Dear Parents/Guardians, Students, Staff and Community
As we are almost within sight of the mid-year break, I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of a number of College improvement goals that we are pursuing and their progress.
Capital Project
As you may be aware, the College is embarking on a significant Capital Project, to enhance the learning environment for our senior students. We will be looking to achieve these enhancements through a staged approach. The priority, as identified by our staff is obvious; this is for Materials, Design and Technology and aspects of Vocational Education and Training including Construction.
The area located at the end of Cloud 9, near the staff car park has been identified as the location for our development. We have had a very dedicated Building Committee working closely to create a new facility that will truly advance the learning and quality of the experience for students and staff. Technology is the College’s biggest department and we are excited to be able to improve what will positively impact many students.
We maintain a goal of commencing this project in 2022.
Did you know that our College now offers 17 VET courses in 2021, moving from 8 last year? This is an example of our motivation to offer broad learning experiences for all, complementing the outstanding academic achievements seen here at our College.
Buses
On the second day of the year, our College decided to provide for our students travelling from Penguin, Ulverstone and Turners Beach with an additional bus for 2022. We were dissatisfied with the service provided by State Growth, with students standing in aisles during highway travel, despite being within licensing requirements. Consequently, our College has paid for this additional bus, in the interests of student well-being.
In addition, we have provided feedback to Redline Coaches relating to their service for our students from Circular Head. Modifications have been made.
We maintain a commitment to our students and will continue to advocate for their needs constructively with key stakeholders.
At this time, Catholic Education Tasmania has circulated a survey for school communities relating to buses. We need our College community to share their thoughts by completing this survey through the links provided below. Your responses will be collated by Catholic Education Tasmania who will be advocating for the needs of our students.
Catholic Education Transportation Survey
We want to know how to improve student transport.
Please take five minutes to let us know what you think about how students get to and from school.
The review will also be looking at the attitudes families and students have towards bus transportation and reasons why they may or may not use bus transportation.
The survey closes Friday, 2 July 2021.
Student Travel – Student Survey
Student Travel – Parent Survey
“Reaching Out to Make a Difference” – Better Outcomes for our Students from Circular Head
Our Circular Head Project is still progressing. Lynda Jones (Consultant) and I held a number of meetings recently with Mayor Darryl Quilliam, Mrs Tracey Bradley, Community Services Manager and Ms Amber Power, Community Services Officer from Circular Head Council and Mrs Di Baldock, Chair and Acting CEO, Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC).
Significant potential exists here for our use of facilities already available to enable our students to work remotely. The conversations with our students, parents, staff and other key stake holders leads us to potentially seeing our students from the region undertake remote learning up to four out of ten days per cycle. Should this eventuate, the model will be flexible and student choice will be promoted. There is still much to be worked through, but we are moving closer to an appropriate model.
Our College Working Party will reconvene in July and will communicate with you as we journey together.
College Survey: Crafting a Compelling Vision for Marist Regional College
We see every day as an opportunity to advance the learning of our students and staff. At times in the life of our schools and colleges, we will stop and “take stock”, considering where we have been, where we are going and how we will get there.
In coming weeks, we will be sharing a College survey, where your feedback will help us to consider what it is we need to keep doing, stop doing and start doing, to bring a high quality, holistic Catholic education to our students in partnership with our families.
Looking forward to sharing the links with you in the next “Star”.
In partnership
Mr Gregg Sharman
Principal
Vale Mrs Wendy Holloway
We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Holloway family upon hearing of the passing of former staff member, Mrs Wendy Holloway last week.
Wendy started at the College in 1981 as a part time teacher, leaving at the end of 1982. She returned to the College as a relief teacher from 1995 – 2009 and she was probably at the top of the relief staff list during that period with 230 relief days.
Wendy’s boys, Tim, Marcus and Jeremy were students at the College. As a very proud mum she loved a chat about her boys, what they were doing for work, and then the updates of marriage and grandchildren.
She was involved in the Burnie arts community and was well known for her water colour paintings.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Holloway family, their friends, and our staff during this time.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
