I am continually amazed by the capacity of our young people. Our Year 12 Celebration was conducted Tuesday 24 of September. This was a fabulous event fully managed by our Student Leadership Team with minimal guidance from the coordinating teacher, Amy Best. The logistics of such an event are challenging but from the initial stages of consultation to the final pack up and review, the team demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial skills and attention to detail. The key members used technology to facilitate the organisation and were creative and resourceful in decorating the space at minimal expense. Unfortunately our curriculum frameworks do not allow us to easily assess and accredit students when they demonstrate their capabilities in this way. At the end of the evening many of our student guests personally thanked me for providing them with a fabulous event. I appreciated this gesture but all acknowledgement should be directed to our Student Leaders and their Organising Committee.

Don College teacher,  Renee Hinds, received the VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award at the recent Tasmanian Training Awards.   Renee teaches Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Her commitment to delivering exceptional training for her students has seen her transform Don College’s playgroup into a fully operational childcare centre. This service is planned to expand in 2025. We wish Renee success in the National Training Awards where she will represent Tasmania in Canberra in December.

After the holidays we have four weeks of scheduled classes and then we move in to assessment period. TASC Level 3 and 4 students will have external assessments for two weeks. Students in VET classes and Level 1 and 2 TASC classes will be provided some time to access college and finish work requirements through negotiation with teachers. The final four weeks is a crucial time of the year and 100% attendance and full participation should be the aim of all students.

We wish all of our community members a safe and happy holiday period.