Principal Report

Evan MILLER 

Principal

 

Welcome back and I hope everyone is refreshed and ready for an exciting new school year ahead. As we embark on this journey together, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our staff, students, and families, both returning and new. Your presence enriches our school community, and I am thrilled to be starting this year with such dedicated individuals.

 

First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to those who have already contributed to the success of our school events:

 

Highvale Swimming Carnival: A big thank you to all the staff involved in orchestrating our recent Swimming Sports on Friday, 2 February. It was heartening to see Year 7 and 12 students, alongside competitors from Years 8 to 11, come together for a day of spirited competition. Special recognition goes to our VCE VM students for their invaluable feedback and suggestions for improvement. Stay tuned as we are actively exploring options to enhance inclusivity for all students in future events.

 

Student Photos: Thank you to the entire team who seamlessly organised and managed our student photo day on Tuesday, 6 February. We eagerly await the arrival of the photos, which will be updated on Compass as soon as we receive them.

 

Year 12 Study Camp: A heartfelt appreciation to all staff involved in facilitating a productive study camp for our Year 12 students on Wednesday, 7 February, to Thursday, 8 February. The commitment and enthusiasm displayed by our students are commendable, and I am confident that they gleaned valuable insights to aid them in their academic journey.

 

School Review, Term 2 2024

I am pleased to announce that our school review has been scheduled for Term 2, 2024. All schools undertake a school review every 4 years to inform the directions of the school’s 4-year School Strategic Plan (SSP) (a legislative requirement for schools). Preparations are currently underway with our pre-review self-evaluation being completed this Term. 

 

Key dates for our School Review:

  • Pre-review meeting – Tuesday, 26th March
  • Validation day – Wednesday, 17th April
  • Fieldwork days – Monday, 29th April, and Wednesday, 1st May
  • Final Day – Monday, 6th May

IT Network Infrastructure Update

Over the holidays, our dedicated IT team completed the final phase of our Network Infrastructure upgrade, the replacement of all Wireless Access Points (WAPs) and other wireless network hardware. This significant enhancement promises improved network performance for both our teachers and students, fostering a more seamless learning experience.

 

Staffing Update

Please join me in welcoming the newest members of our staff for the academic year. Each brings unique talents and expertise to enrich our educational landscape, and we are delighted to have them on board.

 

Nhat Bui – Mathematics

Brian Chan – English

Anita Grandy – English

Abbie Ingham-Dowsing – English

Yi Jiang – EAL/Chinese

Bryleigh-Ann Legg – Digital Technologies

Hengdy Mol – Science / HPE

Janet Morrison – Daily Organiser

Aparna Naik – Office / Reception

Cathie Presa – Instrumental (Strings)

John Rainbow – Mathematics

Poom Sangruang – Legal Studies

Erin Turfrey – Health / PE

Andrea Weinbergs – Food Tech

Kacy Zhang - Mathematics

 

As we navigate through the challenges and triumphs of the year ahead, let us remember that our collective efforts and unwavering support for one another form the cornerstone of our Highvale community. Together, I am confident that we will continue to inspire excellence and nurture a culture of lifelong learning.

 

Wishing everyone a fulfilling and successful year ahead.