Principal's Report 

Hello everyone,

Thank you for your work and support as we approach the end of Semester 1. 

Year 7 - Enrolments for 2022

Our team of Middle Leaders (Leaders of Learning and Leaders of Student Care) and our Leadership Team members interviewed Year 7 2022 applicants last week. We introduced interviews for all prospective students to make clear the commitments undertaken by College and families when beginning a partnership to support the learning and wellbeing of all children and young people in our care. Enrolment offers will be mailed out this week.

Year 11

Year 11 subject selection will take place early next Term. Middle Leaders will interview Year 10 students and parents/carers after subject selection processes have taken place. The interview will consist of a final sign-off on selection of subjects and a commitment to finishing Year 10 in a way that maximises opportunity for all. A number of Year 10 students will need to lift their game and their care for others in 2021 before being accepted for Year 11 in 2022. The majority will sail through to the final stage of their secondary school education.

Staffing 

Three new staff join us this week and early Term 3. 

Kaysha Gale started on Monday as a Student Support Teacher on the Inclusion Team. In addition to supporting students with Personal Plans, part of her load will be given to assisting students and staff maintain and monitor Student Wellbeing, Behaviour and Mental Health Plans. 

Kylie Mulholland starts next Term as Leader of Inclusion. She will lead the Inclusion Team and work with Student Support Teachers and Education Assistants to maximise access to curriculum and opportunity  for students with diverse and additional learning and wellbeing needs.

Olivia Guilbert starts Week 2 Term 3 as a PDHPE teacher. While she is a permanent staff member she will take over Natahlia Bryant’s PDHPE classes while Natahlia is on maternity leave.

Accelerated Reader for Year 7 and 8

Next Term we are introducing Accelerated Reader into the College for Year 7 and Year 8 students. Accelerated Reader is an app and database supporting a focus on building reading culture in schools. English classes spend one lesson a cycle choosing books, reading and logging reading progress. Students are encouraged to expand reading genres and to read for pleasure. Many already do, and this focus will encourage them to read more. Some students rarely read for pleasure and often these students will respond positively to teacher, library staff and parental positive support of the joys and benefits of reading. Experts generally agree that an expanding vocabulary and fluency in reading are major foundations of academic success, and that an expansion in subject-specific vocabularies during Years 9-10 is best dealt with by fluent readers. Strengthening the reading culture of a school equips more students to achieve academic success, and to experience the learning growth they deserve as they progress through the years.

Thanks again - all the best for the Semester break.

Mr Rod Whelan - Principal