GSSC Leadership Team

Dear Families,

Our College has experienced a number of challenges over the past few weeks, and I know this has caused distress for our school community.  

We are experiencing unprecedented change in how we deliver secondary education to our students in Greater Shepparton. It is difficult, particularly the transition to our new college, but it is all focused on improving the educational outcomes and life prospects of the young people of Greater Shepparton.

I’m sure you would agree development of our new facilities has been rapid and impressive. 

At the same time we are preparing these amazing new facilities for our students, we are also working hard to build a school culture based on our values of Respect, Responsibility, Aspiration and Integrity.

We can’t do it alone and we welcome the support shown by our school community to embrace the diversity that makes our city so unique and welcoming to all. We are increasing our connections with community groups who are very willing to support us in continuing to establish a culturally inclusive school that supports all children. 

Our Student Leadership Team has met with us to share their ideas as to how we can improve our college and make it a place where all students feel accepted and connected. They are a very enthusiastic and astute group of students who have lots of great ideas. 

On each campus we are introducing a range of lunchtime activities that are providing our students with opportunities to engage positively with each other. Our goal is to expand these activities to enable different cultural groups the opportunity to share their culture through music, dance, art and sport. 

With Harmony Day celebrations starting next week, our students are excited to be able to showcase their own culture as well as learn about other’s cultures. Staff and students are working together to plan a range of activities to celebrate the diversity of our college. 

Mooroopna Campus students Dakodah, Moana & Storm will be among many dance groups celebrating Harmony Day across the Greater Shepparton Secondary college. The girls are members of the Marrung Dance Group

Greater Shepparton Secondary College will live up to its promise if we focus on these important steps and embrace the positive and the promise of a community working as one.

In putting on my “principal” hat, may I remind students, parents and carers of important housekeeping items that are important to the daily expectations we expect of our students, our values and to help staff manage the school day:

• Phones/earbuds/AirPods must be kept in student’s locker from the moment they enter the school grounds until the last bell of the day.
• Bags are to be kept in students’ lockers from the moment they enter the school grounds until the last bell of the day.
• All students should be in full school uniform. Students are expected to comply with the uniform policy. Hoodies and jumpers are not to be worn underneath or over the top of uniform items.
• All students must be in class on time and ready to learn: Students will not be able to leave class for things like getting a drink or collecting materials from your locker. They must make sure that they take everything they need to class.

In closing, may I reiterate that our students remain at the centre of all that we do as educators. Our transition to a new school in 2022 has great promise and we can all contribute to growing the positive, inclusive culture that reflects Greater Shepparton at its very best.

Best wishes

Barbara O’Brien

Acting Executive Principal

The Leadership Team

Greater Shepparton Secondary College