Executive Team Report

I am looking forward to the 2021 year with anticipation and excitement, despite the hiccup this week. I would like to welcome our Year 7 cohort, students who have joined us at other Year levels, their families, our new staff members and of course all returning community members. It was lovely seeing the PFA on deck to welcome our new Year 7 families with warm smiles and a lovely morning tea on their first day.

VCE Outcomes 2020

This first Newsletter is an opportunity to again congratulate the 2020 Year 12 cohort on their excellent VCE results. The whole school median was 32 which is outstanding. The Dux of the College was Reka Ropolyi who achieved an ATAR of 99.2. Reka was awarded a scholarship to study at the University of Melbourne.

Two students also earned perfect study scores of 50.

Claire Morgan received 50 for Environmental Studies, in fact Claire was the only perfect score for this subject in the State. This was highlighted in a great article in the Age.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/standing-tall-the-vce-students-who-aced-subjects-with-a-perfect-score-20201231-p56r1m.html

Jiawen Wang also achieved 50 in Mathematical Methods.

Overall, ten percent of students achieved ATAR scores above 95 (top 5%) and twenty percent of the cohort achieved ATAR scores above 90 (top 10%). These are impressive outcomes, most significant, however, is that the majority of the cohort have achieved their personal goals and are accepting positions in a range of tertiary or career training opportunities. I would like to thank the Senior Sub school staff, Principal and Careers teams for their work following up students during the Christmas break to ensure support was provided for course selection and other transition needs.

As always, these outcomes were achieved by hard work and collaboration by students, their teachers and education support staff in tandem with love and care provided by families. I think they are particularly impressive considering the challenges which were presented throughout the 2020 year.

School Review

In December 2020, an official review of the last four years was conducted. The panel interrogated our academic and wellbeing data and conducted a range of observations and group discussions with parents, students and staff. A final report was compiled and submitted to the Department of Education and Training (DET) for approval. This has occurred and the goals which form the basis of our new strategic plan have been delivered.

The panel identified four major highlights of the last four years based on the investigations. These are:

1. Improved VCE Scores across Domains

Incremental rise in the VCE mean study score, each year to an all study mean of 33 in 2019.
Literacy across the curriculum training and focus and the provision of published lesson plans using LET'S LEARN model for student access for preview and revision.

2. Year 9 Live Life Program

Students, staff and parents expressed high regard for the value of the program, particularly to increase student independence and self- regulation.

3. Student Voice and Agency

Extra-curricula activities, clubs, forums and leadership opportunities are important components of school culture and allow student input into school operations.

4. Pedagogical Growth, skill development and collaboration during Remote Learning

Staff, students and parents responded with flexibility and determination to the challenges provided by COVID-19.

Strategic Plan 2021

The life of our next Strategic Plan will span 2021 to 2023. The focus of this work have been captured in the following goals.

Goal 1

To improve student achievement in all areas of learning across the school.

Strategies to achieve this will include continuing to focus on improving literacy across the curriculum, and developing effective assessment practices to inform teaching and learning.

Goal 2

To build student voice and agency to improve student engagement in learning.

This will involve having a whole-school culture of high expectations for all students, whilst building student capacity to understand feedback to inform their own learning. We also aim to explore and develop broader curriculum options to cater for a range of student needs.

Goal 3

To develop the connectedness, resilience and wellbeing of all students.

Strategies to support this goal include:

Establishing a whole-school approach to student management and wellbeing that fosters positive student experiences (School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Program). Implementing a range of initiatives which support the development of student resilience and the maintenance and development of positive community partnerships.

2021 AIP – Annual Implementation Plan

As a result of Covid-19 and the impacts that were felt across the education system in 2020, DET has identified specific priorities which all state schools need to address in 2021.

These have formed the basis of our AIP. These priorities are closely aligned with the outcomes of our school review.

We need to focus on understanding student learning needs and identifying those who require catch up or extension through diagnostic assessment tools and then providing of a range of intervention programs where required.

Another clear priority is around health and wellbeing. A range of programs and support structures will be available for students and families. Again, the introduction of the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Program will provide a framework for this within all settings at the College.

The third component of this priority is to re-establish community links. Many aspects of school life were disrupted in 2020 and we are looking to re-establish relationships and partnerships to support our students, staff and families. We also need to develop innovative ways to manage our school community within a Covid normal situation.

The complete AIP with more detail about the types of strategies to be implemented is available on the website.

Ultimately, there is a lot of work to do, however, I believe we are well placed to continue our positive improvement. 2021 should be an exciting year with lots of opportunities and developments. We are fortunate to have the benefit of dedicated and talented staff, focused students and supportive families. I am hopeful that we can stay the course on site this year, take advantage of the many things we learnt last year and continue powering forward. I am also looking forward to our Building Project unfolding. Enjoy the term and stay optimistic. We have got this!

Staffing News

New Staff & Returning Staff

Glenn Bennett English

Tracie Edgell Assistant Business Manager

Erika Huang Maths/Science

David Forward Music

Elizabeth James Business/Humanities

Abby Laffin Student support

Owen Lovelace-Tozer Health/PE

Sarah Mouer Business/Humanities

Tory Nokes English

Kathy Ralph Admin/AR

Monica Shi Chinese Language

Lydia Tomic Tutor Program/Numeracy

Antoniette Tuckwell French Language Assistant

Tina Waite EAL

Janene Watt IT/Humanities

Marianne Lee

Principal

Facilities work over the Summer break

Periodic cleaning

All windows washed

Floors stripped and polished

Cobwebs cleared

Carpets cleaned

Deep clean of change areas, toilets and troughs

Extensive cleaning, dusting and mopping of internal areas

Classrooms/staff areas

Blinds installed in rooms 33, interview room, 12 and library

Year 7 lockers moved into main corridor to prep for building works

Decant lower gym and storeroom in preparation for demolition of building

Room 43 refurbishment: benches, sink, taps and cupboards, shelving installed in storeroom

Recarpeted hockey clubhouse

Relocated many staff desks and assorted furniture

Paint (x2 offices) and carpet daily org office

Partial remodel of canteen to fit new contractor's equipment(WIP).

Grounds

Extensive mowing, whipper snipping, gardening, tree and branch removal and leaf litter clean up completed to tidy grounds prior to start up

Shipping containers and shelving installed to houseSport/PE equipment

4 new basketball towers installed

Hockey pitch groomed

New fences and gates installed

Theatre/gym

New storage for theatre props built

Painting of gym, corridors and theatre foyer in progress

Theatre/gym area

Thanks to Mat Douglas and Pete Martin for their tireless efforts to ensure our College is the best it can be when we return from holidays.

Capital Works Program Update

Demolition works are about to start in preparation for our new building works. Hoarding will be erected next week, with the first turning of sod scheduled for Tuesday 23 February. Proposed completion date/handover is currently 26 October this year. It will be a very busy, but exciting time for our College community!

Stace Kerr

Business Manager

Technology

Wood Technology Lunchtime Activity now available every Wednesday....