College Principal Message

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Dear Families and Carers,

Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Phillipa Griffiths and I have the honour of being the Acting College Principal for most of this year. I have been a Campus Principal at both Kings Park and Delahey campuses.  This year is my eighth at the college, I know it well and I am deeply committed to making it the best it can be, continuing the work of those who have gone before me.

We had an excellent start to the school year.  In the first week we worked hard to ensure teachers were supplied with as much information about their new students as we could and provide them with the opportunity to plan collectively how to support all students in their cohorts to progress.  This entailed teachers spending time examining the learning data of their new classes as well as attending meetings where students’ learning dispositions and preferences were communicated from their previous teachers and the wellbeing team.  Thanks go to our leadership team who prepared for and led these sessions.

An aspect of this was having unprecedented access to information about our new Year 7s from their primary schools.  This was in part due to the work of our regional staff but also the work of the primary and secondary principals in the Keilor St Albans Network.  It’s good to know that the many meetings we are out of the school for actually have a positive outcome.

At current count we have around 2,250 students although the February census coming up this week will clarify that.  We have 21 new teaching staff, some of whom are yet to start due to the late notification of some vacancies. Last week we appointed our Maths / Numeracy leader after several rounds of advertising.  Mr Charles Tran will start on March 10.

We also have a new psychologist, Sarah Pearson who will work between Kings Park and Sydenham; and a facilities manager, Heather McLeod.

Year 12 Results

We maintained our median study score of 28 which keeps us in the top three performing government schools in the Brimbank Melton area.  This is despite having fewer study scores of 40 and above compared to 2018.  The graph below illustrates how this happens.

More students achieved ATARs in the 60-70 bracket than in the previous year.

It is a credit to all those students’ teachers.

Our Dux was James Randich, ATAR 98. James was offered a place in Physiotherapy in the First Round offers for University in 2020.

92% of students who applied through VTAC received early or first round offers

Most common destinations:

• Australian Catholic      12
• Deakin                                 13
• Latrobe                                26
• Monash                               12
• RMIT                                     68
• Uni Melbourne                  6
• Victoria                                41

Focus for 2020

We will be continuing our work on becoming a Professional Learning Community.  We are making the most of the  changed times on a Wednesday and getting quality time in PLTs.

We will also use our Annual Implementation Plan as a litmus test to see if a proposed action or focus is related to our goals and targets.

This year is the last year of our Strategic Plan (SSP). This means that we have to look back and see how well we have achieved the goals we set for ourselves four years ago.  This is called the Pre Review Self Evaluation, which we need to do in Term 3.  Term 4 is when we have the review and out of that comes the new SSP. 

To be done properly this requires much consultation and reflection.  All parts of the school community will be involved in this including parents, students, teachers and school council members.

Building Program

You may have noticed the portables out the front which are currently housing most of the classes that used to be in Arts Block.  The builders who won the contract are called May Constructions and they have begun work on their compound, safety fencing and some scaffolding.

Stage One:

• Phase one: reroof the Arts Block
• Phase two: reroof the Admin Block

Stage Two:

• Phase one: reroof half of M Block
• Phase two: reroof the other half of M Block

There have been very many meetings involved with all this.  The architects are attempting to squeeze in some tender options that will enhance the amenity of M Block and the outside area for students.

Mobile Phone Policy

The mobile phone policy seems to be going well. Although it does highlight the need for students to have devices in classes.

Life in a school especially one this size is hectic.  I would like to thank all staff but particularly the Campus Principals who support the teaching and learning direction as strong instructional leaders but also deal with the concerns and challenges of individual students and teachers on a daily basis. I would also like to thank our Business Manager, Julie Rogers as she manages our finances and a large number of staff but also supports families who need financial assistance.

It’s going to be a very busy year, but a good one.

Ms Pip Griffiths

Acting College Principal