The school year is well underway and although there have been many disruptions for some families and staff, we have been able to deliver teaching and learning and commence the process of re-establishing routines - a vitally important part of our work as it supports wellbeing. The ability to provide certainty and consistency helps alleviate anxiety. I would encourage all families to work on establishing and maintaining healthy routines and habits at home. Provide some guidance and regularity with homework times, meal times, sport/music activities and most importantly, regular sleep patterns without devices in the room.
It was great to attend the Year 12 camp a few weeks ago. The opportunity for students to experience the fun and engaging activities school has to offer, is an important part of the work we do. To this end I look forward to attending the Year 7 Camp later this term. It is arguably one of the best run camps I have seen over the past 25 years, which is set in an absolute beautiful part of this state.
Just as exciting is the upcoming swimming carnival on Friday, 4th March. I look forward to seeing Sapphire house have a win this year. Long overdue!
This week Mr Wallace convened a Senior School information session. It was pleasing to see many families attend as once again one of our partners, Elevate, provided some very valuable advice and information to help senior students succeed.
Our Peer Support program is well underway, and it was terrific to see the Year 7 students running around the College during a treasure hunt activity last week. This program is an important part of our transition and provides a great opportunity for new friendships but also helps our Year 11 students develop their leadership skills. I thank Mr Stubbings for his wonderful organisational skills and the staff for supporting these activities during Term 1.
We will continue to provide RAT kits to families and staff over the next few weeks and I thank you for testing your children twice a week, which will be even more important now that the mask mandate will no longer be required in secondary schools as of midnight, Friday, 25th February. It has been a significant challenge to cover all classes this year with many staff having to isolate or testing positive. It is important that we think of how our actions can protect not only ourselves, but others around us who may be more vulnerable.
I take this opportunity to thank the two new nominees (one parent and one student) who will join School Council for the next two years. As there were the same number of nominees as there were vacancies, there was no need for an election.
I remind families that mobile phones are to be locked away in lockers between 9:00am – 3:15pm. Breaches to the policy will result in phones being confiscated which will then need to be collected as soon as convenient by an adult, parent/guardian. Until then, they will be locked away safely.
Tuesday, 8th March will be a remote teaching and learning day. Details have been sent via Compass and an additional reminder will be sent closer to the day. This will be a direct instruction day via Google MEET, and it will be an opportunity for students to consolidate their learning and take some time to catch up on work. Feedback from student surveys over the past two years have been very clear around the need to provide more opportunities to help keep up. It will run as four x 60-minute online lessons and students are expected to log in live for each class. Details for each lesson will be provided by individual teachers.
The planning of our Capital Works Program is almost complete, and we are about to commence the tender process. The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA), 3iD (architects) and SEMZ (project management team), have been exceptional to collaborate with thus far. They have worked tirelessly to design the best possible solutions for our school community. In further great news, we have been able to secure additional funds for the project and it is now valued at well over $11 million. At the core of the new building is an auditorium which will be used by our performing arts faculty, as well as becoming the main venue for many important events such as our information nights, assemblies, and award evenings. A ‘sneak peek’ of the new building can be viewed on our website. I have provided an internal image of the auditorium below. Work is due to commence in May and we look forward to this exciting new development which will complement our new STEM Centre, oval and past school funded building projects.
Finally, I want to reiterate the importance of regular reading. We have a school wide reading program which is a critical aspect of the success of our school. We, as adults should also model the expected behaviours for our children, so I ask, what are you reading? Over summer, I thoroughly enjoyed a book which was a gift from Ms Snow – The Magician by Colm Tóibín. It provides an insight into the life of Thomas Mann, a German Literary genius who was the 1929 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate. I have a Readings voucher from Ms McKay that I’m keen to use so please pass on any recommendations.
Arthur Soumalias
PRINCIPAL
