Pakenham Secondary College News

Principal's Message

We Grow Through Connection

 

Dear Students, Parents and Carers,

 

In our first Newsletter for Term 3, I would like to Welcome Back both students and families for what will be another busy term here at Pakenham Secondary College – I hope that you all had a restful and enjoyable mid year school holiday break. 

 

We have been happy with the start to the term.  Our students are in uniform, they are prepared for class and they continue to make the most of the opportunities provided. 

 

I remind our College Community that we are committed to: 

  • Learning Growth in Numeracy and Literacy (with a focus on Reading) 
  • Strong Levels of Student Attendance 

As a staff, we will continue to work as hard as we can with students and families to further improve the outcomes of students in these important areas of their education. 

 

Last week I provided a PSC Community Update to Families (19 July) via Compass, and several of the points in my report below were shared as part of this Update.  For example, please be reminded of our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support theme for this term will be ‘Strive for Success’.  Students can demonstrate Striving for Success by: 

  • Showing high rates of school attendance and getting to class on time 
  • Being in full school uniform and being prepared for all classes 
  • Completing all set work and submitting it on time 
  • Using their class-time effectively and continuing to be respectful to others 

We want our students to be the best that they can be and to aim high with their studies and participation at the College.  

 

Our recent PSC Course Information Night (17 July) was incredibly successful with families in attendance finding the event helpful and informative.  Our existing Year 9 and 10 students will work through the Course Counselling Program with their families and the College to determine a future Pathway that is right for them. 

 

We are always looking to further improve our Buildings and Grounds.  As a College, we are very mindful of how we present our Buildings and Grounds.  Recent works over the Mid Year School Holiday such as painting, more air-conditioning, additional classrooms and a total refurbishment of student bathrooms are some of the projects we were able to work through to further improve the College.  We remain on track to start construction with respect to our Capital Works Program for the end of 2024 / start of 2025. 

 

The interest in our College continues to grow because of the outstanding opportunities and outcomes we are achieving for our students.  For example, we have had a huge amount of interest from families concerning Year 7 Enrolments for next year.  Recent Expressions of Interest with respect to 2025 Year 7 Enrolments reveals that we could possibly have 265 Year 7 students join our College next year, which is up from 180 Year 7 students in 2024.  Whilst the final Year 7 enrolment figure for 2025 is subject to change, the interest in our College from the community is extraordinary. 

 

We are mindful of the pressure placed on existing infrastructure such as our Car Parking Arrangements at the College due to growing enrolments.  Recent changes to how our Car Park Facilities should be used has helped with traffic flow in and out of the College.  Please be reminded of the No Standing Signs in the driveway entering the College.  We really appreciate the patient and respectful manner in which families continue to use our Car Parking Facilities. 

 

I remind families of The Department of Education and Training (DET) Parent Opinion Survey, 2024.  A link to this Survey is to be shared by the College on behalf of DET.  Please complete the Survey provided as your responses assist the College with our continuous improvement agenda. 

 

I would like to again emphasise some of our NAPLAN 2024 Growth Data.  The NAPLAN 2024 Growth Data was recently released to schools and it is one of several assessments schools can use to track student achievement and learning growth.  Despite the recent changes in how NAPLAN Data is presented, we have received some very pleasing Interim Growth Data.  For example, our Year 9 students in Reading and Numeracy, demonstrated higher levels of High Learning Growth when compared to similar schools.  These are outstanding results for our students and College Community. 

 

We are looking forward to our Whole School Assembly next week (30 July).  This is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge student achievement, including the Semester One Principal Awards for 2024.  Students have been nominated for these Awards on the basis of their achievements across their studies from Semester One this year.  The Assembly will also be an opportunity for students to receive updates on some of our key programs such as the College Production (The Wizard of Oz) and the State Schools Spectacular.   

 

Please read on in this Newsletter to find out more about what is happening at our great school.  Furthermore, please continue to check out our PSC Social Media Platforms, Website and Compass Posts to receive timely and informative updates on so many aspects of the College.  Please contact the College on pH – 5945 1433 if you require any assistance – we are to here to help. 

 

I am very much looking forward to the Semester ahead as we work with families to further improve the outcomes of our students.  As per our College Motto, We Grow Through Connection, and the sense of teamwork amongst students, families and staff is as strong as ever; we wish our students all the very best with their learning for the remainder of the year and beyond.

 

Thank you everyone. 

 

Regards,

 

Aaron Smith  

College Principal