Dear Parents/Carers, 

This week we celebrated our first awards evening in the 'Raptordome' and it was an absolute pleasure to recognise the outstanding achievements and efforts of our students in our foundation year.  I also had the pleasure of announcing our first school captains and vice captains for the College and I congratulate Erin Boby and Abbey Marshall (School Captains) and Ella Kearton and Joshna Johnson (Vice Captains) as they look to lead our student body in 2021. The awards evening was a great opportunity to recognise not only our student successes, but also our college  achievements to date. Over the past 12 months we have accomplished much as a college community and I want to thank you for your support and assistance throughout 2020.  

As we look to next year, plans are already well underway as we look to build upon the solid reputation and great work we have achieved to date.  Next year our College will nearly double in size with over 300 students already enrolled for years 7 to 9. This significant student growth will see a significant increase of teaching and support staff as we look to expand subject offerings and continue the great work in teaching and learning established in 2020.  Over the coming weeks and months, construction will also commence on our stage 2 building works program which will be completed for the start of the 2022 school year when we welcome our first group of year 10's into the senior school.   While this rapid change can seem overwhelming at times, our college remains committed to our school's vision and values.  Our belief that all students can achieve and that by working together we can achieve more remains unchanged.  Indeed, as our College grows and matures, our commitment to these core values and vision becomes even more important and I encourage you to remain connected and involved in our college community as we grow.   

As we plan for the future, I want to thank those parents and community members who provided feedback about our College's Strategic Plan survey over the past few weeks.  Our 4 year Strategic Plan is being updated with plans for it to be endorsed at our next P & C meeting.  Our focus for the next four years remains unchanged with Pedagogy (best teaching practice), Positive Behaviour for Learning (College culture), Pathways and Partnerships remaining our core goals.  A copy of the endorsed Strategic Plan will be available on our website once approved.  To complement this strategic school planning process the Department of Education has also been invited to conduct a review of our College in our foundation year.  Part of this review is to gain further departmental and community feedback as to what we have done well, what we can improve and what we need to do to ensure we are properly equipped for the future.  Further information on the school review process will be shared in our next newsletter.    

On the 11th November, another significant event will be held for our College community.   All students, parents and community members are invited to attend the dedication of our ANZAC memorial.  A Remembrance Day service and dedication of the memorial will commence at 10.15am and I thank the P & C Association for their hard work in fundraising, supporting and creating this significant project.  Plans are already underway for further works in ANZAC place in 2021 and I would encourage any members of the school community who would like to be involved to contact the school or P & C for further details. 

Once again, thank you for a great foundation year and your continued involvement in our College and your child's education.  As we reflect on the year that has been, and the year to come may we all remember to fulfil our school motto of 'Achieving excellence together'.