Principal's Report

Reflection of Semester One

Semester one has been full of activity and surprises. The school community managed what was essentially two lockdowns and two returns to onsite learning. I only have praise for our students and staff as they respond in a flexible manner to these changes. Each time this occurs our teachers reconsider what is essential learning; how to support students who have worked ahead and those who have found learning online less motivating. They have also rescheduled excursions, incursions and adapted learning tasks to the students new point of need. Our students have continued to respond to the best of their ability. Routine is needed by many people to function best and it is a credit to all Edgars Creek Secondary College staff, family and students that when we return onsite everyone quickly re-engages in classroom routines and expectations. 

It was exciting to finally see our students use the new Sports hall. It is an excellent facility which includes a health classroom and circuit/gym area. It also provides a space where we will be able to hold large school assemblies and other appropriate events. I am also happy to report the other two buildings and landscape are coming along close to the projected timeline.  The timeline is still holding steady with the completion date for these two facilities to be the beginning of Term 4. 

Amongst all the achievements of semester one I would like to highlight two students in particular : Noraah Dhhumi and Hailey Bangan, both of Year 7. These two students have excelled in poetry writing. Poetry is a very nuanced form of literature and these two students have written poetry that reflects their ability to manipulate the English language to convey symbolic meaning. Noraah's poem is featured in this newsletter in the Special Feature page. Noraah won an Australia-wide competition. Her poem was judged first from over 7500 entries. Hailey has been participating in the DET High Ability Program. The College was contacted by the program to highlight that her poetry writing and analysis is of a very high standard. I have included one of Hailey's poems below:

To Look Through a Filterless Lens 

By Hailey Bangan

All the world is monochromatic, despite the filtered spectrum of colours we fancy.

We walk an ethereal garden path, circuitous and meandering

Staggering on pebbles—Falling for thin air masqueraded as a warm embrace.

Paths intertwine, convolute with endless choices.

All living, wandering and ambling down the beaten path,

Oblivious to an almighty director’s mandate.

Each word, parenthesis and stage direction of their script,

slowly ingrained into our every breath.

Each word, feigns the morality that makes us human

—that we dare not defy

Expectations, suppositions and beliefs that feign normality

—that we dare not resist

Instead we walk this perfect fabrication; a perfectly painted scene

Never questioning every prewritten act we must perform—

Never questioning a single thing.

Beyond this set, adorned with cardboard flowers and perfect lighting, we’ll find the truth;

A world stained a daunting monochromatic grey. 

Alas the truth is a double edged sword, with a heavy price to pay

Are we willing to stray from this idyllic script and into the monochromatic truth?

Only time will tell.

Regrettably, we resume performing the next act

Unsuspecting of the noir…monochrome world beyond.

Winter Uniform

A reminder to all families that students are expected in complete Winter uniform at the start of Term 3. The winter uniform consists of blazer, white shirt, tie, woollen jumper; grey trousers/shorts; skirt and black leather school shoes. The sports uniform is NOT the winter uniform. The sports uniform is ONLY to be worn on the day that your child has physical education.  Many of our students wear the uniform with pride but there are also some students who require constant reminders on how to come to school dressed appropriately. Hoodies are NOT part of the school uniform and students must wear their blazer not their sports jacket. The sports jacket is only to be worn with the PE uniform. The College will be conducting uniform blitzes in the first weeks of Term 3 and I ask that you support your child to wear the uniform with pride.

Welcome!

Welcome to new staff & some changes.

The growth in student numbers; curriculum programs and staff family leave has resulted in an increase of staff for semester 2. We welcome the following teachers to the College:

PE/Health - Jordan Negrin

Learning Specialist Visual Art/Ceramics - Andria Norvelis

Maths/Science - Eric Sekkouah 

We also wish our Middle School Leading Teacher - Belinda McKenzie farewell as she begins her time on family leave. Mel Broders will become the Acting Leading Teacher for Middle school supporting Rachael Salter for semester 2. Chris Menzies will become the Year 9 Coordinator for the rest of the school year.

Help Name Your New Local School

The Victorian Government is delivering 100 new schools across the state between 2019 and 2026, including a new primary school  in Wollert opening in 2022.

Engage Victoria  is the Victorian Government’s online consultation platform. It gives the Victorian community an easy to find, central point of contact to be involved in government decisions.

We are now engaging with the Wollert and Epping community on the name of your new school. We are looking for a school name that reflects the local community, inspires local pride and makes the school easily locatable. Naming a public building requires approval from relevant authorities and consideration of Aboriginal languages, alongside other guiding principles.

Have a say in naming our Wollert East Primary School (interim name) by visiting https://engage.vic.gov.au/2022-new-schools-school-naming/wollert-east-primary-school-interim-namebetween 11 June and 25 June 2021.

Joanne Camozzato