Concord Connect

Acting Principal's Report 

Return To School Operations

 

What a great return to having everyone at school for the past 2 week it has been. Students from Prep through to Year 12 have loved being back. The Department of Education health and safety guidelines have been carefully and conscientiously put into place. Students and staff have accepted the way things now are with remarkable ease and willingness.

 

Thank you to parents for the way you have supported the school with all the new arrangements particularly around meetings, pickups and drop offs.

 

Thank you to all our staff who have ensured the students have had a successful and enjoyable return to class based learning.

 

 Student Support Group Meetings (SSGs)

 

These are planned for Tuesday 21st July. This is the second week of Term 3. We have taken on feedback from our parent community and made some important changes to how these meetings will run this year. School Council has approved a variation to the school day to enable us to make the following changes:

  • We have allowed extra time this year and  SSG meetings will be for up to  25 minutes
  • Students are not required to attend school on this day, however they will be marked as present when they attend the meeting
  • Because of the current pandemic restrictions the SSG meetings will be via WebEx. 
  • Bookings for SSGs will be open on 14 July. Times available for meetings on the 21st will be between 11am and 6:30pm
  • Once bookings are made, teachers will provide families with meeting log in details for the  WebEx meeting.

National Reconciliation Week

 

This week is the final few days of National Reconciliation Week. It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared history, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation.

 

At Concord we pride ourselves on our inclusive practices and take this opportunity to reflect on the deep significance of National Reconciliation Week. The timing of the week is framed by two landmark events:

 

The 1967 national referendum in which more than 90 per cent of Australians voted ‘Yes’ to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census and allow the Commonwealth Government to create laws for them.

 

The anniversary of the 1992 High Court of Australia Mabo decision, named after Eddie Mabo, the man who fought for recognition of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners of their land and waters.

Concord School has a strong commitment to Aboriginal inclusion. This includes recognising Aboriginal culture as the world’s oldest continuous living culture and the important role of Traditional Owners and Elders in our communities. 

 

On Monday our Indigenous students at the Bundoora campus came together for the first ever Koorie Kids Group!

 

The first meeting focused on developing a shared vision for the group and identifying a number of Indigenous events and projects that the students can participate in throughout the year, sharing their culture with the wider school community. Unfortunately our reconciliation school walk was not able to take place due to current restrictions around large gatherings.

 

Next Term, Indigenous students at the Watsonia campus will also have the opportunity to meet and participate in activities. Parents and carers are the best resource a school can have and we would really appreciate any assistance you can offer to our group.

 

Nina Kahle is the driving force behind this group, please contact Nina if you are able to offer any support at the school.

 

Staffing

 

Now we are back to full operations we have had some internal staffing appointments.

 

Bronwyn Hart has been appointed Acting Assistant Principal - Student Wellbeing. During the school shut-down this roll was not needed within the school but now we are all onsite it is vital to the wellbeing and engagement of our students.

 

Megan Prenc will lead Secondary 11/12 while Bronwyn is Acting AP and Kris Lord will be doing some additional days in 11A. 

 

Leesa Fatone has been appointed as the Acting Learning Specialist for Secondary 9/10. Leesa will start this position at the beginning of Term 3 when Ashlee Sinclair commences her family leave.

 

Principal Award-Talia Butera  

 

 

Congratulations to Talia for receiving the Principal’s Award. Talia has shown immense personal growth in her attitude and positive approach to school. She approaches each lesson with a positive attitude and willingness to learn. 

 

During Remote and Flexible Learning Talia submitted all of her work and engaged in many optional tasks. She is a good role model as she displays the Concord School Values. 

 

Talia is a good friend and has been a wonderful class captain. Continue to make us proud!

 

Acting Principal

Colin Simpson