The students are well and truly back in the swing of things, and it’s been great to see the energy, focus and routines settling across the college.
On Monday, we proudly celebrated our 95 Club, with 10 new names added to this outstanding group. These students shared their experiences with the wider student body, and it was encouraging to see the next generation of “95ers” listening closely and picking up practical tips on how to stay on course. One consistent message stood out, the importance of structure. A clear schedule, no excuses, and most importantly, attending every class. The evidence I shared last week reinforces just how critical this is.
We also awarded our Winc and Rotary Des Killick Scholarships, providing students with resources to better engage in their learning. Congratulations to all recipients. These scholarships make a real difference and are a strong vote of confidence in our students.
It is genuinely wonderful to feel the positive culture these types of events create within our college. Acknowledging students for their effort, commitment and achievement feels right. We have amazing students here at Como, and I am incredibly proud of them. As parents and carers, you should be too.
We held a School Board meeting on Monday, which provided a valuable opportunity to begin setting direction for 2026. The Board has developed a clear purpose and agenda to support school improvement and advocacy, and I am grateful for their commitment to Como and for keeping me on my toes.
A group of parents also met this week to work towards restarting our P&C, and we are nearly there. A clear message emerged from the discussion, the P&Cs of old are not always fit for purpose anymore. Rather than focusing solely on fundraising activities, there is a strong appetite for a group that acts as a voice for parents and the community. I would love to see our P&C evolve into an advisory group, a space where ideas, feedback and perspectives can be shared openly to help drive meaningful improvement across the college. This is something I am keen to explore further, and I will be sending more information about rebuilding our P&C over the next fortnight.
I have also been asked to provide an update on our BYOD implementation. This is happening but deliberately and steadily. Staff devices were delayed and are now arriving later this term, which has pushed back the establishment of our protocols. These guidelines will be shared with the school community by the end of Term 1. It has been pleasing to see many students, particularly our Seniors, already using devices effectively to support their learning, and I look forward to this continuing to grow across the college.
This week, a group of students also had the opportunity to attend TAFE and explore a potential career in hair design. The students were braiding, styling and, by all accounts, had an excellent time. Experiences like this once again reinforce what I mentioned last week, we don’t always see the very best of students in a traditional classroom setting. Passion, talent and confidence often shine brightest when students are working in areas that genuinely interest them. Providing opportunities like this is vital, as it helps students discover their strengths and opens their eyes to future pathways they may not have previously considered.
Finally, you may have noticed a couple of refurbished signs around the school grounds. These have been updated with our new logo and, let’s be honest, look far better than the previous versions, which were starting to look a little tired. Planned work is also underway to improve the front entry and car park, helping to reduce congestion and general chaos. The school is now far more identifiable to the outside world and a very observant eye may also have noticed a certain lack of chain. 😄
Please mark the 6th of March in your diaries. This will be the night of our Year 12 School Ball, to be held at Beaumonde on the Point. This day will also be a Pupil Free Day, as staff will be engaged in a School Development Day.
Have a great weekend, folks.
Alen Kursar
Principal
