From the Associate Principal

Time is rapidly passing us by as we near half way of the year for our Year 12 students. It makes for interesting numbers as we breakdown what is in front of them, as they aim to complete all their secondary schooling and the achievements that come with that successful completion.

1. There are 15 weeks of school remaining until the end of Term 3. This means that there is approximately 72 days remaining, which roughly equates to 460 periods of instructional work across the College’s 3 Learning Areas. 
2. Breaking it down even further, we are looking at 230 periods of Class and the other 230 split between Farms and Trade depending on each individual student’s timetable. 
3. A student doing a trade on a Friday, realistically only has 7 to 8 days left to complete their log books, finish their major project and get all Units of Competency finalised and signed off. Once the subjects are broken down into days and hours we realise how little time is left to make sure all work is completed.

There are also other factors that are impacting on the instructional time that these students have available to them;

• Field Days, exhibitions and agricultural events
• ATAR Exams
• Open Day
• RUOK and Wellness Day
• Country Week
• The Bibbulmun Track expedition
• Early close for School Development Days, the long weekend closed weekend.
• Short courses
• Vaccinations
• School photos
• OLNA Round 2
• Sporting Carnivals.

Once you factor in other absences including medical, COVID, family holidays and assisting at home with farming processes, it is easy to see how little time there may be for students to complete all necessary work to achieve their personal best.

A student who attends Country Week, the College Open Day, as well as two early closures on a Friday, can lose 4 days in either the Farms or Trades area which seriously impacts on their ability to complete all work in order to gain their full certificate.

It is vitally important that students in Year 11 and 12 maximise their time and their opportunities, to make sure work is up-to-date and completed on time. Together we can achieve this by utilising VET Theory classes and prep time, to finalise their subject requirements. I am very proud of the progress our students are making but now is not the time to take the foot off the pedal. If you have any concerns about your child’s progress please contact staff directly through Compass, or alternatively, contact me and I can guide you through their progress and their requirements.