I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the Cheltenham Secondary College community. My name is Karl Russell and I have been officially appointed as the Principal of the college. I look forward to this opportunity and feel privileged to be appointed to this position.

I am an experienced educational leader, my previous position was Assistant Principal at The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School, a select entry government school. I have held senior leadership roles in Curriculum, Student Wellbeing, Strategic Planning and Finance. Having been a member of the Cheltenham Community since January 2018 as Acting Principal, I feel the transition will be a smooth one, providing continued stability and support.

My vision for Cheltenham Secondary College is to provide an outstanding educational environment for our community, instilling in each individual the knowledge, skills and capabilities necessary for future success.

Excellence in education will be our driving force, but it will be the growth in the individual that will measure our success. This means challenging our current understanding as learners and educators, seeking to grow, to be more resilient and embracing change. Under my leadership the college will focus on graduating well-rounded individuals who are equipped with the knowledge, skills and character to lead within our community.

Our wellbeing program will focus on developing the individual, their emotional awareness, inter – personal skills, resilience and sense of community. We will measure our success through the impact we have on individual students, their performance, progress and wellbeing. This means that we seek to provide the greatest value-add to every individual student. We seek to inspire our students and teachers to perform at their best in whatever they do by providing an enriching environment that supports our constant pursuit for knowledge, individual growth and wellbeing.

I look forward to gaining a greater understanding of the context of the school and its operations and build a strong partnership with the school community. The relationship between home and the school plays a very important part in every individual’s education. We cannot overestimate the critical role parents play in successful learning outcomes. Parents contribute much to their child’s development and are the most important influences on the way in which the child approaches their learning. Two-way communication is a critical factor in the partnership between parents and the school. Where a partnership exists, it is easier for parents to feel confident about the teaching and learning taking place in the classroom and to overcome any challenges. I want to urge you to make contact with myself if you have any concerns or simply if you want to provide any feedback to the school.

Parent, Student & Teacher Interviews – Year 7 - 10

Term 3, Parent, Student & Teacher Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday 19th September, 1:00 – 4:00pm & 5:00 – 7:00pm.

Due to time constraints, each interview is limited to 5 minutes. Parents are also requested to leave at least a 5 minute space between each booking to allow time to change locations and to avoid running late for interviews. Interviews will only take place if a prearranged booking is made through Compass. The online parent, student and teacher conference booking system will be opened on 14th September for parents to schedule interviews. No classes will be held on 19th September.

Study Spaces

As most students spend a large time of their study outside the classroom, it’s important to create a consistent study space.

Despite what most people believe, your home’s traditional study or bedroom is not the best space to complete school work. The kitchen bench is a great alternative.

Parents are generally within close reach to help out with any tricky questions and can also make sure students stay focused. It’s also easy to get a drink of water or access snacks if you need to.

And be flexible. If it’s a nice day outside, head onto the balcony. If you're always heading to the study room at the back of the house, it becomes a place that you will dread and will cause unnecessary stress when you have to go there.

Naturally, you’re more likely to want to spend time there if it reflects your personality and style.

Year 11 Study Periods

Year 11 students have additional study periods built into their timetable and during term 3, year 11 students have even greater flexibility and ownership of their studies. Year 11 classes are not covered if their teacher is absent for 1 day, providing students with the opportunity to develop their study habits, better prepare for their classes or complete outstanding work within a flexible study environment.

Over the next 12 months, the college will continue to create more suitable study spaces that contribute to better outcomes for all students. Our focus is to develop students understanding of what good study practice looks like and the importance of routine in their busy schedule.

Learners at Cheltenham will be supported to become more skilful in choosing their own goals, constructing their own strategies, assessing their own knowledge and monitoring their own progress. It is also important for our students to understand their learning needs and develop their strategies and their behaviours that support personal growth and improved outcomes.

For Cheltenham, if our teaching and learning programs are to be effective, we must ensure focus is placed on the capacity for our students to understand how they learn, a key element to ensure the ultimate success for our students.

Acting Principal

Miss Brooke Matthews will be Acting Principal for the remainder of Term 3, while I am on Long Service Leave. I know the college will be in very good hands while I am on leave, and I am sure you will join me in congratulating Miss Matthews on this appointment.

Karl Russell

Principal

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