We have been listening!
The feedback has been loud and clear: The Middle School experience is wonderful and engaging, but the communication and pastoral care could be made even better with some changes to our structures and timetables. You love the access to the dedicated Home Group system in the Junior School and miss this when your child moves into Year 7. These responses inspired a study into best practice transitions for Years 7 and 8 and the new Middle Years is the result of this.
Essentially a hybrid of primary pastoral and specialist secondary education, students will enjoy more time with their Home Group teacher and as parents, you will be assigned to contact teacher (case manager) who has a deep knowledge of your child and his or her needs. It gives me great pleasure to announce that Tom Hancock will be Head of Middle Years (Years 7 and 8) from 2024.
Our Senior School has reached new levels this year
We are hearing constant feedback about how happy both you and your child are under the skilled leadership of Jodie O’Donnell this year. I am pleased to announce that Jodie’s Senior School headship extends to Year 9 from 2024. Formerly a Head of Middle School, Jodie brings the same unquestionable expertise and passion to Year 9 and you have seen in 2023 in Years 10-12. This model has been adopted by some other highly regarded colleges across Australia with great success.
Teaching, Learning and Innovation
To ensure consistently high standards of secondary education, with tailored pathways for all students, Deputy Principal, Scott McGregor, will lead our Teaching and Learning team in 2024. Coupled with additional time being devoted to subject (faculty) leadership, including a new leader of Personal Learning Plans, Research Project and Work Experience, we feel confident that all students are now poised to fly. Yes, we do have a highly regarded academic program but we will be equally well-equipped for VET and other pathways.
We are sad to farewell Mr Glyn Roberts at the end of 2023. Mr Roberts has won a Senior Leadership role at IQRA Islamic College at O’Halloran Hill and we thank him for his fine work here this year as Head of Teaching and Learning (Years 7-12).
A very special Junior School
This is what has grown under the passionate and inspiring leadership of Mr Nick Smith. As current Junior School families already know, Nick has won the position of Head of Junior School at Woodcroft College from next year.
A career progression, Nick will be leading a massive Junior School and embracing the associated challenges.
Naturally, we will all miss Nick immensely but as Woodcroft is an Anglican College, our association with his new school will continue. Our Junior School has thrived under Nick’s leadership, with some exciting new initiatives now established. Examples of these include:
- Improved robotics programs
- Enterprise initiatives and programs
- The introduction of a very successful Prep class
- Improved family engagement through a variety of events, including open classrooms
- The revitalisation of the Junior School House program
- State of-the-art literacy programs resulting in very high achievement levels
- The introduction of an internationally recognised EcoCampus custodian program
- Participation in multiple interschool activities and events
- The development of a lovely staff culture and empowering others within his team.
- A focus on student agency and voice
- The development of a lovely staff culture, empowering others within his team
- creating highly effective sub-school leadership structure
We have engaged Hender Consulting to help us find another exceptional Junior School leader to continue the momentum that has been energised by Nick, and not surprisingly, the recruiters have received considerable interest from leading, experienced educators keen to progress to an executive career at Investigator. Thank you for spreading the good word – our name is good and we have established a strong reputation as a workplace of choice.
To make our Junior and Middle Schools even better, next year we are introducing leaders to drive exciting new programs in the areas of Enterprise and Innovation, Digital Technologies and Sustainability.
Leading you to the next plateau
“The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, and tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau: – Dan Rather
This week we joined schools from around the globe to celebrate World Teachers’ Day. We are blessed with incredibly dedicated staff at Investigator College, and the positive feedback you provide about them is really appreciated.
People choose to work in a school because they care about others, and they enjoy helping students to become the best possible version of themselves.
Think back to your own schooling, and I am certain you can recall an adult with whom you really ‘clicked’; a teacher, grounds person or office worker who inspired you to achieve so much in your own life. Investigator staff members delight in the successes of the students and this week were treated to a neck and shoulder massage as a thank you for their incredible dedication.
2024 is shaping up to be a fabulous year. Enjoy the ride! We are loving working in partnership with you.
