Principal's Report

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. At Staughton we will be commemorating the week in a number of ways inside and outside the classroom. 

The week is bookended by two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey. The first was the successful referendum on 27 May 1967 that gave the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise them in the Census. The second was the and the High Court Mabo decision on 3 June 1992 that led to the legal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands and paved the way for native Title. 

Last Thursday we commemorated National Sorry Day, the day that remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.

Athletics

I would like to celebrate the record number of students at our athletics carnival on Friday last week. It was a great day and a real celebration of the talents of our students. The high attendance at these types of events show the strong connections we build across our Staughton Family. 

Our new venue at Bacchus Marsh proved fit for purpose and significantly reduced the travelling time from previous years. Student Leaders provided strong support for the event on the day and in the lead up. VCAL students were outstanding on the day providing support across a range of areas including manning the canteen and the BBQ. The active and authentic involvement of students in our school events is a real feature of our school. 

I would like to particularly thank Jesse Sciberras, our sport coordinator, who worked hard in organising such a successful day at our new venue in his first year in this position.   

Capital Works Next Steps

I would like to thank everyone across our community who has provided feedback for the first stage of our exciting upcoming capital works announced recently in the Victorian State Budget. The responses were well considered and numerous. Feedback has also been gathered from staff and student leaders. This has allowed us to begin working with the Department of Education (DET) and the Victorian Schools Building Authority (VSBA). With funding of the scale of this project ($31.7 Million) there are many careful stages of planning that will occur before work starts. 

From the recent visit from Education Minister and Deputy Premier James Merlino, and our local member Steve McGhie, through to the final completion of the works, we will ensure we communicate regularly about the progress of the project. 

DAVID LORD

Principal

We, at Staughton College, would like to show our respect and acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our school is situated, of elders past and present. We extend a warm welcome to everyone who visits our school.