PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Dear Parents/Students/Community Members

While looking for a file on my computer, I came over this newsletter I wrote 12 months ago as Acting Principal. It prompted me to sit still and reflect on experiences we all had last year and the impact it has had on the way we teach and learn in 2022.

I am so impressed by the resilience and fortitude displayed by our teaching and non-teaching staff. Ready to jump into remote learning and working with no fuss or complaint. Instead, they ask ‘How can I help?’, ‘What can we do to make sure the students are okay?’, ‘What extra activities can we organise outside of class time?’ Many of our teachers have young families, children completing VCE and caring for the elderly or vulnerable. I often see teachers in meetings with students, parents and staff with child on hip, asking their children to wait for a snack while they finish a conversation or teaching at home at the same time as teaching your children in theirs. There are many industries that are working from home, but I can confidently say that teaching is unique and teachers are truly amazing.

Again, teachers may not always get it right, but they always come from a good place, and they need your patience and understanding at this time.

And… to our students, saying it just isn’t fair is an under- statement. As young people you should be openly conversing with your teachers and peers in a rich learning environment, socialising at break times and enjoying all the extra- curricular activities our college has to offer. Your teachers and I are proud of the achievements you continue to make and appreciate how hard it is to remain confident and motivated. We do however, ask you to dig deep and make a real effort to remain connected and keep a routine. Remember that you have many people in your corner, reach out to your coordinators or the well- being team if you need support, or even just to chat.

I continue to be impressed by the resilience and fortitude being displayed by all of our staff and students at MESC as we navigate a different world in education – different not being a negative word.

As educators we have questioned how we teach and what we teach. Are we delivering lessons to students that are engaging- or just because this is how it has been done? Are we seeking student voice and agency in our units of work, to allow buy in and ownership? Are we being efficient with our time, using technology to invest in our own development and curiosity?

As Principal of the school, I am hoping that all teachers are saying YES. During meeting time and Professional Learning time, Leaders at the college are running presentations and hands on activities to allow teachers to investigate and challenge themselves when developing curriculum.

I, myself have been engaging in the EVOLVE program through the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership. Evolve supports new principals to thrive as school leaders by building on strategic, people and technical capabilities, creating strong support networks and building behaviours that sustain health and wellbeing practices. It has been a privilege to be exposed to amazing educationalist, researchers and working collaboratively with new principals from all over the state.

Not since 2020 have students had to navigate the term 3 winter term! In a ‘typical’ year students find term 3 challenging with a lack of vitamin D and busy assessment time. It is also a time of sporting finals, performance recitals and extra shifts in casual jobs with so much illness. They do ALL of this on top of their regular family lives and school. It is important that students have a break these school holidays and recharge for term 4. By the end of the term, students will be in 2023 year levels with all of the expectations associated with being a year older at school.

Danielle Vaughan

Principal