Principal's Report

Dear Collingwood College,

I’m grateful to be a principal at a school where the staff care deeply about their community, are knowledgeable and skilful in their practice, and have a mindset focused on continuous improvement. When roaming the school each day I see first hand the respectful and engaging interactions between teachers, students, and parents.

As we finish our first term, I'm glad to report our students have established solid friendships and strong work habits. It’s impressive how efficiently they get themselves organised and prepared for school each day. This enables staff to build on the relationships and routines and begin instruction.

Whilst COVID is very much a daily concern, it is no longer a distraction from us undertaking our core business. We can focus on encouraging our students to become inspirational young people! (This is a good time to plug the new website – see how we encourage inspiration here …. https://www.collingwood.vic.edu.au/our-school/our-principal/). As we start thinking about the following term, we look forward to the challenge of keeping that excitement level in overdrive!

COVID-19

I continue to report positive cases from both Wurun and Collingwood College main campus to the community through my daily Compass email posts. Our RAT testing and distribution program seems to be working well. Parents from all over the community have been in touch when faced with a positive result – making it far more efficient to report figures back to the community. We will continue to provide this information as we move to term two.

Staffing

As you know, Margaret Doucas, Primary Assistant Principal and Judith Clelland, Secondary Assistant Principal, have been on emergency (long term) leave for a large chunk of this term (and both within a week of each other!). Return dates remain uncertain at this point of time – we wish them, and their families good health.

I’d like to say a big thank you to both Sormeh Afkari and Angela Watters who have acted as our Assistant Principals in this period of time. They both have gone above and beyond in supporting our students, staff and community, particularly when I was absent with the thing! I wish them a relaxing break in the coming weeks.

Various other leaders have moved around to backfill the role of both Angela and Sormeh. Special mention to Bianca, Ben, Tim and Rachel. Also our wonderful reception and administration team led by Claire Gibson.

Collingwood College Early Childhood Centre.

The design process is in full swing for our Collingwood College Early Childhood Centre. We have contractors, architects and project managers visiting the site regularly to develop building plans, etc. We are hoping that work will commence mid-year. I have had lots of requests for information and enrolment already. Please be aware that when finished, the City of Yarra will be managing the facility.

Finally, I'd like to wish every one of you a happy and safe break. I look forward to seeing our students back on Tuesday 26th April, and reconnecting with our community throughout Term 2.

Sam Luck

College Principal

Collingwood College

Cromwell St & McCutcheon WayCollingwood, Vic, 3066

Ph: 03 9412 7700