Principal's Update

Dear Families,

Happy Easter to all. This is such a lovely time of year and one of my favourite holiday periods. The term has flown by and I think we can all safely agree that we have achieved a great deal together.

As we head into the Easter break, we hope everyone enjoys some well‑earned rest, time with loved ones and friends, and perhaps even a chocolate egg or two. It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to recharge before the new term begins.

A reminder that our school’s mobile phone expectations remain in place to support focused learning and positive social interactions. Students are required to keep their phones locked in their lockers from the beginning of the day until the end. AirPods and headphones must not be worn during the school day unless specific arrangements have been made with families. We appreciate your support in encouraging healthy phone habits at home, helping students balance screen time with sleep, study and face‑to‑face connection.

This term, we have begun working with students on becoming Upstanders by encouraging them not to be bystanders when things start to go wrong. We are focusing on:

• Speaking up when something isn’t right

• Seeking help from a trusted adult

• Supporting peers who may feel isolated or unsafe

Together, we can continue building a culture of kindness, responsibility and respect.

Thank you for your support during the recent industrial action. I know this causes disruption to families, but protesting is done to protect the long‑term quality of education, not just to improve individual conditions. Take this as a valuable opportunity for students to learn about how strikes function in a democratic society. We encourage conversations at home about:

• Why workers sometimes take industrial action

• How negotiation and compromise play a role

• The importance of respectful civic participation

I was delighted to attend the Moe Newborough Community Campfire Conversation on 18 February at Moe Apex Park. The weather was fantastic and it was wonderful to see so many of our families enjoying a barbecue, connecting with one another and engaging with the school community.

I have also thoroughly enjoyed working with students in our focus groups this term. These groups give students a genuine voice in shaping their school experience and provide valuable insight into what is working well and where improvements can be made. Thanks to the valuable feedback from our students, we’ve already increased yard‑duty supervision to promote visibility and feelings of safety. Students often highlight things adults may not notice, from social dynamics to workload balance and their perspectives help us create a safer, more supportive environment for all.

Please join the School Council so you can have an input into the future of the College.  We are still seeking one parent member.  Please contact Carly Noy for nomination forms and have your parent voice heard. Meetings go for approximately one hour, eight times a year.  There is an opportunity for online forums if this suits your schedule better.

As we wrap up the term, we want to thank our students for their hard work and our families for their ongoing support. We wish everyone a safe, restful and happy holiday break. We look forward to welcoming students back refreshed and ready for the new term.

Yours sincerely,

Bernadette Cropper

Acting Principal