Principal's Message-

Amadeo Ferra

I hope this newsletter finds you all in good health and high spirits as we approach the cold and flu season. It gives me great pleasure to be writing to you all after my secondment and nine months away from McClelland College. I return with renewed energy and an immense sense of gratitude for the exceptional work done by our Acting Principal, Mr. Shaun Doherty, and the entire staff in my absence.

First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Shaun Doherty, whose dedicated leadership ensured the smooth functioning of our school during this transitional period which included leading the community through a school review process. His commitment, passion, and unwavering support for our students and staff have been commendable. The trust and confidence he has inspired among our school community have been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for his exceptional efforts.

I would also like to acknowledge the many other teachers and education support staff who stepped up into various leadership roles, assuming additional responsibilities during my absence. Their willingness to go above and beyond their regular duties highlights the strong sense of community and ownership within our school. It is through their collective efforts that we have maintained the high standards of education and continued to provide an enriching experience for our students.

While we celebrate the resilience and dedication of our staff, it is important to acknowledge the challenges we face due to the ongoing teacher workforce shortage. This issue is affecting schools nationwide, and we are not exempt. The recruitment of replacement teachers has become increasingly difficult, amplifying the strain on schools across the country.

Despite these challenges, I want to assure you that we have thus far managed to navigate this situation without a significant impact on our student programs. However, as we enter the cold and flu season, we anticipate that staffing shortages may become more pronounced. This is a reality we must confront together.

In light of this, our school is actively exploring creative strategies to minimise disruptions to classes and extracurricular activities, including camps. We understand the value of these experiences in fostering holistic development and building lasting memories for our students. Our dedicated staff is working tirelessly to ensure we deliver these programs to the best of our abilities, even in the face of staffing limitations.

Additionally, I would like to reach out to our community for support. If any of you know of teachers who may be seeking an opportunity to work in a great school like McClelland, we warmly welcome their interest. Encourage them to make contact with our school, as we are always on the lookout for talented individuals who can contribute to our philosophy of Education by Design.

As we move forward, let us remain united in our commitment to providing a nurturing and high-quality learning environment for our students. Together, we can overcome the challenges we face and continue to create positive educational experiences that will shape the lives of our young learners.

Thank you for your continued trust and support. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns. We value your partnership in ensuring the success of our school community.