Principal

Today is the last day of Term 2. Therefore, I wish everyone a safe and restful time during the break.

School Review

This week from Monday to Wednesday and also last Tuesday we had the School Review Team at our College. This is the culmination of close to 10 months of preparation.

Therefore, thank you to everyone for your participation in the School Review and the considered responses to the questions posed by the Review Team to each of the staff, members of the Advisory Committee, and in particular our students.

The Leadership Team met with the Review Team on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the report findings. The report is still to be finalised and approved, but I would expect to receive it by the start of next term.

The Review Team wanted us to pass on their gratitude to everyone they encountered. They were impressed with our passion for the school, hope for the future, and in particular the staff’s desire to work with our students to be their best. They also highlighted how great our students were not just in meetings, but also in the informal interactions they had throughout the three days and last week when on tour. The Review Team felt welcome at all times and all were appreciative of the hospitality. They also thanked us for the organisation throughout the Review Days and I am also grateful to Jodie Connell, Carly Kitchingman, and Zac Cox for their work.

I will not pre-empt the work that will be done in developing our response to the report and specific recommendations which were formulated on the basis of evidence, our pre-review report, observations, and the information gathered during interviews. However, I will write that the recommendations and feedback received will provide clarity and priority to what we determine to be part of our Strategic Plan for 2024 to 2027.

GAT Exam

Last Thursday, 15 June, the General Achievement Test (GAT) was held at the College. Thanks to Laura Higgins for her work with organisation. I also thank Adrienne Layton for administrative work and also to Cade Maskell, Jodie Connell, Daniel Isgro, Lisa Hogan, Georgia Townley, Jon Bowman, and Richard Muranty for all their work with engaging and feeding the students between the two sessions.

Year 10 Work Experience

This week our Year 10 students were participating in our Work Experience Program. This is an important part of the College's processes to assist students in discerning their vocational program as they move into the final years of their secondary schooling and by all accounts this was a successful time for our students.

The organisation involved in preparing students, supporting them in attaining places, and ensuring all necessary documentation is in place is an enormous amount of work. Accordingly thank you to all involved with the Year 10 Work Experience program this week including our Careers Team consisting of Kate Dwyer, Cassie Raschle, and Melissa Fuller as well as Jenny Damon, David Robinson, and Jodie Connell.

Year 10 Theatre Studies Performance

Well done to the Year 10 Theatre Studies students and their teacher Laura Muranty on their performance o the play, "Children of the Black Skirt," to all Year 7 and 9 students last week.

Year 7 2024 Enrolments

I would like to remind all current families that enrolment applications closed on 31 May 2023. Formal applications must be made for students for enrolment into Year 7 next year. We are accepting applications, but as a matter of justice, priority will be given to those who have submitted their applications on time.

Staff News

Today is Jason Hiddlestone’s last day with us and we wish him the best of success at his new school.

Caitlin Reid completed her contract with us as a Learning Support Officer today. We wish her well

We wish the following staff well as they take leave as follows:

Jodie Connell will be on leave for the first two weeks of Term 3.
Tracey Bugbird, our Library Technician, will be on leave for Term 3.
Jackie Van Dillen, will be on leave for Term 3 and part of Term 4.
Ken Myors will also be on leave for Term 3 and when he returns it will be to a new role as our Grounds and Maintenance Manager.
I also wish to congratulate Brydie Phillips on her appointment as our new Laboratory Technician.

Finally, today is Graham Walsh’s last day with the College. Graham has been an essential part of the school for over twenty years and he will be missed by staff and students. I have not known Graham for long. So, I have permission from Di Malloy, Learning and Teaching Leader – Science, to print some excerpts from her speech today as a tribute to Graham:

… Graham has been an important part of our College – primarily as our Lab Tech but also in the roles of OHS representative, VET Lab skills trainer, cleaner, and of course, Friend…

Friend not just to staff, but to the students – especially students who love animals and benefit so much from working in a small group with an adult who understands them, is ready to listen to stories (or work in silence if needed), and help them with some life skills.

…Our lab tech is so important in our school. This was still so true for me when I became the Science KLA leader. We have worked together so well over the years and I am so grateful for your understanding and support for myself and our team.

…Your knowledge, your skills, your work ethic, your patience, your kindness, your friendship, your understanding when we come to you with an idea for an experiment we had yesterday and would like to run it period 2... today???!

Every science teacher here would have a story, of how important you have been in their day-to-day lives. Your dedication to safety as our staff OHS rep means you have actually helped each and every one of us in this community through the identification and following up of health and safety concerns in our workspace. So, thank you.

Every one of us has so many things to be grateful to you for.

Every one of us is going to miss you so very much.

But every one of us is also so very excited for you in this next chapter- retirement: family, travel, fishing, and adventure. And we wish you all the very best.

Sapientia Domini Docet Nos

John M Freeman