Principal's Report
Year 12 Exams
Our VCE Unit 4 students have completed their external assessments (exams). I personally have been very impressed with all students as they present for their exams and I am looking forward to sharing their personal bests at the Year 12 Valedictory Dinner Thursday 15 December 2016. I also want to commend all of our graduating ‘Class of 2016’ on the manner in which they concluded their schooling. Our final assembly of the year was a fantastic event, with no ‘Muck Up’ in the manner that is often encouraged by the media. The tone was respectful and responsible. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff involved over the past six years of the ‘Class of 2016's’ secondary school journey and congratulate Mr Sam Scott, Year 12 coordinator and the VCE team of teachers and support staff. I am looking forward to sharing and celebrating their success at Valedictory Dinner in a few weeks time.
This is an anxious and stressful time of the year for our senior students, we know they want to do their best and I believe each and every one of our Year 12 students will do their best. At Dromana College we are fortunate and proud to have amazing cohorts of students who embrace our values of respect, responsibility, integrity and personal best. The graduating Class of 2016 has certainly lead the whole school community in making these values an everyday part of college life; and I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of our community to wish all of our students the very best for their upcoming final assessments, and thank them for their contributions to the college.
Remembrance Day
Mr Andrew Wynne and Mrs Jennii Johnson attended the Remembrance Day 2016 Commemorations on Friday 11 November, at the Rosebud RSL. A number of our students are supported by this branch of the RSL and it is important that the college is well represented at this event. Historical information on the background and development of Remembrance Day is available at http://www.rslvic.com.au. At school we held a one minute’s silence lead by our Year 11 Student Leaders and Mr Simon Jones.
Arthurs Seat Challenge
The annual Arthurs Seat Challenge took place on Sunday 6 November. The event is a major fundraiser for the ‘Fit to Drive’ campaign, which educates young people on the perils they can encounter on our roads and positive driving habits. I would like to acknowledge all of our participants including all students and staff who competed. It was a fantastic morning.
9th Annual Peninsula Teenage Art Exhibition and Fashion Show
The annual Peninsula Teenage Art Exhibition and Fashion Show was held on Monday 24 October. I would like to congratulate the Dromana College Parents and Friends Association, Arts and Technology students and staff for the amazing exhibition on Monday evening. Furthermore, it was fantastic to see so many of our creative young people entering the fashion design competition. Congratulations and thank you to all involved: hosting liaising, catering, rehearsing and particularly our Parents and Friends Association for organising and driving this event - well done.
Junior School Play - Trolleys
Students in Years 7 and 8 have been rehearsing the play ‘Trolleys’ over the last ten weeks. Thank you to Ms Carole Patullo for her excellent work with our students in bringing this performance to light. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening performance and would like to congratulate all the cast and crew on a wonderful show. Well done.
Parents and Friends
I had the pleasure of attending the most recent Parent and Friends Association meeting. The association President, Raiki Stapleton thanked retiring members of this exceptionally active group with more than a dozen members. I believe it would be appropriate for our College Council to acknowledge Ms Kayleen Smith and Ms Karla Metcalf. Both these parents have given an enormous amount to our school community over many years and will be very much missed.
JumpStart Program
Our well established JumpStart Program which sees eligible students promoted to the next year level at the conclusion of the formal examination period, is a very productive time, and a fantastic opportunity for students to put forward their best efforts in all of their 2017 classes. JumpStart commenced on Monday 18 November and concludes on Tuesday 13 December 2016.
School Leaders for 2017
I have the great honour in announcing the following Student Leadership positions for 2017. This year I had the opportunity to meet with all our senior students who put their names forward as College leaders. Each and every one of these young people would were truly worthy of the position and I would like to publicly commend their courage and commitment in standing for these positions. We should all be very proud of these young people, they are a great credit to themselves and their families, and they will be fantastic ambassadors for our college.
The four School Captains for 2017 are: Steve Pittard, Summer Rodriguez Jones, Samson Turner and Grace Upton-Jones
The college is currently completing the interview process for the school Sport Captains for 2017 with the successful applicants to be announced soon.
Human Powered Vehicle
The Dromana College Human Powered Vehicle Team performed extremely well at the RACV Energy
Breakthrough held in Maryborough on the weekend of 19 November. Our students were exceptional competitors; their behaviour, enthusiasm and the support they gave to each other and to the staff is to be commended. This event provides an opportunity for students to contribute in various roles in the team and it was great to hear that some of the students, who were not there to take part in the race, were involved in different capacities. Thank you to all involved including parent volunteers for their wonderful support, and well done to Ms Jenny Hunter for her leadership of this team, a team who have continually built on their successes from previous years. Well done.
Alan Marr
PRINCIPAL