VUSC News Issue Six
Dear Families,
Our school community remains deeply saddened by the loss of Solomone Taufeulungaki and our thoughts are with Solomone’s family and friends at this very difficult time.
Early next term we plan to pay tribute to Solomone and honour his memory with a formal school event, pending social distancing restrictions.
I would like to reassure our students and families that our school is a tight knit community, where cultural diversity is celebrated and respected. Our school is a safe, calm and harmonious place, where breaches of our positive behaviour expectations are dealt with promptly by staff. The safety, health and wellbeing of our students and staff is always our number one priority.
All of our students and staff are expected to uphold our College values of Aspire to Achieve, Strengthen the Community and Respect Ourselves and Others.
I wish to thank Victoria Police, Student Support Services counsellors, Charis Mentoring and the Department of Education for their outstanding support and assistance to our students and staff, it is very much appreciated by all.
The counsellors and Charis Mentoring team will remain available to students for as long as needed. Should you wish your child to access this support, please get in touch with the school’s front office so that this can be arranged.
I again encourage you to let your children know that you will listen to their feelings at any time they wish to share them. Staying connected and engaged with your child is one of the best ways to support them.
Attached is some professional advice about helping children deal with trauma and grief which you may wish to read.
In addition, the following are excellent sources of information and support:
- Parentline – telephone counselling and support service for parents, 8am to midnight, 7 days week – 13 22 89 or www.parentline.com.au
- Headspace – phone and email counselling for young people aged 12 to 25 years – 1800 650 890 or www.headspace.org.au
- Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 or www.kidshelpline.com.au
- Your family doctor. Your GP can also suggest counselling/psychological services if needed.
- Mindful of the health and safety of our school community, we respectfully ask members to continue adhering to the current public health advice around coronavirus. More information: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
If you have any questions please contact me at school via the front office. Please be assured, my door is always open.
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Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent teacher interviews will be held via telephone on Thursday 25 June due to social distancing restrictions. Compass bookings are now open for parents to book an appointment from 1.00pm to 7.00pm (with a meal break for teachers from 4.30pm to 5.30pm). On the day teachers will ring parents at their appointment time so please ensure that your contact details are up to date by calling the office or updating them on Compass. Interpreters will be available via telephone as well. Semester 2 reports will be available on Compass from Tuesday 23 June.
Course Counselling for 2021
Year 9 Course Counselling for 2021 subject selections will take place on Thursday 6th August and the Year 10 Course Counselling for VCE/VCAL will take place on Thursday 30th July. More information about this process will be provided to families early next term. Students will receive an electronic Year 10/Later Years Handbook early next term as the Later Years Expo has been cancelled.
Cancellation of Year 12 Formal / Presentation Evening
We have advised our Year 12 students that regretfully we have cancelled these events due to social distancing restrictions. An alternative graduation for the class of 2020 will be arranged where students will be able to wear their gowns and graduate with their parents/guardians present. We will keep you posted.
Student Free Day - Wednesday 5th August
The College Board has approved this day as a student free day for staff professional development. On this day staff will collaborate as a whole school team to improve the teaching and learning programs at the College. There will be no classes scheduled.
Breakfast Club Program - Term 3
Our school has partnered with Foodbank Victoria to deliver the School Breakfast Club Program at both campuses beginning in Week 2 of Term 3. The program is fully funded by the Dept of Education and will comprise fresh apples and non-perishable foods such as cereal, muesli, baked beans, fruit cups and long life milk. The breakfast will be available one day per week from 8.15 - 8.40am outside the Wellbeing room at the Junior Campus and in classroom A9 at the Senior Campus, and will be run by the Wellbeing team, VCAL students and staff volunteers. Students are warmly invited to take advantage of this opportunity!
School Review
Our school review will take place over several days from Tuesday 25th August to Wednesday 9th September. The review will involve some classroom observations and staff and student focus groups which will be determined by the reviewer. On the final day of the review we will be looking at what our school goals should be to further improve teaching and learning in our school over the next four years. This will inform our new Strategic Plan which must be completed by the end of this year.
Last day of term
Students will be dismissed at 1.30pm on Friday 26 June. Please stay safe these holidays. We look forward to seeing you all again in Term 3.
Elaine Hazim
College Principal
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Child Safety at VUSC
Victoria University Secondary College is a child safe organisation committed to protecting students from all forms of abuse.
Our College has stringent protocols in place and endeavours at all times to be fully compliant with the Child Safe Standards set out under Ministerial Order 870.
Our College has the following documents and policies in place to achieve compliance with the Standards. All of these documents are available for downloading on our website or contact the school for a copy.
- Commitment to Child Safety
- Child Safety Policy
- Child Safety Code of Conduct
- Child Protection Policy and Procedures