PRINCIPAL’S UPDATE
Building Works Update
The beginning of Semester 2 will see the Student Wellbeing and Learning Centre open for students, set to occur within the first few weeks of the term. Initially Baan (Blue) and Darrang (Green) Houses will move into the new section (old Administration Office). They will be joined by the Student Wellbeing Leader, Mr Nichol, our Mental Health Practitioners, Ms Siobhan O’Halloran and Ms Siobhan Martin, our Chaplain, Mrs Gill Van Der Ende and Miss Rebecca Herrick, the College’s Student Councillor. The space will also provide a place for the College’s Tutors and Student Learning Mentors to work in to support student learning. The College’s First Aid facilities will relocate back to the Student Wellbeing and Learning Centre as well.
The Student Wellbeing and Learning Centre will also provide a place for students to have access to facilities to reheat food, it will provide a quiet work area for students and a place where Mooroolbark College students can enjoy time with their friends. Breakfast club and Club 34 will also being using this facility.
Biik (Red) and Ngawan (Yellow) Houses will move into the library end of the centre over the next few months along with our other student support services.
The Southern Courtyard is opening at the beginning of Term 2 and work will commence on the Northern Courtyard. With both spaces, including extra seating for students and new landscaping this space is well overdue. The work in the Northern Quadrangle expected to be completed within the first month of Semester 2.
Staff Changes
At the end of Semester Two, the College farewells Mr Matthew Wildner, the College’s Facilities Manager. Mr Wildner has been with the College for over 10 years and under his leadership the College has successfully added the Senior School Building, the Multi Purpose Room and the upgrade to the ECA. Mr Wildner leaves the College having added a great deal to the facilities.
Mr David Grey Noble has recently left the College, moving to a country school location. Mr Grey Noble has worked primarily in the area of ICT.
Ms Judy Miller who began working with us at since the beginning of 2022 has recently moved teaching locations.
And finally, Ms Evgenia Giles, Library Technician will be moving into her chosen field in Information Management. Ms Giles who has worked in the library during the two years of Covid has kept our students linked to the library and the services it provides during this difficult time.
We wish these staff all the best for the future.
We welcome to the College in Semester Two, the following staff who will begin with us at the beginning of Term 2. Ms Amy Godfrey Baker who will be teaching in the area of English and Ms Alyce Bailey who will join the PE/Health and Humanities area. I am sure the College community will make these staff welcome.
As a result of a number of staffing changes which occurred during Term 2, significant changes have been made to the Semester 2 Timetable. These changes were unavoidable, but have resulted in more consistency in the teaching and learning program. The timetable for students will be released via Compass during the holidays. I suggest that students take the time to carefully check their timetable prior to returning to school on Tuesday 12th July.
Work Experience
Congratulations to all our Year 10 students who have undertaken work experience this week. It was great to see the enthusiasm shown by Mooroolbark College students as they embarked on this wonderful experience. This is one of the many activities which were unable to go ahead during the past two years due to Covid, and therefore it is great to see it back on the Mooroolbark College calendar. Students have an opportunity to learn an enormous amount during this week, from confirming career goals, to gaining a greater understanding of what it is like to work 9.00 am to 5.00 pm daily, or simply that they have learnt that their plan for a future career path really isn’t for them. I look forward to hearing about their experiences when they return after the holidays.
I hope all students take the opportunity during the next two weeks to relax and winddown after a busy semester to ensure they are ready to return to school in Semester 2 with commitment to their work, their friends and the community.
Mrs Ann Stratford
PRINCIPAL