PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Principals Newsletter Report 28/3/24

 

I feel like I say it at the end of every term, but it is again, hard to believe we are at the end of term and that we have completed one quarter of the year. 

 

As a community this term, we have had a sustained focus on building relationships, especially amongst our younger students.  Our school values of Courage, Integrity and Community have been central to our conversation with students, as we continue to grow.  We have been really pleased to see the strengthening of positive behaviours and attributes to learning and this focus will certainly continue in Term 2.

 

It has been a very successful term across the board in so many ways, with co-curricular activities such as preparation for the state school spectacular, instrumental music programs, open night, sport, alumni program presentations, camps, and excursions and even NAPLAN for our Year 7 and Year 9 Students.

 

We have once again been able to enjoy the very many enriching activities of school life. These activities really help to create communities within community and allow for our students and staff to make connections and bonds with their peers beyond their classes and across year levels. I think we all agree that the long-lasting memories of school, stem from these types of events, and we encourage all students to engage with the many, varied opportunities on offer. 

 

Best wishes to students, staff, and families for a relaxing and enjoyable break over the holidays. I know I am very much looking forward to connecting with family and friends, hitting the gym to burn off the calories of the excess chocolate I will consume, reading a book, taking in a game or two of the footy and if the surf is good, watching and enjoying the Bells Beach Pro!

 

NAPLAN 2024

After initially having some internet connectivity challenges with NAPLAN, we are pleased to advise all Year 7 and Year 9 students have recently completed the online NAPLAN Testing Schedule for 2024. Just under 1700 tests were administered for our students in total and I would like to congratulate the students for the way in which they approached the tests. We look forward to receiving their NAPLAN results later in the year. Thank-you to all staff and our IT Team for their tireless work supporting our students to complete the tests.

 

Travel on Public Transport to and From School

Recently I met with Vline to discuss train travel and safety of our students utilising train transport on the Geelong to Melbourne, or Melbourne to Geelong trains exiting and departing the North Geelong station and travelling to communities such as Lara, Little River, Wyndham, and Tarneit. We have also reminded students of the importance of the following things: -

 

·         Safety on train station platforms as trains are approaching the station (this includes no bouncing of basketballs or kicking or handballing footballs around)

·         Behaviour in the waiting room/bathrooms at train stations

·         Reminding students of the necessity to have an active Myki card and to tap “on and off” at the commencement and completion of their journey to avoid fines for fare evasion.

·         Sit in smaller groups rather than one or two large groups on the train and whilst waiting to board a train.

 

I have also shared student and behaviour expectations of students with Vline, for all our students travelling to and from school. This has included copies of the student athlete agreement for students in the Specialist Sports Program.

 

I encourage all parents and carers to encourage their children if travelling on any train service, to behave appropriately and in a way in which displays the high expectations for students within our school community.

 

State Team Selections

Congratulations to Jacob Stefek, Neve Terpstra, Raggie Abeil and Ayisha Balogun who were recently selected in the U16 Victorian Country and Metropolitan Basketball Teams to contest the National Championships later in the Year. Congratulations to Meyah Fursland who has also been selected in the Victoria Country AFL team.  We are so proud of all their achievements and can't wait to see them excel in their chosen sport. 

 

Term 2 Return Date

Term 2 for students will commence on Monday 15th April.

 

Student Achievement – an invitation

Can I take this opportunity to remind the families of our school community that we are always willing to hear of and share the deeds of our students in their academic, sporting, performing arts or community-based pursuits external to our college. We have, on a regular basis, students who are involved in a quite extraordinary array of activities and it is always a pleasure and with great pride that we seek to share those outcomes with our wider school community. We are proud of our people and enjoy celebrating achievement of our community.

 

 

Take care and be safe,

 

Fiona Taylor

Principal