Moort Nganahkup (‘family’ in Noongar and Kaiwalgal languages) represents the diversity of families and distinct cultural identities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at Cecil Andrews College.
As I depart from Cecil Andrews College with sadness, I look back at all the wonderful achievements of this unique school community and am rewarded by all that has been achieved and is yet to be accomplished! I thank you for believing in a big vision when the school looked like the opposite to the public but had the potential through leadership and guidance, to achieve extraordinary outcomes for our students who deserve the best that education has to offer. The united passion, hard work and perseverance of the engaged activated community, has dramatically changed students’ self- esteem and perception enabling them to punch above their weight consistently. That’s the Cecil Andrews Way!! The cornerstone for me has always been positive respectful relationships and I would like that to remain a legacy for our students into the future where they will be well prepared to live a fulfilling life with their quality education a passport to their futures in an ever-changing world.
On reflection some of the exemplary changes we have created are:
· IPS to work autonomously with our school community as architects of improvement determining our own affairs and greatly improving results
· Becoming the Southern P-TECH and the acquisition of a multi- million dollar purpose built STEM Centre with cutting edge technology with many global but local partnerships
· New programs including P-TECH pathways and innovative initiatives like Class of Your Own Design Engineer Construct
· Staff capacity leadership, teaching and non-teaching, TFA at the highest possible standard leading to significant improvements in students results
· Cultural transformation and the initiative of one of the best PBS models giving students reward, incentive and excitement with a Student Services Team second to none delivering first class pastoral care
· Clontarf and Stars academies
· The growth and success of the Follow The Dream program
· The P&C setting up the Community Linking Centre with new projects like Biophilic Schools
· Governor’s STEM Awards
· The transformation of the grounds and gardens to reflect the pride in the school that continues to ascend, adding to the positive tone of a fantastic culture
· Basketball courts and TV Studio. Now the Library working with HP to become a showcase innovation centre
· Arts programs including an Air Grant and RAC Artist in residence programs
· Whole school sports events and winning competitions in specialist football. The aquatic carnival evolved from the beach events in the early days
· Student leadership, ambassadors at conferences, student voice and Student Councillors leading the school and their representation on the College Board
I even remember at the start of the journey the sign at the end of the driveway wasn’t a 21st C looking sign welcoming all into the future, but a sign where you manually put the letters in by hand to communicate messages, which was also similar to an out-of-date website and other forms of out moded communication.
I know that together you will all Continue to fly the flag “achieving excellence together”
In the words of Richard Branson-
“Be Bold
- Calculate the risks and take them
- Believe in yourself
- Chase your dreams but live in the real world
- Work together
Please see link below to view Mrs Jinman's farwell video.