Principal's Report

Remote Learning

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Greensborough College community for the way it has responded to the government directions and measures around the COVID 19 health crisis. It has been a challenging time for all of us; for some it has been more difficult and trying than for others. 

We have been able to deliver a remote learning program that has provided opportunities for learning growth for all of those students who have connected. We have been mindful of the wellbeing needs of our community and provided many opportunities for parents, students and staff to connect to programs, resources and strategies to support health and wellbeing. 

We have provided on-site support for eligible families and students and we have had wonderful staff willing and able to work on site.

This newsletter celebrates the achievements of many our students so far this year. We are especially proud of our semester 1 award recipients and the students selected into the High Ability Program.  Our School Captains, Elyssa and Ryan, have been sharing their reflections with their peers via our Facebook, and our Junior School Captain Jack, has been coordinating our school flags on Mondays and Fridays throughout term 2 and 3. These students, are among the many, providing leadership and exemplary behaviours during the remote and flexible learning program.

Interim reports are available on COMPASS.

Parent-Teacher interviews will be held on Wednesday 7th October, from 11.00 am – 6.00pm. Bookings can be made via COMPASS. There will be no scheduled classes on this day and teachers will contact parents who have booked by telephone. Parents of students taking the GAT on this day can make bookings after 1.30 pm, allowing students to get home from the GAT and to be present for the interview.

Term 4

VCE, VET and VCAL students will return to site in week 2 of term 4 (Monday 12th October). The GAT will be held on site on Wednesday 7th October. There will be no scheduled essential assessments on site until after this date to ensure that we do not have to close, if there was a positive case, and thus disrupt students sitting the GAT.

Students from Years 7 to 10 will continue with remote learning until further notice, dependant on the Roadmap to Recovery.

Students who are eligible for on-site supervision will continue to do the remote learning program.  This on-site supervision will begin from Friday 9th October.

The College has a COVID Safe plan. The social distancing, hand hygiene and mask-wearing measures will continue to be implemented. Entry to the site will be limited to staff members who have a permit to work.

Parents and visitors will not be able to come on to the site. 

As the government releases information, this will be shared with the community.

Building Program

The works on the sports fields have been enormous and if you have had a chance to drive by the school you will see how massive the space is and how much has been done. I would like to reassure the community that all the correct procedures and protocols are being followed in relation to tree protection and removal. The Victorian School Building Authority has a replacement policy of two trees replanted for every tree removed.  The works are on track for completion of the grounds to be in March 2021 and the pavilion to be in June 2021.

At the same time the tender process has begun for the next stage of the school buildings.  The tender process is currently underway and the close date is subject to government restrictions for site visits being lifted. The project team is aiming for the successful builder to be on site mid-November. In the meantime, the portables will be removed and the grounds made ready for the works.  It is expected that the two new buildings will be completed early 2022. This is very exciting for the College. I will keep you informed throughout.

Farewells

At the end of this term we will farewell Deb Davoli, one of our Education Support Staff. Deb has been a dedicated and committed staff member over the past 19 years. She has been passionate about ensuring that every student she has supported has been cared for and has achieved their personal best. We wish Deb all the best in her future endeavours.

The School Council would like to thank parent representative Jonathan McConchie, for his contribution on the School Council for the past three years.  Being a member of School Council is an important role where members work together to develop policy, make decisions and inform the future direction of the College. There is a casual vacancy for a parent representative to fill until March 2021. There will be approximately 3 meetings to attend until the elections next year. If a parent is interested in this position please contact me at the College.

Term Break

I hope all students, staff and families have a really good break from their screens during the upcoming holidays. Please take time out for yourselves, plan for activities with your families and stay safe and well. 

It will be terrific to see our senior students back on site early next term, engaged in face-to-face learning as they prepare for their exams and participating in the activities that mark their final days of schooling.  We hope our junior students will be returning to site sooner than later. 

We will be ready and waiting for all of you when we return to a “COVID-normal”.

Please see attached a letter to parents about the term 4 plan.

Stay safe and stay well.

Pauline Barker

Principal