Principal's Message

Amadeo Ferra

Course Counselling

You should be aware by now that Course Counselling Packages have been sent home with students this week. These packages contain important information about the Course Counselling days/evenings that will occur early next term. For Year 8 - 11 students, each package is individualised as it contains a specific appointment time for the course counselling meetings. Students should use the contents of this package to help guide their initial thoughts about subject selections for 2020. This midyear break is a time when parents and carers can discuss this important information with their students in preparation for their meetings.

Goodbye to our International Study Abroad Students

Today we farewelled Ivana Cupeljic (from Switzerland) who along with Nicole Greiber, Lars Bollgoenn and Lennart Bauwens (all from Germany) all spent a significant amount of time living in Australia and studying at McClelland College. I know they have each made a great effort to really immerse themselves into our school community, attending numerous camps, excursions and participating in sports, performing arts and even the Presentation Ball. These students will be really missed by students, staff and homestay families. I hope that they keep in touch and know that should they ever return, are welcome to visit us any time.

State Schools Mobile Phone Ban

State Schools Mobile Phone Ban

This week, the Minister for Education James Merlino announced mobile phones will be banned for all students at Victorian state primary and secondary schools from Term 1 2020. The aim of this policy is to reduce distraction, tackle cyber bullying and improve learning outcomes for students. I’m pleased to say that we were one of the schools that helped pioneer this policy. We saw from our own students the negative impact that mobile phones were having on their learning and just as importantly, their mental health. I think I wrote around this time last year that we didn’t need to wait until governments told us what to do, we pride ourselves on being leaders in education and ensuring that we use research and make evidence based decisions, even if they are unpopular. I am pleased to see that students are having more conversations in the yard, playing board games in the library and even playing more sport on the oval and in the gym. I hope that the small break we give our students from technology during the school day helps them to consider their mobile phone use out of school as well.

Parent Opinion Survey

Parent Opinion Survey

Soon some parents will be sent emails about the Department of Education and Training Parent Opinion Survey. We look closely at the survey results and what parents are telling us, as it helps us with key decision making and knowing if we are on the right track. We know our reputation in the local community has really grown in recent years and we believe a big part of it is listening not only to our student voice but what our parents have to say. I hope that if you are sent the link, you take the time to respond to provide the school and the department with your perceptions of the school.