Principal's Report

Term three has been like no other in education with a full term of remote teaching and learning for all students. As the term comes to an end, I would like to thank students, staff and families with sincere gratitude for the hard work and commitment throughout the most challenging of times.

Like everyone, I hope that the worst of the pandemic is behind us. I am thankful that our College has not had to face closures that many other schools faced (including some in Knox earlier in the term). Just like the support offered to schools following the bushfires, the offer of supports to schools affected by COVID 19 have been appreciated by each community impacted. Equally, I have been appreciative of the calls and offers received to assist staff workload throughout this term. In talking to a Principal from the Western suburbs last week, it highlighted to me not only how quickly the virus can spread but also opened my eyes to the effects of the virus on younger people. For many of the students in the most impacted suburbs, the length of recovery time has been significant with some still suffering the effects months later. It is for this reason I am sending a timely reminder to continue to observe the restrictions over the holiday break so we can maintain the health and safety of everyone in our community.

It has been especially rewarding seeing the growth in connections between the staff and parents / carers with each playing a significant role in supporting students balance their learning and their home life.

This term we introduced a number of extra-curricular opportunities, all of which are provided to extend, inspire, extend and develop every student’s individual’s skills and talents. This goal, during this term, has been seriously challenged given our Years 7 - 10 students have been learning remotely for the past nine weeks, and with our VCE students only onsite for the first three weeks and then intermitted for their essential assessments. I too thank our great staff who are committed to best instructional practice, and who have initiated and overseen a number of extra-curricular opportunities, often in addition to their teaching responsibilities. There have been a number of challenges for science week, writing and speaking opportunities and a demonstration of many students, staff and family commitment to our broader community with the Spring Flower Project with Arcare Aged Care. To see the residents smiling faces on their balconies and at windows when the flowers were delivered was such a significant moment. If you missed the story, The Age newspaper published or the Channel 9 news coverage of the event, there are links on the Scoresby Secondary College Facebook page.

The upcoming holiday break for these students is much needed, however our Year 12 students will be further supported with online Revision Lectures the first week and music performance rehearsals for our VET Music students. The revision lectures are delivered by experienced VCAA assessors and based on our introduction of this enhancement opportunity it provides exceptional support for our VCE students for their studies prior to the end of year examinations in November. The GAT, traditionally held in June, will take also place in the first week of next term. I am confident that our Year 12 students will make the most of the opportunities provided for them to fully prepare themselves for the final weeks of their schooling at Scoresby Secondary College.

Term 4 Arrangements

The Premier has announced a staged step system for the final term of the year, it will be a critical time for the re-engagement of students, the re-establishment of school routines and undertaking the steps necessary to prepare for, and complete, successful transitions into 2021.

Our staff have already worked hard since the announcements to plan for next term and what it will bring. We have received a clear set of guidelines and objectives from the Department of Education and Training. The advice has carefully considered the students experiences of the past few months, and therefore we are being asked to pare back our usual programs, focus on mental health and well-being and catch up. Catch up with friends, catch up with social interactions, and catch up or keep progressing with - learning, is the message.

We know during the period of Remote and Flexible Learning that some students have faced barriers to their learning. Many others have found new pathways to learning, and what will matter most in Term 4 is providing continuity in learning and support for every student to the fullest extent possible, whether via face-to-face schooling or through remote teaching.

The Department of Education has declared that Term 4 be the "Catch-up Term". There have been 3 clear priorities set for the term:

· Mental Health and Well-being

· Learning

· Transitions

We will do this by focusing our efforts on a set of common and core priorities: the most important things our school system must deliver over the remainder of this year and into 2021. This will make sure that every student in our care is supported in their well-being, learning and transition needs.

1. Mental Health

Our highest priority will be the well-being, particularly the mental health, of every student and member of staff.

This means effectively mobilising all available resources to support our most vulnerable students and enabling staff to access the relevant support services.

2. Learning

Some of our students have thrived in the Remote and Flexible Learning environment, others have maintained their learning progress and some have fallen behind, despite their best efforts and those of their families and teachers.

Our priority will be supporting both those who need it to catch up and those who have progressed, to continue to extend their learning.

3. Tranitions

We will make every effort to ensure successful transitions for Year 6 students moving into Year 7, and the Year 12 students moving into employment or further education and training.

Staff are looking forward to returning to face-to-face teaching, as I am sure many of you are too.

Key Dates

Year 7-10 Students

5th October - TBC

Students will continue to work remotely based on the health advice preventing their return.

Please follow updates on Compass. Mr Cronin will continue to distribute teaching and learning resources and be the key contact should you not receive the first pack by the end of the break to commence school work on the first day. Daily check in will continue with Mr Knight and surveys so we can gain the feedback for future development.

VCE and VCAL Students

5th October – 9 October

Senior School students undertaking VCE and VCAL (including Year 10 students enrolled in VCE and VCAL subjects). Students can attend on site for the General Achievement Test (GAT) and essential assessments only. These students will combine a remote and flexible learning program with on-site attendance where essential.

The process for on-site supervision for children of permitted workers and vulnerable students remains with the same application processes used previously.

12 October onwards

Year 11 and 12 students will now attend on-site schooling full time.

Year 10 students undertaking a VCE unit will attend for their VCE class on site and the remainder remotely.

Staff will be on site when teaching senior classes or required for other supervision duties and may not be on site. Therefore email will remain as the first point of contact for all staff.

Student Engagement & Wellbeing

Our student services team led by Casey Lawson have been key members of support to many of our students this term. The hours within and beyond school hours is a credit to their willingness to case manage and refer students to the most appropriate supports available. If you have any wellbeing concerns over the break, please ensure you get in touch with your medical practitioners as the staff will not be contactable over the two week holiday period.

Office Contact

For the first week of Term 4 the current mobile number of 0448 356 636 will be the contact number for the college. From Monday 12 October, both the regular office number 9765 4100 and the 24 hour Absence Hotline 9765 4136, will be back in operation.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the incredible support of Chris Knight as Assistant Principal and other key members of the College Strategic Leadership Team who have shown the depth of the quality and depth of expertise to lead so many changes this term.

Have a safe and well-deserved break

Mrs Gail Major

Principal

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