Assistant Principals' Update

Subject Selection

Over the last couple of weeks, subject selection presentations have been held for all Year 8 to 11 students in preparation for the 2020 academic year.

2020 Course Handbooks are available on Simon and PAM and hard copies can be viewed in the library.

The Kilbreda Pathways Expo is on Tuesday 23 July in the Mary Dalton Hall, commencing at 5.30pm and concluding at 8.00pm. This event targets students and families currently in Year 9 and 10. Each Learning Area will have displays and staff available to answer queries about Year 10 core and elective subjects, as well as all VCE and VCAL subjects offered in 2020.

There will also be many universities and other training organisations in attendance to provide information about pathways post school.

Kilbreda Pathways Exhibitors 

VCE / VET Subject Displays

• Monash University
• The University of Melbourne
• Australian Catholic University
• Swinburne University
• Victoria University
• Deakin University
• Latrobe University
• RMIT
• Holmesglen TAFE
• Chisholm Institute of TAFE
• Kangan TAFE
• Melbourne Polytechnic
• William Angliss
• Defence Force Recruiting
• Apprenticeships Matter

Course Information Sessions

(Auditorium)

6pm: Year 9 into 10

7pm: Year 10 into VCE or VCAL

Please register your interest for this event at www.trybooking.com/BCUKU

Semester 1 Reports

Semester 1 reports are now available on PAM.

Parent Teacher interviews are scheduled in Term 3 for Monday 5 August and Thursday 22 August.

If at any time you have concerns, you are strongly encouraged to make contact with the appropriate staff member to discuss and resolve the issue. The flow chart below outlines whom you should contact, and the next steps in the process if you feel that the matter warrants further discussion. The staff at Kilbreda College are committed to building these important partnerships with our community.

Trial Examinations

Unit 3 and 4 Trial Examinations

Students studying a Unit 3 and 4 subject in either Year 11 or 12 are required to participate in the trial examinations during the second week of the Term 3 holidays (30 September – 4 October).

The timetable and further information will be distributed early in Term 3.

Catherine Johnston

Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching

STRENGTHENING SCHOOL SPIRIT WITH COMMUNITY ACTION

If anyone was ever in doubt about the capacity of our young people to lead and inspire, they would be reassured by the example shown by our students.  Over this past term, our school community has seen truly inspiring moments of compassion, generosity and sheer joy through working together to make a difference.  The power of our students to combine school spirit with community action is ever-present, whether it be through their commitment to social justice, student led groups such as the Kilbreda Dance Company, the recreation of the Kilbreda Café Palace (a community breakfast held each Wednesday) or individual initiatives.  In the past two weeks alone, Kilbreda girls have raised awareness of the plight of refugees and asylum seekers, environmental and social causes in the best way possible, through having fun.

Last week was Refugee Week in Australia and as such students were asked to reflect on those within Australia and internationally whose lives have been challenged by displacement, isolation, loss of loved ones and relocation.  Across the course of the week, the Justice and Democracy Group and Faith and Justice Leaders worked to build a greater understanding and appreciation of the journeys of refugees from across the world.  A picnic lunch was held and a film was shown to reinforce the theme for this year’s celebration: ‘Share a Meal, Share a Story.’  In Homeroom each morning and Religious Education classes, students explored the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees through stories, song, art, poetry and prayer.  A banner was created along with a paper chain of refugees that lined the walls of the Sister Mary Dalton Hall reminding us to ‘Open our hearts that we may welcome all guests as Christ’.  By seeing, hearing and thinking about the individual and personal paths refugees have taken to be safe we build a more empathetic and compassionate society.

On Wednesday 19 June, our 47 committed Year 10 and Year 11 Peer Support Leaders led a community breakfast for our Year 7 students to celebrate their successful transition to Kilbreda College.  Throughout Semester 1, our Peer Support Leaders have lived out our College value of ‘Hospitality,’ shown a keen perception of what matters to Year 7 students and a willingness to look outside their immediate environment and offer support and encouragement to a stranger.

Environmental issues have been uppermost in the minds of the members of the Sustainability Group with the students launching a range of initiatives.  One such initiative has been the clean up of Mentone Beach to coincide with World Oceans Day.  This initiative brought 25 students from Year 8 and 9 together to work on environmental conservation and a humanitarian issue.  Other initiatives have included ways to minimise plastic and food waste, ranging from wooden cutlery in the canteen to composting solutions.

An example of the combined energy of students across year levels has been the outstanding commitment displayed by the members of the Kildbreda Dance Company which was evident in the lunchtime concert held on Monday 24 June.  Staff are in awe of the expertise of a group of Year 10 to 12 students to create, choreograh and orchestrate group performances involving up to 60 students, as well as managing their academic and co-curricular commitments.  Student-led initiatives such as this one provide valuable and challenging opportunities for collaboration and leadership.

TEEN DRAMA ‘EUPHORIA’

Recently HBO launched the series, Euphoria, about a group of high school students and their issues with drugs, sex and violence.  There are serious concerns emerging about the graphic adult nature of the content of this series and its attraction to young people who may be impacted by watching various scenes.  We strongly recommend that parents are aware of the risks involved with young people being exposed to this material.  There is evidence that explicit descriptions of high risk behaviour can be disturbing for some young people while it is intriguing or normalises behaviour for others.  We ask that you be aware of Euphoria and consider whether it is suitable for your daughter.  If not, please take appropriate steps to block access.  We strongly counsel against your daughter being exposed to this series.  If they are over 16 and advocating to watch it, it should be in your company.

STUDENT WELLBEING SUPPORT DURING HOLIDAYS

Holidays can take students away from friends and their usual school supports.  This can cause some young people to feel stressed, isolated and alone.  Parent support is very important at this time.  Below is a link to some information prepared by headspace to help parents/carers support their young person during the holidays.

Support your young person during the holidays.  Insert hyperlink to the following article. https://www.headspace.org.au/assets/Uploads/Corporate/Support-your-young-person-during-the-holidays-web.pdf

Raising Healthy Families

Stephanie Smyth

Assistant Principal: Wellbeing and Engagement