Principal's Report

We have been very pleased with the attitude, effort and behaviour of our students so far this year, and this term has also started very positively with students quickly settling back into their programs and routines.

I spoke to the Year 12’s recently and pointed out just how close it is to Graduation and the end of the College year. In reality they only have seven College working weeks to the end of Term 3 and then two weeks in Term 4.

I also emphasised that some assessment tasks are completed in the final stages of the year and hence a concerted effort in Terms 3 and 4 can contribute greatly to the final outcome. This is most important for those students who might be sitting on the borderline of a lower grade. It would be of value if parents could reinforce the need to put in a big effort to the end.

Principal's Position

As I am sure many of you are aware, the Department of Education has begun the process to select the next Principal of the College. The appointment will be for a 20-month period. Kevin Osborne is still the substantive Principal of the College.

Earlier this term I informed the College staff that I would not be a candidate for the Principal’s position;  and for family reasons would not be returning to the Deputy Principal role.  I have requested extended leave from the College once the new Principal is appointed and commences in the role.

I have really enjoyed the challenge of the Principal’s role over the past 16 months and appreciated the support of staff, students, parents/carers, members of the Agricultural Advisory Committee and College Board and the wider College community. I am still unsure when the new Principal will commence at the College, but it may not be until Week 6 or 7 of Term 3, or the beginning of Term 4. 

Staffing Changes

Dairy Agriculture Training Officer (ATO) Jason Frankham – Eade has resigned from his position at the College after accepting a role with a dairy enterprise in Busselton.  Jason’s knowledge, skills and experience in the Dairy Industry will be greatly missed. The College is now advertising for another ATO Dairy position which we hope to fill in the next few weeks. 

Dai Thomas (Horticulture ATO) will be on a much deserved long-service-leave during Term 3. Brian Taylor is replacing Dai while he is on leave. James Skipper is also taking some long-service-leave later this term. 

Country Week

Unfortunately, Country Week was again cancelled due to a COVID 19 lockdown in Perth at the end of last term.  Forty-six College students and seven staff were very disappointed after being well prepared for the event and looking forward to a successful and enjoyable week in Perth.  There has been some discussion amongst schools and the Education Department about rescheduling Country Week to later this year in Term 4 without the year 12's, or running a smaller regional event for Great Southern schools.  The College leadership team and staff have decided that the Term 4 option without Year 12 students is not practical for our College.

Work Experience

The feedback from employers who provided work experience to many of our Year 11 and Year 12 students in the last two weeks of Term 2 was very pleasing.  I also feel that some of our students may have found employment and apprenticeship opportunities as a result of their work experience placement. Our Year 10’s will get their opportunity to do a block of work experience during the final week of Term 4.

Open Day

Open Day is fast approaching and will be held on Saturday 4 September. Open Day was also cancelled due to COVID 19 last year.  While Open Day is our major promotional event of the year, where we ‘open our doors’ to the public and raise awareness about our education and training programme, it is also a great opportunity for our College community, particularly parents/carers, to come together, enjoy each other’s company and celebrate the terrific outcomes of our students. The intention is to reduce numbers attending to approx. 800 (includes staff and students) due to COVID-19. 

A reminder to parents that all students, unless it is completely unavoidable, are expected to attend Open Day. The College provides a day off in lieu on the Monday after Open Day to compensate for their attendance on the Saturday. We hope to see as many parents/carers as possible attending on the day.

Primary Awareness Day 

Immediately after the College Open Day we invite nearly 300 primary school students from across the Great Southern to the College for a Primary School Agricultural Awareness Day.  Students have the opportunity to visit and learn about the different agricultural enterprises on the College Farm including sheep and wool, beef cattle, aquaculture, equine, meat processing, bee keeping and dairy production. The College staff and community believe it is important that young children have some understanding of agriculture and the production of food.  Quite often we find students who have attended our Primary Awareness Day develop an interest in livestock and agriculture and end up enrolling at the College a few years later. Primary Awareness Day is programmed for September 7.

Student Enrolments

The College commenced this year with an enrolment of 140 students and at the recent August census we still have 137 students. Demand for places for 2022 continues to be very strong. A/Deputy Principal, Amanda Gaunt and I continue to be busy interviewing prospective students for 2022 on most Tuesdays and Fridays. Second round offers were completed in Week 1 of Term 3. The final third round student offers will be allocated at the end of Term 3.

Power Outages                                                 

We appear to be experiencing regular power outages in the Great Southern. One recent outage resulted in a loss of power for a two-day period where the College residence was without hot water, heating and adequate lighting.  I have made inquiries regarding the purchase and installation of a power generation system for the residential area in particular. Feedback from an electrical contractor suggests that a system that would power the residence, classrooms and workshops may be the most cost effective and efficient system. 

College Ball

This year’s College Ball is set for Friday September 10 and will take place at Ajar on Shadforth,  just outside of the Denmark township.  While the Ball is primarily a night for our students, it does provide one of the few opportunities during the year for our parents and College staff to get together and enjoy each other’s company over an evening meal at the Boston Brewery from 7pm.  If you’d like to join us this year, please RSVP to our school officer Julie Lehane as soon as possible so we can make bookings. 

Just a reminder to parents about our approach to the Ball.  First and foremost, we approach the College Ball as a school activity and we therefore aim to make it as safe an event as possible for our students.  In keeping with that approach, it is our preference for all residential students to remain in residence on the Friday night.  Residential students will only be released from the College on the Friday night after the ball to Parents or Guardians.   

College Board Annual General Meeting

The 2021 College Board AGM will take place in the College dining room at 6.45 pm on the night of the College Ball, as soon as the students have left for the Ball.  Parents and staff can then travel to the Boston Brewery for dinner after the AGM.