EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL

I feel a sense of gratitude as I reflect on my first week as Principal at Red Cliffs Secondary College. I have been so warmly welcomed by staff and students as we have settled into the start of term 2. I took the opportunity to attend the ANZAC Day Memorial service on Tuesday. Ted Roberts, president of the RSL, gave his address to the public and towards the end of his address he mentioned the sacrifice those before had made. He then said how impressed he was to see how many families and younger people were in the audience but more importantly, he said that the adolescents in the audience are the future leaders of our community and great nation. When I spoke to the students for the first time this week in school assemblies I made mention of Ted’s words, and how proud we should be of all our students who participated in the service on Tuesday. Our school captains, Alexandria Apostolopoulos and Jay Skarpona, who are current leaders within our school, represented our college at the ANZAC day memorial service and we took the opportunity to conduct our own tribute in our assemblies this week with the help of Don Mayne. It was great to finally meet all the students.

As you are all aware through my previous correspondence, I have implemented a few changes at the College, and the term has started nicely. My intent is not to make change for change’s sake, my intent is to work collaboratively with all members of the community to help ensure the best possible learning outcomes and pathway opportunities for the young people that we work with in our community. 

The staff at Red Cliffs work extremely hard to foster partnerships with guardians and students, with an understanding that without working together, we will not be able to meet the needs of the young person. I have already witnessed in the short time that I have been at the college the commitment staff have to knowing the students and meeting the student’s needs. This is enhanced by the support from our families as we continue to work together to map out the best educational options for our young people.

I want to acknowledge Brad Vallance, Josh Willersdorf and the rest of the leadership team for helping make my transition to the college an enjoyable experience. Their commitment to the college and state education is second to none.

I and the rest of the staff are looking forward to our open night next Wednesday 3rd of May, running from 6:30pm to 8pm. Please spread the word in the community to get down and check out the amazing facilities, but more importantly to meet our committed staff. Jen Chatfield, who oversees grade 6 to 7 transition along with the year 7 learning, has done an incredible job of making sure that the leap from primary to secondary is as smooth as possible.

You may not be aware that Regan Peters, in year 11, represented Sunraysia in the Under 17 Netball Squad, and Noah Hills, a staff member here at RCSC, represented Sunraysia in the inaugural Dreamtime clash against Central Australian Redtails at the Mildura Sporting Precinct. Congratulations to Regan and Noah.

The newsletter will be published to the community fortnightly going forward, with key messages to our community from staff and the Principal class team.

Enjoy your weekend,

Justin Matt

Executive Principal

Red Cliffs Secondary College