Assistant Principals' Report

Term 4

Simon Jones

Assistant Principal

Years 10 - 12

It has been terrific to see all students return to school and get back into their routines. The year 12 VCE students have endured a long and winding road but have now commenced their final exams. They have shown remarkable determination and adaptability and I believe are as prepared as possible in this most unusual of years. I am confident that they will put their best foot forward and reap the rewards for their efforts. I also congratulate them on the manner in which they celebrated their final day of school on the 30th November. They enjoyed each other’s company, had fun and did themselves proud. It is also pleasing that we are now able to have a Valedictory celebration which can be live-streamed to families, and details of this are being sent out. We look forward to giving the class of 2020 a fitting farewell.

The Year 10 and 11 students are in the throes of completing their year’s work and most will have Maths and English exams on the 19th and 20th of November. From there we commence Jumpstart on the 24th November where students who have successfully completed their studies will be promoted to the next year of schooling with their new teachers and classes. Attendance for Jumpstart is essential as work begins in earnest, goals are set and expectations set out. This year more than ever Jumpstart will represent the end of a difficult and challenging year and the opportunity to put it behind us and make a fresh start.

As you can see it is a busy term and there is much still to do. I urge all students to continue to do their best and give themselves the best possible preparation for what we hope will be a normal school year in 2021. 

Andrew Wynne                                                   Assistant Principal 

Years 7-9

The return to remote learning this term has certainly been a challenging time for all members of the Dromana College community and once again rearranged and challenged all the things we take for granted at school. We are immensely proud of the ways in which our students have again adapted to this new paradigm and in so many ways made the best of a bad situation. Parents should also be commended for the role they have taken in helping  their students, in many cases while they are also working from home! 2020 has not been the year we had hoped or planned for, but never has their partnership between parents, students and teachers been more evident.

No remote learning program, however, can replace the buzz and energy of students at school. We look forward to welcoming back all our students, but particularly the Year 7’s who have barely had time to get to know each other, and the many things that Dromana College has to offer. 

To all students and parents, congratulations on your outstanding efforts and optimism this term, but let us hope Term 4 brings us all back together to continue to learn, develop relationships and make memories!

Information regarding our 2021 LEAP program has now been uploaded to the College website and can be found under the Learning tab. LEAP is our Learning Enhancement Acceleration Program, a program specifically designed to address the needs of academically talented students who share a love of learning. The LEAP curriculum has been developed to challenge and engage these students across a range of learning areas, with a focus on developing higher order thinking skills. If your child is interested in being part of our Year 7 2021 LEAP class, we encourage you to visit the Dromana College website for further details. 

Stephanie Pearce

Assistant Principal

Learning and Teaching

As we approach the end of Term 3 it is hard to believe that we have been offsite and online for so long. We are extremely hopeful to see our students return to school in Term 4 and enjoy the final term of this unique and challenging academic year together. All staff, students and families are to be congratulated for what has been a seamless transition back to remote learning. The Google Classroom will never replace the great learning spaces we have created here at the college but it has been great to see students and staff engaging more confidently in the remote environment this term; exploring new apps, activities and modes of assessment to support and facilitate learning. 

This term our staff were proud to undertake Cultural Understanding and Sensitivity Training (CUST) which was delivered by our Koorie Engagement Support Officer. This training provided us with an opportunity to build on our own knowledge and understanding as well as support our efforts to develop inclusive, responsive and respectful practices in our teaching and learning programs. 

The Booklist for 2021 is almost complete. This can be accessed via the Campion Books link on our website from Friday 9th October. VCE Early English orders should be completed by Monday 9th November to ensure book delivery in time for the commencement of Jumpstart classes.

Thank you again to the whole college community for your ongoing support of teaching and learning during the remote learning period. We are always better together.