Principal Report
Opportunity and Optimism
Having been at Koo Wee Rup Secondary College for the past 6 months, I have taken and savoured every opportunity to get to know and understand the school and community that comprises our college. I think that most would agree that the college has faced its fair share of challenges in the last number of years, but in spite of these challenges, our learning community has galvanised with not only a willingness, but a determination to support one another and do our very best for the sake of our young people. This idea of connection and support can be seen in the various communities that make up our school community.
As we continue on our improvement journey, I encourage each of you in our learning community to carry on providing the school the support that you always have. Those of us who have the best interests of the college at heart are united in purpose: providing the best outcomes for our young people. Each of us plays a role in the continued and growing success of KWRSC: whether it be myself providing the strategic direction of our college, the teachers and education support staff providing high quality impactful learning experiences for our young people or parents and guardians offering ongoing support for their children and optimism for the College in the community.
This optimism should stem from the fact that a substantive Principal has been appointed in recent times. But it is not just about my appointment. It’s the flow-on effect of this. It’s the appointment of leaders, teachers and Education Support staff that have joined the existing staff we have at the college. It’s the stability that these appointments will create. It’s the opportunity the School Review presents our college this year to set a clear direction for the future. It’s the opportunity to celebrate the unique context of our school and its location and broad catchment zone (which is unlike any of our neighbouring secondary schools).
In speaking to a broad range of staff, students and parents in the last 6 months, I acknowledge that, like every school, we have areas that we can do (and will do) better with, and I look forward to sharing our successes and progress. This progress will be shared through our official communication channels of this newsletter, Compass, our school website and our official college Facebook and Instagram pages. I encourage all of our learning community to consider what positive impact you can have on our college and how you can support our progress in a constructive and supportive way.
I am extremely optimistic about our future as a college and look forward to working with our community to support one another and to ensure Koo Wee Rup Secondary College is the school of choice in our community.
Events and Experiences
The start of Term 2 has been another busy term of providing some excellent opportunities for our students and families. This has included:
1. Our Whole School House Athletics Day
2. ANZAC Day (relocated memorial garden and parade)
3. 56th Annual Music Festival
4. Outdoor Education Camp to Wilsons Promontory
5. Parent Teacher Interviews
6. VCE Careers Expo
7. Senior, Intermediate and Junior Sport
8. Year 9 and 10 Careers Expo
The upcoming Year 10 Work Experience week, completion of the Attitudes to School Survey, Year 10-12 Exams, Year 9 Camp and Semester changeover will continue to ensure Term 2 is nice and busy!
School Review
In Term 3 this year, we will be undertaking our School Review. School Reviews take place in all government schools every four years and assist in determining the Strategic Plan for the next 4 years. As part of the preparation for the School Review, there are a number of opportunities for staff, students and parents/guardians to provide information about the highlights of the last 4 years and the areas the school will focus on in the next 4 years. This term, there will be an opportunity for parents/guardians to complete a survey that will help inform our Pre-Review Self Evaluation. Further information about this will be sent out via Compass later this term.