When I wrote this report, this time last year, I was looking forward to a less chaotic year without lockdowns and remote learning. The worst had seemed to be past us and we were approaching a more ‘normal’ situation.

Like everything that life can throw at you, when you least expect it, something happens. After a relatively trouble free Term One, everything started to take a turn for the worse in Term Two and continued a downward spiral into Term Three.

We have slowly come through the events of 2021 and looking forward to 2022, with much anticipation. We have reviewed the year, what we have learnt and achieved and set a plan for 2022.

It is with much excitement we look ahead to an uninterrupted 2022 school year.

Capital Works

Since the demolition of the west end of C wing, there has been ongoing works to prepare the site for the start of the foundations of the new building. These are now complete. The area at the back of the school has now been cleared in preparation for the start of the works for the new hardcourts. Further planning has also been completed for the First Aid Centre upgrade.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID restrictions that were put in place shortly after the commencement of the works, we are now a month behind the schedule.

Rollover

On Monday 29th November, with the exam period finished, it was time for all students to move up to their 2022 year levels. Students met new classmates and new teachers and began the next chapter of their educational journey. In particular, the now Year 12 students began their important final VCE/VCAL year. There is a period of adjustment over this time, particularly in the junior levels where friendship groups are broken up when the new classes are formed. With the assistance of the well being team and coordinators, students are taught and learn resilience skills through this process.

Year 12 results

These will be released on Thursday 16th December. We, along with the Year 12 student cohort, are eager to see how our students have performed but keeping in mind that an ATAR does not define the person and there are many avenues open for students post secondary education. Our careers, well being and senior school teams will all be available to assist students once the results are released.

Staffing

As with all years, there will be a number of staff leaving Parkdale SC at the end of the year and a corresponding incoming of staff for the start of 2022. A number of teachers have attained promotion positions to other schools, some have decided that for their own professional growth they need to experience a different educational setting, as they move into the next phase of their career and for others it is a lifestyle decision.

So, we will farewell Mr Campbell Barnard-Green, Ms Megan Christie, Mr Michael Copley, Ms Emily Dawkins, Ms Chikako Fujioka, Mr Peter Garguilo, Ms Eileen Leitch , Mr John Mavridis, Ms Vicky Moriagiannis, Ms Tanya Pavlovic, Ms Mikhaila Picone, Ms Kaela Raeku, Mr Tristan Rennie, Mr Sam Steele and Mr Edward Xia at the end of the 2021 school year. I thank these staff for their work with the students of Parkdale SC.

With these departures, and others through the year, there is the obvious influx of new staff. I will present the list of new and returning staff in the first newsletter of 2022.

Student Leaders 2022

After a process including written application, interview, speech to senior school and voting from students and staff, I am pleased to announce the following as our student leaders for 2022.

POSITION

STUDENT

COLLEGE CAPTAINS

Rocco Lemmo

Georgia Clancy

COLLEGE VICE CAPTAINS

Marcus Pitts

Maddie Strange

In closing I take this opportunity to wish every member of the Parkdale SC College community a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous new year.