Principal Message

Dear Families and EMC community, 

As we hurtle towards the end of Term and into a well deserved break before the pace picks up again in Term 3, there have been many recent reminders how well established routines support our college to provide great outcomes for students.

All Year 12, and Year 11 students accelerating a VCE subject, completed the GAT on Tuesday 16 June. The assessment is an important anchor in the final results and to observe how the students approached the examinations clearly demonstrated that they understood the importance of adhering to the high expectations of student conduct. Their respectful behaviour does not just happen accidentally but is the result of consistent routines established across previous examination periods, and the reinforcement of behaviour and VCAA rules over a period of weeks.

It is understood that successful academic outcomes are a result of a combination of application in the classroom and independent study. Thus, the establishment of an independent study routine is crucial. Moreover, applying the ‘best bets’ in study practice rather than employing low impact study will result better achievement. Year 12 VCE TP students recently had the benefit of learning more about effective retrieval in a recent presentation and all should now have the courage and understanding to be routinely employing specific strategies. 

Feedback from Year 10 into 11 Course Counselling and the Year 11 VCE VM interviews that support future pathways and aspirations in our student community also demonstrated the power of expectations and consistent routines. Students were well prepared in their thinking regarding their future courses and interests as a consequence of sustained work in the preceding weeks in exploring subjects, courses and options.

As a college, school wide positive behaviours are the foundation of the success of all our major college events and excursions. Whilst lucky to get an unseasonably mild day for the years 7-12 Athletics Carnival, the exceptional behaviour of our students was not due to fortune, but the result of all colleagues supporting our community to be respectful. The number of students thanking the bus drivers is always a pleasure to witness. 

At the end of this term, 45 Year 11 students and 5 colleagues travel from Melbourne to Darwin. A great experience and a logistical feat, which is not possible without clearly communicated expectations that make the excursion possible, enjoyable and memorable.

So, whilst we pause for breath for two weeks, (hopefully for me, during this time, England don’t routinely exit the World Cup in quarter or semifinals) Term 3 will soon start in earnest. Year 12 will be in the final run in for scheduled classes and assessments, all other students will begin to complete Semester 2 assessments, and Year 9 engage in their Course Counselling session. The opportunity to support student progress for parents will be during the mid term 3 Parent Teacher Interviews. We look forward to seeing you there. In the meantime, we wish our college community a well earned break from scheduled classes.

Kind regards, 

Ian Price

Assistant Principal