Principal's Report

SCHOOL FIT

The ‘School Fit’ task that has underpinned the start of the College year was an opportunity for all our students and all our teachers to reset face-to-face teaching and re-establish the teaching and learning program and teacher instruction. The Covid-19 community response took many twists and turns, but now we must move forward in 2022, in shifting from a reactive response to a more proactive response in how we operate as a school and how we interact and connect with our school community.

Our motto ‘Access to Excellence’ encapsulates our pride in everything we do. Our students are afforded all the opportunities to excel in their learning, free from distractions from their peers who have not quite settled into college expectations and on-site school environment. Expectations of our students is very high, and they must model school-wide positive behaviours every lesson, every day: 

1. Am I class ready?
2. Is my device charged and ready to go?
3. Am I following the lesson plan that is on Compass?
4. Am I respectful in how I interact and deal with my peers and my teacher?
5. Have I completed my homework?
6. Am I respecting and participating in the lesson?
7. Are my actions contributing to a safe, orderly, flourishing classroom environment?
8. Do I have the confidence to ask my teacher about the work if I don’t understand what has been asked of me?

Thank you to many of our students, parents and carers who have proactively followed up with conversations at home around how students might demonstrate our college expectations and contribute to a safe and positive climate and culture at Emerald Secondary College.

It is extremely pleasing to note that most students have navigated their way back to on-site learning and are contributing to a positive school climate and culture. There are a small handful of students that are presenting challenges at certain times, and they have been counselled appropriately about college expectations. We will continue to monitor the situation; support students and we will always be in contact with parents/carers when we have a concern. All our students and all our teachers have a right to a safe, orderly environment. Any breaches of our expectations will be taken seriously, with appropriate action being taken by college staff.

We look forward to the ongoing support of parents and carers and all our interactions will be respectful and solution focussed.

SWIMMING SPORTS

There are many great pictures that adorn this newsletter that celebrate our swimming carnival. Much enthusiasm was displayed around the events, the huge water slide and near my station (the BBQ), where there was a very competitive game of water volleyball unfolding, with a cacophony of cheering resonating throughout the suburb of Doveton!

Huge thank you to all the staff and students for their great spirit and collegiality in making the day memorable. Thank you to Ms Mauger for organising the day and a big shout out to Violet, Izzy and Oscar who cooked over 600 sausages to feed our hungry students!

BUILDING/REFURBISHMENT PROGRAM

The Building Program (refurbishment) in the library is on target to be completed by the end of the term. Thank you to our library staff who have worked diligently to continue the seamless access to resources for all our students in our B Block. The new library will offer inviting, open learning spaces, technology updates and quiet, study areas. Once the Library is completed, the contractors will move into the Administration area – of course, we will keep you up to date with all the developmental stages.

MOBILE PHONES

The policy is very, very, clear – mobile phones must be placed in lockers, switched off, from 9.00am until 3.10pm.

Thank you to everyone for your support in relation to our mobile phone policy.

If students need to contact parents during the day, they should attend the Sub School Offices (Junior, Middle and Senior) and not contact parents/carers from their phone. 

When students must chat with their co-ordinators and teachers regarding any concerns, it builds confidence, resilience, and independence. The staff will be only too happy to assist where needed.   

It is important that everyone complies with the rules and expectations so that we can get on with the business of learning in a safe and consistent environment. 

The aim of the mobile phone policy is to provide:

• a safe environment to learn without inappropriate mobile phone use (including cyberbullying) or distractions
• greater opportunities for social interaction and physical activity during recess and lunchtimes.

Parents who need to contact their children throughout the school day are asked to contact the front office on 5968 5388 and we will ensure that a message is passed on as soon as possible.

SCHOOL TOURS

School tours are starting next week and if you know of any families that would like to visit the College, please direct them to our website for full details.

James Barut - Principal