Principal

Welcome back to Term 3.

Child Safety 

The new Victorian Child Safe Standards and Ministerial Order No. 1359 – Implementing the Child Safe Standards – Managing the Risk of Child Abuse in Schools and School Boarding Premises (Ministerial Order No. 1359) came into effect on Friday 1 July 2022. The Order outlines minimum requirements schools and school boarding premises must meet to comply with the new Child Safe Standards. 

Consequently, with support from DOSCEL we have reviewed a number of our policies that relate to these changes. My thanks to Jenny Damon for her work with these updates.

Updated policies are:

• MMCRC – Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
• MMCRC – Child Safety Code of Conduct
• MMCRC – Mandatory Reporting Policy
• Complaint Handling Procedure
• Digital Learning Policy

These policies as well as Ministerial Order No. 1359 can be found on our Website in the Child Safety and Policies section.

There will be further changes as we continue to review not only our policies, but more importantly how we build a culture that ensures we keep improving in this vital area.

COVID-19 Update

Earlier this week we sent a letter that was endorsed by each of the three school sectors (Catholic, Government and Independent) that seeks the support of parents, guardians and carers in encouraging their child(ren) to wear a face mask when indoors at school from now until the end of winter.

The letter was written in response to the Victorian Department of Health strongly recommending that face masks are worn in indoor settings or when physical distancing is not possible. This is because the wearing of masks is effective in reducing the transmission of COVID-19. 

Please know that there is no requirement or expectation for schools to sanction students or staff who do not wear a face mask when attending school and there is no requirement for a medical certificate stating that an individual has an exception for not wearing a face mask.

Additionally, we sent another document detailing COVIDSafe Measures in Schools which is attached to this Newsletter today.

Thank you for your support and understanding in this matter.

Walkathon 2022

Last week we held a whole school assembly to launch the Walkathon for 2022. During the assembly we heard from a number of guest speakers. I am grateful to all the people who spoke about the charities we are supporting this year which are: The Disabled Surfers Association; Shepherd’s Table; Project Kenya; Mary MacKillop Today; and Trinity Families. The charities support local, national and international works and all make a valuable contribution to improve the lives of the people they assist.

I also want to thank Mrs Josie Bleeser, a former member of staff, who was instrumental in organising the first Walkathon at the College over twenty years ago. Her explanation of the rationale for starting the Walkathon was both informative and inspirational.

Thank you to all involved with the organisation of this important upcoming event.

Year 11 Retreat

Thank you to John Ryan and all the staff involved in our Year 11 Retreat this week. By all accounts it was very successful and speaking to students who attended they found the experience valuable.

Brainstorm Productions

Thank you to the Junior School team for organising on Tuesday this week a presentation from Brainstorm Productions, which is a live theatre performance that provides students with strategies for resilience, help-seeking, online safety and positive relationships.  

Past Collegian Success

Congratulations to Eleanor Patterson, who attended the College from 2009 to 2014, on achieving a Gold Medal in the Women’s High Jump at the 2022 World Athletics Championships. Eleanor successfully cleared 2.02m. An outstanding achievement that is is no doubt the result of years of hard work and dedication.

Deputy Principal Wellbeing – Staff and Students

Following a review of the leadership structure at the College earlier this year, it was determined that one of the key changes was to develop a senior role that had specific focus on student and staff wellbeing. Accordingly, we are now seeking to appoint a Deputy Principal Wellbeing – Students and Staff to commence in Term 1 2023. This week we will commence the process by advertising through the Saturday Age, various employment sites and school networks. 

This recruitment process will take several weeks and announcement of the appointment should take place before the end of this term.

I will keep you updated on the progress of the search as we progress. 

Year 7 2023 Enrolments

We will be undertaking Year 7 enrolment interviews on Monday 1 August 2022. Appointments are currently being organised. 

New Staff

We welcome the following staff this term:

Taneka Roffey as a Learning Support Officer.

Danielle Fowles who will be with us this term during Tuesday to Friday working as a library technician whilst Tracey Bugbird is on leave.

Louise Dickson who will be with us this term during Monday and Tuesday working as a library technician (also in the Food Tech area on one Tuesday) whilst Tracey Bugbird is on leave.

Lyn Spittal who will be assisting us with accounts receivable while Leanne Soderlund is on leave this term.

Sapientia Domini Docet Nos

John M Freeman