Principal's Report
Celebrating Diversity and Building for the Future
Since the last newsletter, our school has celebrated a number of significant events, including ANZAC Day, IDAHOBIT Day and National Reconciliation Week. Coincidentally our staff this week completed their Cultural Understanding & Safety Training (CUST) which aims to ensure that our staff have the ability to not only cater for Aboriginal & Torres Straight Islander students but to ensure that their Indigenous recognition is included throughout the curriculum.
Capital Works
This week Patterson River was allocated $800,000 in the state budget for the planning stage for an anticipated $8 million in building works to be delivered over the next 2 years. Whilst the funding has been flagged to rebuild administration, food technology and science wings, we will work extensively with the school community during the planning stage to ensure that school meets both current and future needs of the College.
The College will complete design consultation this year, go to tender in the first half of 2020 and anticipate construction beginning later in that year.
Letter from Education Minister, The Hon James Merlino MP:
Annual Report to the School Community
Last month, our school council endorsed the College's Annual Report to the School Community. As is demonstrated in the document, the College has demonstrated strong performance against state bench marks and outperformed expected targets in nearly all areas.
The College leadership team believe that have a sound plan in place to experience continued improvements in student outcomes over the coming years.
New School Zones
The Department of Education & Training recently implemented a consistent approach to school zones. Whilst the guidelines for enrolling students from outside of zone has not changed, every school has been given an enrolment cap and a clearly defined zone.
Patterson River's zone has reduced in size and we have been given an enrolment cap of 1325, both of which will help the school to control our rapid growth in numbers. With that said, we will endeavour to work with local our local feeder primary schools to ensure that students are able to attend secondary school with their peers even when they reside out side of zone. Primary school students who have a sibling currently at the school are considered inside of zone.
The Department of Education & Training has developed a new website called Find My School to assist families with finding their local neighbourhood school. www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au
Child Safety
Patterson River is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. Our school community recognises the importance of, and a responsibility for, ensuring our school is a safe, supportive and enriching environment which respects and fosters the dignity and self-esteem of children and young people, and enables them to thrive in their learning and development.
Patterson River has a number of policies and procedures to support the safety of all children which are available on our website:
Student Representative Council / School Council Projects
The student representative council and college council have been working to deliver a number of new initiatives at the school. These include the recent installation of new drink stations, bins and SportsHub. I have been particularly impressed with SportsHub, which is a shipping container on the oval which is operated by students at lunch times so that students can borrow sport equipment. In the first week I counted over approximately 200 students participating in physical activity on the oval at lunchtimes, with AFL footballs and vortex's being the popular items.
In addition to SportsHub, the new drink stations that were installed by Hands On Learning have been a hit.
In addition to the capital projects, our student leadership teams, who have been working with our Art staff recently finalised logos for our College Houses (Derrimut, Freeman, Aston & Monash). A big thank you goes in particular to Mr Johnstone who completed the technical work on the logo designs.
School Uniform Update
Tender submissions closed this week for our new school uniform due to begin from 2020. As previously discussed, the College is looking to update the current uniform with changes such as the introduction of a shirt. All 2020 Year 7 students will be expected to wear the new uniform, while current students will have 24 months to transition to the altered uniform.
The school council will select shortlist suppliers and then select a preferred supplier, with whom we will finalise any uniform updates. School council is using information gained from our focus groups and survey in 2017. The main recommendations were:
- Introduce shirt (to replace current polo)
- Tailored pants/shorts
- Senior rugby top to become a PE top
- Modernise the PE tracksuit pants
- Introduce a College scarf
- Blazer & Tie (optional)
Although we consulted widely with the school community regarding the proposed changes, I would like to take the opportunity to hear from any new families at the College as well as anyone else who may have new ideas or suggestions. You can provide your feedback via https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V5NDNBC
Please note that whilst both uniform suppliers have stock, the Bounty Shop is beginning to run out of some uniform. Knowledge Time can make to order, please ensure that you allow plenty of time for items such as new jackets.
Carrum Station & Train Line Updates
Please be aware that there will be significant changes to the train system from July on wards.
Carrum train station will close in early July and not re-open until the new station is complete in February 2020. A temporary track is being constructed so the train will still operate however there will be no stop between Bonbeach and Seaford. A bus will transport passengers from Carrum to Seaford and Bonbeach.
Below is a link to the Carrum area level crossing update that has more information.
There is also an SMS system that will provide updates
SMS alerts: Text ‘Carrum’ to 0429 839 892 to receive project alerts about traffic and construction disruptions.
Student ID Cards to be used as PTV Concession Cards
New student cards are currently being distributed. These are our students' main form of school identification and can be used in the library for school borrowing as well as accessing photocopiers for printing.
This year the cards are also a recognised form of concession ID on Victorian public transport. Please contact the library staff if you have any queries.
Mr Daniel Dew
College Principal