PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Dear Parents and members of the MESC Community

Welcome back everyone and a very warm welcome to our newest students and community members. Staff at the college have been extremely pleased with the way in which students have settled back into their learning.

The focus for our work this year is on further developing the connection our students feel to the college, and the pride they have in being members of this great school. This approach was commenced last year with the selection of our student leadership group whereby we gave them the opportunity to express their views about ways to improve their school experience. It was continued in week one with the Swimming Carnival, where the focus was on the House competition. This event resulted in the strongest attendance and participation numbers we have seen for some time, and was a thoroughly successful event.

At Mount Eliza Secondary we have a strong view that whilst we are the professionals, it is critical to listen to our students and to allow them to have input into their learning. The world is changing at a rapid rate and whilst we will not waver from the key values and expectations held by our school community, our very capable young people deserve to have the chance to impact on their education.

I know from talking to parents that there are many new challenges in guiding children toward maturity, particularly in an environment where social media is so important to young people. Those challenges also exist in the school setting, and we know that the model of education that worked for most students in the past, simply cannot meet their needs now and into the future. Along with the work described above, and our International Baccalaureate approach, we are confident that this school provides a different, more relevant learning environment than the majority of other secondary settings.

But key to our work, is the partnership with home. I strongly encourage you to remain connected to the school via Compass, and to always call when you are unsure about anything. Our first whole school community contact opportunity will be on 20 March when we conduct Student Led Conferences with teachers, parents and students who will share their reflections on their learning. We expect to see all families in attendance, or arranging an alternate time if that date can’t be managed.

I look forward to working with you all throughout the year.

Angela Pollard

Principal