Senior School Communication

Why do we communicate? 

As our children enter the senior years of schooling we increasingly see their reliance on validation from their peers and an escalation of bargaining with home. (Bandura, 2012) 

In a bid to preserve the relationship with our children, it is often tempting to keep them onside by ‘going in swinging’ to defend any level of accountability to expected behaviours or educational expectations.  

To some, it may come as a surprise that we would much prefer to not be sending notices home of incomplete work, unsatisfactory assessments or unacceptable behaviours. The purpose of these is not to admonish the child, far from it – it is about communication and building a relationship that is one of transparency and trust. Without being informed, how can we possibly work in partnership? 

Study Support at Homestead 

In the Senior School you will receive various forms of communication pertaining to your child’s academic progress and behaviour. In 2022, we are approaching the academic follow up slightly differently than you may be aware of. 

We are excited to be able to offer all Senior School students the use of the Senior School Study Centre (Library), each day lunchtime and after school until 4:20pm. On Thursday afternoon, this will be supervised by a Senior School staff member and a series of study support workshops will be offered to inform, enhance and extend Senior School students and their learning endeavours. These afternoons are our Homework club however many students use it for far more than just homework.  

Academic Progress and Behavioural Notifications? 

At times, families can expect to receive an Academic Progress and Behavioural Notifications these may be issued for any of the following reasons 

1. Positive Behaviour-recognition of students positive behaviours, aligned to our college values of Purpose, Curiosity, Innovation, Resilience
2. Absence concern – missing a number of classes 
3. Authentication breach-teacher will communicate as required 
4. Unsatisfactory result for summative assessment (SAC) – redemption required
5. Redemption task – reschedule of SAC for satisfactory completion
6. Missed SAC-due to approved event (such as inter-school sport) 
7. Missed SAC-due to unapproved absence

We ask that families consider how they think about Academic Progress Notifications. They are not punitive, yet supportive measures to assist students in achieving academic expectations and fulfil their potential.  

In particular with SACs, the teachers must ensure authentication. When students miss a SAC for any reason, a resit will occur the very next opportunity for that class.   

If the reason for absence is approved, the student will be instructed to attend class and will be given information regarding the SAC. If the reason for absence is unapproved, the student will still be required to compete the task the very next opportunity however if a medical certificate is not provided, the task will not be graded in fairness for all other students. Students will only be able to work for an S (satisfactory completion). In VCE, this can make a significant impact on scores, it is therefore very important that students attend all assessments unless medically unable.

Help the teacher help your child… 

Typically, consequences are the result of a student’s behaviour declining a little. They’re given to pull them into line a little more, so their learning isn’t impacted. Children are often very good at manipulating the facts to claim innocence to their parents, but don’t let their creativity stop the teacher’s attempt to improve their behaviour. Even if they were unlucky in being the only one caught, they will still learn an important lesson about making good choices. (Locke, 2020) 

In short, we acknowledge that parenting adolescents is really tricky. Their friends are the centre of their universe and it sometimes creates significant tension. We ask that work together to reframe Academic Progress Notifications as a platform for communication rather than a punitive response to academic engagement and performance. 

Should you wish to discuss any of these matters further please reach out to your child’s Student Manager or our Engagement Leader.  

Year 10 – Tim Harris 

Year 11 – Luke Duskovic

Year 12 – Nerida Muller

Student Engagement Leader - Candice Smith

Student Wellbeing leader - Ana Jovel