Principal's Report
Hello to all Collingwood College Community Members.
As 2018 comes to a close, l am coming to grips as to how fast the school year transpires. Before we know it, 2019 will be in full swing. As l reflect on the year and on the many different aspects of our fine school community, l cannot think how privileged l am to be the Principal. Our new $8.3M Sports stadium is just months away from completion and the $84M commitment to build the third campus for the amazing Collingwood College- Fitzroy High VCE partnership is in full planning mode. This is the largest single investment in a school build in history and it will guarantee a world class facility for the students of both schools and the City of Yarra.
What makes it so enjoyable to be part of our school community are however, not the buildings but the people. Students, parents, carers and teachers all contribute and enrich our school environment every minute of every day. The success of this school cannot be measured by any known metric but the true measure of our success is in the way our community speak with pride about our school.
Recent examples of excellence span many disciplines and classes. The School Orchestra/singers performed on stage for the City of Yarra Summer festival and the performance was once again awesome. The Victorian Young Leaders to China students returned from China to share their story with the Honourable Premier Andrews and Parliamentary Ministers Wynne and Merlino. Our students were congratulated for being great ambassadors for Victoria and Australia and we were singled out for having a strong indigenous thread in our project and cultural exchange with our Chinese Sister Schools.
The class plays and music performances, graduations and class presentations have continued on with that theme of having enormous pride in everything we do. The College SRC and its leadership group also needs to be thanked for their yearlong efforts and for being committed to the idea of serving others and asking for little in return. Thanks also to Liria for her generous support for this group of fine young leaders who loved working under her stewardship. Two Students were elected by their peers this year as full members of our school council. They represented the school community with pride and their contributions were much appreciated.
When our community decides to do something they do it well. The Community Fair and Art show were again heralded as two of our best and the collective hard work of many was again well rewarded with a strong sense of achievement and pride.
On this note, l would like to thank our many volunteers for their untold contributions.
I would also to acknowledge the work of our many highly dedicated staff, some of who have pushed on despite several setbacks throughout the year. Teachers and support staff have once again showed what it takes to make a good school a GREAT school – love for their work, love for their students and love for their school!
Our College governance can sometimes be taken for granted but it must be noted that it is the engine room that strategically delivers the guidance and foundations for proven financial and educational results. Our parent volunteers on School Council and its respective Sub-committees give up much spare time to support the valuable work in Policy Development, Buildings and Grounds, Communications and Finance. I thank all SC members for their important contributions in the spirit of mutual co-operation, harmony and whole of community governance.
It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the efforts of our students who provide examples of their love for their learning every lesson every day. I hope the learning journey for every student has been a positive one this year and that you build on that experience in 2019. I would like to congratulate (in particular the special memories l have associated with each of the graduations) – Year 6 and VCE- this term. I also would like to congratulate Charlie Thorpe who was awarded the Principal’s award and he has become our VCE Dux for 2018 with an ATAR of 96. Well done Charlie! (who has asked that l mention he is also proud of his “Steiner heritage”). Other awards go to Hibo Khalif (Long Tan award), Oscar Moore (Marrung Education Scholarship) and Nina Scott (Caltex All-rounder award). I would like to thank and congratulate the two School Captains – Oscar Terry Young and Lucy Tate for their support and selfless work throughout 2018.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish the school community a happy and safe festive season. The Christmas period provides much attention for the ones who deserve it most - our incredible students! Take care and thank you for the beautiful gift you send our way on each and every school day.
Kind Regards
Dale Perichon
Principal