Welcome to 2022; it’s an honour to be the new Principal at the ASMS.
It has been great getting to know our new students and connecting with our existing students although in a different format than we had initially expected. Please continue to bear with us as we get used to each new COVID-normal that changes with new government directions.
We have a lot planned for our 2022 school year, many exciting events and activities. I look forward to sharing these with you across the year.
My expectations of students and staff are similar, clear and in line with the school values of curiosity, agency, and community. In essence they look like students and staff are on time, in class and on task, curious and in charge of their learning while helping their community to achieve shared goals. Thus far I see many staff and students who are willing to go above and beyond to help each and every student.
Congratulations to the class of 2021 who have successfully moved on to a range of careers and tertiary courses: Science 56% (twenty-six different fields), Engineering 15% (eight different fields), Arts 12% (eleven fields), Mathematics 11%, Education 4%, and others including Aviation, Computer Science, Finance and Accounting.
Late last year staff and Governing Council worked hard to analyse student data, identify areas for learning improvement and develop strategies to use as a school to achieve the improvements. This plan will be finalised in the coming weeks and then available on the school’s website. Our areas of focus for 2022 are: improving students’ comprehension of written, visual, and informational texts and improving students’ agency in developing their understanding and transference of numeracy skills.
Thank you for your patience in the reshuffling of the ‘Meet The Learning Studies Teacher’ night and Governing Council AGM; we will stay in touch for when these events are rescheduled.
Introducing our new staff members:
Daniel Searson – I have come to ASMS after working at Nuriootpa High School for the last seven years. Before becoming a teacher, I did a mechanical engineering degree, completed a PhD in the same field, and worked in road safety research.
Sam Moyle – I am excited to be joining the ASMS family this year as a Central Studies Leader. My background is in research science, completing majors in marine biology, animal physiology, conservation biology and biomedicine as an undergraduate. I then completed a PhD in gene therapy applications for spinal cord repair before moving into education, where I focussed my master’s research on mapping the domains of learner engagement to varying lesson formats. I am passionate about dynamic, innovative, challenge-based, and integrated approaches to learning that inspire and engage all learners.
Andrew Rowney – I am Andrew and I have been teaching maths and physics for 25 years. I started off as a Mechanical Engineer for Mitsubishi Motors and then entered the teaching profession. I have other interests such as kitesurfing and instructed the sport for 3 years. I love the atmosphere of ASMS and the maturity and kindness of the ASMS students I have met so far. I am looking forward to helping students grow and setup their future pathway for a successful and rewarding life!
Richard Greig – Richard comes to us from his recent experiences in wellbeing leadership, learning support coordination and a wide range of humanities teaching. Richard completed his Master of Education in 2021 and looks forward to utilising new skills in his Learner Engagement and Growth at ASMS. “I am extremely excited to join the ASMS team to experience its authentic integrated learning, and I already have a sense of its warm and welcoming school culture.”
Please check the ASMS portal for reminders and support in regard to attendance, dress code and engagement expectations.
We look forward to a productive and positive year of learning, seeing growth in every student; I wish you all the best for the year and please introduce yourself as you see me.
Kylie Eggers
Principal