Principal's Message

Good afternoon and welcome to the end of week 8. 

The term is flying by faster than before (it seems). We are at that point in time where students are being asked to make choices around subjects for next year and course counselling is in full flight. In addition, at all levels, we plan for the transition of students across our College. If your child hasn’t had a conversation with you around subject choices for 2024, please prompt the chat and discuss options. If you need more information, just contact the relevant Hub and our staff will help you out. 

Timing also says that reports will be coming out soon and I know that teachers are investing many, many hours in getting these written. Reports are published on Compass on the last day of term, Friday the 23rd June. If you would like a hard copy of the report, you just have to ask and we can easily provide one. Please let the office know of your request. Please read your students report deeply and discuss it with them, the Cycle of Improvement that I keep talking about, only comes when we deliver, reflect and find ways to improve.

The work around our College Review continues to happen in the background. Staff, students and parents have all had the opportunity to have a 1:1 chat with Carolyn Woodhouse (assisting with the pre review work) to discuss anything they like about our College. I’m pleased to say that her timetable has been full. Also, another significant piece of work has been running some student focus groups from Years 8 and 9. 

Why Years 8 and 9? Because, we have just received the student survey data back. This is preliminary data and does not yet have any state comparison information. As a snap shot – Year 7 feedback is fabulous, Year 8 and 9 'tricky' to say the least and then Year 10, 11 and 12 really positive. 

The student survey covers: 

• Effective teaching
• Differentiated learning in the classroom 
• Stimulated learning
• Effective class behaviour
• High expectations
• Effort by students 
• Teacher concern for students 
• Resilience and a sense of confidence
• Motivation and interest
• How bullying is managed 
• Feeling safe and more 

Hence it is a very comprehensive study of 'how the students are feeling'. The really pleasing aspect is that we have had positive improvement in every area, building on last year and the year before.  When we have complete data sets, I will happily share all the information.

The change to Semester 2 at the start of this week has been smooth and very settled. A few little hiccups here and there, but well managed by the hubs.

Something to Ponder: 

Some of the questions in the student survey under the topic of Resilience/Perseverance are: 

1. I can recover quickly when something doesn’t go my way. 
2. I will try again if I don’t succeed the first time. 
3. I am mentally tough when it comes to challenges. 
4. I can stand up for myself without putting others down. 
5. I try to work out my problems by talking about them.

The students are asked to rank their answers on a 5 point scale. (1 being very low and 5 being very high) How would you rank yourself on these questions?

Happy to chat and hi from my beautiful old lab Nellie!

Trudie Nagle

Principal