Principal's Report

Dear Hampton Park Community,

Wominjeka. For thousands of years this has been the common greeting of “Hello / Welcome” for the Wurundjeri people, the traditional owners of Melbourne. 

It is hard to believe that we have come to the end of another Term. Term 2 has certainly been jampacked full of adventure, fun, and outstanding learning opportunities for our students and staff, both within and outside the gates at Hampton Park Secondary College. 

As the Acting Principal I have again been reminded of how special our community is. I would like to thank our staff (ES and Teaching Staff), our students and our parents/guardians for their hard work and dedication every day. It is evident that our work together continues to ensure our students thrive, flourish, and achieve. I am privileged and honoured to be part of our community. Thank you for the support you have each provided me as Acting Principal and I look forward to the Terms ahead when Wayne returns to us from long service leave.

Since our last Newshamper edition, we have welcomed new Staff to our College. We are very lucky to have each of you with us and we thank you for the contribution you are already made to the learning growth of our students. 

We have seen a strong focus across the College on quality assessment and feedback this Term. Our Year 10-12 students have engaged, with great dedication, in their Mid-Year Exams. It was fantastic to see our students arrive to their exams on time each day, ready to focus. Attendance was outstanding, showing that our students understand the purpose and seriousness of the exam program. Our Year 12 Students engaged in the GAT (General Achievement Test) on the 18th of June to determine their literacy and numeracy competency. Again, our students approached this task positively, ready, and eager to perform. Our Year 7-9 students and those in the VPC (Victorian Pathways Certificate), have completed CATs, SACs, and SATs to help our teachers determine where they are at, what they have done well and future areas of focus. Thank you to our staff for their hard work during this time, particularly our Senior Team, who coordinated the implementation of the Exams and the GAT. Parents/Guardians, you can see the progress and performance of your child, across their subjects, in the Semester 1 Reports released on the first Friday of Term 3 through Compass. 

Reconciliation Week took place in Week 8 and the theme was, 'Now More Than Ever' - a reminder to all Australians to continue the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Thank you to our staff for embracing the valuable resources provided that promoted an understanding across five critical aspects of meaningful reconciliation: historical acceptance, race relations, equality and equity, institutional integrity, and unity. Throughout the week various activities ran for our students and staff to raise awareness and promote unity – including our students travelling to River Gum Primary School to make personally designed badges. Thank you to Prunelle and Sally for their hard work. We look forward to NAIDOC Week when we return for Term 3. 

Congratulations to our U16 Rugby Rebel Shield Team who competed in the Grand Final on the 19th of June, against The Grange, at Albert Park. Our students did not come away with the win, but we are incredibly proud of our Team and the efforts of the staff involved - Erin, Shay, Phil, and Amy. Thank you to the staff who attended and showed their support. The competition was fierce, but our boys were outstanding! Our Rugby Academy continues to grow, and I thank everyone for their dedication and commitment in this space. We look forward to celebrating many more achievements soon.

The Year 11 Formal is always a highlight in the school calendar and this year was no exception - at the Melbourne Aquarium. Our students and staff looked spectacular and enjoyed dancing amongst the fish! Once again, our students demonstrated our values and had a fantastic night. Thank you to the Team who attended and to the Senior Team (Georgie, Cat and Naomi) for their organisation of such a fantastic evening! We look forward to the Year 12 Valedictory in Semester 2. 

Our Year 10 students attended the Melbourne Holocaust Museum on the 21st and 25th of June. This experience helped our students recognise the short- and long-term causes and effects of prejudice and discrimination in society, helping them develop the capacity and willingness to become informed and active citizens. The experience showed our students how fragile the institutions that are supposed to protect our rights can be, and how we should not take them for granted. Congratulations to our students. The guides commented on how outstanding their behaviour was. I thank all Year 10 students for their compassion and empathy. Thank you to Georgie Riley for organising this unique experience and to all staff who attended. Our Year 9s will travel to the Melbourne Holocaust Museum early next Term. 

World Refugee Day took place on the 20th of June. This day celebrates the strength and courage of people forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives. Thank you to Sally Carruthers for her leadership and for organising experiences for our students to raise their awareness and understanding.

Careers Education continued this Term with our Year 7 students visiting Casey Tech and our Year 10 students visiting Monash University. Our Year 9 students engaged in careers profiling through Morrisby – which provides them with a profile about their strengths and suitability to career pathways. This is a mandated profiling opportunity and one we take very seriously – using it for course counselling in Term 3.

Before course counselling begins, I encourage all students to start thinking about their future beyond our gates. Start researching now and ask questions so you know about the prerequisites you need to complete further study, how you can get to your chosen destination and the skills and knowledge you require to reach your goals. Success does not happen overnight. It is the steps you put in place from Year 7 and the choices you make that lead us to success. Success is defined by what you choose to do. You are the architect of your own destiny, and you can achieve anything you desire. Make the most of the career’s experiences provided. Thank you to the Careers Team for your continuous support of our students and the advice you give, every day.

House Assemblies celebrated the achievement of students in the attendance, academic and learning space. It was great to see, as I wandered around with the Leadership Team, the large numbers of students who have received values nominations this Term and those who are striving to attend school every day. I encourage all students to keep working hard to reach your full potential. Well done to Mabo House who continue to lead the House Cup this year. They are extremely hard to beat, but I believe it can be done!! I encourage all students to step up and show us what you are truly capable of! 

Our Wellbeing Team held a Year 8 and 9 Wellbeing Day on the last day of Term. The day included a variety of sessions that students rotated through, to support and promote the wellbeing of all. Students engaged in VR sessions, sport sessions - run by community organisations and elite soccer clubs, information sessions to raise awareness about the one punch campaign, an infinity fitness session, cultural dancing and music, information about positive relationships and sessions designed to help students understand how we can positively interact with each other and look after ourselves. I thank the Wellbeing Team for their hard work in developing this day, our Operations Team for making it happen and all staff who attended to support. 

Next Term will be just as busy! We already have many wonderful events on our calendar, and we look forward to working together with you to continue building our momentum. I encourage all community members to get involved in the events and activities on offer. 

Together, we continue to foster a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where every individual can thrive. Thank you again to everyone. We are a special and unique community, and we are capable of greatness. 

I wish you all a wonderful break (and rest), and I look forward to seeing you in Term 3. 

Stay safe and well. 

Kind Regards 

Kelly Krieg 

Acting Principal