Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

I welcome all students and families to the beginning of the 2023 year and hope you have had an enjoyable summer with family and friends. 2022 allowed us to re-establish all of the wonderful and important cultural norms, establish routines and embrace all aspects of Monivae life. This year promises to be a positive and exciting one for our MSC community. I also extend a very warm welcome to the many new families joining the College this year.

Term 1 is always a very busy one and already we have experienced Year 7 camp at Port Fairy, Year 12 Retreat in Halls Gap, High Achievers Assembly, and swimming sports! Thank you to the many staff who have organised these events and made themselves available to support our students. 

I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to parents and carers who have made sure their child arrived ready to learn, in the correct uniform and appropriate hair styles. Many of our students received a new hat at the end of 2022 which they seem to have now misplaced. As a Sunsmart School, all students are required to wear a hat outdoors in Terms 1 & 4, and I ask that you help the College in ensuring your child has a school approved hat. Hats can be purchased at the canteen for $10. 

Earlier this month you would have received a welcome letter from me outlining new staff, key dates, and expectations. Communication with our community has proved quite difficult as all our current and new accounts were updated through SIMON and particularly the Parent Access Module (PAM). We still have a large number of families who have not set their new accounts which is vital for smooth communication from the school. Please check that you have access to your accounts.

Correspondence with the College is paramount and Key Communication Contacts, to assist you in your communication with the College, were provided in my welcome letter.

Ms Khaleda Barr was a very late resignation, and we wish her well at her new school.

The College welcomes a number of new staff to or community.

Mrs Kate Couchman – Director of Student Wellbeing

Mr Matthew Crane – Social Work/Counsellor

Mrs Matilda McGoon – Science

Mrs Stephanie Burn – English/Humanities

Mr Adrian Bonser – Digital Technology/RE

Mrs Molly Savage – English

Mrs Kylie Annett – LSO

Ms Kaitlin Cornish – LSO

The College will continue its Tutor Learning Program (TLP) this year which will begin in week 4 of this term. More information will be provided in due course.

Covid-19 is still circulating within our communities and although it will not have the same effect on the school as previously, I ask parents/carers to keep their child at home if they are unwell. RAT’s are available from the school, at reception, if you require them.

Over the summer period staff have been busy completing several projects at the school. The year 7 classrooms (E1-4) have been refurbished and the windows are being replaced at the end of term 1. School signage has been installed and I ask that speed limits are adhered to. An electronic scoreboard for the oval is on its way and we are hopeful that it will be operational before the end of the term

The PAC/music/drama upgrade will commence early this year and we anticipate it will be completed ready for the start of 2024. You can view the development via this link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foRkifVluj4

Pray for Renewal and Fresh Beginnings

Dear God,

As I return to school for another year,

Help me to be curious about the world around me.

Help me to be prepared for the challenges I face each day.

Help me to be open to difficult tasks.

Help me to be determined to complete my work.

Help me to be responsible in all I do.

Help me to be accepting of people’s differences.

Help me to be kind in my thoughts and words.

Help me to be aware of my talents.

Help me to be myself – to be the best that I can be.

Amen.

Kind regards,

Jonathan Rowe

Principal