From the Head of Campus

Welcome all

A warm welcome back to school as we embark on what promises to be a busy and fun Term Two; we also welcome five new students and their families to the Secondary School and it's wonderful to share their enthusiasm as they join the Preshil community.

This term our students are busy with a number of events including NAPLAN, Year 9 Experience and the Years 11 & 12 School Formal. Parents don’t miss out either… our wonderful parent group is busy planning for this year’s quiz night Quizzys  to be held on Thursday 16 May.

NAPLAN testing for Years 7 and 9

The government mandated National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is scheduled to be administered at Preshil over four days from 14–17 May for Years 7 and 9. NAPLAN tests assess some aspects of student knowledge and skills in Writing, Reading, Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy. This year our students will do the tests online.

It is compulsory for all schools to administer the tests and the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) encourages parents to support this program. Parents are entitled to have this feedback on their child’s performance.

However, parents also have the right to decide to withdraw their son or daughter from this program or sections of it if they so desire and Preshil supports this right. This is a matter for consideration by parents and guardians.

If you decide to withdraw your child/children from all or parts of the NAPLAN tests you must do so in writing. Please indicate if this is your intention by emailing a request to withdraw your child/children to jan.pietsch@preshil.vic.edu.au by Friday, 3 May. An individualised Student Withdrawal form will then be generated, to be signed and returned to Preshil.

Your signed authority to withdraw a child from the test program needs to be returned to the School by Friday 10 May. We must retain these written requests/authorities for withdrawal so that the School may fulfil its accountability responsibilities to the state and federal government authorities. All children are expected to attend school on the test days.

Arriving on time to school

While it is tempting to sleep in on colder days, it is very important that students in Years 7-10 attend Home Group at 8.50am each morning. If a late arrival is unavoidable, please leave a message on either the Absence Line (9817 6135) or in Compass and ensure that your child signs in at the front office.

Staff updates

We are very happy to welcome back Lenny Robinson-McCarthy after her long service leave last term; welcome also to Chris McDuff as our newest teaching staff member. Chris comes to Preshil with a wealth of experience and expertise as a Language & Literature teacher and will be teaching in the MYP; our Language Assistant Alizée Marbaix starts with us this week and will assist in the French classes across both campuses.

Support for students

Daniel Quin is a registered psychologist who joins us each Thursday from Engage 1 On 1 Psychology. Appointments can be made with him after a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is in place and Medicare covers the full cost of these. If you’d like to speak with Daniel directly, his number is 0434 953 403. For Engage 1 On 1 Psychology click here.

When working with children and adolescents I draw on my experience as a psychologist, teacher and parent to first establish a positive relationship. Once I have established a relationship I work with the young person to understand their experience of school, family and beyond, with the intention of working collaboratively to set goals for positive change.

 - Daniel

Tiago Tomazzoni is currently completing his Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy. He will be on placement at Preshil on Mondays during Term 2 and appointments can be made with him directly at tomazzoni@gmail.com

I am a psychiatrist from Brazil and I moved to Australia four years ago. In Brazil, I worked with all kinds of clients, including adults, children and adolescents, both in clinical psychiatry and psychotherapy. In Australia, I worked as a psychiatry registrar for two years, and while I follow the pathway to have my qualifications recognised, I decided to do a Masters Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Cairnmillar Institute. - Tiago

I wish you all a wonderful start to the term.

Jen Buchanan

Acting Head of Campus (Secondary School)

jen.buchanan@preshil.vic.edu.au