PRINCIPAL

This week I watched the Year 10 students being inducted into the range of farm vehicles and machines. Pre-start checks and familiarisation around safety features are essential to safe and effective operation. In seeing the line-up of tractors, loaders and machinery, I was reminded how lucky we are with our facilities and equipment. 

I also visited the piggery to see our newest batch of 100 weaner piglets and two pregnant sows who arrived on Wednesday this week. We have a great collaboration with Westpork and I am pleased that we are able to expose students to this industry.

Next week we are starting our interviewing of prospective students for 2026. We already have 209 (and rising daily) applications across Years 10, 11 and 12 to work through.

Year 10 Board Representative

The College Board plays an important role in overseeing the College Business Plan and priorities, reviewing performance data, approving fees and ensuring the finances align to the needs of our students and expectations of the Department. The Board is not involved with the day to day school operations, staff management, nor is it an avenue for complaints. The Board is made up of staff, parent, community and student representatives and meets once each term, normally aligned to collecting students for end of term or closed weekends. We are seeking nominations for a Year 10 parent representative to join the Board. Please contact me if you are interested or have any questions about the role.

New Parent/Guardian Survey

New parents and guardians would have received an email this week containing a link to the survey. The survey seeks your opinion on our processes around recruitment, selection and induction of students. Surveys like this are important for our drive to continually improve. They are also a great reinforcement to hear when we are doing things well! I will close the survey on the 4th March and analyse the results which will be presented to the College Board and staff. My thanks to those parents who have provided feedback. At this stage I have 26 responses out of a potential 68 families. 

Weekend Activities

This weekend students in residence are attending the Busselton Camp. The camp is a great way for students to relax and enjoy each other’s company after a busy few weeks.

The WACoA Carnival on the weekend of 21st/22nd March is an occasion where students from the other WA Colleges of Agriculture travel to Harvey to compete in a range of sports. It’s a great opportunity to mix with students from the other colleges and discover they are just like us. Parents are most welcome to attend to support Harvey but also if you are able to help with a sport in any capacity we welcome your assistance. The sports are Indoor Cricket, Mixed Netball, Tennis, Table Tennis, Fishing, Basketball, Croquet, Lawn Bowls, Ten Pin Bowling, Frisbee Golf, Volleyball, Squash, Football Kicking and Touch Rugby.  If you do have any expertise in any of them and want to help, please contact Patrick Swallow who is coordinating the event.

Student Interactions

Over the past week or so we have had to intervene in a number of student interactions which have not been as positive as we would like. Whilst a certain amount of settling in is expected and perfectly normal, some of these interactions have gone beyond what is reasonable.

I would ask parents and guardians to reinforce with their child a number of points;

• Everyone has a right to feel safe at the College - do nothing that impinges on other students’ rights to live, learn or work at the College.
• If you have an issue with someone, speak directly to them rather than use social media
• Accept differences - you can’t like or be friends with everyone
• Don’t gossip about other people - it will get back to them
• Choose to not take offense