From the Principal

Welcome to our Week 4 Chatter and I hope you are enjoying reading this on our new web-based platform. As I mentioned in last fortnight’s Chatter, we have listened to parent and student feedback and are committed to keeping you informed and up to date on College happenings through increasing our communication. Any feedback, ideas or suggestions regarding College communication is welcome – please flick me an email via the College address Cunderdin.wacoa@education.wa.edu.au

Upcoming Events and Activities

There are multiple events scheduled for this term and the next few weeks are busy ones. Through the advocacy of the Student Council our Year 12’s are attending Dowerin in 2 weeks’ time and we have arranged an interschool sports event against Narrogin Ag on the last day of term. Our Term planner (now within the Chatter) is packed-full of workshops, activities, celebrations, events and we are all eagerly awaiting this year’s Open Day in particular.

Dowerin

We are looking forward to all students attending Dowerin this year. We will again have our College stand to not only promote the College to prospective students and their families, but to this year also promote the fantastic job opportunities and benefits for working in the Ag College system. Students have been advised that they will be ineligible to attend if they do not have a haircut or jewellery within the guidelines, are required to wear their formal College uniform and are unable to request to self-drive. The Year 12’s will return to the College by 2pm for early close.

World Skills Competition

Jack Waters and Aaron Cuthbertson are gearing up for the World Skills event to be held in a couple of weeks’ time. Stay tuned!

Muresk Regeneration Expo

On the 24th August myself and Farm Manger, Daniel DeBeer will be taking the Year 12 ATAR students to Muresk Institute to participate in their Regenerative Agricultural Workshop. Presenters and guests will include Nick Griffiths and Caroline Peek from DPIRD, Brendon Savage from Tolga Farm Kulin, Steve Wainewright from Muresk and we will be having an afternoon tea with the Honourable Minister MacTiernan.

Tomorrow Man & Tomorrow Woman

Following the success of the workshops last term, we have liaised with the coordinators to book them back in, however have been unable to access them again this term while our Year 12’s are still with us. This is disappointing as I am aware of how much all students got out of these workshops, however we have been able to book them in for next term with our Year 11’s. A big thank you to the P&C for assisting us with funding.

Country Week

Thank you to those parents who completed the Country Week preference survey sent out with the last Chatter. I appreciate that there were many parents who were disappointed that Year 12’s haven’t been considered should the event be re-scheduled next term. I have fed this back to the Department and I will keep you posted if the event is rescheduled for next term.

Building a Positive Culture

Yesterday all students and their families were emailed a letter from me reiterating our focus on developing a positive College culture through high expectations and personal accountability. I encourage all families to sit with their child and discuss their individual positive contribution to our fantastic College.

2022 Intake

Once again we have been oversubscribed and inundated with enrolment applications for 2022. Second round offers went out earlier this term and we have now filled all 2022 places. We are still receiving enrolment applications, however have ceased interviewing and will review applications when and if places arise.

For our current Year 11 students/parents, I would appreciate that once you know or have some idea that your child may not be returning in 2022 that you let us know.

Term 4 Requirements for Year 11’s

With an anticipated worker shortage for this year’s harvest, I would like to reiterate to all current Year 11’s and their families that students are required to attend until the 26th November (end of Week 7). I am already hearing comments about students planning to finish up early to go off and work. Any absence puts pressure on students and staff to catch up and places them at academic risk. I would recommend that students who would prefer to work in Term 4 (rather than attend school) consider entering the workforce full time early if this is their overall goal and allow students currently on the waitlist a placement opportunity for 2022.

Wishing you all a productive yet restful weekend ahead.

Matt

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