Principal's Report

Welcome to our last edition of Score for this term.

Term one has been very busy with all students now engaged in a multitude of quality learning experiences within and beyond the classroom. Despite the short lockdown earlier in the term, students have still been able to participate in orientation programs, year 7 camp, excursions, athletic sports, interschool sport, study skills sessions, instrumental music and many other activities. Our high expectations are known and understood by our students, empowering them to be responsible for their own behaviour and learning. This isn’t to say that a small number have reminding on occasions.

Our teachers have continued to work extremely hard, modelling our learning values of ‘relevance, rigour and responsibility’ to provide every student every opportunity to achieve their personal best. Tomorrow we have our student / parent/ teacher conferences. These conferences are an opportunity for you to meet and get to know your child's teacher and can foster a positive conversation. It is through the sharing of information about your child’s progress, interests and needs, that teachers are better equipped to personalise your child’s learning.

I wish to acknowledge the extraordinary work staff have carried out since the start of the year to identify any potential changes in student learning growth. The number of intervention and extension programs that they have been implemented, complimented by tutors and the collective supports to support learning catch up and identification of students with wellbeing concerns is a credit to their commitment to all students learning growth..

2021 College Council

The College Council AGM was held this week. College Council supports the principal to provide the best possible educational outcomes for students. On behalf of our community, I thank the following members who have been elected for being prepared to commit their time to support our college

The 2021 - 2022 Committee members:

President:

Ms Cindy Lopes (Co-opted member, Year 12 parent 2020)

Vice President:

Mr Glenn Corey (aYear 8 and 10 Parent)

Executive Officer (Principal)

Mrs Gail Major

Committee Members

Parent Representatives:

Mr Andrew Bissett (Year 8 Parent)

Mr Garry Davies (Year 8 and 10 Parent)

Mr Peter Mitcham (Year10 Parent)

Ms Leanne Powell (Year 11 Parent)

We still have 1 parent vacancy

Department of Education and Training Employee Representatives:

Mr Chris Knight (Assistant Principal)

Ms Emily Phibbs (Head of Junior School)

Mrs Michele Rogers (Office / Attendance)

Mr Tony Stirling (Head of Senior School)

Student Members:

Sam Dhillon (Year 11)

Aimee Bugeja (Year 11)

Co-opted Members:

Mr Keith Talty (Chaplaincy Committee, past parent)

I would like to acknowledge the work of our retiring members Mrs Fiona Matthews and Mrs Sue Phillips.

We still have one further vacant position in the parent category. If you are interested in being nominated for this position please contact me via the office.

I welcome our new members to Council and look forward to our continued transformation and achievement of our goals and priorities in 2021

Junior School Student Leadership Team

Previously I have announced our Senior School student leaders. In this newsletter it gives me great pleasure to introduce our Junior School Captains and Year level Representatives for Years 7, 8, and 9

Junior School Captains:

Anna Harper and Mikayla Rogers

Year 9 student leaders:

Loren Watson and Harrison Voysey

Year 8 leaders:

Angie Norton and Alyssa Hodgson

Year 7 leaders:

Bek Howarth and Declan Fitzgerald

Primary School Leadership Day

Scoresby Secondary College is recognised for our work in leading student voice agency and leadership. Two weeks ago our student leaders organised and conducted our annual leadership training day for the student leaders from Carrington, Kent Park, Knox Gardens, Knox Park, Mountain Gate and Scoresby Primary Schools. Thank you to Nick Wakeling and Kim Wells for presenting certificates to each of the participants.

College Uniform

Students are expected to be in their winter uniforms from the start of term two with the correct items being worn to and from school. I have been informed that some students have been seen leaving with other clothing items, runners or carrying a bag other than the approved college schoolbag. This is disappointing as these students not only impact on the perceptions of themselves and other students.

Wellbeing

There are currently a number of respiratory viruses and cases of gastro in the community. I thank parents and carers who have kept students home so these illnesses can be minimised. Unfortunately a number of staff have also become ill and therefore we have had replacement teachers in some classes. We hope the Easter vacation period will provide an opportunity for all members of our community to recharge, refocus and renew for the second term.

Knox City Council Grant

Knox City Council have supported an application from our Parentnet to replace the shade sail near the oval which was damaged in storm late last year. We appreciate the support to protect our students from the sun.

Open Day and Night

Wednesday April 28 is Open Day and Night. Students will be dismissed at 1.10pm for a break before they return for the evening program commencing at 5pm. I would welcome any Council members that can be available for the principal’s address at 6.30pm in the student centre.

Australian Council of Business Network (ABCN)

Since the announcement of Aimee Bugeja’s award for ABCN’s National Award, we are excited that our college has been invited to become a partner school. ABCN was formed by CEO’S /Managing Directors of companies including KPMG, Commonwealth Bank, Lend lease, Microsoft Australia, Oceania, and Macquarie Bank to name a few and offer programs free of charge to partner schools to support students. Each year we will have an opportunity to co-design further programs to benefit our students. The first program will be commencing next term.

CEO Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority Visit

On Monday Mr Stephen Gniel, CEO VCAA visited the college. His visit was in recognition of the lead role the college is playing in building business and industry partnerships which facilitate co-design of learning tasks that increase learning, engagement and foster much needed employability skills.

Currently VCAA are consulting on the recommendations for the Senior School review into vocational and applied learning pathways for senior secondary students. The review found major changes are needed to make sure all Victorian secondary students have access to high quality vocational training that meets their strengths and interests, an gives them the skills they need, and that leads them into further training, education and, ultimately, a great job.

We are pleased to have Mr Chris Knight and myself involved in the consultation and development of the new Senior School Program which will commence statewide role out in 2023.

House Athletics

The College athletics sports were held at Knox Athletics Centre on Tuesday with the weather being kind. It was especially pleasing to see so many students putting their hands up to participate. Student behaviour was excellent and the sportsmanship and support for each other throughout the day was exceptional. Well done to Mr Jake Barnett our sports coordinator for his organisation, Mrs Tracey Carpenter (parent of Melissa Butler, Year 11) who was the race starter and staff for making the day a success. Congratulations to all competitors, and of course well done to members of Chisholm House who are this year’s champion.

Middle School Certificate

Once again students in Years 9 and 10 are eligible to obtain a Middle School Certificate.

Many independent and high performing schools issue a certificate for these year levels. The certificate recognises attendance, participation and application. The certificate is particularly beneficial as a reference for students, particularly for students who choose other pathways following year 10 and not complete VCE or VCAL. The certificate also reinforces the importance of attendance and participation in breadth of activities required.

Mrs Gail Major

Principal