Senior Years News
Welcome back to 2020
I’d like to start by congratulating the senior students for a great start to the year.
The transition into yr 11 and 12 has appeared smooth on the surface and teachers are commenting on the application and the focus students have demonstrated. We are also enjoying the positivity in the Study centre as the environment contributes to our well being and in turn if we are happy in the space we are more effective with our learning, and it’s a nice place to come to work.
Naturally the start of the year may also, at times, be bumpy, as the transition into more complex subjects and higher expectations with more at stake can add an edge which can manifest in individuals as a feeling of overwhelm. It is important to understand that this feeling of overwhelm is an expected emotion that indicates things are getting stressful. And it is also important to see elements of stress as good for performance. That said, we need to condition ourselves to manage these stressful feelings effectively. If your child is feeling overwhelmed it is important for them to take a step back before it becomes unmanageable. It is important to rest and recuperate. Then, coming back to the context after a break, things can seem more manageable. Each time we reach a threshold taking a break helps to build our stamina, in this case our learning stamina and our coping mechanisms, as well as our capacity to understand new content. It’s like interval training when we exercise, we reach a threshold, rest and recover then increase the next stage just a bit more. It’s important to work hard and equally as important to allow ourselves to rest in order to increase our ability to utilise stress for positive effect.
Overwhelm can be seen as having us teeter on the precipice of new learning or the moment of acquiring skills at the next level, or strengthening our capacity. If we understand stress in that way and listen to when we need to step back and rest before going again we are creating habits that transfer from school, to the workplace to all other facets of life. We build resilience and grit, and become empowered to face the difficult times along with the good.
VCE/VCAL Welcome evening
I would like to thank the families and staff that attended the Welcome BBQ. (I was very disappointed I was unable to attend, best laid plans…) I want to extend my gratitude to the Principal team for their support in my absence and to Marie Clark and Katie Johnston for running sessions and Carol Caffrey, Fiona Ray and Felicity Scully, who orchestrated the whole event in my unexpected absence along with Tanya McIntosh and all other staff that attended. A special thanks to Elevate and Craig Binotto from AGA who presented. I am hoping that we can build on our connections with the school community because when we work together we can do good things.
Speaking of good things….
The Senior students demonstrated their community spirit at the swimming sports. What a worthy show of enthusiasm and good spirits. It’s moments like these when we step out of the classroom, we see students really shine as young leaders of whom Maffra Secondary College are very proud.
DATES:
27/2/2020 : Think U Know presentation at The Wedge – all VCE yr 11 students
28/02/2020: Year 12 VCE -English Excursion Bairnsdale
Deb Ball 2020
Maffra Secondary College
Debutante Ball
27/03/2020
All Payments Due Now
VCE and VCAL Information Evening
Last week the VCE and VCAL information evening took place. Families, students and MSC staff had an informal BBQ and meet/greet before the sessions, which aimed to provide families with all the information they need to support their child through either the VCE or VCAL program. Craig Binotto, a field officer from Apprenticeship Groups Australia, spoke to the VCAL students about the School-Based Apprenticeship Program, and provided valuable information about trades, work placements and getting an apprenticeship. Katie Johnston also spoke regarding school policies and procedures around VCAL and introduced the VCAL teaching staff. The VCE info session was well attended, and staff from Elevate – Australia’s largest study skills provider – spoke to families and students about strategies to support students through what can be a stressful time. Big thanks to all families who attended; it is invaluable for families to form a solid relationship with the school as students move forward through the VCE and VCAL programs and on to either further study/training or work.
VCE students were also lucky enough to have study skills sessions run by Elevate earlier that day. Students in years 11 and 12 spoke very highly of the program and learned a number of new study skills and methods to avoid procrastination. We hope to have Elevate return to the school in 2021.
