College Principal's Report

Welcome to this edition of Score

It was pleasing to welcome back students after the break and ready to learn and welcome to the new students who have commenced at our College this term.

I was reading an article by writer Dr George Akomas over the break in which he stated that ‘success is an attitude, a mindset, a commitment, a promise’. This is not just working harder, but working smarter. This quote is consistent with our 2019 Annual Implementation Plan which was endorsed by College Council and now available on our College website. The calibre of our leaders, students and staff who continually aspire to student learning growth, are challenged but supported at every stage, and recognised.

We have further reason to celebrate their work and achievements. Below is an extract from a letter received from ACARA just prior to the release of the My School website.

“I am pleased to advise that the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority has identified your school as having demonstrated substantially above average gain in achievement in numeracy, as measured by NAPLAN. On behalf of ACARA, I would like to extend my congratulations to you and your school community on this achievement. Improvement of this magnitude, is significant and worthy of highlighting and acknowledging.”

My School presents gain in student achievement in three ways:

i overall gain compared to previous years

ii gain compared to schools with similar students, based on the community socio-educational advantage (ICSEA) level and

iii gain compared to other students at the same average NAPLAN starting score.

Identified high gain schools have demonstrated substantial improvement as:

1. an overall gain that exceeds the national average

2. an overall gain higher than schools with similar Index of Community Socio-Educational

Advantage levels and

3. an overall gain higher than that shown by students

Term 2 is always a very important time as it brings together much of the learning undertaken throughout Term One as teachers test for student understanding and application in major assessment tasks and, in the case of our senior students, prepare them for their mid-year examinations. It is also the term in which NAPLAN is conducted in all schools across Australia. It is therefore paramount that as a College we balance our learning values of rigour, responsibility and relevance in addition to student wellbeing. This can only be achieved if our families keep our Student Services team informed of any concerns that may arise.

As parents/carers you should be proud of your children as they are showing great pride and continue to work hard as they prepare for their final assessments prior to the end of semester. Teachers are also consistently modelling our core learning values. They are being responsive to globalisation and using latest research and

innovation in what they teach, they are incorporating relevance for the acquisition of skills, knowledge and attributes for the student’s future and are being rigorous by setting high expectations.

Open Day Success

Tuesday 30 April was our Open Day and Night and what an outstanding success it was. The school facilities, programs, staff and students were showcased to hundreds of visitors. We were very pleased to hear the number of comments about how impressive our students are, how proud our staff were working at Scoresby, the quality of every teaching program and the positive energy in our College. A special thank you to all staff, students and parents/carers who contributed to producing such a dynamic evening, and to our student leaders who led the evening welcome and tours.

It is an exciting time for our College as the growth in community confidence continues. This is shown in the tours for prospective students that have taken place and new enrolments that have taken place since the start of the year.

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day is a significant event set aside for remembrance of those Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought and died at Gallipoli in 1915. It is important as a school to continue to educate our future generations about our nation’s history.

To commemorate the day, Damon Towart one of our Year 12 Captains, represented the College at the ANZAC Day Commemorative Service at Waterford Park Village in Knoxfield. Damon was very inspiring as he recited a special ANZAC Day poem to the large gathering of residents and family members present. Damon did an exceptional rendition and memorized the poem impressing all in attendance.

Waterford Park each year invites a student leader from our College to participate in the service. I was pleased to gain feedback on the value of our involvement and the importance the residents place on having a member of our younger generation paying tribute to this day.

Pictured with Damon is Cr Tony Holland (representing City Of Knox) and Hon' Kim Wells (State MP for Rowville) and the ANZAC banner made by the ladies of Waterford Park.

Model United Nations Assembly will hear ‘Scoresby Student Voice’

Rotary Club of Knox has sponsored two of our Year 11 students, Zac Tarquinio and Shannen Toogood, to participate in the Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA). MUNA is a significant international program in which students develop an awareness of the United Nations and represent a designated country at a simulated UN Assembly. The event provides an excellent forum for students to develop and practice their public speaking skills whilst debating on topical world issues.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Mason Rimmer who has qualified for this year’s Victorian State Trampoline Squad and will compete in the National Championships in May. We wish Mason all the best for the competitions.

Gail Major

Principal