Koonung Secondary College Newsletter

Principals' Report

Principal Team Report 

Welcome to the 2020 school year everyone, especially the new members of our community, including staff members, our Year 7 cohort and those students who have joined us in other year levels. I hope all have now settled into the school routine and are feeling comfortable and excited about the year ahead.

This first newsletter is an opportunity to congratulate the 2019 Year 12 cohort on their excellent VCE results and celebrate the achievement of Samuel Yang, the Dux of the College, who earned an ATAR score of 99.55. The school median was 33, which is outstanding and well above state average. You may have seen our College identified in the newspaper as one of the strongest improvers across the state.

Thirty-two percent of students achieved an ATAR above 90 which is excellent. Most importantly however, our graduating class of 2019 have achieved their goals for the next step of their lives whether this is to continue tertiary study or move into the career training of their choice.  These outcomes were achieved by hard work and collaboration with a cohort of students working together with their teachers and supported by their families to succeed.

The start of a new year is a time for reflection and to reset and consider our school values of respect, excellence, collaboration, resilience, endeavour and creativity.

Each one of our values was chosen because they encapsulate actions and beliefs which allows us to function effectively as a community. If we live them in our actions, words and work habits we will be a cohesive organisation that celebrates diversity, supports and learns from each other and ultimately grows as a collective and therefore as individuals within. We will have the courage to try new things, be innovative, manage disappointment and celebrate both personal success and that of others.

I would like to encourage each of us, both students and staff, to be active learners: access the resources available. Be prepared, formulate questions and challenge ideas. We should all contribute to the conversation, listen actively and recognise it is important to be open to learning.  Furthermore, be involved in our community, both at school and outside, be challenged to try something new, find a passion and explore it.

If we are concerned about something, we should discover and raise our voices, the future of our world relies on our young people becoming confident, articulate, responsible and respectful citizens. We may feel powerless at times but we can collectively make a difference. The current bushfire and health challenges should stir us to consider our own actions in caring for our environment. Are we conscious of the impact our behaviours and choices have on the world we live in? Are we reducing our own personal waste and aiming to make ethical purchasing decisions? It is a question I pondered for myself during the break as the events unfolded and there are things I can do with greater mindfulness.  Aim to lead, we can all recognise our responsibilities and show the way to others, we do not require a formal title to have impact.

In conclusion, I have a simple message, let’s work together with respect and pride to continue to be a nurturing and caring environment for all. We need to look inwards to understand and respect ourselves so we can effectively look outwards and care for each other. My message to our students is that your parents and teachers are here to guide you and support you but ultimately you, our young people, have the power to grow and thrive. Have a wonderful term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staffing Update

New staff

Claire Murray (Biol/PE)                    Aldin Hondo (English)

Debbie Henson (Science)               Kate Arnold (Science)

Matt Brown (Music)                           Peter Scott (English)

Alicia Liu Siming (Chinese)             Rachael Kane  (Voice)

 

Returning staff

David Elliott (Maths)                        Helen Caine (Science)

Richard Leask (Media)                    Kate O’Keefe (English/Hums)

Michael Kyrakou (Maths)               Patrick Willems (Maths/Science)

Katrina Pumpa (Student Support)

 

Marianne Lee

Principal

Facilities work over the Summer break

Periodic cleaning

  • All windows washed (some twice due to brown rain!)
  • Floors stripped and polished
  • Carpets steam cleaned
  • Deep clean of change areas, toilets and troughs
  • Cobwebs cleared
  • Extensive cleaning, dusting and mopping of internal areas.

Classrooms / staff areas

  • Rooms 33 and 35 painted
  • Resource centre roof cleared of debris, leak in library cleaned up (only a little leak!)
  • Rooms 12, 18 and 23 reconfigured
  • Facilities team has tidied and matched tables and chairs in classrooms across the College and removed surplus furniture and equipment (where possible) to ensure an orderly environment awaits

Grounds

  • Extensive mowing, whipper snipping, gardening and leaf litter clean up completed to tidy grounds prior to start up
  • Sprinkler systems installed in a further 3 garden beds

Theatre/gym area

  • Works have commenced to replace ceiling tiles
  • Painting of doors, door frames and skirting boards is in progress

Thanks to Mat Douglas and Pete Martin for their tireless efforts to ensure our College is the best it can be when we return from holidays.

Capital Works Program Update

We have attended a number of meetings with FPPV architiects and the VSBA over the term break as part of the the schematic design process of our capital works program. Part of this process involves looking at how the spaces within the building footprint will best suit 21st century learners. We look forward to sharing the final schematic design with you in our next newsletter.

 

Stace Kerr

Business Manager