Emerald Secondary College Newsletter

Principal's Report

The journey to the vision of ENGAGEMENT continues…

The School Review and new strategic direction continues to grow and flourish. Staff have been very busy in articulating our new Middle School electives on offer, applications for the new VCE Vocational Major (VCEVM) have been released and students have been having interviews on career goals with our very busy experts in Mr Closter and Ms Kennedy. During this week, there will be information sessions on VTAC and the ‘Future Options Expo’, where several tertiary institutions will be onsite to discuss ‘real world’ options with all our students.

 

What an exciting opportunity! 

 

Mrs McMahon, Assistant Principal (Curriculum) further details in her report on the changes that we will see in 2023. Together with the expertise of Mr Closter, Ms Stephens and Mr Gibbs, they have been able to construct a working timetable for next year, bringing together all the complexities of the new VCEVM, the new 5x60 minute periods in a day, and the new Workforce Agreement that has just been ratified by the Fair Work Commission for all teaching and education support staff. This has been a whole school effort by all our teachers, too, coming together and consulting and offering exciting new subjects. This is a massive undertaking and I thank all involved.

 

In light of my comments about the new VCEVM, an application process will need to be completed by those students interested; it involves:

  • Minimum attendance requirements – 90% 
  • Commitment to Industry Training
  • A VET course and payment of all costs associated with the course
  • A work placement 
  • An interview

All details are available on Compass.

 

CONGRATULATIONS and CELEBRATIONS

Well done to all our students who were recognised for their academic achievements at our Junior School and Middle School Awards afternoon respectively. Cheered on by their very proud parents, all recipients deserve a hearty congratulations. Thank you to all the leaders in both sub schools for putting together such a tremendous afternoon and thank you to all our parents who took the time out of their busy schedules to attend. 

 

College Refurbishment

The Administration Block is now open, and everyone is settling in well. Staff have the use of a communal staffroom and all the updated facilities have that ‘new’ paint smell.

 

The builders have completed their demolition of the next stage and started to frame up new spaces, and ordering of fittings and fixtures. It is expected that these works will take all term. We remain patient.

 

School CULTURE, EXPECTATIONS and STANDARDS

School culture is defined by seeing so many happy students, engaging positively with their learning, their teachers and their peers.

 

This is the expectation at Emerald Secondary College.

 

Most of our students conduct themselves with a sense of awareness, respect and understanding of the direction of our college and we celebrate this landscape – one of respect, positivity, and harmony.

 

There are some students who still require some support to be the best version of themselves and we are always working with the parents to find solutions in targeted support. This may include, but not limited to:

  • The Tutor support group
  • Wellbeing meetings
  • Regional support – as needed
  • Celebration of pathways and new horizons

These interventions are necessary and provide guidance to all those students who require support in their learning and general demeanour, so that we can all work together to continue to grow our school.

 

SCHOOL TOURS

School tours will start again on a regular basis next term, but we have set aside two dates this term for interested parents and students who might be considering our college for a 2023 or 2024 enrolment.

 

The two dates set aside:

     Tuesday, 23rd of August and:

     Tuesday, 6th of September

 

To access a booking, please go to our website and click on trybooking, to register your attendance.

 

SCHOOL UNIFORM

I am thrilled and pleased to report that our students have really stepped up with their uniform, since the Dress Code Policy aligned itself with any ESC item from our main supplier, PSW. 

 

The uptake on school pants or ESC approved trackies has been a bit slow, so we will continue to monitor uniform expectations. 

 

Once again, thank you for your ongoing support.

James Barut - Principal