Message from our 

Campus Principal

We have started this term with a number of changes in place to support student outcomes and school operations, particularly with regards to our staff leadership team.  Erin Gruis, who was the Campus Assistant Principal, has been appointed to a College Assistant Principal role, which also has her overseeing Disability Inclusion across the College.  Nicole Taylor, who had been acting in Erin’s role at the end of term, will continue as the Campus Assistant Principal for the rest of the term.  Elisse Burke has moved into a role using her expertise to support our work in Literacy across the College, and Ross Johnson has been appointed as an Assistant Principal now responsible for both Year 7 and 8. Denise Cairnduff left us during the break to take up another opportunity in special schools and Madi Brooks finished with us last week to move interstate. We have welcomed Caroline Brignall, who is teaching English.

Students have started exceptionally positively with our best engagement and behaviour data for the year coming out of the first three weeks of this term.  It has been great to move around classrooms and see their active learning and focus.  For many students, Term 3 is very busy.  In particular, our Year 10s have already started engaging with the transition process for Year 11 and 12, having been out to the Careers Expo now and with their visits to the University Campus and course counselling coming up in future weeks.  Year 10 Tasmania Camp is also forthcoming.

The highlight of the term so far has undoubtedly been our NAIDOC Week celebration. While NAIDOC is an important event on the Kurnai College calendar each year, 2026 saw Morwell Campus proudly host the College’s major celebration, and it was a resounding success. Despite a last-minute date change due to industrial action, the event attracted an exceptional turnout. It was particularly rewarding to welcome students, staff and community members from schools across Victoria, who joined us to celebrate First Nations culture and experience the meaningful work and strong partnerships that make Kurnai College such a special place.

Our Koorie students were able to receive and show off their new NAIDOC jumpers, which form a part of their uniform for Term 3 at the College.  This year, we’re pleased to also have the Kurnai College logo on the jumpers.  Whilst our special guests were fabulous, the real highlight was the Dedlee Kultya dancers who performed four dances throughout and, as always, put on an excellent display.  It is always great to see our students proud to display their culture for others.  It is also wonderful to see the leadership of Jack and Ebony who continue to work with the dancers and lead them as mentors and older students. 

It was also my pleasure that day to honour Michael Stubbe, whose dedication to First Nations students over a very long time has been tremendous.  Michael has been instrumental in the creation of our indigenous garden at Hands On Learning and now also our indigenous welcome garden at the front entrance of the school.  Michael has indicated that retirement is on the horizon, and we know that his dedication to our students and their engagement and wellbeing will be missed, particularly the opportunities and interest that he has displayed in ensuring the best opportunities for First Nations students.  

With such a fantastic start, I look forward to what the rest of the term has to offer!

Mr Dan Swallow

Morwell Campus Principal