Principal's Message 

It is with great pride and excitement that I write to you as the new Principal of University High School. While I have been a teacher at the school since 2023, it didn’t take long for my old principal muscle memory to kick in. After four weeks in the role, I feel I have hit my stride. I am enjoying working with the broader staff and interacting with students beyond the mathematics classes I have been teaching this year. I look forward to leading our school to affect the positive change that will provide the best environment for our students’ intellectual and personal growth.

I want to begin my first Principal’s message by thanking those members of the community who over-whelmingly supported my recent communications regarding the school’s approaches to tackling bullying, harassment and anti-social behaviour. Many students have commented that they are already feeling more relaxed and safe around the school. I won’t pretend that our school will transform overnight, but I am confident that the visible presence of senior staff around the school, along with a swift response to reports of inappropriate behaviour, will help reinforce the desired change in expectation. Cultural change is hard, but I know the social compact that families accept when enrolling their child at Uni High will serve us well as we negotiate some new ways of managing student behaviour.

Toilet renovations

Upon taking up the role of Principal, I prioritised making our toilets safer and more pleasant places to visit. I am currently obtaining quotes from contractors to renovate all student toilet blocks. This will include repainting and retiling, along with changes to make supervision easier and more effective. Many students report that even the small changes made to date have made the toilets more welcoming. I have included an image of how the toilets might look once these works are completed.

Upcoming working bee

Attention all handy people and tradies! One of the projects that I hope can progress at the next working bee scheduled for Sunday September 14 is the reinstatement of the two decks in the VCE centre on top of the South Building. If you are comfortable using a hammer, crowbar, and perhaps a circular saw – then we need you! I am confident that up to six people contributing on the day will make great progress demolishing the old deck and helping install the new timber. Please contact the school if you are able to volunteer some time and I look forward to seeing you there.

Booeegigat visit

I had the pleasure of attending assemblies for all students at the Year 9 Campus this week. A number of awards were made to students for academic achievement, growth, citizenship, attendance and contributions to the student experience. Students also recounted some of the highlights of Semester 1. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the team of staff and students at the Lonsdale campus for their efforts to establish the Booeegigat model and show what a unique and rewarding experience this program can be.

Proposed community forums

The school will undertake its four-yearly Departmental review in Term 4 this year. Part of this process will include the opportunity for students and parents to provide feedback about their experiences at University High. In addition, I am planning some targeted feedback forums over the next few months. The first forum will be early in Term 4 and relate to students’ and families’ views on our achievement reporting. Please keep your eye on Compass for further updates regarding times and venues.

Nick Scott

Principal