Principal's News

Dear Parents, Carers and Community Members,

It’s difficult to believe we have come to the end of week 3. Having been in the role of Principal for three weeks now I have a much clearer idea of the operations of Point Cook College and I can categorically state that there are many great things happening here. I have been impressed by the number of staff that go above and beyond their duties as teachers, leaders and Education Support staff. The students here are to be commended on how welcoming they have been and the parents I have met have demonstrated their commitment not only to their children but to the college.

Over the past 3 weeks I have spoken to many staff, students and parents. I have asked them what we need to KEEP DOING, STOP DOING and START DOING. Some of the key messages I received were that we need to keep our focus on the art: the productions and music lessons. Both staff and students spoke about the need to restore the wetlands and keep a focus on sustainability. Many people requested we open a canteen and provide lockers for secondary students. I have learnt much from my discussions and from the letters and emails I have received from students and the information gained will form the basis for my work as Principal. I have been in discussions with H&H Canteens. They provide canteen management services for more than 120 sites within the education sector, including government, private, independent and Catholic primary and secondary schools, as well as various industries throughout the country. They have submitted a proposal to operate the canteen commencing 2020 and with College Council approval we will continue to work towards having a fully operating canteen commencing 2020.

You may recall in June 2019, the Minister for Education announced a new Mobile Phone Policy that will come into effect from Term 1 2020. The new policy is a ministerial policy formally issued by the Minister for Education under section 5.2.1(2)(b) of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. The Mobile Phones Policy is now available in the School Policy and Advisory Guide and establishes that from Term 1 2020:

Students who bring mobiles phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored during school hours
The school must provide secure storage for mobile phones that are brought to school

In response to this policy we have started to investigate the purchase and installation of lockers for all Secondary Students and the purchase of mobile phone lockable units for Primary School students. I will keep you updated on this project as it develops across the term.

I was privileged to meet with a number of parents at a coffee and chat session last week. I would like to thank those parents who attended. It was inspiring to hear the parents ideas for improving an already great school. The suggestion of a clear homework policy, bike policy and the introduction of exams at Year 7 will be acted upon by members of the leadership team. We will be hosting an evening coffee and chat on Wednesday the 30th of October at 6.15pm. To assist us with numbers, please leave a message at the office if you will be attending. You can also email our EAL & Community Partnerships Leader, Rebecca Thornton, at rebeccathornton@pcc.vic.edu.au

Yours sincerely,

Mandy O’Mara

College Principal