Castlemaine Secondary College has three values on which it operates.  These are Pride, Respect and Responsibility. These values have been a documented part of the college culture for several years and form part of the moral guide on which we operate. I believe that if our graduates leave the college with an understanding of these values, they will be successful.

Pride is reflected in the quality of work that students produce, the way that they present themselves for class prepared for learning and the sense of personal success they feel when work is well done. This is the value that prepares students for their future success by allowing them to develop an understanding of readiness for work and a work ethic.

Respect is shown in the way students relate to their peers, the staff and their families. This value allows our students to develop skills and experience to acknowledge and accept the differences and similarities in others. The ability to develop respectful relationships is an important skill for their future. A person's ability to form positive relationships effects their contribution to the workplace, their family and their community

With all rights come responsibilities. This is the value that I believe that some students find most difficult to accept. Adolescences are often keen to make decisions, but are not yet skilled in predetermining the consequences of these decisions. Some of the consequences are positive, others are negative. The skills required to be responsible for your decisions and their consequences are important within a social and work context.

The College provides a range of opportunities for all students to develop these skills within the school and as part of our community. The types of experiences that have occurred recently include our middle school students umpiring netball at Winters Flat PS, the Year 12 media students Art Gallery Curation project, the Year 9 Camp and the range of SWEET TOOTH activities and pastoral care opportunities which all students are able to participate in.

Over the past few weeks many staff, students and parents have been involved in subject selection processes for 2010.  I have enjoyed the opportunity at these meetings to talk with parents about the school.  Each individual student has a range of skills, abilities and interests in which to inform the selection of their future pathway. The subject selection sheets will form the basis of our curriculum offerings for next year. Within the school we have a range of experienced staff to support the students and their families with these important decisions. We are able to provide links to other groups and agencies that can help student clarify their skills and possible future directions and the wide range of options available. I encourage you to make use of these services at any time throughout the year. If you contact the school you will be able to make a time to speak to one of the Career Advisors about further study, apprenticeships, or full time work.

Mary McPherson