PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Tamy Stubley - Acting Principal

There's not much I can say that hasn't already been said, but thank you once again to our incredible community. A key goal for us this term is to ensure we continue to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all our students and to support their reconnections and routines that are so important for our young people. We have all responded to the pandemic in different ways, and we not only want so see young people continue their learning journey, we also want them to thrive as individual students who are happy, healthy and resilient.

As our senior students embark upon their exams, please know we are all behind you, cheering and supporting you to the finish line. During this time of feeling stressed, overwhelmed, tired and maybe at times, confused, continue to give it everything you have; you are nearly there and know that whatever happens, your final study scores and ATAR doesn’t define you, rather see it as an awesome launching pad for the new challenges and adventures that await you.

It is pleasing to announce the government has provided additional funding for all schools across the state to address the impact of individual learning progressions during the pandemic. For Surf Coast Secondary College, we will have up to 3 tutors working across our school during key periods of time next year supporting students impacted by COVID-19. We await further guidance from the Department of Education, but we are keen to utilise our upcoming Curriculum Day towards the end of the year to provide the appropriate planning and professional learning around this initiative.

With students resuming their learning in the classroom, our focus begins to shift towards making certain that students are well prepared for the 2021 school year. This means providing additional direction and guidance through our Headstart programs. The end of the school year, when assessments are complete, can often be marked by a reduction in work by students, a reduction in learning opportunities, and a sense of biding time before the holidays descend. Our Headstart program is a key component of the learning continuum at SCSC because students get a taste of the year ahead by entering into classes for a week. There is a sense of purpose and direction to student’s learning during this time and other benefits including: improved student attendance rates, stimulated student learning opportunities, provision for data gathering of students abilities prior to the beginning of the next year, teething problems associated with subject clashes ironed out and most importantly students having a solid foundation prior to the holiday period with a purposeful holiday homework program embedded. We find that the beginning of the academic school year sees students and staff alike settled and focussed on their teaching and learning, free from the distractions often associated with the settling in phase of the new year.

One very positive aspect of 2020 has been the progression of the Wurdi Baierr Stadium as planned. Despite all the challenges faced in 2020, the stadium is still well and truly on track for an end of year completion, and given we are moving ever closer to that date, we thought it was an opportune time to share a progress update and some photos in order to keep excitement levels high. Nicholson Constructions have done a fantastic job throughout this year keeping to schedule and the design Mantric architecture now taking its final form, looks fantastic. The building works are currently at the stage of fitting off and completion of finishes to all rooms and surfaces.

Floor and wall coverings, including painting are underway to the entirety of the building.
Joinery is being installed to change rooms/toilets, meeting rooms and offices.
Plumbing and electrical fixtures and fittings are now being connected in all areas.
Court 3 is now largely complete including the installation of backboards and rings, courts 1 & 2 are currently being sealed and line marked.
As the work inside is being completed, landscaping to the building surrounds and path network connecting the precinct are also now underway.

Finally it is with great pleasure and excitement that I announce the 2021 Surf Coast Secondary College Leaders. Having been given the privilege of sitting on the selection panel, I can say without any hesitation that the field of applicants was extremely strong and each student represented themselves with such confidence, pride and left us with no doubt about the true value they bring our school community.

Congratulations to everyone who applied and in particular to our 2021 Student Leaders:

College Captains: Jason Scammell and Maya Supple

College Vice Captains: Shari Smith and Tyson Williams

Bells House Captains: Alice Howard and Rumi Voss

Birdrock House Captains: Kayla Ching and Tayla Downey

Roadknight House Captains: Charlotte Gorman and Madeleine Sampson

Zeally House Captains: Pippa Speldewinde and Khye Thomas

The Victorian Chief Health Officer has asked that we share a letter with our school community providing reassurance about the low transmission risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) in schools. The letter provides information on the effective risk-mitigation strategies in place at Surf Coast Secondary College and links to useful information and resources. Please see the letter below:

Dear parents, carers and guardians,

As students in both mainstream and specialist settings recommence on-site learning in Term 4, I want to thank you all for your efforts during this challenging time. I also want to reassure you that the health, wellbeing and safety of children, young people and those involved in their education continues to be of paramount importance.

Throughout the pandemic we have closely monitored the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on schools; the strategies that can be implemented in schools to reduce risk; and the health impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) on children and young people, including those with a disability or complex medical condition.

Research by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute found that coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission in schools is uncommon when community transmission is low. A summary report of these findings is available to read.

With declining case numbers in the community, I am confident that the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission in mainstream and specialist schools is very low, when we have in place a range of health and safety measures.

The health and safety measures recommended for schools focus on the strategies we know are most effective. These include ensuring unwell staff and students remain home, good hand hygiene, enhanced cleaning and wearing face masks (only mandatory for those 12 years and over attending high schools). Temperature screening is not currently recommended for schools, given low levels of community transmission. I encourage you to read the health and safety advice for schools for further information on what schools are doing to keep students and staff safe.

The most important thing I ask of every family this term is to keep your child home from school if they have even the mildest coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms and to get tested as soon as possible. Staying home when unwell is one of our strongest measures to limit the spread of the virus. For more information on what to do if your child is unwell, see this fact sheet.

The good news is that evidence continues to show that children are less impacted by the virus, and are less likely to develop severe illness. Additional advice for families has been developed for those with medical vulnerabilities to support decision making about on-site learning at this time.

Working together to implement COVIDSafe strategies, I am confident Victoria’s students can continue to safely attend school throughout Term 4.

Adj Clin Prof Brett Sutton

Victorian Chief Health Officer