Brentwood Newsletter

Principal's Report

Cyber Safety Parent Information 

The Cyber Safety Parent Information was delivered on by Sam Macauley from the Cyber Safety Project on Tuesday 26th July. The feedback we had from parents was excellent and all who attended enjoyed a very informative and engaging presentation. Sam presented about the current apps our students are using and how we can all stay safe with the correct settings, how we can use the eSafety Commissioner if we do experience issues online as well as other resources parents can use to upskill themselves in supporting their children. A key message on the night was the importance of having conversations with our children and making sure they feel safe to come and talk to us as parents if they do experience any issues online. If you would like to view any resources to support these conversations you can do so on their website http://www.cybersafetyproject.com.au. 

 

Upcoming online Learning Conferences & Progress Reports

Learning Conferences this semester will be held online on Thursday 25th August from 11:00am to 7:00pm via the Cisco Webex platform.    Bookings for Learning Conference appointments will open next week via Compass on Thursday 11th August and brief Progress Reports will be available to download via Compass on Wednesday 17th August. 

 

Learning Conferences are a valuable opportunity for a three-way conversation between parents, students and teachers. As active participants in their own education, students are expected to attend the learning conferences with you. Students are encouraged to reflect on their efforts and discuss future learning goals and challenges with both you and their teachers. 

 

Please note that this is a student free day and the school will not be providing supervision for students as there are no scheduled classes on this day. 

 

PISA, VCAA & Naplan Assessments 

In the past week a select number of Brentwood students in Years 9 and 10 were invited to undertake the important assessments below. Our involvement in national and international assessment opportunities such as these provides valuable feedback to further enhance our teaching and learning programs. 

 

  • The OECD's (PISA) Programme for International Student Assessment which measures 15-year-olds’ ability to use their reading, mathematics and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges  
  • The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s (VCAA) annual Education State Sample Assessment in Critical and Creative Thinking to support Education State targets. The CCT target highlights the important role of critical and creative thinking skills in helping Victorian students to build problem solving and evaluation capability, the confidence to question, challenge and establish deeper thinking on topics, concepts, events, beliefs, cultures and society.   

Please note this year’s Naplan individual student reports and Year 9 certificates of achievement, for those that have demonstrated high learning growth in their Naplan Assessment from Years 7-9, are expected to be available early September.

 

Sonja Ardley, Associate Principal 

 

 

Brentwood Parents and Friends Association

We are very excited that on Tuesday August 2, a group of parents met me to begin the process of establishing a Parents and Friends Association (PFA). A PFA will further grow our vibrant learning community by providing parents and community members another opportunity to be an active member of our school community.

 

An interim committee of parents has completed a Parents and Friends Constitution which is expected to be approved by the Department of Education very soon.

 

So what does a Parents and Friends Association (PFA) do?

PFA's promote the welfare of, and provide support to, the school and its community. Parents are key partners in their child’s learning. By interacting with the school and other parents, PFA members can use their skills and experience to work collaboratively with others in supporting the school and its students, and build a sense of community within the school. 

 

The role of a PFA is threefold:

  •  to provide support, in various forms, for the school, its students and community, including raising funds for the benefit of the school
  •  to work in cooperation with the principal, staff and school council in building effective partnerships between home and school
  •  to encourage diversity by getting to know the parents of other children at the school, and to support the operation of the school

 The first meeting of our PFA will be held on Tuesday August 30 at the school. Further details will be sent out via Compass closer to the date. This will be a great opportunity for parents to get involved in the school community. We look forward to seeing all interested parents there.

 

 

Principal Team

I will be taking some Long Service Leave from August 9 until the end of term to enjoy a long awaited family holiday. During this time Peter Rhodes and Evan Miller will be Acting Principals in my absence and will be supported by Sonja Ardley, and  Bill Exton will also be taking on the role of Acting Associate Principal. I would like to thank the Principal Team in advance for their support whilst I am away. I look forward to returning in Term 4!

 

John Ballagh, Principal