Principal
It is hard to believe that the first term is drawing to a close. Most students are now settling into solid work routines and developing sound learning behaviours. We do recognise that there is still some way to go in building consistency and structure following the disruptions caused by COVID. We are pleased to be helping over 160 students with additional tutor support and this will be extended to a similar number at other year levels in semester 2.
Parent, student and teacher online interviews are being held throughout the day next Wednesday, commencing at 12 30pm and it would be great to have as many of you as possible involved utilising MS Teams. Bookings will close the evening prior to the interviews and students are not required onsite on that day.
The last day of Term 1 is Thursday April 1 and also coincides with the school Cross Country as the concluding activity. The term will conclude at 2.30pm.
Our Year 9 students returned exhausted but delighted to have been involved in their Challen9e Camp at Phillip Island. It is another positive sign that we are returning to post Covid normal. It was great to hear stories of how the students worked together and problem solved in a range of experiences throughout the program. Thanks to our teachers, support staff and pre- service teachers led by Ms Kim Watson for facilitating this great experience. It is another terrific example of the range of activities and events that are able to engage students in school life more broadly.
Our Performing Arts Prefects (Tara and Lizzie) and have been busy in recent weeks leading up to one of these events, which was the teacher v student lip-sync battle. Playing to a packed hall on Thursday at lunchtime the performances brought the house down. Overall, there was a lot of creative freedom exercised in the items performed, including back-up dancers, costumes and props. to help the performers gain marks. We even had a masked singer and guest judge in our 2020 Head Prefect Callum Rigg! It was such fun to participate and according to the judges the students managed to nudge out the teachers with a few of the amazing, choreographed pieces. Congratulations to all involved.
Our swimming team successfully defended their district swimming title on March 15 and without going back through the record books, this now represents over 25 consecutive years that our students have claimed this title. I would like to recognise the fine work done this term by our sports coordinators in Ms Roi Boutsikakis and Mr Dale Ingleton in reigniting the sports program and ensuring high levels of student participation.
In a similar vein, the curtain has now fallen on our Middle School Production of High School Musical and what a magnificent effort in putting this together and staging a quality season of performances – all in 7 weeks! Well done to everyone involved and I really enjoyed the show.
Arrangements for Council for 2021/22 have now been finalised. Given the number of nominations a formal election was not required. Our College Council for 2021/22 is:
- Parent Category: Teresa Lodge, Ian Roadnight, Sarah Szubanski, Andrew Philp, Adam Bryant.
- DET Category: Michael Phillips (Executive Officer), Agatha Fedrizzi, Shayne van der Heide, Joseph Gleeson
- Student Members: Charlie Lodge, Lucy Philp
- Community Members: Terry Bebe
- Invited Observer and record keeper: (Non-Council Members) Karen Carden
I would particularly like to thank and acknowledge the contribution of retiring councillors in Helen Parker, Eleni Stathatos and Jessica Curcio.
A reminder thatTerm 2 resumes on Monday April 19. Have a safe and relaxing Easter Break and a reminder that all students should be wearing winter uniform from May 3rd (Week 3).
Our college open night will be held on Tuesday April 27th.
Michael Phillips, OAM
Principal