Principal's Report
Welcome
It has been great getting to know our new students, staff and families over the last few weeks. I have been impressed watching the way that the new Year 7 students have settled into their new school and the way in which older students have got on with the business of great learning. I have thoroughly enjoyed being back at Patterson River after spending Term 4 filling in a role as a Senior Improvement Leader for the Department of Education & Training.
Our 240 new Year 7’s look great in their new uniform and have wasted no time getting involved in a range of activities here at the College. We have also welcomed 23 new staff at the College who have joined our growing school.
Community Events
With community as one of our core values, our staff and students have already been involved in organising and participating in a number of community events such as the ‘Around The River Fun Run’ (we won the team comp) and the Mordialloc Big Band Sunset Festival.
Year 10 students who participated in the Alpine Leadership Camp last year have organised a Moonlight Cinema event here at Patterson River Secondary College for the community. The event aims to raise the importance of mental health, with proceeds going to Headspace. Details below.
School Wide Positive Behaviour
We recently launched our School Wide approach to Positive Behaviour which followed months of work and consultation with staff and students. This has resulted in the development of a set of expectations for both inside and outside of the classroom that are worded and implemented in a positive manner. We have linked this to Positive Behaviour Recognition posts via Compass that automatically alert families via email when the teacher makes an entry. Positive behaviour recognition's are now the most frequent type of post by staff on Compass, which is helping to further improve student engagement and their connection to our College values. Expectations that we know will help everyone achieve excellence.
There will be a different focus each week for the remainder of this term:
Week 5 Value: Persistence
Expected behaviour: Be ready to learn
Expected behaviour: Approach challenging situations with a positive attitude
Week 6 Value: Excellence
Expected behaviour: Demonstrate college values
Expected behaviour: Take pride and give personal best
Week 7 Value: Community
Expected behaviour: Positively participate in learning
Expected behaviour: Be supportive of others
Week 8 Value: Respect
Expected behaviour: Attentively listen to and follow teacher instructions
Expected behaviour: Contribute to maintaining a clean and tidy environment
Student Leadership Induction Ceremony
Last week we held an assembly to induct our elected student leaders for 2020. There was a impressive turn out from parents and friends of the College for the event, including our local member, Sonya Kilkenny MP. The role of students in shaping the direction of the school, along with assisting with school governance has grown in recent years and I am please to see the number of students applying for roles skyrocketing as a result.
Student Leaders for 2020:
Open Night
Our annual Open Night is coming up on Thursday 12th March. This is a great opportunity for prospective families to tour our facilities, learn about our programs and speak to staff. Please pass on the details about our Open Night to families who you think might be interested:
Capital Works Schematic Plans Complete
We have now completed formal schematic designs for stage 1 of our capital works project. This stage will include the construction of a new STEM wing, Food Technology & Year 8 Centre. Provided that the project receives final funding in the May state budget, we should be in a position to being works later this year.
Private Property & Accidents at School
The Department of Education & Training requires parents/guardians to be reminded each year that:
- they are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance/transport and any other transport costs; and
- parents/guardians can purchase insurance policies from commercial insurers
- the Department of Education does not hold insurance for personal property brought to schools and it has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property.
School Council Elections
We have had a pleasing number of students and parents nominate for the available school council positions.
Families should receive ballot papers for election of parent members to school council in the next few days. Please cast your vote and either return to the general office in person or use the return envelope and post back to the school (with your name on the back), ensuring that it reaches our post office box by the 13th March.
The ballot process for the student election will be finalised and communicated next week.
Mr Daniel Dew
College Principal