DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - COMMUNITY & CULTURE

I am both honoured and excited to introduce myself as the new Deputy Principal of Community & Culture at St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill. I look forward to working closely with the entire school community to ensure that all of our students have the best possible learning experiences and opportunities to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

My name is Kath Jones and I have had the privilege of working in education for over 20 years, with experience in visual arts, religious education, year level coordinator, house leader, and student wellbeing. My passion for fostering a positive and nurturing environment for students drives my commitment to enhancing their educational journey. I believe in creating a school culture that promotes respect, collaboration, and excellence in every aspect.

In my new role as Deputy Principal, I will be focusing on several key areas:

1. Supporting Student Growth: Ensuring every student receives the guidance and resources they need to thrive academically and personally.
2. Collaborating with Teachers and Staff: Working alongside the school’s talented teaching staff to implement strategies that enhance student engagement.
3. Strengthening School-Community Connections: Building strong relationships between students, parents, and the school community to foster a positive and supportive environment.
4. Student Well-being: Promoting programs that support mental health, well-being, and resilience, ensuring our students are equipped to face the challenges of adolescence.

I believe that communication is key to a successful school experience, and I encourage you to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. Together, we can continue to create a thriving educational community that allows our students to excel, not only academically, but also as responsible, empathetic, and engaged members of society.

In each newsletter, I will be highlighting a particular policy and the expectations regarding each one. In this newsletter I would like to highlight the expectations of wearing the correct uniform, with a particular emphasis on jewellery. Many students have arrived with a variety of very beautiful jewellery, which does not comply with our uniform policy. In order that we all know the expectation for jewellery, especially in regards to earrings, please consider the following images: 

Please find here a link to our college uniform policy. 

The wider community of Swan Hill has high regard for our students because of the pride in which they wear their uniform. It has been my experience in past roles that potential employers will often ask about a student’s discipline of wearing the school uniform, and are interested in how they present themselves at school. This is often part of the employer’s selection process for potential future employment within their organisation. Wearing the uniform incorrectly is documented in each student’s profile and is often referred to by House Leaders and other staff members who are an individual student’s referee. So, it is in the best interest of your child to present well at school in their correct uniform. 

I am looking forward to meeting many of you over the coming weeks and to working together for the success of your children. Thank you for your ongoing support, and I am excited to be part of the St Mary MacKillop College community.

Kath Jones

Deputy Principal Community & Culture