Principal's Report

It’s been a very pleasing, satisfying Term One at the College – a term that seems to have flown by.  It’s also been a very busy term with a number of extra-curricular activities including Wagin Woolorama, Gate to Plate, Peaceful Bay Camp, Harvey Sports Carnival and Surfing lessons ensuring students have always had something to look forward to and keep them occupied.  Student behaviour and engagement, across all year groups, has been as good as I’ve seen it at the College, with our new Year 10’s and 11’s impressing staff with their work ethic and positive attitude.  The challenge now will be to maintain the great start in Term Two. 

2021 Student Council

Congratulations to the following students who were recently elected as our student councillors for 2021:

• Year 10: Matilda Steinhoff and Jackson Conti
• Year 11: Abby Kemp, Will Plunkett and Mitch Jones.

These five students will join our current Year 12 student prefects Libby Miell, Kasey James, Hamish Bowie, Georgia Dalton, Tomas O’Farrell, and Nathan Bryden - Dwyer to form our 2021 Student Council. 

Special congratulations to Kasey James and Tom O’Farrell for being elected as our 2021 School Captains.

College Board

The College Board met for the first time in 2021 on Friday 26 February. The Board reviewed key achievement data from 2020 and the College’s 2020-2023 Business Plan – our second business plan since becoming an Independent Public School in late 2016.  Following parent and staff nominations late last year we have three new members on the Board: Leanne Muir, Mietta Skinner and Jacqui Schinzig are the new parent members. They join our continuing parent/community Board members: Josie Keam, Steve Jones and Lisa O’Farrell and our continuing staff members: Kevin Marshall, Daniel Gibbins, Tracy Milton, Rob Calcraft and myself. The Board's next meeting is planned for Thursday April 1, the final day of Term1. The Board will be discussing key issues including student attendance and student use of mobile phones in residence. 

Wagin Woolorama 

Wagin Woolorama is our first major agricultural show involvement of the year and a great opportunity for our students to be involved in Junior Judging, preparation/parading of livestock and to interact and work with the Agricultural industry.  Our students were involved in a range of sheep, wool and cattle judging competitions from Thursday through to Saturday, and we achieved some excellent results which Kevin Marshall describes in more detail in his Farm Manager report.  Well done to all the students and staff involved.

Gate to Plate

Following on quickly after the Woolorama is the Gate to Plate competition.  Once again, Kevin Marshall provides more detail in his article about this event, but congratulations to the following students who took out second prize in the Agricultural Schools Competition: Tomas O’Farrell, Riley Pes, Lachlan Johnson, Rori Skinner, Jacana Vincent, Zoe Skinner, Libby Miell and Hamish Mostert.  Thanks also to our farm staff: Brad Seib, Kevin Marshall and Terry De Vos for preparing and supporting the students at the event.

Peaceful Bay Camp

Congratulations to our Residential staff on the Peaceful Bay Camp which was held earlier this Term. Our students had a wonderful time on the camp swimming, surfing, fishing and being involved in games and beach competitions. I spent some time with staff and students during the evenings and it was great to see staff and students having a really enjoyable time. The attitude and behaviour of our students was again exemplary

Harvey Sports Carnival

The College took a squad of over 40 students to Harvey on March 19-21 weekend for the annual WACoA Sports Carnival.  The students participated in a range of sporting events with a focus on participation and enjoyment. The College achieved probably its best results for a number of years winning four events including volleyball, table tennis, frisbee golf and ten pin bowling. Harvey won the overall trophy with Denmark a very close second. 

Farm Uniform

Can all parents/carers please ensure their son or daughter has the appropriate hi viz waterproof jacket for their on the job workplace learning on the College farm.  We are expecting the break of season rains and cold wet weather in Term 2. Over the past couple of years, we have had issues in this regard and ended up with ‘all sorts’ when it comes to waterproof jackets. Invariably these jackets were black, or at least darker colours, being worn on overcast, rainy days when visibility was at its worst.  We want to make sure we avoid that this year. 

High Visibility Waterproof Jacket. $52-$84

Colour: Orange & Navy

Brand: Bisley or equivalent

For Winter. Does not need to have reflective tape

Priority Maintenance Program

As I have mentioned in previous newsletters, the College has been allocated $654,533 to address building maintenance issues identified through the College’s Building Condition Assessment Report 

We requested that the removal of the old piggery and the widening and resurfacing of Jack Moore Avenue be the priority.  Demolition of the piggery has been completed. The contractor was planning on the Jack Moore Avenue works to be completed by the start of the school year. Unfortunately, there is still a small amount of work to be completed.

The new air conditioning system for the Lecture Theatre is in progress and the roof replacement and repairs to the Gym, Change room, Lecture Theatre and dormitories should be completed shortly. The refurbishment of bathrooms in the residential facility will be completed in stages over coming weeks. This has been an inconvenience to our students but we are hoping this work will be completed by Week 1 or 2 of next term. 

Murray Montgomery: Agricultural Advisory Committee Member

On behalf of the College I’d like to acknowledge and thank Mr Murray Montgomery for his outstanding contribution to our Agricultural Advisory Committee over a long period of time.  Murray became a member of our Ag Advisory Committee in 1994 to provide expertise to our viticulture and farming enterprises. He recently made the decision to resign his position on the committee after a period of 26 years.  Ag Advisory members and College staff held a farewell lunch for Murray earlier this year. 

School Enrolment Interviews

We have already commenced our student enrolment interviews for 2022.  Given the very strong demand for places I would urge anyone who is thinking of trying to secure a place for their son or daughter to lodge an application as soon as possible.  Details on how to apply are available on our website. Or call Administration 08 9848 0200. 

Term 1 and Term 2 Return

I’d like to wish everyone an enjoyable Easter and Term 1 holiday break.  A reminder that the Term 2 timetable recommences on Monday April 19 at 8.10 am, requiring residential students to return to school on Sunday April 18 after 2 pm. Please note: College residence will be open 24-26 April for students unable to return home.

ANZAC Day Public Holiday

The ANZAC Day public holiday is on Monday 26th April, which is the beginning of Week 2 of Term 2. The College Residential facility will be open during the ANZAC Day long weekend for students who wish to remain at the College. There will obviously be no education and training programme on Monday 26th April, however, staff will be organising recreational activities for students over the long weekend. Traditionally, some College students participate in the ANZAC Day parade and the commemorative service in Denmark, starting at 10.30am on ANZAC Day.