Welcome back to Term 3. We enjoyed our first week back at school where staff and students were able to interact with each other. This was followed by our first lockdown for the term. Regardless of whether we are on site or teaching and learning remotely, we will continue to ensure that we support each other during this busy term.

Careers Expo and Subject Selection
As the term begins, we prepare our Year 9 to 12 students in career and subject selection choices. Ms Vera Treloar, the Deputy Principal of Learning and Teaching, along with the Careers Department have begun the transition process for our students on the Broadmeadows Campus. The Year 9 students will be able to consider subject choices that will determine their Year 10 programs in 2022, while the Year 10 students will be presented with information that will help them to decide on their VCE or VCAL programs. Year 11 students will be able to reflect on their current Year 11 program and finalise the subjects they will study in Year 12. Our Year 12 students will begin to have discussions with tertiary institutions and or potential employers as they plan their future study and work after they graduate.

It is a very exciting time of the year both for students and their parents/guardians. We encourage you to have conversations with your children about these important choices they will be making during Term 3.

Elections for College Captains and College Vice Captains for 2022
The beginning of term three also initiates the process of students running for College Captains and Vice Captains for 2022. The first phase of the process involved candidates who nominated themselves or who have been nominated by their peers and teachers taking part in an interview with Mr Caldow, Ms Perkins and myself. During the interviews the candidates were given the opportunity to outline leadership skills and qualities that they believe will enable them to serve our community as a College Vice Captain or College Captain.

As a result of the interviews we congratulate the year 11 students who have been invited to run for College Captain in 2022;

• Jordan Gioskos
• Angus Drenen
• Sofia Gutierrez Monroy

We also congratulate the following year 10 students who have been invited to run for College Vice Captain in 2022;

• Maream Gorgees
• Siala Maelasi
• Leah McGrice
• Melwin Edwin
• Nikitha Kayagurla

These students will present a speech to the college community at our leadership assembly that will take place on 30 July. After the assembly students from years 10 and 11 and staff will have the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidates. We wish all the successful candidates the best of luck as they continue to pursue their interest in leadership.

I would also like to thank Ms Perkin for preparing, developing and supporting all the candidates on their leadership journey at Penola.

Upcoming Parent Webinar
On the 4^th of August, we would like to invite all parents and guardians to attend an evening parent webinar titled ‘Parenting in the 21^st Century’. The webinar will be led by Dr Justin Coulson and will begin at 7.00pm. The major themes that will be discussed at the webinar include;

• What is active parenting
• Parents/Guardians managing conflict with their children
• Establishing positive relationships with your children
• Recognising and dealing with screen issues.

A link that will enable you to join the webinar will be available closer to the date on our school website and facebook page.

VCAL Intermediate Food Security Network Program
I would also like to acknowledge the VCAL staff and students involved in the intermediate VCAL Food Security Network Program undertaken in Term two. As part of their Personal Development Skills component, the intermediate VCAL students have participated in this program where they were able to learn about communities in our local area that are suffering from food shortages. The Food Security Network program required them to show acts of altruism and kindness through their work in growing and harvesting fresh vegetables and then distributing this food to groups in our community. The project would not have been able to be implemented without the organisation of the VCAL teachers; Mr Nicolas Sliwka, Ms Lauren Johnson, Mrs Olympia Kangalis and Mr Daniel Catoggio.