Acting College Principal

The move to Holloway for the class of 2027 & 2028

I appreciate the questions coming in from the community around the November 25th move that will create a 9-12 campus here at Holloway Road.

I would firstly like to inform you all that I have asked Vivienne McElwee (current Campus Principal at Bluff) to take on the role of Campus Principal at Holloway Road for 2025. As two thirds of the students currently at Bluff Rd will be coming to Holloway in 2025, Vivienne will add a sense of  continuity for those joining the senior campus whilst offering considerable expertise in the senior setting.

Cody Gunn will be the Acting Campus Principal at Bluff Road. Cody has a wealth of experience at the middle school level and, given his time here at Holloway Road, his move back to Bluff Road will help to forge even greater connections between the two campuses.

I am very grateful to have two such effective, experienced, and student focused leaders at each campus.

Now - for your questions.  I have pushed some similar questions into the one single question for clarity.

What will be in place to help with the adjustment for year 8’s

A new leadership structure has been implemented at the College to ensure that we offer the best possible care for our students, especially in this time of change.

Year Level Leads will be working as Leading Teachers in 2025 and a new Assistant Principal (year 9 & 10) as well as an Assistant Principal (year 11 & 12) will be put in place, further securing our academic and wellbeing structures.

An orientation process will be in place in term 4 for both the class of 2027 & 2028. 

 Will the year 9 students fit?  

Absolutely.  Holloway Road can easily accommodate the extra numbers.

When will we get funding for phase 2? 

I love this question!  We continue to work with both the key governmental stakeholders to make phase 2 of the Master Plan a reality. 

Lockers – will there be enough?

Yes - we will have to buy a good number more to accommodate the school growth. They are ordered and a delivery date is set.

Classrooms – will there be enough?

Yes.  There will be enough after we make some structural changes to the current arrangement at Holloway Road.  The extent of those changes will revolve around the 2025 timetable.

Quiet space for year 12 students?

Again, this is a rooming issue.  It is timetable dependent but I will keep it in mind as we move forward.

Can the library at Bluff become more year 7&8-centric?  Will the HR library stock some age-appropriate year 9 reading?

The Library is ever evolving.  We have an amazing library staff who will continue to to create focused learning areas for our students at all levels.

Some disappointment that a new year 7 will not have their year 9 sibling in the same campus? 

I certainly understand the disappointment that this might create. We do have a dynamic and committed wellbeing team at both campuses and we certainly understand that it can be an anxious time for new year 7 students at the college. We will continue to work to ensure that our students make the best transition into secondary school possible.

Can parents get a tour of Holloway?

Great idea!  Save the date: Monday October 14th @ 5:30pm.  Student-led tours and a sausage sizzle. 

Will there be a Year 8 Graduation?

There most certainly will.  Friday 22nd November

Will there be year 8 campus leaders?

Yes.  The student leadership program will continue to grow and strengthen in 2025.

Will this mean that we return to a 2:50 finish time?

Another great question.  I need a little more time on this one as it directly effects teacher working conditions.

Thanks again for the questions. We have used these and our own staff questions extensively throughout the last couple of weeks.

!suoicodilaipxecitsiligarfilacrepuS

We receive a lot of feedback throughout any given year here at the College. Some of it challenges us to do things a bit differently where some of it let's us know how well we are going. I am happy to hear from our community no matter what you have to say, but I have to admit, the positive feedback is a touch more enjoyable.

I don't usually share feedback (even the good stuff) but this one just summed up the recent production far better than I could:

On Tuesday evening my wife and I had the pleasure to attend the production of Mary Poppins as a special guest of our grandchild who was involved in the hair and makeup crew. Reading the program, I noted your [Amy Porter's] remark regarding the word "perfect".

And that is what it was. I really must congratulate everybody in staging a most colourful, happy and brilliant musical experience. It was obvious for a visitor to feel the ambience of the whole school when such a production is so successfully performed. Not just the young performers but the complete involvement of all staff, parents extended family and the alumni connection ensured a rich and extremely happy production for all.

Education, as you do know, covers such a wide spectrum of all levels of learning, and some very important indicators were covered this evening. Such life skills are just so important for our children to have experienced and mastered.

The performance was an outstanding success for the school, and could I ask you pass on to all concerned our appreciation. It was just "super".

Big goals one step at a time

I would like you to meet Sean Yap.  He is doing something quite remarkable.

Again - it is best that he tells you all about it:

Hi, my name is Sean. Right now, I’m undertaking a remarkable challenge: running 50 consecutive half marathons over 50 days to raise $10,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This ambitious goal aims to help fulfil the wishes of seriously ill children. Completing 1,055 kilometres is no small feat, especially at 17 while balancing school studies, work, and of course running. To excel in any sport, substantial sacrifices are necessary. By committing to 50 half marathons, I am embracing the dedication and perseverance required to achieve greatness and make a meaningful impact, all while paving the way for my future journey towards my goal to one day compete in the Marathon at the Olympics.

Monash Scholars

Monash Scholars is a program run by Monash University. Monash Scholars is a prestigious program for high achieving secondary school students based in Victoria. The program is offered by Monash University to give high potential students a unique head start into university life. It provides opportunities for personal and academic development, as well as giving students the knowledge, skills and confidence to make the right study choices. 

I would like to congratulate, Violet Saunders, Mila Ording-Jespersen and Jayaka Subhawickrama for successfully being chosen for the 2024 Monash Scholars Program.

Enjoy the break

Could I take the opportunity to wish you all a safe school holiday period. Take some time away from the routine of a school term to reconnect and take in some much needed oxygen.  We will be here ready to bring this academic year home when you return.

For the year 12 parents and students, I fully understand that this break will be anything but stress free. I want to wish all of the class of 2024 luck in the coming weeks and months. We are all in this together, but the heavy lifting lies with you, the student.  

The future is yours to own - go get it!