Dear Parent and Carers,

As we approach the holiday season, I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and joyful break. Reflecting on the year gone by, it’s remarkable how quickly it has flown, and how much we’ve achieved together as a school community. I’d also like to share some highlights from 2024 and offer a glimpse into our exciting plans for 2025.

2024 in Review

The year began with our school review, which set a clear direction for our future. I’m pleased to share that I’ve recently received the finalised review report, which is attached to this message for those who’d like to read it. The review outlines several goals and strategies for the coming years, many of which we’ve already started to implement.

On the staffing front, we welcomed several new team members this year, including Andrew Harms, who joined us mid-year as Assistant Principal, overseeing wellbeing at PSC.

A significant step forward for the College was our transition to Compass as our new Learning Management System. This platform has streamlined our communication, attendance tracking, and reporting processes, making it easier for families to stay informed and engaged in their child’s learning journey. The implementation of Compass has not only improved operational efficiency but also strengthened the partnership between home and school by providing parents and carers with timely updates and access to key information.

Our community events were another highlight, with fantastic support from families. The Mother’s Day afternoon tea was a standout, followed by the Father’s Day celebration and our first-ever school disco.

Camps provided students with unique and enriching experiences. We held our first overnight camp right here at school, with tents pitched in the hall – a truly memorable adventure! Later in the year, our Duke of Edinburgh students organised their own camp, which ran seamlessly and showcased their planning and teamwork skills.

In teaching and learning, every student worked towards Individual Learning Plan (ILP) goals focusing on the core skills of Communication, Organisation, and Regulation. I hope you found these goals valuable in supporting your child’s progress.

Our facilities have also seen steady improvements. Every classroom is now equipped with a Smartboard, Senior Students have access to laptops, and the Admin area has been refreshed with a new coat of paint. Additionally, we’re thrilled about the progress of our new playground, which is currently under construction.

Finally, I’d like to celebrate the achievements of our students who participated in work experience placements this year. Partnerships with local employers such as Bunnings, Coles, kindergartens, and aged care facilities have provided invaluable opportunities for students to build skills and contribute meaningfully to the community.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Next year, we’ll welcome additional staff to our growing team, including a second Assistant Principal, Jacquelyn Brookman, who will oversee curriculum, teaching and learning, and funding. We’ll also be joined by a Wellbeing Officer, an NDIS Navigator, and an additional Speech Therapist, Al Nemaric. These new roles will further enhance the support available to our students and families.

Our focus on teaching and learning will continue with the integration of our curriculum documentation and the development of the PSC instructional model.

On the facilities front, we’re excited about the construction of new senior classrooms, which will have started by the time we return in January, with completion scheduled for August 2025. The plans look fantastic and promise to provide an engaging and inspiring learning environment for our senior students.

Acknowledgements

I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our School Council members for their unwavering support and contributions behind the scenes. We will have several vacancies on the Council next year, and I encourage anyone interested to consider joining – your involvement would be greatly appreciated.

Finally, I’d like to thank our staff, students, and families for your continued commitment to PSC. Your support makes everything we achieve possible, and I look forward to an exciting year ahead in 2025.

Wishing you a restful holiday season and a happy New Year.

Warm regards,

Trevor Hodsdon,

Principal

Peninsula Specialist College Newsletter

Term 4

Issue 4 · 19 Dec 2024

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