As we finish another year at Mount View High School we are already looking forward to 2022 and have in fact been planning for most of Term 4. As part of this, we have been consolidating staff as individuals move on to retirement, promotion and role assignment.
Farewell
Julie Myers will retire from teaching this year after a stellar career in music and student wellbeing. Julie has been an integral part of the Creative and Performing Arts faculty at Mount View since 1992. She supported the Music students of Mount View by leading their HSC preparation and Ensemble Performance Programs as well as accompanying them with her extraordinary vocal talent at school and community events. Julie established and developed school choirs and vocal ensembles, conducting these performance groups in Eisteddfods, State Secondary Choral Concerts, Starstruck and our own Mount View musical productions and showcase concerts.
During her journey, Julie expanded her support of students through her position as Head Teacher Wellbeing. She was also a well-respected and loved Year Advisor from 1998-2003. Julie established and developed multiple wellbeing programs, allowing students to strengthen resilience and build positive relationships within the school setting. Julie successfully led and facilitated the implementation of a Mental Health Care Plan program designed to support students through interventions to return to school in a safe and supported environment and has been heavily involved in the successful establishment of our GP clinic and SPHERE student wellbeing hub. She recognised the rise of mental health concerns of students within our community and the need for the school staff and wellbeing team to be developed and supported. She went on to initiate the training of staff in the ASIST program and Mental Health First Aid. Julie was involved in the team that collaborated training for schools across our learning community and went on to involve the school-Link Coordination Hunter Region Team making systemic change across our school and community versus Mental Health.
Jodie Scheffler will take over from Julie in one of our two Head Teacher Wellbeing positions at Mount View HIgh School. Jodie’s brings a depth of experience and passion for student and staff wellbeing to the executive wellbeing role.
Benjamin Dibben has been appointed into the second Head Teacher Wellbeing position. Ben will base himself in our PDHPE faculty replacing Doug Hunt’s CRT position. Doug will be leaving us in 2022 after a late decision to take up a position at Macquarie College closer to home. We will farewell Doug on the last day and welcome Ben ready for SDD1 in 2022.
Steve Quigley has successfully moved across from his Head Teacher Wellbeing position into the Head Teacher Support position. Steve’s experience and expertise in leading the Support faculty will be highly valued as we start 2022 with 6 support classes.
Graeme Lindsay who has been working as our school funded Head Teacher Admin was successful in the merit selection panel at Kurri Kurri High School for the Head Teacher TAS position. Graeme starts as a substantive HT at KKHS from the start of next year. Graeme has led attendance, timetabling and casual staff cover for our absent colleagues for the last two years.
Farewell to Matt Edgar, who has finished a few weeks early as he and his wife prepare for the birth of their first child. Matt has secured a permanent position at Belmont High School in 2022. I wish Matt and his wife all the best. From our COVID Zoom’s he is well prepared to be an entertaining and storytelling father.
Rachael Collier was successful in her EOI for relieving HT HSIE. Rachael will relieve whilst Scott Hamilton moves into the school funded third deputy principal position.
Morgan Gannon has been appointed substantively to the English faculty replacing Renae Bishop. Morgan completed a practicum with us in the HSIE faculty and also worked as an SLSO.
Anne Grieve has been appointed to the position of Head Teacher Secondary Studies (Careers) as part of the Educational Pathways Program. This position, based at MVHS but not attached directly to our staffing, will support MVHS and other local schools develop stronger pathways and links with business.
Congratulations to Nic Jorgensen who was successful in his application for a Curriculum Writing Specialists position. Nic will remain at MVHS but be largely involved at an executive level in the Writing in Secondary (WiS) project. The project’s aim is to lift writing in Stages 4 and 5 within HSIE courses across the state. The vacant HSIE position will be filled through EOI.
Year 12 Graduation and Year 12 Formal
Thank you to the staff that worked hard to ensure the 2021 Year 12 graduation represented our school to such a high standard. It was wonderful to see our parents return to watch their children graduate albeit under a reduced capacity with COVID social distancing. A stirring performance from Mya Ehsman punctuated an afternoon celebrating outstanding student achievement.
