Neale Armstrong

Neale.Armstrong@education.wa.edu.au

Some inland areas have already had a pseudo “break of the season” but here on the west coast, we wait with bated breath.

According to the Aboriginal “Nyoongar”, (whose country spans from Leeman in the northwest to Cape Arid in the south east) calendar, there are six seasons. "Bunuru” spans February and March or the ‘second summer’ – the hottest part of the year and April–May “Djeran”is the season of adulthood when cooler weather begins. Either way, keep your fingers crossed for an early start.

End of Term

It never ceases to amaze me how much we can fit into a ten week period, but soon the first term break will be upon us.

Parents/guardians are invited to attend the College Anzac Ceremony in the gym on Friday 12th April from 10:00am. Interviews will follow, if they have been booked, to discuss interim reports.

A light morning tea and lunch will be made available to all on site and parents/guardians are free to take their children home after the interviews via the normal signing out process.

Buses will run as scheduled and it is expected by 3:30pm students will be off site.

WACoA Sports Carnival

This will be reported on elsewhere in the newsletter but suffice to say that it was a fabulous weekend and special thanks to all staff who gave their time to coach or organise the events. A special thanks to Ms Stringer for her excellent organisation. Well done also to students of Harvey for taking out the most points on the weekend.

I did notice very limited numbers of DAY students were amongst the teams and I remind them of the expectation that they will be involved in after hours' events.

I continue to congratulate students for their general appearance and behaviour. It appears we have got off to a pretty good year.

Holiday Activities

Anzac Day will occur during the holiday break and I am hoping to have some students join me in the Harvey march from 10:00am on the 25th April.

Ms Stringer has volunteered our services to the Harvey Ag Society to assist in the rolling out of the carpet in the Rec Centre. The 100th Year Harvey Show will commence on Saturday 27th April and it is hoped that we will also have some local volunteers to assist in this process.

The show will provide an opportunity for students to display their cattle handling skills and I wish them all the best of luck.

Term Two

The second term commences on the 29th April for STAFF with a SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT DAY.

Students will not commence normal activities until 8:00 am on Tuesday 30th April. Boarders are welcome to return on Monday afternoon 29th April after 3.30pm.

Open Day

Students and parents please mark this event in your diaries. Saturday 25th May has been scheduled as our OPEN DAY and it is MANDATORY for ALL students to ATTEND.

PLEASE NOTE: Those NOT complying with this request will have their status at the College reverted to CONDITIONAL which in turn will REMOVE THEM FROM BEING AVAILABLE TO ATTEND extra-curricula activities such as Country Week, Sea Trek, School Ball and any other after hours' event for the remainder of Term Two.

Sustainable Living

I continue to push the cause in an effort to do our part in ensuring the next generation inherit as hospitable an environment as we did. To this end, I thank the new chef Greg Aiberti for increasing the amount of recyclable material being used and the minimisation of waste.

I also congratulate Ms Warden who is our temporary officer at the “Intensive Farm" area for her work in composting and securing livestock in order to run a closed production system utilising permaculture principles.

Hopefully during next term, we can introduce the multi coloured trash bins to further the program. It is expected that four different coloured bins will be around the campus to aid in the sorting of refuse at the source.

2020 Students

This year we have conducted about 35 interviews so far for students in Year 9 to attend the College next year. Almost every interview slot on Wednesday morning has been filled up until the end of Semester Two. Students successful at interview are invited to attend a “Tryout’ at the site across two nights during the last week of second term. This will give them the opportunity to “try” the place at a time when about 70 of our students are attending Country Week.

The First round of offers will not be made public until August 2nd and another round after the final trial block on September 6th. Last year we interviewed about 125 students for about 70 places across both year groups and I expect to do the same this year. Should you know of anyone interested in registering, please get them to do so quickly by contacting Mrs Fimmano on 97822100.

Students

Some great after hours' recreational initiatives are made available to Boarding students. Day students may partake of curriculum extensions provided after hours, but generally, those activities of a recreational nature are put on by the staff for the enjoyment and involvement of Boarding students. Horses, Trades, Sports of all types and the Arts in music and drawing are available.

Student Councillors

Our Year 12 leadership team have been joined by members from Year 11 and I congratulate all who put their names forward. Each has the opportunity to be present and part of the deliberations at the weekly Administration Meeting. I hope in due course to have a concise dossier containing all our strategies and offerings to develop our leadership team.

YEAR 12 - Captains - Zoe Worsfold and Tom Busby. Representatives - Charlie Wood, Laura Piggott, Taj Barnsby, Emma Varis

YEAR 11 – Matthew Tilbee, Tyla Maguire, Jade McLean and Leivi Parravacini (Day)

YEAR 10 - Two representatives are still to be announced.

Short Courses

Congratulations to all students in Year 10 and new Year 11’s who have recently completed their St John First Aid Certificate and Safe Farms course. Next term, I will be involved with delivering the Keys for Life Program to all Year 10 students. The certification from this program alleviates the need to sit the theory part of the State Motor Vehicle Driver’s licence.

Staffing Term Two

With a staff of 87 or so, there will always be some people departing the site and in the knowledge that several farm staff are approaching retirement, we have commenced the process to establish an employment pool to which we can offer positions as they emerge over the next 12 months.

Commencing a period of Long Service Leave in Term Two will be Mr Colin Newton whom we wish a restful and enjoyable break. We also wish Mrs Kirsty Papalia all the best as she leaves the College. Sadly, Donna Hocking from the Catering team, has relocated and will depart the campus after many years and we all wish her well also.

Towards the end of Term Two, Mr Jeff Gale who has been looking after our grounds so well for many years has indicated his intention to retire. All the best Jeff and thank you for being part of our school. Mr Jeff Kenny has had to extend his period of sick leave to recuperate after surgery. We hope he is well soon. A special thanks to all staff who have filled in roles in all areas.

College Board

The College Board will meet on the last day of term, April 12th with a scheduled 8:30am meeting. The Board will be presented with the Annual Report and key initiatives moving forward. An open general meeting will commence at 9:00am.

I would like to thank the seven parent nominees for the Board and would like to congratulate Mr Trickett and Mr Anderson (parents of Year 10 and 11 students) for securing the positions.

Mr Dean Pfitzner has once again been nominated to represent staff on the Board.

Once again, thank you for your continued support as we aim to move forward in a positive fashion.

Good luck to all for the rest of 2019.

Term Planner

Term 1

Term 2