Principal Introduction

Dear EMC Community,

This week I have the pleasure of receiving feedback from community groups about the behaviours and engagement of our students. Unequivocally each community group has spoken positively about our students, and the positive regard that they hold for each other and other community members. 

As a College we have been working with students and their families to build a culture of respect, aspiration, empathy, courage and happiness. This work is clearly demonstrated when our students are representing our College in the community during special events, excursions, camps and sporting activities. I am really grateful for the collaborative effort that staff, students and parents have put in and the growing reputation of our students. 

I also regularly received outstanding reports from employers who take on our students for work experience and structured work placement learning. They will often talk about the care, positivity and eagerness to learn the skills and knowledge that supports their businesses and the students progression into the work force. 

At school and in the classroom we have been working with students that have found the transition to structured onsite learning challenging. I wanted to congratulate our Home Group Teachers, Team Leaders, Student Achievement Leaders and the Wellbeing team for their commitment and support of both students and parents as we develop plans to support student learning and behaviours. 

The College through the EMC 2030 collaboration has been working on reestablishing our College VALUES. We have had input from all aspects of the community, businesses, primary schools, parents, students and staff. This input has lead to a number of key values being identified, these include:

• Respect
• Empowerment
• Aspiration
• Courage
• Honesty

We are considering the acronym REACH as it such a strong connection with the research around mindset, growth and improvement. It creates a strong message that we are all able to extend ourselves, be stretched in our own learning and REACH our goals. 

I hope that these values can be a point of discussion at home and parents/carers can discuss the meaning of these values and how they can be presented in the behaviours of all community members. 

I wanted to congratulate and celebrate these values in a Year 10 student Shelby Edmonds. Shelby submitted a successful application to the  Melbourne University Kwong Lee Dow Scholars program. The Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program is an academic enrichment program designed to support high achieving Victorian Year 11 and Year 12. Students who take part in a program of events and activities focused on expanding their academic and personal horizons. These include a welcome event, VCE revision lectures, personal development workshops, overnight adventures on campus, celebration events with family and more. 

I wanted to finally acknowledge the respect care and effort that our community has shown with their continued response to the COVID pandemic. Our community has continually acted on the advice of the Department of Health, especially when we have had a confirmed case. This has allowed us to maintain the continuity of learning and school operations. Please continue to ensure that we keep our community safe during this uncertain time. 

Dean King

Principal