EMC Community Connection

Principal Introduction

Dear Students, Parents and Carers,

 

On behalf of staff I wanted to welcome everyone back to Term 3. Term 3 is always an exciting and productive time, as we start to confirm our planning arrangements for the year ahead. Most importantly we invest time reviewing student programs and ensuring that we continue to offer the broadest program offerings possible, and supporting pathway options for every aspiration. Our Senior students have participated in a detailed process, that supports them to identify career aspirations and pathway options. This work determines our timetable structures and systems for the year ahead. It is important that every student participates in this program.

 

At Elisabeth Murdoch College we know that when we are able to get students into the right programs that connect to their passion and pathway, we are able to support high levels of engagement and attendance. The systems and structures at EMC allow students to make informed decisions about pathways and programs. Course Counselling for Year 9 into 10 will take place in week 4, on the 3rd and 4th of August. I highly recommend that you prioritise this important activity, and ensure that you actively engage in these opportunities. Our Careers team will support all students to ensure that each student's program is tailored to their aspirations. 

 

This term, we have noticed some changes in the travel arrangements for parents and carers, as we all adapt to the road works in the area. One particular change in behaviour has been parents / carers dropping students off in the bus stop outside of the College. This action is having a negative impact on traffic flow and also creating dangerous situations. I ask that all parents and carers refrain from dropping students off in the bus stop and access the slip lane provided. As the weather continues to improve, I recommend encouraging your student to walk to school, either from home, after dropping students at the church on the corner of north Rd and Warrandyte Rd or at the Community Centre, this will help alleviate  the congestion in the drop off bay.

 

This week we have also had feedback from our community about students choosing to cross Warrandyte Rd outside of the designated pedestrian crossings. These crossing are in place to ensure the safety of all pedestrians and I do ask that you discuss with your student/s the need to be crossing Warrandyte Rd safely. 

 

This week we saw a Year 9 group head out to a range of activities to continue to build positive social interactions with peers, engagement and connection with school and develop strong relationships with staff.  This event saw a positive attendance rate, but more importantly we had feedback from the community about the positive and respectful conduct of our students whilst travelling on public transport and at the venues. The community recognised how well behaved and mannered the students were on the excursion. It is feedback like this that our community should be proud of. I wanted to thank all students and staff for representing our College with pride whilst out in the community. 

 

In the coming weeks our College production (The Addams Family ) cast and crew will be putting the final touches on what is sure to be a widely celebrated return to the stage. After three years of disruption and disappointment, the entire College is looking forward to seeing our students once again shine. If you haven't been to an EMC College production I encourage you to get some tickets and come and see the outstanding talents of so many students. They have worked tirelessly to make this a wonderful experience for all ages, and it is a show not to be missed. 

 

As many parents and careers are aware, the presence of COVID in our community continues. As a College we continue to implement the current advice for schools to ensure our safety. Currently the impact on staffing due to COVID isolation requirements continues, this coupled with a staffing shortages across the state means that we have been required to approach staff absence in often creative ways. I thank you in advance for your understanding and support as we grapple with a unique set of circumstances. You are able to support us in providing a safe environment, by keeping your student home when they are unwell and encouraging them to wear a face mask when indoors at school and continuing to practice good hand hygiene.

 

Finally, I wanted to acknowledge an outstanding student leader. Jenaya Bartlett (K11.1) who recently won the NAIDOC Youth Award for the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula, presented at the Nairm Marr Djambana NAIDOC Awards dinner.

 

This is a huge achievement, and adds to an exponential personal journey for this young Aboriginal woman. Jenaya is proud of her Wiradjuri heritage, and started exploring more of her cultural identity in Year 8.  Since then, she has grown as a leader and an Aboriginal young person.

 

Her achievements include:

  • Winning one of 20 Marrung Educational Scholarships in 2022, in recognition of her commitment to her education and potential to achieve her chosen pathway
  • Becoming the youngest Democracy Ambassador with the Victorian Electoral Commission in 2021. This project is about encouraging the Aboriginal community to be more active in voting to change the system to better support Aboriginal people
  • Selected for the Koorie Young People Advisory Group as part of the DET Self Determination in Education Reforms
  • Student representative on the EMC Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, including working closely with Jess Wade to develop 
  • Selected to represent EMC for the new Koorie Emerging Leaders in Schools pilot project for the Bayside Peninsula Area secondary schools
  • Participating in consultations with the Commission for Children and Young People regarding cultural safety and the new Child Safety Standards
  • Leading the National Reconciliation Week Flag Raising Ceremonies in 2021 and 2022
  • Securing a 2 year School Based Traineeship through the Indigenous Pathways program with SkillInvest, completing her Business Admin certificate and placement with Frankston Police Station
  • Key contributor to the Nairm Marr Djambana ‘Preserving Culture’ film, where EMC students interviewed local Elders
  • Member of Willum Warrain (Hastings Gathering Place), where she regularly attends their Women’s Group.

Jenaya is a wonderful role model for every EMC community member, she upholds the College values of Respect, Empowerment, Aspiration, Courage and Honesty, and is working hard to ensure that our school is a culturally safe place for all students. I thank her for being brave and being such an outstanding community leader. 

 

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Term 3, and I am truly looking forward to a an outstanding term of learning,  growth and success for the students and the College. This term we  continue to focused on student learning as we imbed Inclusion and differentiation practices at the school. I encourage you to continue to have discussions with your student about their learning and opportunities for growth. 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

 

 

Dean King

Principal