Principal's News

What a difference a term makes...

Thank you once again to our incredible community for your support and confidence in us as your College over this roller coaster of a term. Together we made remote learning and transitioning back to onsite learning an incredibly successful one for our staff and students. We survived another experience that only two years ago none of us could have predicted or imagined and our students and staff are stronger for it. New connections with families have been formed and strengthened, new ways of learning have again been explored, tested to the extreme and adapted. Well done to our newest cohort in 2021, our year 7 students, who took the whole challenge of being in Class Meetings most of the day in their stride and generally responded with a positive mindset. Because we had such outstanding processes in place from our 2020 experiences in lockdown, we were ready for the challenge. Can I please make mention of our amazing staff – first our teachers who straight away went into “remote learning mode” and were able to seamlessly commence classes in a continuum of platforms to ensure student engagement. After a week of online learning, year 11 & 12 were allowed back onsite, which, whilst fantastic news, provided extra challenges for both staff and students. Some staff were needing to provide year 11 classes via both face to face AND with remote learning options at the same time, if they had year 10 students studying in their year 11 class who had to remain at home.  Some staff were not allowed onsite at all, some had to come and go during the day, depending on their timetable. We all celebrated at the end of the 2 weeks when the remainder of our cohort could return to campuses and there was again a sense of normality. Of course, behind the scenes our Educational Support staff were “keeping the wheels turning” by providing communication, support and organisation. I know that you as parents would like to join me in thanking each and every member of our College Community. We all have some incredible stories to tell our grandchildren one day...... 

Important Dates:

Last day term 2 – Friday 25 June Classes conclude 2.30pm

First day Term 3 – Monday 12 July

Term three is always an exceptionally important one for our Year 12 VCE and VCAL students, whilst they embark on the last semester of their secondary education. The semester is short one for year 12, so I encourage you to keep your focus and a positive mindset so that you can go on to have all of the opportunities, experiences and successes that the future can bring. 

I would like to also thank the other members of the Principal Team and Admin Executive for their help and support during Amy Porter’s absence whilst she is on Leave. We would not have managed through the last 5 weeks so successfully without it being such a great team effort. 

Thank you to our community for the support it has shown to those families struggling at this time, there are many stories out there that most of us never hear. We know some families are doing it tough right now and would encourage you to speak to your student managers around support for your young person or to our Administration regarding financial supports that we may be able to provide.

We will certainly send out another communication to all families before we return on July 12th with any further updates to restrictions that may/will occur. We expect that excursions, incursions and camps will also be able to resume next term. Fingers crossed! 

Have a fantastic break and please, whenever possible, support businesses that have been struggling to survive these difficult times, whether it be whilst staying at home, in Regional Victoria or some of you may be able to cross the borders and venture further to explore other areas of our great country. 

Wherever you go, take care out there and be good to each other.

Vivienne McElwee

Acting College Principal