College Principal Report
A very successful Term Two
As always I would like to thank the parents and carers of our students for the support they have given their children this semester. While it has been great to be onsite again, we know there are challenges for our students in managing with the workload and I congratulate them all with having done the best they could. Our end of semester reports will be available through Compass this Friday. To all parents and students please go through these reports, enjoy the successes and also take note of the ways in which you can improve.
Friday this week marks the end of Term Two and it is amazing to think we are halfway through the year already. I wish you all a safe and enjoyable holiday and look forward to seeing the students back on site on Tuesday 12th July.
Staff changes
Since my last newsletter report two new staff members have joined the college
Liam Krebs – joins our instrumental Music department to teach Woodwind to our students
Felicia Burton – joins our Senior School teaching team and working with our students on developing their pathways beyond school
Welcome to you both
We are fare welling two staff at the end of this term:
Callum Mackay is taking up a Lead Teacher position at Marnebek School, and
Kristen Sonn is moving to Barton Primary for one year
We wish them both well
Keysborough College Music Events
Our music program is certainly back in full swing!
On Friday 27th May the Department of Education and Training held the much-delayed memorial ceremony to celebrate the career of Debbie Locco who was a colleague to many of the staff here in the days of Chandler High School and then a much-respected member of the team in Southern Region. Keysborough College was asked if our students could play at the event and we are very proud that Kaylynn Chung, Kylie Chung, Jimmy Eng and Joel Stangherlin performed so confidently in front of a very esteemed audience. Thanks go to Basil Rizopoulos and Lynn Beardmore for preparing the students so well.
In the first week of June the Year 7 Concerts were held on each campus. It was literally standing room only with families there to enjoy their children play. Well done to the Year 7 students on a great performance!
On Thursday 16th June staff and parents packed the theatre at our Banksia Campus for the Keysborough College Winter Music Gala which featured a range of bands from both campuses. The audience enjoyed an evening of high quality upbeat performances featuring some amazing solo performance. Special mention must go to the choir for their two songs.
On behalf of the whole college, I would like to thank all of the Instrumental Staff Basil Rizopoulos, Tom Kenneth, Lynn Beardmore, James Orr, Phil Hayter, Yang Liu, Viv Miller, Sue Haylock, Christine Prattico, Maggie Casey-Dalgleish and Liam Krebs and of course all of the students involved
Building project
I am very pleased to announce that we have passed the next stage of the process with the signing of the Schools Contribution Form $5millon can be transferred to Victorian Schools Building Authority as soon as we are invoiced. This will then go to the builder so that work can commence.
COVID update
Even though he mask rules have changed for everyone, and our students and staff are not mandated to wear masks, however, all members of the college community are still encouraged to wear them when not able to socially distance. It is also very important we continue to sanitise our hands as often as possible and socially distance when we can.
Rapid Antigen Tests continue to be distributed to students and staff. The school has received over 200 air purifiers that we have placed around the school in accordance with DET guidelines
There has been a definite decrease in the number of positive RAT results for both staff and students in the last few weeks.
Yesterday, following advice from the Acting Chief Health Officer, the Minister for Health announced changes to the COVID-19 workplace vaccine mandates in Victoria.
There has also been a change in the vaccine requirements for staff in that from 11.59pm on Friday 24 June 2022 (in effect the start of Term 3), staff in mainstream schools will no longer be required to meet vaccination requirements to attend work.
Contact details
Would you please ensure that your contact details are updated if they have changed since last year. Recent events have emphasised the importance of the school being able to contact you by phone, email and by post if necessary. Please contact the General Office at your students’ Campus if your details need updating.