Successful Term 1

It is difficult to believe that we are now at the end of a busy, yet highly successful first term. I have taken great pleasure working closely with our newly elected student leaders on a range of activities over the course of this term. New activities for student leaders have included contributions to our current and future planning, assisting with school tours, hoisting up and taking down our new flags, planning furniture for the new senior school, reviewing our school vision and values as well as helping to construct a new student representative council. Plans are already underway for students to lead a uniform review and develop a new school wide house system.

Our new Year 7 students had a great time at the Phillip Island camp, meeting new friends and testing their personal resolve in a range of activities. Year 9 students have been working through a range of new science activities in Learning 4 Life and making the most of our new STELR kits. Our VCAL students have made a wonderful contribution to a range of recent community activities, whilst students completing VCE have been studying hard as the volume of their assessments (SACS) have increased.

I have been impressed with the number of community events that our school has been involved in this term, including the Patterson River Fun Run, 50th School Reunion, Mordialloc Triathalon and Cyber Safety Evening. Patterson River sees itself as an important hub of the local community and I appreciate the time that staff, students and parents give to community events.

Patterson River Achieving Excellence

The Department of Education & Training recently released results for schools that compare student achievement results such as NAPLAN to both local and other schools. Pleasingly Patterson River continues to achieve excellent results in a range of areas.

Patterson River has established a culture of continued improvement and expect this to continue in the years to come. The school attributes recent improvements to a number of initiatives, including:

- Staff meeting time dedicated almost entirely to professional development & staff working in small teams.

- Excellent range of VCE subjects offered to Year 10 students

- Introduction of PAT assessments so that teachers know the strengths and weaknesses of students in Literacy & Numeracy.

- School wide focus on reading comprehension & subject specific vocabulary.

- A focus on developing skills that are expected in industry.

- Homework Club (Monday & Wednesdays 3.00- 4.30pm)

- Students Access Monash (SAM) school.

- Greater emphasis on pathways and course counselling (beginning from Year 7).

- All students visiting tertiary institutions and career expos in Year 9.

Patterson River is committed to achieve continued improvement in a range of student learning areas and has set ambitious targets in a new strategic plan.

Year 8 Electives

During the week, I took some time out from the Robotics class so that I could visit the some of the other Year 8 elective classes. It was great to see all of our Year 8 students engaged in a range of diverse interests.

The Master Chef class was in the midst of an Easter dessert cook off, whilst the Debating Team was making a follow up video to their school reunion trailer video. The Girl's in IT class have made good progress building their own eCommerce websites whilst the Rising Stars class were working on different performances in the areas of Dance, Singing & Acting. I look forward to visiting the Green Team, Sport & Recreation and Environmental Art classes next term.

School Council

Congratulations to our newly appointed school council representatives. Our new parents on school council include:

Claire Anthony, Melinda Bowly, Belinda Hazzledine, Jennifer Overmars,

Sheila Savage, Debra Ramsay, Suzie Richardson.

A further congratulations to our newly appointed office bearers: Terry Coates (President) and Sheila Savage (Vice President). The 2016 Annual Report to the School Community was presented to the school council on Monday. Patterson River continues to demonstrate improvements in a range of areas include NAPLAN, VCE and Attitudes to School and Attendance.

Open Night

Patterson River held its annual Open Night on the 23rd March. We were surprised on the night with a huge turn out (+180 people from 2016). A big thank you to all of the staff and students who gave up their time to showcase our school. I have received feedback from a number of primary school parents about how impressed they were with the enthusiasm, passion and energy of our staff and students here at the College. Thank you also to the parents who have recommended Patterson River to other people in the community.

Cyber Safety (Susan McLean)

Our College hosted a community parent information evening in partnership with local primary schools and the City of Kingston's Youth Services presented by cyber safety expert Susan McLean. Susan's presentation was informative and full of practical tips. Susan's main advice for children is to ask yourself "Is what I'm about to do respectful to myself and others" along with "is this an appropriate use of technology?". Her advice to parents was to "make sure you are a parent first and a friend second".

Susan's website is full of resources for both parents and students. Patterson River will be hosting a different parent information session each term. Look out for details about upcoming sessions in the next newsletter.

Cyber Safety Information for Parents

Cyber Safety Information for Students

New Flags

On the 14th of March, local member of parliament, Sonia Kilkenny, visited the school to present new Indigenous & State of Victoria Flags to students who are involved in the Kingston Koorie Mob Program. Our student leaders are in the process of helping to select a location for three new flag poles at the front of the school so that we can fly the Indigenous Flag with pride next to the Australian flag, along with with a spare flag pole for special events.

On Friday 24th March, Federal Member for Dunkley, Chris Crewther, delivered an Australian Flag, Indigenous Flag and Torres Straight Islander flag to the school. Senior school leaders, Brent Chalmers, Tegan Miller & Arron Purdy were on hand to accept the flags. Student leaders from years 7-9 are responsible for the flags each day.

50th Anniversary

On the 19th March, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Seaford-Carrum High/Patterson River Secondary College. To mark the event, we opened our facilities to past school community members. A range of events were held on the day, with over 2000 people in attendance. It was great to catch up with so many past students, parents and teachers. A special thank you to all of the staff and students who made the day such a success along with a special mention to Janet Mitchell for her tireless work.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Easter.

Mr Daniel Dew (College Principal)

Dates to Remember

April