From the Principal 

Thanks to each and every one of you and for the sacrifices we have all made, our school community is whole again. Our teachers are back onsite teaching and our students are back in classrooms learning. Our lives are back on track to some semblance of normality. While all these great things were happening, time evaporated and we now find ourselves halfway through Term 4, with only 5 weeks remaining, until we are saying goodbye to the 2020 school year. 

We have all worked hard to be at this point and it is with great pride I reflect on the learning that has taken place at Cranbourne East Secondary College. It has been innovative, resourceful and incredibly positive. So many teachers and students have taken risks and thought creatively to overcome the obstacles that could have prevented great learning, nonetheless great learning was exactly what happened.  Student attendance and engagement has remained relatively strong and most students are thrilled to be back with friends and in their classes. 

We had our first ever WebEx digital Parent/Teacher/Student interviews this term, which proved to be extremely successful, with a record number of parents attending appointments. We will be assessing the benefits of offering this opportunity and will explore the various possibilities to determine its feasibility as an online delivery option for the future.

We will be welcoming our new Year 7 2021 families this Term while working hard to ensure a successful transition program, that complies with DET operation guidelines. Our Year 12 students have started their VCE exams and we wish them all the very best as they complete the final chapter of their schooling career.

Our leadership teams have been working diligently to create the Step-up programs that allow our students to ‘taste-test’ their next years’ experience. Some key dates include:

• VCE & VCAL step up - 3rd December 
• Year 8, 9 & 10 step up 7th – 11th December
• College Awards evening – 17th December (More information to follow)
• Whole School Curriculum Day -26th November 
• Year 11 exams -19th November 

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Cranbourne East Secondary College for being a finalist in the Victorian Education Excellence Awards 2020. Forty-one finalists from Government schools across 14 award categories have been shortlisted for the Victorian Education Excellence Awards 2020.  We have been named a finalist for the Outstanding School Improvement Award which recognises exceptional schools who have demonstrated excellence in improving whole school outcomes through strategic planning, improvement initiatives, and have made a significant contribution to developing effective partnerships with the broader community to improve overall school performance.  This is wonderful recognition for the hard work of everyone over the last 5 years in improving student outcomes and providing high quality pathways to success. The VEEA night will be held on Friday 20th November. We wish the team all the best.

Linda Buckeridge and myself will remain in the shared acting Principal role until the end of Term 4, while Mandee Strickland will continue in the role of acting Senior Education Improvement Leader with the Department of Education and Training for the duration of this term.

There is no doubt that with the warmer weather, the rolling back of restrictions and a continued reduction in active COVID case numbers, there is growing optimism and positivity across the wider community. 

I want to thank all of you again, for your ongoing support. We look forward to a COVID normal remainder of Term 4.

Stay safe and well

Carys Freeman

Acting Principal