Sorry for the delay in getting this update out today. In my defence, it’s difficult to focus on work when the Socceroos are playing in the World Cup! A tongue-in-cheek excuse perhaps, but I’m sure many of you can relate. Bring on the knockout stages!!!
What a week it has been at Como Secondary College.
Our Cabaret was a fantastic success, showcasing the incredible talent, creativity and dedication of our students and staff. Thank you to everyone involved in bringing the event together, and to our parents and community members for their ongoing support. Events like this remind us of the rich opportunities available to our students beyond the classroom.
On Tuesday, our Follow the Dream Awards were held at Belmont City College. It was wonderful to see so many of our students recognised for their outstanding work ethic, academic achievement and commitment to their goals. The Polly Farmer Foundation continues to play a vital role in supporting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and I would like to thank our staff who work closely with students through mentoring, encouragement and support. Your efforts help ensure students are not only engaged in their learning but are achieving success.
On Wednesday evening, we also hosted our Careers Conversations and Subject Selection information session for Year 10 students and their families. It was pleasing to see so many students engaging in discussions about their future pathways and the opportunities available to them. There are more options than ever before, with a range of academic, vocational, traineeship and university pathways available to support students in achieving their goals. Choosing subjects for Years 11 and 12 is an important step, and I encourage families to take the time to explore the resources available through our website and Compass. Most importantly, please ask questions. Our staff are here to help guide students and families through the process, ensuring they make informed decisions aligned with their interests, strengths and aspirations.
Our Certificate I in Volunteering students also made a valuable contribution to our community this week by planting trees around the campus and surrounding natural vegetation areas. Their efforts will help preserve and enhance our environment for future generations. It is always pleasing to see students giving back to their community in meaningful ways.
Today, staff enjoyed our NAIDOC Bake-Off, which was very well received. Once again, our AIEOs demonstrated their talents, with the kangaroo stew undoubtedly stealing the show. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped create such a positive and engaging event as we continue to recognise and celebrate Aboriginal culture and heritage.
Sport continues to be a highlight across the school. Our Hockey Academy students were in fine form, taking out the Southern Titles and progressing to the finals of the prestigious Buchanan Cup. We also had students participating in interschool volleyball today, while others were attending excursions to Curtin University. As always, there is plenty happening across our campus and beyond.
It was also a pleasure to welcome our local Member for South Perth, the Hon. Geoff Baker MLA, to the school today. Geoff announced that Como Secondary College has been successful in securing $50,000 through the Supporting School Canteens Program for canteen-related equipment and minor upgrades. This funding will contribute to our broader plans for improving facilities across the school, ensuring our physical environment continues to match the high-quality teaching and learning taking place every day.
On a less positive note, we experienced an incident before school this morning involving an intruder riding a motorbike across the school grounds, causing damage to our ovals. It is disappointing to see a young person choose to behave in this way. However, what impressed me most was the response from our students. They did not engage with the individual or place themselves at risk. Instead, they reported what they had seen, provided accurate descriptions, noted important details and allowed staff and authorities to respond appropriately.
Their actions demonstrated maturity, responsibility and, most importantly, integrity. They chose not to give this individual the attention he was seeking and instead acted in a way that reflected the values of The Como Way. I am incredibly proud of how our students responded.
Have a wonderful weekend with family and friends. I look forward to seeing everyone back refreshed and ready for another busy week ahead.
Alen Kursar
Principal
