Greater Shepparton College (interim name)
Shepparton Education Plan Vision: All students are empowered to learn and achieve, experiencing high quality teaching practice and best conditions for learning which equip them with the knowledge, skills and dispositions for lifelong learning and shaping the world around them.
A strong school leadership team has been appointed to ensure that Greater Shepparton College (interim name) focuses on excellence in teaching and learning from day one.
Student achievement, engagement and wellbeing outcomes will be improved with strong leadership, pride and confidence in the school. We are pleased to welcome our new team of principals, who will be integral to the development of the new school to ensure a smooth transition for Greater Shepparton College (interim name) as we head into 2020.
Our newly appointed principals bring passion and extensive educational leadership experience to their roles. They have local knowledge and a commitment to providing high-quality educational outcomes for every young person in Greater Shepparton.
The appointments are:
- Mr John Sciacca (Campus Principal, McGuire Campus). As the Nathalia Secondary College principal for nine years and with previous experience teaching in Greater Shepparton secondary schools, Mr Sciacca brings a focus on improved student pathways through enhanced literacy and numeracy skills, and strong community engagement skills.
- Mr Stephen Bolton (Campus Principal, Mooroopna Campus). Current principal of Mooroopna Secondary College, Mr Bolton will play a leading role in the implementation of specialist curriculum for Year 9 students next year, focusing on inquiry-based and experiential learning, student resilience, sense of community, and career planning.
- Mr Ken Murray (Campus Principal, Wanganui Park Campus). Current principal of Wanganui Park Secondary College, Mr Murray will continue to bring his leadership and extensive knowledge of the Greater Shepparton community, and will play a key role in the development of the new College’s student health and wellbeing approach.
- Ms Megan Michalaidis (Teaching and Learning). Currently an Assistant Principal at McGuire College, Ms Michalaidis will continue to bring expertise in curriculum and instructional design, and will work across the three campuses to lead and shape the new College’s teaching and learning strategy.Speaking recently at an information session, Mr Murray articulated his strong confidence in the new College’s capacity to transform education outcomes in Shepparton.
“The Shepparton Education Plan is a great opportunity and way forward to strengthen our secondary school system. Literacy and numeracy results for students in Greater Shepparton, relative to other government schools in Victoria, are not improving. This has continued to impact on our student engagement and achievement. We need to do something different”.
“Our initial focus will be on improving student attendance and retention rates, engagement in learning, literacy and numeracy skills, and increasing subject choices in our new school,” Mr Murray said.
The leadership team will be led by Executive Principal Genevieve Simson, who also previously taught at Mooroopna Secondary College and McGuire College. Most recently, she spent nine years as principal of Victoria University Secondary College, which was created by a merger of three schools.
Ms Simson’s leadership experience at Victoria University Secondary College inspired her to lead the new College in Shepparton. She witnessed improved student outcomes at Victoria University Secondary College and strongly believes the new College will offer huge benefits for students and teachers. She also acknowledges a need to adjust teaching and wellbeing supports to meet Shepparton’s community needs.
“We will focus strongly on what is needed for each student at each year level in a coordinated way,” she said.
“The new College will encourage all of our teachers to share knowledge and learn from each other, for all students to achieve improved outcomes.”
“Students will have access to the broadest range of subjects, dedicated health and wellbeing teams and supports, and increased training opportunities and education pathways.”
We look forward to working with our new leadership team to ensure we have a smooth and successful transition process, and that our students and staff are well supported.
We are committed to giving you regular updates via our website, school newsletters and information sessions.
Visit our website: www.greatersheppartoncollege.vic.edu.au