Newsletter 

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Tamy Stubley - Acting Principal

Term 4 never disappoints as being an action packed term; one filled with a combination of reflection and evaluation, along with the anticipation and excitement about planning for the year ahead.

I do want to take the time to acknowledge Friday 30 October which was World Teacher’s Day 2020. World Teacher’s Day recognises the important contribution our teachers make to our learners and the community as a whole. This year, despite major challenges, our teachers have made sure education continued across all year levels. The education environment today is more dynamic and the role of teachers more complex than ever before. Our teachers at Surf Coast Secondary College are responsible for supporting learners to develop literacy and numeracy skills, critical thinking, collaboration skills, global awareness, responsible digital citizenship, positive mental health strategies and so much more. It is an immense responsibility and the leadership team at the SCSC definitely want to take the time to recognise our teachers and thank them for the vital role they play in guiding and supporting our students to learn and grow.

 

I am in constant awe of the time that our teachers dedicate to ensure their students’ learning and wellbeing needs are met. They work in teams to challenge research, observe each other’s practice, understand all students in their classes and tailor their classroom to challenge and meet the diverse needs of their learners. Our teachers really do go above and beyond their classroom responsibilities. They give up time with their families to ensure their classes get to experience life at camp and other unfamiliar environments.  They spend their weekends looking for resources and other tools that will make the learning explicit and unique. Our teachers work incredibly hard to make our school culture a happy, fun and safe place to learn. I want to sincerely thank all the teachers at Surf Coast for their dedication, professionalism, and care. If you get an opportunity, please let our teachers know that they are appreciated for all that they do.

 

Supporting students return to school and reconnecting effectively with their peers and teachers has been a focus of our work this term and will continue through the coming weeks.  We have developed a detailed plan to support students and staff which includes a range of strategies, include:

  • The creation of a calm and safe classroom environment. Growing student voice and agency by discussing with students the classroom protocols (including COVID safety) that are needed to make sure everyone feels safe, supported and can learn.
  • Fostering strong relationships with classes and re-establishing routines.
  • Focusing on teaching the ‘whole child’ with an emphasis on academic, wellbeing and social outcomes. Fostering student voice by working with each student to develop SMART learning goals.
  • Supporting students with reintegration anxiety by creating a classroom environment that privileges wellbeing where we all feel connected, protected and respected.
  • Developing a range of wellbeing and teamwork activities for students.
  • Collecting learning and wellbeing data from students to ensure we understand how best to support our students.

Thank you to our parents for supporting our COVID-19 safe practices. In spite of everything that has happened this year, we, as a school community, have so much to celebrate and be proud of. Your support has been central to this.

 

Although this has been the most unpredictable year in our Year 12 cohort’s lives, congratulations on making it to the end of formal classes and good luck with the upcoming exams. For each individual student, this represents the end of 13 years of schooling and concentrated effort in their learning over the last 12 months, which included stepping up during the COVID-19 lockdown. Our students are well prepared - and if they remember to take a deep breath and stay calm, they will rise to the challenge and do well. Year 12 students in their final days at SCSC have remained respectful and focused with a little time for COVID approved celebrations on Friday. We are greatly looking forward to the Valedictory Celebrations later in the year. In the meantime all the best over the coming weeks.