Principal's Report

Major Projects

We are currently forging ahead with a number of major projects that have been endorsed by the FARM (Facilities and Resource Management) sub-committee and discussed at College Council. The following projects have progressed past the planning stage and are at the point where we are either signing contracts or scheduling contractors. They include: Synthetic grass for the COLA, Staffroom redevelopment, staff toilet redevelopment, air conditioner installations, Science and Language Centre wall and LED lighting changeover. A number of other projects are still in the planning phase and are likely to be completed after these projects. Students, staff and parents will notice exceptional improvement in facilities next year with considerable investment and works beginning at the end of term 4.

Student Excellence Program

In recent days via the media you may have heard about the Student Excellence Program that has been announced by the State Government. The Student Excellence Program provides $60.2 million to extend the ways in which government schools provide a great learning environment for high-ability students through:

• structured learning extension programs for high-ability students
• further developing classroom teachers to better support their high-ability students
• more resources for government schools to build their programs for high-ability students.

Together these three strategies will support the learning, engagement and wellbeing of high-ability students and help them thrive now and into the future. We have only recently in the last few days received more specific information about this program, so details on how it will work and who it will apply to are still to come.

Uniform and Mobile Phones

Recent changes to mobile phone and uniform policies and process have caused many concerns for our students. Pleasingly the changes which have been well received by parents and have been implemented effectively without major disruption. In particular the response by students to the mobile phone “ban” has been impressive, and the majority of students have responded positively to the changes. As a result today we held a BBQ and Ninja challenge to celebrate the positive response by the students to the changes. This was a fun event and due recognition for our students who have been outstanding in recent weeks.

School Captains 2020

As per my recent email communication to students and parents, I am very excited to announce that the College Captains for 2020 are:

• Sam Styles
• Isabelle Davis
• Connor Winter
• Jacob Lacchiana

Congratulations to these four students and I look forward to working closely with you throughout the coming year.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank the unsuccessful nominees for these positions. Fortunately, we had a large high-quality field of applicants to choose from.

Kevin Murphy

Principal