Kinnoull 2006

As the school year draws to a close, and I reflect on the six months I have been the Head of Kinnoull Campus, the one thing that stands out is the quality of the young men at Kinnoull. When set a task or challenge they readily work together for a positive outcome. Being new to the Campus, as well as to the role of Head of Campus, I have relied heavily on the goodwill of staff and students alike. The response has been all I could have asked for, and often more. This year we faced the challenges of a new timetable structure and a doubling in the size of the VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) cohort to 32 students. 80 minute classroom sessions with a break between each session have had a positive impact on learning and provided a more settled program. The increase in VCAL numbers, ably supported by Mr Chris Danckert as the new VCAL coordinator, have kept the comings and goings throughout the week a challenge to follow. The VCAL boys have taken to TAFE courses, VET programs, work placements and their VCE subjects with enthusiasm and most have moved into the workforce in recent weeks as soon as they were signed off as “competent”. This year’s College Leaders have been a positive influence on the College. Their willingness to be involved in all the events of the College is to be commended. This can be demonstrated by the way they tackled Founder’s Day at the end of Term 3, and actually made a profit of nearly $2,000. It has been a privilege to be able to work closely with them while their coordinator, Mr Matt Breen, was on leave in Term 3. Crucial to the smooth running of any Campus are the tasks performed by the Year Level Coordinators. I would like to thank Mr Richard Komiazyk (Year 12), Mrs Sally Buick (Year 11) and Mr David Madigan (Year 10) for their efforts and support this year. They have been ably supported by their Homeroom teachers and the staff of Kinnoull Campus. It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the work of Br Adrian Watson. Br Adrian is still on sabbatical and will be returning to Australia at the end of the year. Br Adrian has made a great difference to the lives of many students and staff at Kinnoull, and will be missed. I have been in touch with him by email during the year. When speaking about the Blue and Gold he commented: “I would be grateful if you could include an acknowledgement that I really appreciated the cooperation of students and staff to making Kinnoull a great place to learn and work, state that I have really enjoyed the past seven and a half years, and that I wish them all well as I move on to a new ministry.” To Br Adrian, students (especially the Year 12 class of 2006), and staff who are leaving this year, we wish you well and extend our thanks for the contribution you have made at Kinnoull.

Mr Henry Corcoran