Principal's Message

January 28^th saw ten new staff members join the Camperdown College team and all have embraced their new roles and work place with great enthusiasm. The following day we welcomed new and returning students, with support in place to alleviate nerves! At our Senior Campus assembly we reflected on our shared responsibility to uphold the school’s values, to ensure every member of the school community has the best chance of a happy and successful school experience. We strive for personal excellence always, care for and respect ourselves and each other, and take responsibility for our actions through honesty and ownership.

In sweltering conditions, Friday 31^st January was a milestone day for our new Prep students who attended their first official day of school. At our first Junior Campus assembly we enjoyed welcoming the Preps and seeing our new school captains, Tulin and Oliver, talk about some changes to the assembly format and student awards. We look forward to families joining us at 2.45pm each Friday afternoon to celebrate the week’s learning and achievements.

The year ahead will provide many opportunities for staff, families and students to work together to maximise learning, address challenges and celebrate growth. These relationships between school and home are so important and I am grateful for the efforts made across our school community to build and nurture these relationships so that in the more difficult times, we are well placed to effectively resolve problems. Please continue to make contact with myself, our Assistant Principals Jacinta Tolland and Vicki Angus, or the relevant teacher if you would like to discuss any aspect of your child’s transition to the new school year.

Many of you will be aware that the 2019 school year ended on a very positive note with our VCE results highlighting the strength of our student-teacher partnerships. The Camperdown College median study score and percentage of study scores over 40 placed our school at the top of the list for the Corangamite, Colac-Otway, Moyne and Warrnambool municipalities. Students who undertook a Year 12 subject in Year 11 performed very well, complementing the success of our Year 12 students and contributing to these excellent school results. An English average score of 36.8 and Phys. Ed. average of 34.4 were stand out scores, with Ms Angus and Mrs Maskell very proud to see that the students were able to demonstrate their skills and knowledge to such a high level on the end of year exams. Expert scaffolding, responsiveness to feedback, thorough preparation and extensive practice were the key to success!

In May this year our Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students will have the opportunity to showcase what they know and can do when they undertake the national literacy and numeracy testing (NAPLAN). Students in all Australian schools complete these tests every two years and the assessment information is used by schools to track and respond to patterns of achievement, by individual students and whole year levels. The NAPLAN tests are the only common assessment undertaken by every student in every school and as such they help us to evaluate the impact of our teaching. At Camperdown College we value this external testing opportunity and, consistent with our commitment to personal excellence, we encourage all students to try their best.

I am looking forward to the new personal and professional challenges that this new school year will bring. It is a privilege to work side by side with each of you in pursuit of your individual goals and our school mission of high levels of learning for all students.