Principal's Report

Dear Families,

What a lovely afternoon we shared last Friday with our Primary Years mothers and special people. I express my sincere gratitude for the effort everyone made to support their child in creative ways at the afternoon tea. 

We had family friends in attendance, children supported by a friend’s mother, dads who joined in as well, which made it a truly special afternoon. It was a bittersweet moment for some of our families, as our Year 6 students who had their final Altona College high tea with their child. The high tea has grown from strength to strength over the past few years and wouldn’t be possible in our growing community without your support.

Barbara Toal, parent of Luca Year 7 and owner of the Wee Kitchen in Harrington Square was amazing taking over the scone baking in the morning and producing over 200 scones in record time, she also generously donated the ingredients and supported the primary team to purchase the boxes and put the high tea supplied together.  I extend a special thank you to the following parents who also helped bake items and build our grazing boxes: Kimberly De Haseth, Fiona Phelan, Sylvia Kretzschmar, Charmaine Russell, Sarayah Ah Kit, Felicity Breen, Liz Lazarus, Lisa Nielson and Barb Toal.  

Thank you also to our staff: Casey Sperling, Mel McGuinness, Casey Paten, Rhonda Patros and Chris Tseriotis for the work behind the scenes.  If I have forgotten anyone please accept my apologies as I know we had other parents pop in and help from time to time. The Mother’s Day stall last week wouldn’t have happened without the incredible leadership of Sarah Prismall and the shopping talents of  Micheal Sperling.  Once again, we had amazing support from our parent body who worked over three days to set up and stall and serve the students.  Our neighbours from the kindergarten program at Altona Early Years Hub also came along to shop for a special gift from their mother or special person.

After a busy afternoon on Friday, our primary students in years 3 to 6 “Got their Move On” on Monday morning. The school was the venue for a media launch for Education Week after being highlighted for exemplary practice in the Active Schools Program.  We had the Minister for Education, the Hon. Nathalie Hutchins and local member the Hon Melissa Horne onsite along with a number of Department of Education staff.  There was a strong media presence from all key television stations and papers who questioned the Minister in relation to media events. Following the launch, the students participated in four fitness activities which will result in a video production for the ‘Get Your Move On!’ campaign.  We had two media personalities onsite as a part of the promotion, Heath Davidson a wheelchair tennis player who famously partnered Dylan Alcott and is a 4 times doubles champion and Moana Hope AFWL player.  The team of visitors had nothing but praise for the enthusiasm and participation of our students and their behaviour was exemplary.  I could not have been prouder of them, nor could my staff.  I look forward to seeing the final product following the launch.

On Thursday this week Blair Clearhaven-Jervies and Shaun Mannagh represented our college at the Active Schools Conference. They shared our journey with the Active Schools Program when students returned from remote learning in 2022.  Blair and Shaun were instrumental in setting up our lunchtime clubs program and before and after school training etc. The DET recognised their work and we have had it showcased in promotional materials. 

The Annual Report to the school community will be placed on COMPASS under school documentation and on the website. We continue to be proud of our student results and the continued growth of our NAPLAN data. Whilst our Year 3 results were slightly lower in 2023 in numeracy our Reading and Numeracy data in all other year levels remains higher than comparative schools (based on socioeconomic factors) and the state. Our secondary school students continue to strongly endorse the processes our college has embedded in the management of bullying and school connectedness.  

School Bus times

I have received the following correspondence from CDC.

To date we have been accommodating the college dismissal time since the start of term 1 2023 but now it’s operationally not viable for us to hold the bus, due to:

• Driver’s Fatigue issue- delay in operating the school run;
• Operational constraints as the same bus needs to continue out to operate other services;
• Affecting our contract obligations for OTR and;
• The negative customer experience due to the following route services being operated late.

As this is no longer operationally viable, we need to revert to the schedule departure time (03:10 pm) and wish to advise this will take effect from Monday 5 June 2023.

Please be advised the college will not be releasing students at the earlier time to catch the bus, it is not viable to disrupt classes. There are alternative buses on the PTV site that depart a short distance from the college. Alternatively, students are welcome to sit quietly and read or commence their homework in the senior centre from 3:15 and meet the 3:53 on Civic Parade that travels to Altona Meadows.

Careers Show

Our Year 11 and 12 students have travelled to the career showcase at the showgrounds today. I know it is an annual event that provides countless opportunities for students to discuss their career planning with a range of organisations, universities etc.

IDAHOBIT Day

May 17th is recognised at an international level as IDAHOBIT day. Our students displayed the pride flag at the front entrance and hosted an activity in the secondary school. During homeroom this week we have had a focus on inclusion in classrooms and standing up against discrimination. Whether you’re part of the LGTBQIA+ community or you’re an ally – on IDAHOBIT t day we stand together.

Community Policing Unit

The community policing unit visited the college last week and addressed our secondary students. 

Students in years 7 and 9 participated in a presentation from the Werribee Proactive Policing Unit called 'So You Know.' This presentation covered topics around assaults (including coward punch), sexual assaults, weapons, threats, robbery, armed robbery, public order offending (gangs), legal consequences and assistance available. 

Students in years 8 and 10 participated in a presentation from the Werribee Proactive Policing Unit titled 'Tagged.' This presentation covered a range of topics including cyber-bullying, sexting, selfies, digital reputation, role of the by-stander, filming fights, criminal offences and legal consequences, and reporting and assistance.

The team will be back in semester 2 to repeat the programs in alternate year levels.  I encourage our families to discuss the learnings from the presentations with their children. 

Staffing

Mr Guthridge, our secondary Assistant Principal will return next Tuesday following paternity leave.  We are still in the process of replacing Mr Grace Wenzel and Mrs Sheffali Sharma. We hope to have staff in place shortly.

Keep warm this weekend.

Julie Krause