Message from the College Principal

G ’day everyone,

I thought that the end of the year involved a bit of winding down but it has been all go this week at Kurnai College. 

I have just got back from our annual college day at Gumbuya World and what a fantastic way to finish off the year. Our students and staff love this day and have a chance to have fun together and to really enjoy a day out. 

Our HeadStart Program has been in full swing and it has been great meeting next year’s Year 7’s as they go through their paces during their three day Orientation Program.

Our VCE results are out and we congratulate all the students who successfully finished their Year 12, either as a VCE student or a VM student. Further study, training or the world of work awaits these students and we know they will acquit themselves well no matter what their pathway is. Special congratulations go to Chloe Toull our VCE dux for 2023. 

Like the end of every year, there are goodbyes to be had and welcomes to extend. It is always a mixture of sadness and anticipation as we bid our senior students goodbye.  Similarly, we bid farewell to some of our staff members. In particular, I would like to mention the many years of outstanding service that Geoff Block has contributed to Kurnai College. Geoff leaves us having worked at all campuses and done most jobs across our college. Geoff’s special love is interacting with the students and he is a firm favourite with the students in his care. For his extraordinary contribution to the learning and wellbeing of so many Kurnai kids, I say on their behalf, “….thank you Blocky!”

This year we conducted our college review of the last Strategic Plan. This plan was derailed by Covid but still achieved some of its original goals. Our new plan sees us setting off again on an ambitious improvement agenda and we will start the new year off with plenty to do. 

We have also made significant progress on our College Reconciliation Action Plan or RAP- Ngalu Waru Dardee: Together we are stronger. This involves all campuses and it is pleasing to see the real difference the RAP is making.

At the time of writing, we are still short of four to five teachers for 2024 and not getting very much interest in the vacancies that we have posted. This is a concern and across the state, this is a familiar story. Let us hope we can build our college team up so we can do the great work that we do every day for the kids in our care.

Have a great and safe festive season everyone.

We look forward to seeing you back at Kurnai in the new year!

 Anthony Rodaughan

 College Principal 

Excellence ‘We do the best we can do’ 

Relationships ‘We value and respect each other’ 

Work Ethic ‘We are committed to working hard’ 

Engagement ‘We actively participate in our own learning’