Principal's Message

WOW! What a week we have had this “fortnight”! 

We have truly had our running shoes on. The Year 7’s had immunisations, the swimming sports, Friday 5th March is a student free day for staff Professional Development, the weather has changed, we have had staff ill and we had a full moon! I am wondering if your place has been a little “on edge” as well?

We have 200 school days and 40 weeks in a school year, what I would give for a totally uninterrupted week, where all the teachers and support staff could simply get on with Teaching and Learning. We all know that schools are dynamic places and with 1200 students, who all have their own stories – yep, we are busy! 

Now that I have that off my chest ………. let’s move forward. I have just returned to my office from an hour walk around the classes and I am super happy. The Year 7 model is working beautifully and all classes in all Year levels were settled and working well. Congrats to all!  I have had a number of Principals and staff from other schools come for a tour and walk through, so consider yourself invited to make an appointment and I will happily take you for a walk through as well.

NAPLAN is about to arrive, well in May to be precise, but the preparation work is in full swing. 

Covid smashed this program of testing last year, fingers crossed we go ahead with smooth sailing this year. Remember NAPLAN is a series of coordinated test /exam sessions that will have occurred for every child in Australia at 2 year intervals. Grade 3 and 5, then Years 7 and 9. Finally culminating in the VCE exams. Its primary purpose is to track progress, there is no pass or fail, plus it gives the College fantastic information regarding progress, the curriculum we are offering, the quality of our program delivery etc. I will be very happy to discuss any aspect of NAPLAN with you if you like, again, just make an appointment. There is an information article attached but it is pretty formal, I'm happy to explain if you like.

Community consultation nights, I have mentioned these before, but please pop the dates into your diary and indicate to the office, if you are able to come along. 

Phone: 03 5150 4800 or Email: bairnsdale.sc@education.vic.gov.au

This is a genuine opportunity for you to have a direct say on a number of topics affecting your child’s education. Talk to me if you would like more info.  

Dates:                 Year 7 - Thursday 29th April 2021. 

                              Years 8 and 9 - Wednesday 5th May 2021.

                              Years 10, 11, and 12 on Thursday 6th May 2021.

                              All starting at 7.00 pm and finishing up hopefully no later than 8.30 pm.

Friday 5th March is Student Free. All staff are involved in a Professional Development program all day. This will be a combination of working with Dan Petro (Behavioural Analyst) and the TRUST foundation around trauma informed teaching practise. Check out our Facebook, website and compass posts for more information.

Elevate is a company that the College has forged a connection with over the past 2 years.

They run a number of sessions on a variety of topics.  On Wednesday 10th March they are running a webinar on Productive Technology Usage. This is totally free and if you are interesting in joining this on line program all the relevant information is below:

Something to Ponder: When you were 15 years old, what did you think you would be doing at age 25? How has that worked out? Have you had a time where you needed to adjust your intentions, raise them or just take a different path? I would love you to ponder this and then talk it over with your children. I think most young teenagers think we were all “born 50!” Imagine living life without the internet. 

Thanks for sharing your children with us.