Bell rings on lifetime in the classroom Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au “IT takes a village to raise a child” is an old saying that still rings true for retiring Patterson River Secondary College principal Maree Vinocuroff. “I am concerned with challenges facing students, such a lack of connectedness with the community,” she said as she prepared for her departure this week. “If you take the school to be the village, it follows that structures and discipline are important features in the development of children. “When I was young we referred to adults as Mr and Mrs and relatives as aunty or uncle, whereas now they can call us anything they like.” Ms Vinocuroff has been at the college for 39 years as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal for the past 15 years, but is looking forward to having more free time to play golf, travel and be involved in Chelsea Rotary projects. “I have seen the school move from strength to strength and become very well respected in the community,” she said yesterday. “Over the years I have seen many students achieve success, some of whom are now staff members or parents of current students themselves. I have always been very proud of our students and their many and varied achievements.” That said, she is concerned about a “lack of resilience” in young people – sometimes caused by parents opting to fight their children’s battles for them.
“When I was young if I had a problem but wouldn’t tackle it my parents would tell me to ‘toughen up’ and get on with it,” she said. “It all comes back to having strong family values, and the majority of families here are fantastic.” She said the rise of social media was also “an issue”, with students obsessed with what each other are doing every minute of the day. “I worry that it breeds a lack of creativity,” she said. In her time, Patterson River Secondary College has seen some major improvements, such as the new basketball stadium, performing arts centre, music program and the Soiree held each year, while education as a profession had benefited from the introduction of VCE, VCAL and VET. “The school went from 800 students when I arrived, to a peak of 1200 and now it’s back to 1060,” she said. “We have done well and the students have achieved excellent results: I am certainly proud of them. “Now I am seeing the children of former students here, and we have eight staff members who are former students.” Ms Vinocuroff said invidious comparisons between Australian students and the high scholastic achievements of those in other countries were often misplaced. Travelling to education leader Finland to see for herself she discovered “a bit of a beat up” in analogies between us and them. Apples were not being compared with apples, according to Ms Vinocuroff. “They are a country of few migrants, where parents demand success and
Bright future: Retiring Patterson River Secondary College principal Maree Vinocuroff departs Friday. Picture: Gary Sissons
where there is tremendous respect for teachers,” she said, citing Singapore as another example of a disciplined society which would baulk at the freedoms offered in schools here. “Students over there would list their favourite times as reading, probably because of the weather, whereas here there is so much to do outside.” She said Australian schools often “struggled with high migrant populations, and with looking after the overall wellbeing of their students”. “That’s part of the job of teachers here, as many kids are
from separated families, or have mental health issues. We act as a whole community in the support of our students.” Ms Vinocuroff has a lot to look back on, having been in the education sector for 46 years. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time and will look back fondly,” she said. “I am proud to be leaving the school in good condition with excellent results and continually improving facilities.” Her successor as principal, yet to be chosen, will begin in Term 4.
Creek stoush deepens KINGSTON Council insists it has the authority to re-licence land alongside Mordialloc Creek after the Department of Environment Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) notified council it is reviewing creek-side boundaries. Council is seeking vacant possession of land occupied by Leon Pompei, son of ‘Mr Mordialloc’ Jack Pompei. Council CEO John Nevins says council is the committee of management for the land on which Mr Pompei’s business, Pompei Marine, is situated. “Council does not, nor has it ever, had a licence agreement with Mr Leon Pompei,” Mr Nevins said in a statement. “Council had a licence agreement with his mother, the late Gwen Pompei, which was issued in April 2009 and expired in March 2012.” Mr Nevins said the DELWP is seeking legal advice on the state process to appoint council of management for a section of water in Mordialloc Creek since it falls under Melbourne Water jurisdiction. “It is council’s legal advice the DELWP’s actions do not impact on council’s ability to seek vacant possession of the land occupied by Pompei’s Marine,” Mr Nevins said. “Council has authorised its solicitors to take this action.” Council decided to split three licences at the creek between Mr Pompei, the Mordialloc Boating and Angling Club and council in February last year. Mr Pompei is refusing to sign a licence and argues council has no authority over the land.
Crash man dies
A MORDIALLOC man died when his car crashed into a light pole in Mentone, Saturday night (18 June). Leading Senior Constable JulieAnne Newman said the driver, 70, was travelling south along the Nepean Highway near Swanston St when his car mounted the centre median strip and crashed, 9.30pm. “Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and will prepare a report for the coroner,” she said.
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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
22 June 2016
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