum areas. Families enjoyed the food tasting in the technology centre whilst visiting prospective students engaged in the interactive displays in the science and senior centres. We also had many prospective prep families tour our primary facilities and engage with the primary team throughout the evening. Career sessions were also held throughout the evening for our senior students.  It was wonderful to see our community come together and to be able to share our programs with everyone after two years of families having limited access to the college.

CAPITAL WORKS STAGE 2

Our stage two program will commence this coming week with the building company moving onsite. The works will commence in the original administration building with the area being renovated.  We hope to move back early in term 3.  There may be minor disruptions from time to time but these will be minimised during school hours.

EID AL-FITR MUBARAK

On behalf of the Altona community I extend my wishes for a very happy Eid Al – Fitr. We had many students and some staff celebrating on Monday. 

Julie Krause 

Principal