Principal's Message

The Challenge of Learning

At Melton Secondary College we know our students are capable of taking steady steps in their learning every day they are at school. Mostly the steps are small with each one building on the one before, so that over time new skills and knowledge are formed. Sometimes these steps are dramatic leaps, a moment when suddenly, like a light-bulb being switched on, the links between ideas are realised. You can see these moments on a students' face: eyes light up, a smile, before head-down they solve the challenge 

and move ahead with their learning. Light bulb moments happen in every subject, when substitution reveals unknown numbers in algebra, when metaphor brings life and meaning in a poem, when the reason why nations go to war are understood through cause and effect, or when patterns predict changes in living things and the impact of climate change. Our students experience light-bulb moments of learning about themselves and other people, and their connection to the world around them. Leaps in learning can happen accidently, but they're more likely when students set their sights on a challenge, feel safe about taking the chance that they might fail and persist until they get it right.

The Learning Pit is a wonderful metaphor for this journey.

It's a journey that looks different for every student and for every challenge. Sometimes we see our students jump from challenge, to learning, to success without even seeing the pit. But there are plenty of times when they slide down and sit at the bottom, confused and struggling. This is where a trusted and knowledgeable teacher who guides and supports their student can help turn the Learning Pit into a place of deep learning so they emerge stronger and more capable learners and human beings. 

This term has presented us all with challenge as well as opportunity for growth and it has been all the more rewarding to see our students work their way out of the Learning Pit. Thank you for all of our parents and carers for walking with us this term, attending the recent Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences and helping to empower our students to lead their learning and turn challenge into success.

New School Council

At the last School Council meeting we thanked Chris Papas for his work as School Council President over the past four years. Chris has decided to step down from this role and to remain on council as a community member. As SC President, Chris has brought incredible passion and commitment, championing the school in our community and taking an active and hands-on role in many of school council projects. 

Thank you to our out-going councillors: Robin Kop, Sarghun Kohar, Makayla Medley, Melissa Gill, Ibwami Bolikoko and Pooja Kalia for their great work and service to our community. A big welcome to new members to council: parents Paul Zielke and Lisa Van Dijk; DET employee Deb Stemp; community members Syeda Naqvi and Nikola Petrovski; and student members Ariel Mezzappa and Mike Li. Congratulations to Justin Rees  for his election to the office of President and to Paul Zielke who was appointed to the office of Treasurer.

School Vaping and Smoking Ban

By law, smoking and vaping are banned within the grounds of, and within four metres of an entrance to, all childcare centres, kindergartens, preschools and schools. In Australia, it is illegal for anyone to possess a nicotine-filled vape.

Where the ban applies

The smoking and vaping ban applies to:

• anyone present on school premises during and outside of school hours including students, teachers, contractors, parents or carers or the wider community, such as sporting groups
• all activities that take place on school premises including pre-schools, kindergartens, outside school hours care, cultural, sporting or recreational activities and school fetes.

Smoking and vaping are also banned within four metres of any part of a pedestrian access point (entrance) to the premises.

A recent study shows that vaping is likely to cause harm and is addictive just as smoking is. Vapes give off a vapour which has a sweet fruit-based smell. Parents and carers are asked to be on the look out for these items and ensure that they are not in students' bags or brought to school. 

The College takes this ban seriously and will be installing Vape detectors in student toilets for the start of Term 2. Students caught using or in possession of these items will face consequences consistent with the College Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy.

Our New Oval

It is incredibly exciting to see progress on the construction of our new AFL standard synthetic turf oval happening at such a rapid pace. Meeting with the architects and builders over this term, I have been impressed with their determination to complete this important project on time and to the highest level of quality.  We are also very appreciative of the support from government and students were wrapt to join local MP Steve McGhie to acknowledge progress with a 'thumbs-up'.

Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing school vacation period and Easter.

David Reynolds 

College Principal