PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Dear Parents and members of the MESC Community

One of the strengths of Mount Eliza Secondary College is the calm and supportive environment that is evident to all who visit the school. It comes in part from the nature of the students we are fortunate to have at the college, and the fact that they come from families where values around respect are held in common. It also comes from the work we do in ensuring the environment is well ordered, and that expectations are clear and fair, with students engaged in opportunities to develop and impact on those expectations. We do not opt for large numbers of 'special' programs or events to focus particularly on one group or another, preferring instead to operate consistently on the belief that each one of us is different in one way or another, and that we recognise and manage this through respectful relationships with everyone.

Whilst we know that the environment we have created at the school is a positive one, a constant challenge remains to genuinely engage our students in the learning opportunities that are available for them. This is in fact, the significant challenge for formal education worldwide, amidst concerns that as our young people develop in a world where instant gratification is available (no need to wait for information as it is available 24/7, no need to wait to speak to someone, no need to wait for an opportunity to express your opinion) the risk is real that their ability to persevere may decline.

It is understandably difficult for young people to understand the connection between several years of effort now, and the impact that this will have in future. Some feel for example, that the middle school years don't matter that much and that they will just work hard when they get to years 11 and 12. As professionals, we know that this is possible but unlikely, as the key determinants of success are the personal learning behaviors that we value so highly at this college, and which must be developed continuously over time.

We are introducing a number of strategies this year to strengthen students' understanding of the importance of effort and perseverance, and ask that you support this approach at home.

We know that academic excellence without the skills, attitudes and personal qualities that are required for success in life, is not a satisfactory outcome of thirteen years of formal schooling.

This is why our motto well represents our approach to all we do:

Educated for excellence

Prepared for life

Angela Pollard

Principal