From our Principal 

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

Last week we lost a colleague, teacher and friend in Mr Jim Constantinou. The overwhelming emotions continue to be of numbness and sadness. Whilst the circumstances around Jim’s death were traumatic, this has now been replaced by a feeling of emptiness and grief as we begin to reconcile ourselves with the fact that Jim will no longer be gracing our corridors, staff room and classrooms.

Jim is being remembered as a quiet, gentle, kind and humble man who would always go out of his way to help those in need, particularly when it came to problem-solving IT needs. Jim was instrumental in both the development and implementation of our Learning Management System (SPACE). The college received much acknowledgement, particularly from parents, for the way we managed the delivery of on-line learning during the pandemic and the subsequent lock-down periods. It was Jim who played a pivotal role in ensuring the transition to the delivery of learning in the on-line platform was a smooth one, in particular ensuring that staff were trained to deliver effective teaching via Zoom and in the set-up remote lessons.

Jim’s teaching career spanned 29 years with the last 7 years as a member of the St. Peter’s College community. His lasting legacy will be in the form of his generous, gentle spirit, his can-do attitude and a willingness to provide assistance to whoever needed it, all done in his understated and non-judgemental way.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim’s wife Andrea, sons Luca and Jacob and daughter Ruby as they continue to mourn the loss of their husband and father. May they find comfort in the knowledge that Jim is lovingly wrapped in the arms of his merciful God.

Rest in Peace Jim Constantinou.

The Future

This week the school has been awash with conversations on what the future looks like for our senior students, what their aspirations are and what their intended pathways might be. It can be an exciting time for some and daunting for others. I cannot help but reflect in wonderment at the opportunities afforded to young people these days how simple the choices were for my generation compared to the plethora of choices available in today’s world. I recently attended a symposium that spoke of the skills shortage and employment opportunities for young people in the City of Casey in the next 5 years. The graphic below depicts the breakdown of the current landscape showing where the jobs currently are:

Employment growth is predicted in the following areas:

In other words, the forecast new jobs in the South East over the next 3-5 years where qualifications and training are required will be in the following areas: child-care, electricians, early childhood teachers, metal fabricators and machinists, structural steel and welders workers, carpenters and joiners. Skill shortages where no qualification is required include: retail, hospitality, truck drivers, office staff and labourers.

When bosses asked what they wanted in an employee they answered as follows:

Note that when asked to specify what employability skills they were seeking bosses highlighted the following: communication, teamwork, a positive attitude, motivation and being well presented.

We seek always to ensure that students and families make informed choices when it comes to subject selection and pathways planning. We are blessed with expert pathways planners when it comes to our Careers advisors. Our interview process with all Year 10 students is evidence of our commitment to support students in reaching their true potential in their chosen pathway and our door is always open to have the necessary conversations to help support them through the journey ahead.

Enjoy the week ahead.

Mr Chris Black

Principal