Principal's Introduction

Dear Parents, Carers and Community Members,

Welcome to Term 4.

It is with great pride that I take this opportunity to introduce myself as the newly appointed Principal of Point Cook P-9 College.

I acknowledge that this is a great honour and privilege and I can assure you that I am committed to fulfilling the role with integrity and dedication.

I have worked in State Education for in excess of 30 years.  I have taught and lead in a variety of settings, including Primary, P-12 Colleges and schools that have operated under the Public Private Partnership arrangements.  A public private partnership (PPP) is an agreement between the Department of Education and a consortium of private companies to build a new school or rebuild an existing school. The agreement is a single, long-term contract, usually for 25 years.  The agreement includes the ongoing maintenance of the property.  Under a PPP, the Department of Education engages the private partner to design, finance, build and maintain a particular school.  The private partners are paid quarterly once the new buildings are open.  This effectively provides a 25 year guarantee on that school’s buildings and service delivery.  The Government still owns the land and buildings.  The principal and School Council are responsible for all education matters and because it does not deal with property and maintenance issues, the staff in a PPP school has more time to focus on education.  To the current site in 2010 it is now in the 10th year of the agreement.

I recognise that the learning needs of our 21st Century Learners are very different to previous generations of learners and that teaching and learning needs to put a greater emphasis on the 4Cs – Collaboration, Critical thinking, creativity and Communication.  I am focused on creating educational settings with personalised learning at the heart.

I have spent my first few days at Point Cook College getting to know the school, students and staff.  I have been thoroughly impressed by the behaviour and attitude of the students I have met and by the friendliness of the staff and their willingness to embrace a new principal.  I have noticed the high standard to which the grounds have been maintained and I have marvelled at the wonderful Stephanie Alexander kitchen garden….... what an amazing opportunity it is for students to actually see where produce comes from and how it grows.  Point Cook P-9 College is certainly very fortunate to have such an amazing program.

I look forward to a long and successful relationship with the whole College community.

Please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to me when you see me.

Regards,

Mandy O’Mara

Principal