Firstly, I would like to share my news with you, particularly for those who may not have already heard it.

After much pondering I have reached what is quite a weight decision for me personally.

I have decided that in 2019 I will take extended long service leave until term four and then retire.

I have both personal and professional reasons which have contributed to this decision. At the professional level, moving into the three campus school as part of the Footscray Learning Precinct will bring changes to the leadership structure. Firstly, an executive principal is currently being selected to commence at the beginning of next year. Without presumption of being selected, I did not apply for this position as I believe it requires a long term commitment of at least five years which is not part of my plan at this point in my career. However, the major factor that prompted my decision is that with the merger of FCC and Gilmore in 2020, the principal positions for both schools are abolished at the end of 2019. At this point I would have the option of going into the department’s regional office for two years to be allocated duties, which I am not really interested in doing. The abolition of principal positions is part of the standard department policy and processes for school mergers. Fortunately, assistant principals, teaching and support staff remain employed as part of the new entity (the three campus school).

In light of this school merger context combined with personal considerations, I think that after eleven demanding years as principal of FCC, it is time to draw my career to a close to pursue other interests in life, as well as have more time for my family.

This has not been a decision I have taken lightly, as I feel like I have lived and breathed Footscray City for many years, and I will certainly miss school life and being surrounded by our vibrant young students on a daily basis. On the other hand, there are other opportunities that open up for me, although I’m sure I will be feeling a little strange on the 29th January 2019.

I also hope that the promise of the Footscray Learning Precinct is realised with the funding commitments coming to fruition to provide our current and future students with high quality facilities and resources, and enhanced opportunities in the educational programs offered.

Footscray Learning Precinct (FLP) Update

With the return of the Labor government in the recent election, there is now more certainty that the FLP will progress and the recent funding commitments will be forthcoming.

The commitments have included:

Seddon Campus

$29 million allocated in May for the two storey building for this campus, along with the purchase of the land at $19 million
Building is scheduled to commence in mid-2019 with the expectation that the campus will open in 2021

Gilmore – Barkly Street campus

Funding of approximately $13 million has been committed – and hopefully allocated in 2019 – for a new three storey building to face Barkly Street

Footscray City College

Approximately $7 million committed – also hoped to be allocated in 2019 – for a Science Centre renovation

Gilmore and FCC Staff Engagement

Staff from both schools have been coming together to prepare for the opening of the Barkly Street campus in 2020 with its first intake of Year 7 students.

Discussions between the staff of the two schools have been focused on contributing to decisions about issues such as

Year 7 – 9 curriculum
Pastoral care
Digital learning – devices and platforms to be used
Languages to be taught
STEAM specialisation

Decisions around these areas will need to be finalised as early as possible in 2019, in preparation for informing Grade 6 parents and students who will be choosing a secondary school for 2020, in term two.

Other planning for 2020 will include decisions about the structure of school council, uniform, and the naming of the new school. It will be the responsibility of the new secondary executive principal to lead this planning, as well as organise the merging of staff and all other resources of Gilmore and FCC.

Student action teams for FLP

Student representatives from the four FLP schools – FCC, Gilmore, Footscray City PS and Footscray PS – have been working together in student action teams. They have discussed their concerns about the change as well as what they would like to see in the new multi-campus school.

They then very articulately presented the outcomes of their discussions to the FLP Vision & Leadership committee. Hopefully our students will continue to have a strong voice in the development of the precinct.

Highlights of Term Four

Art Show

Our annual Art Show early in the term was an absolute highlight, as we moved to a new level of sophistication with our students' artworks exhibited in a gallery space for the first time. The Opening Night at the VU Metro West gallery had a record crowd in attendance and all were very excited and impressed with the elevation of our talented students’ artworks to gallery status.

Acknowledgement and appreciation goes to VU for generously donating their gallery for a week, for the exhibition.

Year 12 Graduation

The next major event was our Graduation Dinner at the Atrium, Flemington Racecourse with approximately 500 Year 12 students, families and staff in attendance. This too was an excellent evening with our Year 12 students fittingly glamorous as the stars of the night, behaved perfectly and exuded a great sense of camaraderie towards each other. All students took to the stage to receive their Year 12 certificate, and many returned for excellence awards in the different subjects. On behalf of the college, we wish our Year 12 students the very best for the next phase of their lives, and we will undoubtedly see many of them returning on Friday 14th December when the VCE results are released.

Year 7 – 11 Presentation Evening

On 15th November we returned to the Clock Tower in Moonee Ponds to hold our Presentation Evening to honour the efforts and successes of many of our students. Once again it was inspiring to see so many students called to the stage for their achievments and contributions in a diverse range of areas including academic, sport, the arts, leadership and community. Thanks must also go to our SRC representatives who led the proceedings of the evening in a most impressive and professional manner.

As the year rapidly draws to a close, our Year 11 students have progressed to Year 12 and have just completed the first two weeks of next year’s course. Likewise, the Year 10s progressed to Year 11 and completed a week of their Year 11 program. The Year 7 – 9 students have also just finished their 2018 programs and will now engage in course commencement for 2019, as well as other activities to end up the year.

Until our final newsletter for 2018 – best wishes.

Maria Bawden

Principal

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