Principal Team Editorial
A key message I promote when taking prospective families and students on school tours is that we are a big school and that’s one of our superpowers. The breadth of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom is significant and we are committed to giving every student the opportunity to reach their potential and find their pathway to success.
Looking back on term two and reflecting on the highlights always fills me with pride and perhaps a bit of exhaustion. I’m grateful to our wonderful staff who always focus on what’s best for our students and strive to give our students a holistic educational experience.
We started the term with a whole school and community ANZAC Day service inviting students, families and Salford Park residents to be part of the significant day.
The following week our annual staff concert saw many students (past and present) cheering on the staff as they got up and strutted their stuff on stage – Sam Wills impersonating Elvis was highly memorable and a special mystery performance by Nicholetta Rigano on the typewriter was also a winner!
Cross Country the following week was very well attended and saw some remarkable performances from athletes in all year levels.
Production rehearsals continued throughout the term with students showing an extraordinary amount of dedication and commitment – on a side note, if you haven’t got your tickets yet – do so, Matilda is not a show you want to miss!
Year 9 Mock Interviews were the following week with year 9’s meeting high expectations of professional conduct and dress, while our Year 12’s celebrated their last Wantirna College Formal looking spectacular and sharing another ‘final’ milestone together.
We then launched into a week of music showcases every evening – a huge undertaking by our 400+ music students and staff which is a testament to the depth of the talented students and the program itself.
We welcomed new community and parent members to our expanding College Council, and I met with parents and families who attended the ‘Chat with the Principal’ on a Tuesday evening in May.
We held our first ever Mother’s Day breakfast and were blown away by how many mothers and grandparents attended the breakfast and joined us for visits to the classroom afterwards, to see teaching and learning in action.
We conducted the yearly student survey giving students across all year levels the opportunity to have their say and were heartened with even more positive results than last year, suggesting that our school is on track and heading in the right direction.
In week 6, our Year 9 students headed into the city embarking on a special week where they grew in independence and maturity while our Year 10s completed a week of work experience which promotes their thinking of life beyond school.
Our music students went on camp suffering through winter weather but having a great time and our many sporting teams (AFL, table tennis, basketball, netball) continued to compete, competing against other schools nearly every week.
We unveiled our Koorie designed basketball singlets at a staff v students basketball match and our Year 9 students engaged in the Respect Project while our Year 10 students visited Tafes and Universities.
As we headed into the final weeks of term two, assessments ramped up in classes across the College, and our senior students completed the GAT (General Achievement Test), which is an important part of the VCAA exam schedule.
Finally, our NT Tour set off last Sunday with students and staff undoubtedly having a trip of a lifetime and making lasting memories.
I know it’s a cliché thing to say, but it has been a big term with lots of great things happening! I’m thankful to our wonderful staff and students and as a principal and a mum, I’m grateful for the rich and diverse experiences our students have every day.
All the best for a safe and restful break and we look forward to seeing everyone in term 3.
Carrie Wallis
Principal