Principal's Report

End of Year Wrap Up

I write this editorial in tribute to the hard working students, staff and parents of our school community. It’s the people within them that make institutions great and fortunately we have some of the best. Last week the Year 12s received their VCE results and it is with great pleasure that I announce that our College Dux for 2019 was Benny Mui with an ATAR score of 98.2. Benny joined 9 other students on our 2019 Honour Roll with scores of 90+, I congratulate those students who received outstanding results and all students who successfully completed their VCE or VCAL. Fortunately, a large number of our Year 12 cohort has already received an early tertiary offer from VTAC, an early present before Christmas. I am confident that a number of other students will also receive an offer during January.

Recently, we also celebrated the achievements of many other students from Year 7 to 12 at our annual awards night. It was pleasing to see many of our students awarded honours in front of their family, friends, teachers and members of our school community. Moreover, this year for the first time students receiving achievement and attendance awards received “their wings”. This refers to a series of new falcon badges (our College logo), that will be awarded to students at the end of each year. I ask students receiving these badges to wear them proudly on their school uniform everyday with pride. I want our school community to always celebrate achieving great things, whether that be outstanding achievement, perfect attendance or from next year onwards personal growth.

Sadly at this time of year we say goodbye to many valued members of staff. In particular, I would like to thank Wendy Steele, Andrew Beavis and Ray Wang for their contribution to the College as well as their leadership during those years. I also thank Tanuja Muthukuda, Alex Healey, Katherine Reynolds, Ann McWilliam, Danielle Taylor, Gene Easton, Nicole Beck, Sue Dowdell, Zelda McClintock and Eleanor Canning for their contribution and commitment to the school. Tina Fiorentino will be transferring to work as a teacher in a primary school for the next 12 months. I wish all these valued members of staff all the best in the future. In the first edition of next year’s newsletter, I will take some time to introduce the school community to the many new members of staff that will be starting with us. On behalf of all students, staff, parents and members of our community I would like to pay tribute to all of our hard working who have contributed enormous amounts inside and outside the classroom throughout the year.

Finally, I would like to thank all of our hard working volunteers who have provided enormous benefits to our students and community throughout the year. We are fortunate to have a large pool of volunteers contributing in various ways such as the Parents Associations, College Council, reading volunteers, college production the list goes on and on. In particular I would like to mention two retiring members of our Parents Association. Firstly Phil Riley, a long term member who has been Treasurer for the last 4 years, has made an enormous contribution with his time helping our school in varies ways. And secondly, Pam Wade, retiring President, who has been part of the PA for the last 14 years. Pam has also played the role of secretary during her tenure, and without Pam’s leadership the PA would not have been as effective is it has been during her time. To Pam and Phil I say thank you.

I wish all members of our amazing school community a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I look forward to the next step of our journey in 2020!

Kevin Murphy

Principal