From the Principal 

I hope you all managed to have a nice long weekend and spend some quality time with others. It is hard to believe we are well and truly into this Term with only 3 weeks remaining. Today I spoke to all students about making the most of the time remaining, especially given how jam-packed next term is. Thank you to the parents for supporting us and ensuring your child is here each and every day so they can maintain their course load requirements.

Parent Interviews

The Parent Interviews were a resounding success with an increase in scheduled interviews compared to last year and quite a few requests for phone interviews for those who couldn't make it on the day.

I spoke to the students today about how these interviews along with their Semester 1 and 2 Reports make up a small component of the feedback they can access regarding their progress. It is imperative that students take ownership of tracking their own progress through communicating directly with their teacher/trainer, checking Connect, farm progress sheets and trades marks books. I also emphasised that our staff are only a phone call away should parents like an update.

2022-2024 Business Plan

I am pleased to present to you our finalised and College Board endorsed 2022-2024 Business Plan. This plan has been developed in conjunction with all key stakeholders and informed by our college's performance data and feedback mechanisms such as staff, student and parent surveys and various boards, committees and councils.

This document is our overarching college-wide strategic direction and feeds directly into our Operational Plans for each area and initiative and encapsulates our key focus areas for the 3-year cycle. 

The Plan will be uploaded to our college website and Schools Online in coming days.

Staffing update

I would like to wish Grace Davey (Piggery Technical Officer) all the best as she heads off on maternity leave at the end of next week. Jemma Read has stepped into the piggery and is already doing a sensational job.

It is with great sadness that I inform you that Associate Principal, Paul Beecham will be heading back to Perth at the end of this Term. Paul stepped into the position at very short notice in Term 4 last year to assist us and graciously continued in the role for Term 1 and 2 this year. Paul's appointment was always temporary, with his partner, children and grandchildren all based in Perth. I'd like to thank Paul for all of his support over the last 3 terms and the positive impact he has had on our students and college community as a whole.

I am delighted to inform you that our Head of Class, Kelsey Smith who has been the Deputy Principal at Morawa Ag College this term will be returning to us next term. Kelsey will be stepping into the Associate Principal role with Sarah Aynsley continuing on as acting Head of Class.

Student Voice

Feedback from our recent student survey was a need for us to increase student voice at the college. While the Student Council do a fantastic job of communicating ideas that come from the student body, not all students are comfortable approaching the Councillors. The Councillors have implemented X2 student suggestion boxes where these written submissions will be discussed at their fortnightly meetings. 

In addition, each Wednesday this term I am hosting a 'morning tea with the Principal' for up to 4 students each week. This is an opportunity for the students to let me know what is working well in the college, what things they find hard, how they are finding each of the areas (Residential, Class, Farm and Trades), ask any questions or anything else they would like to chat about. They also get to give me feedback on how they think I am going as Principal of their college. This feedback is invaluable and is provided to the Senior Staff team for their consideration. It is also an opportunity for the students to give a 'shout out' to the staff that they appreciate, which I feedback to individuals each week.

Wishing you all a pleasant weekend ahead and here's hoping we receive a bit more rain  to help out our freshly seeded crops!