The Lantern 

Principal 

Dear Families and Friends,

Welcome to the school year for 2019. Presentation College is a great community to be part of and it is based on the relationships we have with each other. This is where the magic of our community happens. When people care about each other, we develop trust; and trust unlocks collaboration, sharing, support, hope, safety and much more. Nowhere was this more evident than the beginning of the year which started with the tragic loss of one of our past students Lucy Groen. (Class of 2017)

Lucy was farewelled at a public memorial at the Williamstown Football Club on February 6. The service was a beautiful tribute to a life cut short far too quickly. It was evident that Lucy was a bright, bubbly and spirited young woman who was deeply loved by many, and especially her family and friends. I would like to share with you a poem that was read out at Lucy’s memorial, “All is Well” by Henry Scott Holland, a beautiful poem about living on after death.

All Is Well

Death is nothing at all,

I have only slipped into the next room

I am I and you are you

Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by my old familiar name,

Speak to me in the easy way which you always used

Put no difference in your tone,

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,

Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.

It is the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,

Just around the corner.

All is well.

 

In the coming weeks and months we will continue to come together and draw on the great strength in our community as we support our families and each other. We hold Lucy close to our hearts and continue to keep Lucy and her family in our prayers.

 

MYP News

It with great pleasure that I share some wonderful news with you about our journey towards authorisation as an International Baccalaureate World School.

 

During Term 4 last year, we had our first visit from the International Baccalaureate who undertook an extensive audit of our curriculum and assessment, policy and teaching practice. The process also involved interviewing a student panel, a group of parents, the College Board and observing a number of our classes in action. I would like to thank everyone who participated honestly and openly.

 

The outcome of the review was extremely positive with a number of commendations which were extremely affirming for us as a school community.

  • our curriculum and assessment is rigorous and challenging
  • all observed classes were given high praise
  • our students are positive about their learning and see the benefits of the program

There were also a number of recommendations which we have taken on board to ensure the continued success of the implementation of the MYP. You will be given opportunities to see evidence of this throughout the year.

  • increase opportunity for parent involvement through MYP Conversations and other mediums
  • alignment of our social justice activities in the Presentation Tradition with the MYP service learning component

The most significant recommendation was to conclude the MYP program in Year 9 in order for the College to provide opportunity for student subject acceleration and VCE transition in Year 10.

 

We have decided to adopt this recommendation because it provides greater opportunity for students in Year 10 to select subjects they are passionate about and better support them in their senior pathway choices. This includes opportunities for VCE acceleration, VET and VCAL programs.

 

Furthermore, by concluding our MYP Program at Year 9 this will allow students to complete the MYP Community Project, which is a 30-hour group based research project, which focuses on making a positive contribution to their local community. This project not only involves all the benefits of collaborative group work, but also complements the many social justice offerings at the College.

 

We believe that this realigned program allows the College to capture the best elements of each program whilst providing the most beneficial outcome for our students. The College looks forward as we move towards our full authorisation visit and accreditation as an International Baccalaureate World School.

 

Please see the attached infographic for more information.

2018 MYP Audit Results.pdf

Beginning of Year

We also welcomed some new staff to our school community and both feedback from new staff and students confirm that they have been welcomed warmly and enthusiastically.

  • Brendan Mair, Deputy Principal
  • Devika Peirus, Laboratory Technician
  • Kim Kirkpatrick, Teacher – Maths / Science
  • Linda Bossard, Teacher – French
  • Ruth Sharp, Daily Organiser & Teacher - Maths
  • Thomas Tran, Learning Leader - Science & Teachers - Maths / Science
  • Tiziana Launech, Teacher – Japanese / English
  • Tonya Wimhurst - Careers Counsellor
  • Vivian Duong,  Teacher – Maths / Science

 

The whole staff were involved in a Differentiation Workshop on Wednesday 30 January, facilitated by Dr Susan Nikakis from the CEM. She is a very lively presenter and engaged with the staff very well. This workshop was integral in the successful implementation of the MYP. She will be working with Learning Leaders and their teams in the coming months.

 

Week 1 Term 2 2019

I would also like to let you know that week 1 of Term 2 will now be a student free week. It is a short week with public holidays both at the beginning and latter part of the week.  Students will now commence Term 2 on Monday 29 April, 2019

 

Although it will be student free, staff will be working hard on Professional Learning, innovative pedagogy, Parent Teacher interviews on Wednesday 24 April and building Leadership capacity. As a result of this change there will be normal classes on Day 1 Term 3 which is usually designated as a student free day.

 

We look forward to 2019 with hope and optimism.

Kind Regards

 

Filina Virgato

Principal