Principal's Report

Farewell to Jennifer Campbell

The College will bid farewell to Jenny Campbell on Thursday 24th May.  Jenny has decided to retire from teaching having committed herself to over 40 years of service to Victorian Education. Jenny has been a member of our school community for over two decades. She has been committed to enhancing the achievements and outcomes of all our students, particularly in her pathways counselling role in recent years. Jenny has made a significant contribution to the school and to the lives of many of the students she has taught over the years. I would like to thank Jenny for her wonderful work and on behalf of the school community, I wish Jenny all the very best in her future endeavours.

Students representing Greensborough College

You will note in the Assistant Principal’s report that our Captains participated in an event this week, that was opened by Education Minister, James Merlino. I will let you read that report! Recently, our College Captains, Jamie Rodda and Mitchell Culph, represent us at the Watsonia RSL ANZAC Day Ceremony, laying a wreath at the memorial.

 On Tuesday, the Banyule Youth Summit was held, and we were represented by Erin Fitzpatrick, Hannah Fitzpatrick and Ella Baker. I had the pleasure of being in the audience during the afternoon session where the young people of Banyule presented their recommendations for action to address issues such as mental health, cultural diversity, care for the environment and gender equality. The students will bring some of their ideas back to school for implementation. At this event, we also had Riley Morrissey, working as part of the audio production team. Riley is keenly interested in this field, undertaking a work placement in the sound industry, and leading our own student technical crew at the College when it comes to staging events.

Our VCAL students have been making significant contributions to the community. They have worked with students at Watsonia Heights Primary School, conducted a clothes drive for the Salvation Army, and volunteered at Fare Share. The Interact students raised money for Cleft Palete through the Krispy Kreme Drive and they worked at Donations in Kind for a day, to show their commitment to community service. The students have written an article in this newsletter about their experiences.

Thank you to all of our staff and students for their work in our local and global community.

Student members of School Council – Calling for nominations

Notice of Elections and call for nominations – Student Member category

Nominations are called for two student members of Greensborough College School Council.

Being a member of School Council is an important position in the school community. Student Members will have an opportunity to contribute to the shaping of the school Policy, decisions and directions. Student Members are required to attend School Council meetings which are held every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6pm and go for approx. 2 hours.

Any student at Greensborough College is eligible to nominate either themselves or another student for School Council. The closing date for nominations is Wednesday 23rd May at 4pm. If there are more than two nominations an election will be held on Thursday 14th June.

Please complete one of the nomination forms and return to the General Office by 4pm 23rd May 2018.

If you have any questions about being on School Council, please see Principal Ms Barker, Assistant Principal Mr Jenner or any of your teachers.

A day at Greensborough College

Recently we invited Grade 6 students from local primary schools to experience a day at Greensborough College.  We welcomed the following primary schools for the day: Watsonia PS, Rosanna PS, Diamond Creek PS and Plenty Parklands PS. The students experienced lessons in PE, Food Technology, Art and Science and they participated in fun activities conducted by our student leaders. A BBQ was had at lunchtime and the day was enjoyed by all.  Thank you to Meegan Triance for organising the event and to Laura Frazer for mobilising the student leaders into action for the day. We will be running another day later in the year.

Values at Greensborough College

The College community has embarked on a journey to establish a new set of values that will define who we are as a school. Staff participated in a values workshop on Curriculum Day to begin the journey. The same workshop has been conducted with a student focus group and a parent focus group.  Having participated in all workshops, I am excited by the consistent themes explored by each stakeholder group. We are at the stage of compiling all of the ideas and we plan to launch the new values in term 3. Stay tuned!

New Buildings

The Specialist Centre is due for completion on June 23rd this year.  This building will house the following: Domestic Kitchen for Food Technology, Commercial Kitchen for VET Hospitality, Performing Arts Centre, Music classroom, Instrumental music ensemble rooms, Canteen, Cafeteria, Staff office, Administration and Reception offices. J Block will be demolished at the end of June and a new entry to the school will emerge in term 3, that being Nepean Street.  Our students are now learning in the new spaces:  The Senior Centre, Multi-Purpose Centre and the Sports Stadium.

Assistant Principal

I would like to announce that Glenn Jenner is the Acting Assistant Principal while Graeme Scott is on leave.  There have been a number of other changes to teachers’ roles including the following:

Angus McLean,  Acting Leading Teacher of the Senior School

Shane Maloney,  Acting Leading Teacher of the Junior School

Karen Docherty,  Assistant Coordinator Senior School

Vici Petrovski, Assistant Coordinator Junior School

Sharyn Niclasen, Acting Leading Teacher of Curriculum

I welcome the community to contact our sub school teams if they have any concerns about their child’s progress.

National Reconciliation Week

Next Friday, 25th May, is National Sorry Day followed by National Reconciliation Week. This year’s theme is “Don’t keep history a mystery: learn, share and grow.” At Greensborough College, we fly the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag, with the Australian Flag. At all of our events and ceremonies, we perform an “Acknowledgement of Country” that honours the traditional custodians of the land.  The Banyule Council is running a number of cultural events during the coming weeks.

Ms Pauline Barker

Principal