Principal's  Report

February 2018

Newsletter- February 2018

The beginning of the school year has started productively. Students have come prepared, wearing their new uniform, with their books and equipment, all ready to learn. Importantly they have been displaying a positive attitude towards their learning.  At our recent first School Assembly, I stressed the need for students to work with their teachers to achieve their highest level in their learning. Our school motto of ”Learn, Grow, Achieve Together” was emphasized as were our values of high expectations, respect, and perseverance.

The new vertical Junior and Senior School Team structure has started well. Our students, families and staff should be complemented on how well they have been able to transition to the new arrangements. I have been impressed by the level of acceptance and how quickly the 3 teams have been able to begin to connect to each of their team members.

The Year 7 students, in particular, have started well.  The enthusiasm they bring with them when they first join us never seizes to amaze me. We recently had our Information Night with the Year 7 students and their families.  It gave our staff an opportunity to talk to the parents and students and learn more about them and how their children are feeling about their new school.  All feedback was extremely positive.  The Student Success program is in its fourth year now and still continues to receive very positive feedback from students and families. 

Our new psychologist, Sarah Dixon, has begun the process of assessing each and every Year 7 student to identify any learning support that they might need. The intention is for all of our Years 7s to have this testing completed by the end of Term 1. For those who have been identified as needing further support, our plan is to also have their Individual Learning Plan completed by the end of this term as well. No doubt this will give our teachers a much better understanding of their students’ needs.

My plan is to continue conducting Student Focus Groups in the form of ‘morning teas’ each week with all year levels as a way of monitoring student learning and student issues across the College. Both the students and I found them of great benefit last year.

In the College’s Annual Implementation Plan, we intend to create a parent body to better engage with the college. We are looking at reintroducing a ‘Parents, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA)’ type of group to allow the College to better consult with its community. This will be part of the core work of the new council which I will be hoping to start as of their first meeting next month. We will notify our school community when this new group will be meeting and I look forward to meeting with many of you then.

Finally, I wish to take this opportunity to invite all of you to the College’s Open Night on Thursday, 22 March 2018, from 3pm to 7pm. The program, on offer this evening, will begin with a short welcome and it will then be followed by a tour of approximately an hour in length showcasing some of the exemplary programs that are offered by the College. These tours will begin on the hour, with a 3pm, 4pm, 5pm and 6pm options offered to those wishing to attend so we can finish as promised by 7pm.

John Mitsinikos

College Principal