EMC Community Connection

Principal Introduction

Dear EMC Community,

 

We are coming to the close of another term; one that has been challenging for the entire community.  I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate students, parents, and staff on their commitment to the ongoing learning for our young people.  Like everyone, we are looking forward to students returning on site.

 

As communicated through COMPASS,  the General Assessment Test will go ahead on Tuesday 5th October for those students studying a Unit 3/4 subject. VCE Examinations are expected to go ahead following the original timeline – scheduled for Wednesday 27th October to Wednesday 17th November inclusive.

 

We wish the best of luck to our senior VCAL students who will be completing their programs largely by the end of this term.  Through the adversity of the past two years, this cohort of students has performed extremely well to succeed in the senior VCAL certificate. Please feel welcome to return to catch up with your teacher colleagues when able.  

 

Whilst COVID presents us with many challenges, it does provide an opportunity for some projects to be completed around the college. When students do return they can expect to be greeted with:

  • A number of refurbished relocatable classrooms including new floor coverings, whiteboards, painting, and acoustic ceilings.  The intention is for all of the portables to undergo a complete refurbishment over a planned period.
  • Up to 40 new 'crow proof' bins to assist our students with litter management across the campus.
  • Refurbishment of the old middle school toilets to bring them into line with our modernised toilets in the main building.
  • The completed Indigenous Garden, located in the main courtyard.
  • Front entrance garden redevelopment.
  • Additional outdoor seating in the Allinga/Tennis Area space.
  • Significant LED lighting upgrades across several learning spaces across the college.

I would like to thank our property team of Damien Tossol and Luke Higney along with a number of other key staff who have assisted with these projects including Richard Hall, Seb Beck, and Steph Raike.   

 

A number of leadership positions have recently been advertised statewide.  The quality of applicants was very high.  I would like to congratulate the following successful applicants:

 

Jesse Lewis - Middle School Allinga Student Achievement Leader 

Scott Bihelek  - Middle School Bindana Student Achievement Leader 

Cam MacFarlane - Senior School Kurunda Student Achievement Leader 

Mitch Riggs – Domain Leader Health and Physical Education 

Ian Price - Professional Learning & Leadership

Kathryn Scerri - Careers

Skye Brennan - THRIVE Leader

 

With the upcoming return from long service leave of Jodie Ashby and Judy Curson, I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of Jess Wade and Laura Higgins who backfilled these important Assistant Principal positions. Happily, I can report Dean King is making steady progress following his recent surgery and expects to be back on deck in his capacity as College Principal at the start of Term 4.  

 

I hope you get to enjoy the term break in some way with family and friends. 

 

Warm regards, 

 

Tim Harper

Acting Principal