Principal Report - Mooroolbark College

I would like to welcome back all our families for 2018, with a special mention to the new families who are joining our Mooroolbark College community this year.

I always enjoy the beginning of each new year and especially the buzz and enthusiasm, which is always evident on the first day. It was lovely to welcome our Year 7, 11 and 12 students on Wednesday 31st January and our Year 8, 9 and 10 students on Thursday 1st February. Friday saw 1172 students settle into classes.

We welcome our new staff for 2018:

                Alex Scott English
                Trisha Sliver English
                Jiaqi Tan LOTE
                Christina Gibson Director of Curriculum STEAM /Biology
Sigrid Nilsson Literacy Support
                Jana Lant Literacy Support
                Alana Briggs Home Economics
                Luke Knoll PE/Health
                Perie Edmonds Home Economics/Science
                Joshua Knott                      Mathematics
                Vanessa Crae Curriculum Support
                Joanne Miller                     VCE/VCAL/Pathways Assistant

On Thursday 8th February, Mooroolbark College will hold its annual Year 7 parent/guardian Welcome BBQ commencing at 6.00pm followed by a Compass support session for anyone who would like to attend. I look forward to meeting as many new Year 7 parents/guardians as possible on Thursday.

On Friday 9th February, our Year 12 VCE students are spending the day at Box Hill TAFE – Lilydale Campus to focus on their study skills and organisational skills for the year ahead.

A reminder that the College newsletter is now published electronically on the first Friday of each month. An email link is emailed to parents. Regular information regarding the daily activities of students is accessed via Compass. Compass is the College’s formal communication channel with parents and students. If you have misplaced your Compass login please contact the College on 9727 8100.

In addition, the College’s Official Facebook page is used to share what’s happening in our community, showcasing the Colleges culture and providing timely reminders for key events. Parents/ guardians and students can like the page at https://www.facebook.com/Mooroolbarkcollegeofficial . It is always exciting to see the wonderful daily activities our students are undertaking at Mooroolbark College via the Facebook page. Staff and students love the opportunity to share these fantastic events with family and friends.

2018 College Council
The College Council comprises of seventeen members – six parents, five Department of Education and Training (DET) employees, four community members and two student members. Each year half of the membership in the first two categories must present for re-election. Positions in the third category are filled by co-option from the College or wider community when the elected Council meets. The terms of office, membership categories and number of positions in the four categories open for election this year are as follows:
Parent—Three
DET—Two
Community—Four
Student – Two (new for 2018)

Nomination forms for both the parent and DET categories are available from the General Office from Monday 5th February 2018. Members of the College community are invited to nominate for these vacancies. Nomination forms must be lodged at the General Office by 4.00pm on Monday 12th February 2018. If the number of nominations in each category is greater than the number of vacancies, an election by ballot will be held. The names of the nominated candidates will be posted on Wednesday 14th February 2018 outside the General Office for the Parent Category.

If an election is required, ballot papers and voting procedures will be distributed on Monday 19th February 2018 via students and due to the General Office by 4.00 pm on Monday 26th February 2018. The new College Council will meet for the first time on Tuesday 20th March 2018.

The election for the student category will occur later in term one.

Ann Stratford
Principal