PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

TEACHING & LEARNING

Another lockdown created more energy and a different curriculum delivery once again. Credit to all our teaching staff and all our students who settled into a routine that seemed more ‘normal’ than not!

Staff were thrilled by the high engagement levels of most of our students, most working with their teacher with their cameras on, listening attentively to the explicit teaching. There was room for a bit of fun as well as pets adorned the camera space, favourite books and favourite dishes. As a college, we were proud to receive so many emails of support from our community, as we worked together during this latest lockdown.

As the term draws to an end, the holidays will always bring some respite and a ‘breather’ for everybody, but I ask our students to consider the following points and reflect on their readiness and disposition as learners:

Am I ‘present’ in the classroom?
Am I easily distracted?
Have I listened to teacher instruction?
Am I familiar with the assessment criteria?
Do I heed and act upon feedback?
Have I checked my Learning Tasks on Compass?
Do I understand what is required of me?

These parameters all involve the students being invested in their learning journey – there is no point in our students coming to school watching our teachers work hard without them reciprocating! It is a shared partnership. We are all working towards each other’s success. We are cognisant of safe, orderly classroom environments and students are afforded every opportunity to flourish at their school.

One of the goals of the College is to embed the practice of moderating assessment tasks across a cohort, in a particular subject. I was privileged to visit one such session and observe the process of staff involved in moderating the marks for a Year 12 Creative Writing task – the high level of discussion from the staff involved, and the calibre of the depth of responses received from the students was to be commended – this collegial practice allows for every student to feel assured that they will be duly rewarded for their efforts, in a considered, consistent, professional manner.

PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK

The Production of Picnic at Hanging Rock went ahead, despite the impending lockdown at 11.59pm that night! Students and parents were all excited and the production culminated in a magnificent performance, showcasing the hard work of all the students and staff involved. Huge thanks to the staff involved in producing, directing, rehearsals, make up, costume, lights, front of house, advertising, programs and everything associated with such a big event! Congratulations to all the staff involved.

UNIFORM AND MOBILE PHONES

These two items seem incongruous grouped together under one heading, but I feel that I need to raise these two aspects in my general observations.

With the winter months about to really bite, the school jumper and school blazer will become very important pieces of uniform. Please encourage your son/daughter to be mindful of looking after themselves, with the impending flu season upon us…as for phones, these are not permitted to be out of lockers throughout the teaching day. Phones can be accessed before school and after school – in the interim they must be switched off and stored away in lockers.

Thank you in advance for your ongoing support – remember, this is your college.

James Barut

Acting Principal