From the Principal
Welcome to the more than 20 new students who have joined our College this term and the 50 plus new students in the English Language Centre.
This year’s mid-year awards assemblies were a wonderful celebration of our students’ success. Thank you to the parents and friends who were able to attend.
Little Shop of Horrors – 2018 School Production
What an absolutely amazing production we had this year with almost 100 students involved! Congratulations to Sarah Mortimer who led the production commencing with auditions last December. Thank you to all the staff and parents who were involved in a range of roles. I cannot count the number of hours staff and students did in preparation, which certainly paid off. It was highly professional, completely engaging and loads of fun for the audience and all the students involved. Well done to everyone involved.
Australian Olympic Committee Presents the Pierre De Coubertin Award to Zoe Markopoulos
On International Olympic Day, 188 Victorian Senior Secondary School students and State Sport Association athletes were acknowledged with the prestigious ‘Pierre de Coubertin Award’.
Named after the founder of the Modern Olympic Games, the Pierre de Coubertin Award recognises students who demonstrate academic excellence and sporting prowess whilst exemplifying the Olympic values. Each award recipient must participate in sport and display the Olympic values, in particular, good sportsmanship.
As part of the nomination each student submitted a literary, artistic or digital piece to this year’s theme: 'Which Olympic Athlete has been a role model to you and how?'
Congratulations to Zoe Markopoulos who won the Most Outstanding Digital Award - an outstanding achievement.
Homer Poetry Competition Winners
Humanities 21 is a non-for profit advocacy organisation that is committed to promoting the importance of the humanities in work and in personal life. They offer students an opportunity to enter a Homer Poetry Competition which includes a cash prize and an opportunity to present their poem at a public event.
Congratulations to Jasmine Shaw who won the inaugural competition in late 2017 with her poem depicting Odysseus yearning for Penelope inspired by Homer’s Odyssey.
Congratulations to Gabriel Gliouzberg who won this year with his poem about the saving of Helen in the Trojan War based on Book 9 of Homer’s Odyssey.
Coffee and a Chat With Members of the Leadership Team
Friday 10th August at 9.30am
Parents/carers are warmly invited to school for a coffee and an informal discussion. It is an opportunity for you to speak with us and share your thoughts and ideas about your child’s experience at GEC.
School Review
As mentioned in the last newsletter we are currently preparing for our school review.
We are currently
- finalising all school policies/documentation for the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) Minimum Standards check
- preparing the Pre-Review Self-Evaluation Report to the school review panel, along with other data and information that will inform the review.
Every year we administer the Attitudes to Schools Survey (students), Staff Opinion Survey and the Parent Opinion Survey. The Parent Opinion Survey is administered to 30% of our families as determined through a computer generated random sample as per DET guidelines. I am keen to provide an opportunity for input from all families. If you have not received a link to the DET Parent Opinion Survey I would appreciate it if you could complete the survey accessible via the link below by Monday 13th August.
Here is the link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1XgEft2v5zRWV9alxMd7YXxzkNxOg2MV4hU4z8ArZmVc/edit?usp=sharing
Work Experience
In the last week of term 2 our Year 10 students participated in a week of work experience. Thank you to Carol McCaskie for coordinating this program and to the staff who visited the students in their workplaces. This program would not occur without the generous employers who gave of their time and experience to support these young people. Many students make important connections to the workforce and our students received very good feedback from their employers.
Buildings and Landscaping
Last week a group of students, staff and parents led by Cathy McNaughton began planting in the area behind the Performing Arts Centre and are doing a great job. Thank you to Cathy and Elizabeth Allan for leading this initiative.
Next week we commence landscaping in the area in front of the main building between the General Office and the canteen. This project is funded by the college. A focal point in this area will be a stage for student performances – and our students do like to perform! Funds from the Trivia Night organised by our wonderful Parents and Friends Association will be used to fund the stage which costs approximately $20, 000.
Hope to see you at the Trivia Night!
Unclaimed Lost Property
There are still many items of unnamed lost property in our lost property basket - shoes, shorts, jumpers, jackets etc. As the items are unnamed we are unable to return the items to the rightful owner. Please assist by naming every item of clothing, including shoes.
Congratulations to Our Talented Students
Congratulations to Bridie Skinner who was a member of the 2018 Victorian Intermediate Calisthenics State Team this year. Congratulations to Ruby Carroll who was a member of the 2018 Victorian Senior Calisthenics State Team this year. Both girls were extremely honoured to represent their state.
Bridie and Ruby commenced training in November 2017 after auditioning for team selection and had compulsory Sunday training sessions. The year’s journey culminated in a concert to a sold out audience at the Palais Theatre in June and the National Championship Team Competition held at the Canberra Arts Centre in July, against other competing states.
Bridie’s team of 25, 14- 16 year old calisthenics performers was successful in winning the National Championships. They competed in six 3 minute routines and scored first place in each one to win the overall aggregate championship trophy.
Ruby’s team of 18, 17 and older calisthenics performers was successful in winning the National Championships. They competed in six 3 minute routines and scored first place in each two items to win the overall aggregate championship trophy.
It was a very exciting time for Bridie and Ruby and their hardworking teammates.
Calisthenics combines strength, flexibility, grace, apparatus and performance elements in choreographed gymnastic and dance routines performed to music. Teams are adjudicated out of 100 points on the elements of uniformity, technique, interpretation and execution by a panel of interstate judges.
Congratulations to Jarrod Wisdom. Jarrod has been a member of the Australian Boys Choir for 6 years and has been successful in auditioning to perform in the 2018 tour of Europe. This is an outstanding achievement - only 20 out of approximately one hundred members of the Australian Boys Choir get to participate in this international tour. Jarrod will be performing in Germany, Austria and Czech Republic . Well done Jarrod.
Sheereen Kindler
Principal