Principal’s Message
Dear Families
As we move through the term, there has been so much to celebrate at Staughton College. I’d like to take a moment to share some of the highlights and updates from across our community.
Leadership Appointments
We are excited to announce some important changes in our leadership team. Nick Morley and Sarah Sobey have been appointed as substantive Assistant Principals, with a strong focus on instructional leadership and supporting our staff to deliver the highest quality teaching. We also congratulate Kellie Allen on her appointment as Assistant Principal of Wimba Primary School, beginning in Term 4, a wonderful achievement that reflects her hard work and leadership here at Staughton. To ensure continuity, Karen Martin will step into the Junior School Principal role while we recruit for a new substantive Junior School Principal.
NAPLAN Growth
Our recent NAPLAN data has given us cause for celebration. The results show that our students have made strong growth in Reading, Writing, Numeracy, and Grammar & Punctuation. In fact, our Year 7s of 2023, now in Year 9, are progressing at a rate higher than the state average, similar schools, and our network.
While there is still work ahead to lift overall achievement levels, these results are proof that our focus on high-quality teaching and learning is paying off. Most importantly, they show that our students are moving forward and achieving success in their learning journeys.
School Review and Strategic Planning
The Department-led school review has now been completed. This process has given us valuable insights into where we are excelling and where we need to grow. The review has produced eight clear recommendations that will shape the next stage of our improvement journey.
Later this term, we will unpack the findings with our leadership team and School Council President, and from there begin developing our next four-year strategic plan. This will be an exciting opportunity to chart a clear course for the future of Staughton College.
Living Our Values
Over the past months, we have been working with psychologist Maria Ruberto to refine our College values. After extensive consultation and reflection, we now have a strong draft to share with staff later this term. These values will guide how we work, learn, and treat one another as a community. School Council members will be invited to join this session, and soon after we will seek feedback from families and students. This is an important step to ensure that our values truly represent the heart of our school.
Events and Celebrations
- Literacy Week – Last week was been all about celebrating the joy of reading, writing, and storytelling. Our students threw themselves into the activities, sharing favourite books, crafting stories, and engaging in creative events. It was inspiring to see the enthusiasm in classrooms, reminding us how powerful literacy is in opening doors to the future.
- Athletics Carnival – Our Athletics Carnival brought the whole school together. Even though the weather was less than kind, the energy and spirit on the day were infectious. Students encouraged one another, competed with pride, and showed resilience and teamwork. It was a day that reminded us of the importance of community and celebrating effort as much as achievement.
- Cultural Week– In Week 7, we will host our annual Cultural Week. Throughout the week, students will take part in a range of activities, and on Thursday we will come together for a celebration of cultural dress, food, and performances. Families are warmly invited to attend this special day. Cultural Week is a highlight of our calendar and a powerful reminder of the diversity that makes our school so unique.
- Father’s Day Breakfast – Shortly after Father’s Day, we will host our first Father’s Day BBQ Breakfast. This special event is for dads, grandads, and all those who play a fatherly role in a child’s life. Guests are invited to share a meal, enjoy some games, and connect with our school community. We hope this will be the beginning of a tradition that continues to grow in the years ahead. Details will be sent out shortly.
New Build
The excitement around our new build continues, even though there have been some delays. The final handover is now scheduled for August 2027, with the new STEAM building due for completion by mid-2026. These new facilities will give our students access to modern, inspiring spaces for learning, and we can’t wait to see them take shape. Closer to the time, we will work with our community on a decanting plan and temporary accommodation arrangements.
Thank you for your ongoing support, the encouragement and partnership of families make all the difference in helping our students succeed.
Kind regards
Mr A Devine | College Principal
