Principal Report

Staffing update

At the start of Term 2 we have 2 new staff joining us. I am pleased to be welcoming Ryan Hon who will be the new Year 9 Leading Teacher. Ryan is relocating to the area with his family and is an experienced Year level leader. He has a strong background is School Wide Positive Behaviour Support, Respectful Relationships and Trauma Informed Practice.

Katie Johnston, who has been in the Acting Leading Teacher position this term, will step back into her Year Level Coordinator role. I thank both Katie Johnston and Kim Gardiner, who took on the Year Level Coordinator role for the term, for their work throughout the term with the Year 9 students.

We are also welcoming an Indonesian Language assistant, Dian Astar, to our school community. Dian arrives these holidays and will be living with a Maffra resident for the year. She will be supporting Mrs Butcher and our students studying Indonesian 3 days per week and will spend a day at Stratford Primary each week as well.

We are also welcoming Elise Westphalen back next term. Elise has been on maternity leave and will be returning as the Assistant Principal, replacing Cheryl Evans.

We are sad to see Karen Tenkate leave us at the end of this term. She has picked up a new position working with the Department of Education. Karen has been a valued member of our school wellbeing team and has extensive counselling experience. We are fortunate that Emily Herbstreit and Belinda Stuart are increasing their days to ensure continuity in the support we offer our students.

Farewell Cheryl Evans

It is difficult to articulate the impact Cheryl Evans has had at Maffra Secondary College. Cheryl started as a student here and returned in 2007 as a Leading Teacher before becoming the Assistant Principal in 2010 and has continued to hold this position.

Her contributions to the Arts are nothing short of iconic. Ceramics, art, graphics, drama, puppetry, set design, choreography—you name it, Cheryl has done it. And while there were whispers early in her career that music was her Achilles' heel, she has since silenced the critics by writing and performing farewell songs for departing staff members (dragging the rest of the staff into a rousing chorus for moral support).

As we know beyond the classroom, Cheryl has been a driving force behind presentation nights, school musicals, art shows, and Mardi Gras entries—often designing, creating, and corralling students to participate, all while making it look effortless. In times of crisis, Cheryl is often the one people turn to. She is the glue that holds Maffra SC together—the all-seeing, all-knowing, all-doing force behind countless camps, excursions, assemblies, and policies.

During her time at Maffra her portfolios have been broad, and she has led initiatives in student learning, engagement and wellbeing. She has taken on the Acting Principal role at different times and has been a wonderful support to all staff but what stands out for me is her stubborn refusal to give up on anyone and she advocates strongly to ensure every young person gets the support they need.

Cheryl began her teaching career in 1987 and was recognised last year for 35 years of service to education. At the start of next term, Cheryl will be taking leave before retiring at the end of the year.

She will be greatly missed by all of us here at Maffra Secondary College.

Jennifer Roep

Principal