Assistant Principals' Report
Andrew Wynne
As we approach the end of Term 3 it is worth reflecting on the term so far for our Year 7, 8 and 9 students.
The Year 7 students under the guidance of Ms Jess Lukies and Mr Murray Sydenham continue to progress and develop into well rounded secondary college students. The delays to the Year 7 area have undoubtedly been disappointing, but in some ways have allowed the Year 7’s to integrate with the rest of the school and make connections to other Year levels. While undoubtedly the provision of their own area would have been preferable, the attitude of the students and the provision of some excellent facilities have made this unavoidable disruption as painless as it possibly could be, so well done to all of the team.
The Year 8 team under the experienced leadership of Mr Drew King and Ms Lauren Toll, have this year really developed into a cohesive and high achieving cohort of students. The standards they have set in behaviour, respect for each other and the correct wearing of school uniform has set a high standard. Leadership has been a huge focus for the Year 8’s and many students have been given the opportunity to develop leadership skills. These students run the assemblies and model the college values for others to follow. I am looking forward to these young people continuing to develop in Year 9.
The Year 9 team, expertly led by Ms Jenni Johnson and Mr Adrian Moore have done an excellent job in preparing all Year 9 students for life in the senior school. This term has focused on subject selection with counsellors guiding these young people into educational options and pathways that will set them up for life. I am pleased with how seriously and thoughtfully students have embraced this process, and with how many students have selected VCE subjects in 2017. The Year 9 students have always been a high performing group of students and I look forward to tracking their progress in the Senior Years.
Well done and congratulations to all Junior School teams! I wish all our school community a happy and safe holiday.
Chad Ambrose
Whilst 2016 saw the introduction of a new Year 9 Program that has proven a resounding success, 2017 shapes as an exciting year for Dromana College as we continue to develop our Learning and Teaching Program to support students to achieve their personal best.
In the senior school we have underpinned our commitment to offering broad student pathways through the addition of VCE Specialist Maths (Unit 1 &2), VCE Accounting and VCE Geography. At Year 10 we have added additional subjects in the areas of Health and Physical Education, and we have expanded our Humanities Program to now include Year 10 History and Year 10 Business / Legal Studies. Furthermore the VCAL Program now offers a higher level Maths Pathway through the VCAL Horizons Program that caters to students looking to enter vocations that require higher levels of Mathematics attainment such as engineering, bookkeeping and electrical.
At Middle School level the implementation of the Victorian Curriculum has seen us make significant changes to our Arts and Technology Program with the introduction of Digital Art, Systems Technology, Materials Technology and Digital Technology. The Victorian Curriculum also mandates that all students in Year 7-9 undertake Science as a core subject, an initiative we took as part of the new Year 9 Program implemented this year, which is further evidence of how Dromana College’s Learning and Teaching Program remains at the forefront of education.
Parents are reminded to phone the College Absentee Line before 9:00am if their child will be absent or late for school for any reason (holidays, appointments, sick). Parents can phone the College Absentee Line directly on 5984 7177 available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week and leave a message. An SMS text message will be sent out to parents if the College is not notified of your child’s absence.
HANDY TIP: Please save this phone number to your mobile 5984 7177.