Principal's Report

Welcome to 2024! This year is already shaping up to be an awesome year and I am pleased to report we are very close to being fully staffed. There are just a couple of teaching positions that we are seeking to fill, but we have been fortunate enough to be able to employ long-term relief teachers in these positions. I had the pleasure yesterday of attending Seymour College's first smoking ceremony conducted by Taungurung Elder, Aunty Jo. Students and community members participated in the smoking ceremony and paid respect to the traditional custodians of the land. Our new Primary School Captains Jacob and Kira, Junior School Captains, did an excellent job in opening the ceremony.

Whole College Leadership Assembly

On Monday 12th February at 9.15 am in the Junior games hall, we will be holding our first whole college assembly. At this assembly, all the school leaders will be presented with their badges. Families are welcome to attend. 

School Review

On February 19th we begin our School Review. Our review stretches over 5 non-consecutive days and finishes on March 8. During this time, there will be an opportunity for staff, students, families and the community to reflect on the last four years and set the direction for the next four years.All schools must participate in a school review every 4 years. The school review also provides assurance of ongoing compliance with the Minimum Standard related to curriculum and student learning. 

College Council 

College Council will meet next on Wednesday, 21st February 2024, and farewell members who have completed their term of office.

I would like to thank the commitment of Anthony Watson and Karyn Donnelly who have been dedicated parent members of our College Council. Thank you also to Liz Tregenza who has been a dedicated community member whose term also expires. Your assistance and support has been invaluable in this role. Once again, the dedication of you all has been significant to our College Council.

Our student member positions also expire, and we thank Abbie Mitchell and Nate Hackwill for their service on College Council.

It is timely to remind you that the College Council elections will open on Monday 12th February 2024, and I encourage you to speak with parent members Anita O’Sullivan, Jeynelle McLennan, Kelly Christensen, Jason Tarran, Bronwyn Martin, Bronwyn Arandt or student members Nathaniel Hackwill and Abbie Mitchell or any of our retiring members and consider nomination for these vacant positions.  It is a rewarding and meaningful experience. 

There are eight meetings for the year, and they fall on Wednesdays and commence at 5:00 pm.  Please consider your other commitments and your availability to attend prior to nomination.

College Council Elections

Our College Council elections are being held this month.  Councils perform a vital and important role in providing support and governance to schools.

Nomination forms are available from the General Office, and I encourage parents and community members to consider nominating for these roles. 

Approximately half the Council term expires each year, and I would like to advise that the following positions are vacant:

• Parent members:  2 positions
• Community members: 2 positions
• Student members: 2 positions

 INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND CARERS

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and the Schools’ Privacy Collection Notice.

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy describes how we collect and use photographs, videos and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn. 

We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use Microsoft 365/Google Workspace for Education safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Microsoft 365, please contact the school.

Regards

Debbie Oliver