Principal's Report

I hope that this newsletter finds you and your families well.  Once again, Covid is starting to reveal itself and impacting on student attendance and teacher absence.  I am seeing a bit of “press” around the new variant of Omicron and across the state we are seeing case numbers beginning to rise again.  I urge parents, carers, and students to be vigilant; test regularly (we are suggesting Sunday and Wednesday) and do not attend school if you are unwell.   A further pack of Rapid Antigen Test will be given to students this week.

We are very appreciative of the support we receive from our parents and suggest that there are some fundamental things that can be done at home to support each child’s learning:

• Make sure there is a space that is available within the house where homework can be completed (this is not in front of the Television).
• Commit to ensuring that your child goes to school every day (provided they are well).
• Support your child in being organised.  Make sure they have the correct equipment, and their workbooks are properly set out. One workbook or one section of a folder, for each subject is a good idea. 
• Ask to see your child’s workbooks on a weekly basis.
• Teach your child effective time management by ensuring that there is regular time set aside, after school, whereby they can complete their homework.  Teenagers use a lot of their after school time, socialising with friends, using social media or playing games on computers.  Time needs to be set aside where this is not allowed and study is the sole focus of their time.
• Check Compass for when class work is due and make sure that they have submitted set work.
• Set up a regular homework routine 

The success of each child is important to us, and we need to promote good habits within our students to ensure that their education has importance in their life.  We can make this happen through parents and teachers working together. If parents have any concerns regarding their child’s progress, they should contact either their child’s classroom teacher or team leader. 

Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to inform the community that I will retire at the end of this term. Officially, my last day as Principal of Pakenham Secondary College, will be Monday, April 25.  It has been an honour to lead the school for the past fourteen years.  An Acting Principal will be looking after the school in term 2 and the new substantive Principal will be appointed to begin in term 3.

Ray Squires

Principal