Principal's Report

The Year That Was

It’s difficult to believe that the school year has come to a close. Once again, I have been amazed by the achievements of our students across a diverse range of areas. Schools are busy places and this year was no different. I have thoroughly enjoyed engaging with members of the school as we have sought to make the changes that make a great school even better. Significant events and activities this year included:

Construction of the Senior School Centre
Opening of the VCAL Café
50 Year School Reunion
Year 8 Mentor teachers (with dedicated classrooms)
Year 8 Elective Program
World Challenge India
German Exchange Trip
Successful EXCEL Sports Program (state finalists in Basketball, Lacrosse, Touch Rugby & Volleyball)
Two successful Chinese Study Tours
International School Accreditation

This year, the leadership team of the school spent a significant amount of time restructuring and developing programs for 2018. Whilst these changes will not come into effect until 2018 it has been very pleasing to already see improvements in almost all outcomes in 2017 from the previous year. These include:

NAPLAN growth results (Year 7-9)
65% Increase in Year 7 applications
VCE English Mean Study score (30)
Year 8 Attitude to School Survey results
Parent Opinion Survey results (most measures)
Staff Opinion Survey results (all measures)

The restructure and development of programs will see a number of new initiatives begin in 2018 including:

New Year 12 VCE subject for all students (focusing on study skills, time management, exam preparation)
New House System and leadership roles
New College Values and awards system
Hands on Learning Program (focusing on disengaged students 7-10)
New Leading Teaching positions, including; Student Learning Leader & Student Voice & Engagement Leader

I would like to thank our school council president Dr Terry Coates who’s eldest son recently graduated from the College. Terry has overseen a number of significant projects at the school, including the Basketball Stadium, Performing Arts Centre and more recently the Senior School Centre.

It is this time of year that we often see the departure of some of our staff. This year is no different which sees the retirement of Brett McIllwraith, Leigh Prideaux, Lynn Hellyer and Tanya Scott. In addition we farewell two staff members who have been here for a number of years, Cameron Cox and Lucy Coombs. I am also pleased to say that some of our staff who have filled some vacancies at the school in recent times have been successful in picking up positions at other schools for 2018, namely Kate Daly, Claire Weiss and Rafal Kaplon. I wish each of them the very best for the future.

The recent staffing restructure and above mentioned departures will see a number of new staff begin at the College in 2018. I am pleased to welcome into our school community the following staff for 2018:

Mr Adam Slater (Assistant Principal)

Mr Sean Leith (Year 7&8 Sub School Leader)

Ms Catherine Blackburne (Student Voice & Engagement Leader)

Mr Stuart Moody (Student Learning Leader)

Ms Mollie Riddle (VCAL/PE)

Ms Emma Robbins (Health/PE Domain Leader)

Ms Rebecca McPhee (Office Administration)

Ms Narelle Archibald (Senior School Administration Assistant)

Mr Jason Vellios (Humanities/English)

Ms Pragashinee Chetty (Junior School Administration Assistant)

Mr Heinz Pfester (German)

Mr Andrew Lewin (Integration Aide)

Ms Kristiarna Carson (Library Technician)

Ms Alison Wall (Trade Training Centre Liaison Manager)

Mr Tim Cook (Outdoor Education)

The year began with the release of our VCE results. Our class of 2016 left Patterson River entering in excess of 50 different tertiary courses and once again we outperformed our surrounding schools in terms of results. The College is now categorised by the Department of Education as a school of influence in regards to senior school results under the new performance measures. This is the highest rating that can be attributed to a school and is a reflection of not only our VCE results, but also our VCAL and VET outcomes.

This was strengthened by the recent release of our 2017 VCE results. Our College DUX was Tom Lucas who achieved an ATAR of 96.95. This has resulted in him being offered a Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship at Monash University and should result in Tom achieving his goal of gaining entrance into a Medical Degree. Once again, we had a large number of subjects with mean study scores above 30, including English. I wish the graduates good luck in gaining entrance to their chosen fields.

I would like to thank our school captains, Kaylah Wainwright & Tyler Foreman, along with all of the student leaders for their assistance this year. They not only ran school events, but helped to shape the future of the College. In addition to previous roles fulfilled by student leaders, 2017 saw students:

Assist with school tours
Help redesign the uniform (2019-2021 implementation)
Determine the new Values and House System
Raise flags on a daily basis
Design the new Leadership System

Finally, I would like to wish all staff, students, parents and carers an enjoyable and safe break surrounded by family and friends.

Mr Daniel Dew

College Principal