Principal's Message
COVID-19 has finally caught up with me and I am having my turn in home isolation, as so many of you have already done. In my absence, our extremely capable staff team led by Assistant Principals Jacinta Tolland and Vicki Angus is working very hard to maximise the remaining learning time this term and complete mid-year assessment and reporting.
Students are involved in a multitude of extra-curricular activities to complement core classroom learning and as always it will be a very busy run to the end of the term!
I could not have been prouder of our Junior Campus students last week when they hosted over 45 visiting principals, teachers and education support staff in a learning visit. Camperdown College’s phonics teaching practice was on show during the dedicated Sounds-Write block and adjacent literacy sessions, with other schools eager to see what this looks like and why the approach is having such a positive impact for our students.
Our staff and students are utterly deserving of the high praise that was directed their way, with our visitors noting far more than high quality literacy teaching practice. Well mannered students, respectful relationships, stimulating learning environments, maximum time on task, high expectations, lived values and a pervasive ‘can do’ attitude were all noted and applauded by our visitors. We look forward to another round of Sounds-Write school visits next term.
We have enjoyed hosting Unlocking Potential intern Lynda Nevill over the past four weeks, providing us with valuable support while she learnt more about the principal role through this Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership program. Lynda’s external perspective was appreciated as we progress through our pre-review self-evaluation and again, it was encouraging for our staff to receive feedback that affirms the positive practices and relationships that have been the focus of our work for so long.
JSC and SRC students have been gathering feedback from their Year 4 – 12 peers to hear directly from the horses’ mouths (so to speak!) which aspects of Camperdown College are widely appreciated and enjoyed, and any opportunities for change and improvement. Common themes are emerging and in many regards these are similar themes to those that arose through parent feedback collected at Senior Campus Parent Teacher Interviews and the Junior Campus Open Morning. There is strong endorsement of quality teaching, caring and friendly students and staff, and the wide variety of opportunities, subjects and programs available to Camperdown College students.
Targeted surveys have been provided to parents new to Camperdown College and to families whose students are participating in the Victorian High Ability Program. If you have not yet had the opportunity to complete yours, the surveys will remain open until Monday morning and your input would be greatly appreciated.
We will be so pleased to welcome families on-site next week for the end of term celebration assemblies which recognise student achievement in its many and varied forms. Please come along if you can, and are well, as our students always appreciate celebrating and showcasing their achievements with a wider audience!
16th June, 2022