Principal's Report

I believe that “learning should be done with students rather than to students.” 

From the Feedback Forums last term,  students, staff and parents have provided me with feedback on the current strengths of our school and the opportunities for improvement. 

Last Wednesday, I engaged with the Leadership Team in an extensive meeting flagging reasons and opportunities for change. On Friday May 24th, we will have a Curriculum Day. Please note, that this will be a student free day and students will not be required to attend school. This Professional Learning Day will be current and future focused. The future focus will consider enhanced learning for students from 2020. In planning for new programs, I have enabled staff and students to engage in learning walks visiting other schools to see what programs they offer and how this may be consider for our learning community. 

I believe that through engagement, student learning outcomes can improve.  Michael Fullan in his recent article, The nuance of achievement AEL 2019, discusses the benefits of improved student engagement and the deeper learning and improved levels of achievement. I aim for learning to be fun, engaging and at the “right’ level to appropriately challenge students. I had great success at Mount Alexander College, my previous school, in relation to creating a student centred school, a place where students are empowered to take control of their learning. Levels of engagement and learning outcomes improved dramatically with this approach. 

Next week, as part of our Professional learning program for staff, I will screen the documentary, “Most Likely to Succeed”. This film reminds us that our education system was created in the 1850’s and we are living in a world that is changing at an exponential rate. We must enable our students to develop the skills that will better equip them for our rapidly changing world. Researchers suggest that creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, independent learning and entrepreneurial skills will support students to be successful.  In Term 3, I will invite parents and students to an evening screening on the award wining film.        

At Hampton Park, we have high expectations of student behaviour.

A safe orderly environment is a key feature of any great school. Since the start of Term 2, we have implemented a new model for supporting learning.  The Are you ready to learn? model empowers students to reflect on their focus within the classroom and how this can impact on self and others.

No student has the right to disrupt the learning of others.

I am pleased to report that we have very few students who are not ready to learn.  I have made changes to remove the Timeout Room from the school structure and have replaced this using the Are you ready to learn model and a stable classroom. This means that in extreme cases where a student is not ready to learn, despite opportunities to reflect and refocus, a student may be asked to exit the lesson and be relocated with work to a senior class.   

Student Voice

Congratulations to Year 10 student Farzana Qasimi for her amazing TedXCasey talk at the City of Casey during the Two Hands  presentation. 

Thank you to our wonderful staff for encouraging and supporting Farzana. A special thanks to Fiona Vanstan, Erin Louden and Geoff Shinkfield.

Recently, Ms Erin Louden and myself invited students to be trained to participate in training to enable students to participate on Staff Selection Panels. For the past 9 years, I have supported students with such learning opportunities.  Every student at one point, will be required to attend a interview. I believe that by providing students with such opportunities early, best prepares students for such ‘real world’ challenges.

The role of the students on Selection Panels is advisory only. It is the Chairperson on the panel, who will have the final decision. Having students on Selection Panels, entrusts them with significant responsibilities. As Principal, I have high expectations of students and support them to embrace such challenges.

We have recently had a number of positions advertised and I look forward to our students playing an active role in assisting in the staff selection process.

NAPLAN Assessments

Congratulations to our students with your work with the NAPLAN Assessments. Your focus and consideration and support of others to do their best was outstanding. Parents and students are reminded that NAPLAN measures your learning against expected levels. It does not define you as a person. The real value that I see in NAPLAN is in measuring student learning growth. This data can then inform teachers, on how best to support learning.

Student Attitudes to School Survey

Each year, students in all government school undertake the Student Attitudes to School Survey. This is an opportunity for students to reflect on all school programs and pathways. The data is useful in informing student voice on what is working and enjoyed by students to what is missing and areas for improvement. This survey will be undertaken by student prior to the end of term.

School Building Works

Gym refurbishment works are due to be completed in the next few weeks. The space has been dramatically transformed and will benefit our students and staff for many years to come.

New Staff

We welcome the following new staff to the College community

Tony D'Auria - Classroom Teacher (Technology)

Clare Cocciardi - Classroom Teacher (English)

Peter Evans - Headstart Co-ordinator

Congratulations

Congratulations to Ms Susannah Ritchie and Ms Prunelle Prahaladh on the safe arrival of their new babies.

Farewell

I wish farewell to Ms Jane Dennis, who has departed our learning community. I wish to thank Ms Dennis for supporting our students.

Leave

I will be taking 4 weeks Long Service Leave commencing Monday 3rd June until the end of Term. During this time Ms Karen Shiel and Ms Eloise Haynes will share the Acting Principal role.

Wayne Haworth

Principal