College Principal's Report
Another Term Closes
Term two ends this week as winter has well and truly set in with dark cold mornings and shorter daylight hours. Throughout this busy term, I have been surrounded by so many committed staff, at every level of the school community, especially members of our leadership team.
It has been a significant term with our open day, school review, exams, assessment and reporting, work experience, careers activities, university visits, study skills sessions, Naplan, weekly tours, curriculum day, interschool sport, KIOSC and other excursions. Throughout, our students have continued to model behaviours that make me proud on a daily basis to be Principal of our great College.
Our College is growing and while our numbers school numbers may not be large, we offer every opportunity to our students that a larger school would offer. I thank the staff for their commitment and willingness to give the extra time and effort to run such a rich co-curricular program and teaching staff for such a rigorous, engaging and enriching the classroom program.
We will finish the term with the distribution of student reports at 2:30 pm on Friday 29 June.
Students return in uniform on Monday 16 July. All students are expected to be in in full winter uniform. On Monday this week, students were reminded about the College policy of no facial piercings and natural hair colours only.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all students and their families a happy and safe holiday break.
School Review
Friday 1 June was there was a School Review ‘Field Day’. The reviewer, Barry Soroghan, met with parents, student and staff focus groups, conducted interviews, undertook classroom observations, and checked the schools performance against the improvement model dimensions in the Departments Framework for School Improvement. At the end of the day Barry endorsed our self-evaluation and the Senior AEDUCATION Improvement Leader, Justin reported it was one of the most successful reviews he had been part of. Unlike the majority of school reviews, it was determined we do not require any further field days, we therefore only have the final day of reporting back to be held on Monday July 23. On this day the reviewer will provide feedback to the panel and present his final report. This will be presented at the next Council meeting on July 26
Information Evenings
Next term we are conducting information evenings for parents and students who will be in years 9 – 12 in 2019. The dates for each evening are listed in diary dates. These evenings include important information regarding the subject selection process including the timeline. Students who do not return their subject selections forms and $100 deposits, will be deemed as not returning to the College, when the indicative numbers for next year are determined and may not be able to be provided their program choice.
In addition to the regular information evenings, this year we are also hosting a special study habits session for VCE parents. Parents and carers play a pivotal role in children’s outcomes. A report on the Australian Government Department of Education website quotes “Parents and families play an important role in supporting their child's education. Research has shown that when schools and families work together, children do better, stay in school longer, are more engaged with their school work, go to school more regularly, behave better, and have better social skills”.
2019 Year 7 Enrollments
After the end of first round offers for 2019 Year 7 students, we have exceeded our current number. Together with the enrollments which are increasing at other year levels, it is evidence that our College is becoming the ‘College of Choice’.
Regional Leadership Conference 2018
On June 4 and 5, Chris Knight and myself attended the Department of Education and Training Regional Conference held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The conference titled ‘Page Content Leading Excellence in Teaching and Learning – Unleashing Greatness Together’ provided principals and assistant principals with the opportunity to learn and engage with their peers, and local and global leaders in education. Some of the key presenters included: Victoria’s Minister for Education James Merlino, Secretary Schools - Gill Callister and Deputy Secretary - Bruce Armstrong, Dr Simon Breakspear (NSW International Education Advisor) , Professor Emeritus Stephen Dinham (University of Melbourne) , Emeritus Professor Michael Fullan (University of Toronto) and Professor Vivienne Robinson (University of Auckland and Academic Director of its Centre for Educational Leadership).
In addition to the presenters, we had the opportunity to register to participate in expert practitioner workshops and peer labs facilitated by other schools. The program built on last year’s conference theme, inspired teaching and learning – creating the education state and further supported our improvement journey by explicitly looking at evidence informed practice that will support teachers to improve their professional practice and impact on student learning and achievement.
Scoresby Past Student
Jai Simmonds completed Year 12 in 2016 . Jai was awarded the Principal’s award that year for his commitment to the College Community and modelling determination to succeed. Jai undertook tertiary study in hospitality in 2017 whilst working successfully in the industry. Two weeks ago Jai came in to see us. We were so proud of this young man in uniform. Jai recently graduated from the Royal Australian Navy and is now working as a chef as one of our country’s servicemen.
Well done Jai.
Where you a Witness?
If you witnessed a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Cavell & Zerfas Streets (outside the college), on Tuesday 19 June at approximately 8:30 am, could you please contact
Mrs Gail Major on 9765 4100.
"Scoresby’s Got Talent"
Robin Czuchnowski , Performing Arts Leader and Sam Eddy, Drama teacher, are well underway with student selections and preparation for this year’s performing arts show titled ‘Scoresby Secondary College Has Got Talent”. The show will be held at Aquinas College on Saturday 18 August; please keep this date free.
State Schools Spectacular
The Department of Education and Training’s Performing Arts Unit auditioned students from across the state for this year’s Victorian State Schools Spectacular. I am pleased to announce that Paige Davidson from Year 9 has secured a role as an ensemble performer in this year’s performance.
The Spectacular performance is on Saturday 15 September at Hisense Arena, followed by a 90-minute broadcast on Channel 7.
Gail Major
Principal