Wellbeing 

Dear Parents / Guardians,

Welcome back to Term 3. 

As we come to the end of Week 3, I am pleased to say that the students have settled back into school life and have commenced the second half of the year well.  Over the break, hopefully they were able to reflect on their achievements in Semester 1 and now have clear goals and an understanding of what is required in Semester 2. 

Supporting your daughter through a detention

At Academy, detentions are issued from time-to-time and I believe these are one of the ways we help our students take responsibility for their choices and hopefully, learn from them.  They are rarely about the behaviour alone, but more importantly, they are about teaching responsibility, ownership and accountability in a safe, supportive way.

When a detention is issued, the most helpful thing a parent can do is support the process, even if you don't agree with every single detail.  This doesn't mean you cannot ask questions, ask for more details or raise concerns with us directly.  We welcome and are happy to have that conversation if required.  When students see their parents backing the school's expectations and standards, it reinforces the important message, that actions have consequences, and that the adults in their life are working together, not against each other.

Undermining a detention in front of your daughter, or dismissing it as unfair, can send a confusing message.  It can also make it harder for her to genuinely reflect on what happened and move forward and perhaps does not give her an important life lesson.

If something does not sit right with you, please reach out to your daughter's Wellbeing Leader or to me.  We are always happy to talk it through and by working together we can make sure these moments become genuine opportunities for growth.

Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences

Just a reminder that as per the College Calendar, the first SPT Conference Day for Semester 2 will be on Monday, 24 August. On this day, classes will be concluding at 1.35pm with the Conferences being held from 3.30pm – 8.30pm.  The second of the SPT Conference sessions will be taking place on Wednesday August 26. This day is a ‘Student Free Day’ with Conferences taking place from 8:30am – 4:30pm. All conferences will be online. The booking portal for parents will be opened at 9:00am on Monday August 10 and will remain open until 9:00am on Wednesday August 19. Further information will be posted on Compass next week. Parents are encouraged to book a time to have a conversation with their daughter’s teachers and students are highly encouraged to be part of the conversations too. 

Further to this, please note that Tuesday August 25 is a Student Free Day. It is a ‘Time in Lieu’ day for teaching staff for the SPT Conferences.

Parent’s Association – Fathers’ Day Breakfast

Members of the Parents’ Association are in the process of organising the annual Fathers’ Day Breakfast. It is a wonderful morning whether fathers and daughters can come together in a relaxed environment to have a cup of tea or coffee with a muffin or croissant and just spend an hour or so relaxing and mingling with other parents. The breakfast is scheduled to take place on Friday 4 September from 7:00am – 8:30am in the Dillon Centre. We have secured another exceptional guest speaker this year. All families will receive an official invitation and details of how to book will be sent out next week. We had a huge response to this event last year and are anticipating a similar turnout this year. Capacity will be capped at 200 attendees.

Mercy Day BBQ Helpers – Friday 11 September

All staff and students are very excited about celebrating Mercy Day this term and they have all been very busy filming skits and learning dance moves for the concert in the afternoon. More information will be published about the day later in the term. However, for the moment I am asking for parent volunteers to come to the College and assist with the cooking of the BBQ on the day. Volunteers need to be available from approximately 8.30am – 2.00pm. Jobs on the day will include setting up BBQs, cooking hamburgers, sausages, chicken strips, etc, keeping the food warm, assisting with serving and then assisting with cleaning up at the end. No implements or experience required, just acurrent Working with Children Check (WWCC). If you can lend a hand, can you please email me directly at Sam.DiCamillo@academy.vic.edu.au and in the email provide me with a copy of your WWCC certificate. We need at least 20 helpers. Thanking you in anticipation.

As always, please remember never hesitate to be in touch should you have any queries or concerns.

Mr Sam Di Camillo

Deputy Principal - Wellbeing & Operations