Acting Principal Report
Hi to all in Edenhope College’s learning community.
By the time our next Whytalla comes around our Year 12 students will be well and truly preparing for their exams. These start on the November 10th and we wish them well as they move towards finishing secondary school. I would also like to thank supportive parents and all college staff who have gone over and beyond the call of duty helping students during the challenging year of COVID.
We (College staff), have really enjoyed having all the students back at school. Thank you to all the parents, grandparents and everyone who have helped with schooling our students during remote learning. It hasn’t been easy but hopefully things will stay onsite. We are looking at programs, wellbeing and academic (to help work alongside our regular curriculum), to support students through the ongoing challenges that 2020 has thrown at us.
This week we have had online wellbeing programs for our senior school girls (Flourish), and Man Cave (for our senior boys). The primary staff have had a strong wellbeing focus since returning onsite and have regular pastoral care lessons. In these lessons they work on the school values that we share;
- Being Respectful
- Being Safe
- Being Willing to Learn
Primary pastoral care lessons also focus on wellbeing topics. The students do look happy, now that they are back making social connections with their friends.
School Review
Over the next three weeks we are going through our four-yearly school review. A review team visits us and it includes senior Department of Education staff. They talk with teachers, students, teacher aides, parents, administration staff and all regarding the positives and areas that need strengthening within the school environment. The three day process (one day each week), sets up our next four year strategic plan that basically looks at learning and wellbeing within our school. All government schools have reviews that look at opportunities to improve student outcomes. There will be a part within the review that is a parent focus group and all conversations are confidential, so if you get a chance - please be involved. It’s not a review of the school, but a review for the school.
Edenhope College Website
Please take the time to visit our online college portal at http://edenhope.vic.edu.au/
as we have all our school information, policies, newsletter etc. available on there. Varlin Duncan our IT technician/guru, has done a great job with updating the portal.
2021 Transitions
Next week sees the 2021 Foundation students start their Friday morning transition sessions.
It is always fun to see the ‘new kids on the block’ and our current students love seeing the Kinder kids come in. I’m sure Mrs Thornton (our Foundation teacher), will have plenty of exciting activities for them.
Following current direction from the COVID Operational Guide, at this stage the Year 7 Transition Days will only be possible in a virtual format. We will accommodate this the best we can and enrolment packs will be coming to students next week. Mrs Annabel Hawkins (Transitions Coordinator) will continue working closely with St Malachy's and Apsley Primary School to support and welcome new students and families to the College. Any families with concerns or questions regarding their child’s transition into Edenhope College are encouraged to call us on 03 5585 1227.
Staff News
We are very lucky to have Cassie Stringer working with us. She has helped out last year and is back with us again teaching Science, VCAL Work Related Skills and electives. The students love Cassie; she is well organised and relates easily to them. It’s also good to have ex-students back in the fold.
Trevor McClure
Acting Principal
22/10/2020