Secondary School News

Assistant Principal Secondary - Operations and Wellbeing

A WHIRLWIND OF A TERM!!

It is almost unbelievable that term 1 is ending on Friday 4th of April. How could it fly by so quickly? It feels like it was only a short time ago that we only resumed the school year after our lovely summer break and here we are about to begin our first term holiday. I am sure that teachers, students and administration are ready for this two-week break after the busy term that everyone experienced.

Busy in so many areas, but satisfying and productive in so many ways as well. Students settled in after the first couple of weeks and seemed to enjoy the curriculums they were studying in their various subject areas. Teachers planned and delivered a wonderful curriculum, engaging students and encouraging them to try their best in all aspects of the educational journey. Interesting, relevant and challenging tasks were introduced, completed and assessed, with feedback provided by teachers to enhance students’ present understanding and improve their future performance.

The Year 7’s transitioned very well from Primary to Secondary school and seemed relaxed, confident and settled after a short period of time. The Year 7 area was always buzzing with the MYP and IB focuses, and the Transition Camp was a highlight for term one. The ‘Welcome Pizza Party’ as well as Harmony Day and Harmony Week activities, the Swimming Sports, the Welcome Morning Tea, the ‘Iftar’ Dinner, as well as the impressive Open Day, were all some of the highlights that were participated in by our whole school community, a great indication of inclusive events, multicultural interaction and a diverse school exemplifying the vision and values of the school.

Our vision and values: Diversity, Creativity, Innovation, Relationships and Achievement have been prevalent in our school throughout Term 1. Special programs such as Enhancement, Practical Musical lessons, and sporting opportunities have been available to students, as well as Steiner and Mainstream camps and excursions. These highlight the school’s intention to make everyone’s educational journey exciting, fun and successful’

Student Voice has been encouraged, and a great team of students have banded together to create a strong, competent and active SRC (Student Representative Council. Weekly meetings have been well attended and the SRC students are working with great enthusiasm to contribute to their school community. Training Day was very successful as the students collaborated and worked in teams, with good planning and goal setting resulting from working all together and sharing ideas. They have assisted with Open Day and fundraise ever Thursday at the Thursday Market. The Captain has been established a Treasurer elected, and other roles are being determined.

Another group of like-minded students have joined and created a great team working with external Rotary groups to decide what they can do to help the Global Community. This group of students are known as ‘Interact’ and their leadership roles are that of providing assisting to my impoverished communities or focusing on what they can do to assist members of any community that really need help to live. Rotary students are being assisted by senior members of Rotary. Right now, our members are seeking projects that they can present to the school community and help those in need, either in close proximity or overseas. The students are developing a really good idea of what they can be doing,

A lot of work has been completed so far, but everyone in Interact and SRC seems focused, enthusiastic and with good intentions. They know that the importance of working together with a common goal, will ensure a successful collaboration not just with each other, but for the school as well.

The China Trip students have been fundraising both at the Thursday market by selling ice cream and also will be participating in another Bunnings sausage BBQ on Monday, April 21st as they continue to raise funds for their scheduled two-week trip to China. (September 18th)

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday and see you all back second term, not on Easter Monday (21st of April) but on Easter Tuesday (22nd of April).

Rachel Wood

Acting Assistant Principal Secondary

Assistant Principal Secondary - MYP & Teaching and Learning

I would like to thank families for their support in settling their children into the school year; from engaging in conversations about learning and managing emotions to having open communication with the school. School really is a three way partnership between teachers, students and their families.

A focus for teachers this term has been on getting to know our students in order to build positive relationships and create a classroom climate that enables learning for each student. This is an important time for both teachers and students as it builds strong foundations for school connectedness. I have noticed the impact of these practices in classrooms throughout the term with engaged students who are openly communicating with teachers and interacting with peers.

Positive recognition is valued at the college with students being recognised by teachers for embodying the learner profile. This process has been enhanced this year with families receiving an email and text notification of their child’s positive recognitions. These recognitions are not limited to classroom learning but also for other actions and engagements outside of the classroom. Please see the Learner Profile image and ways for parents to discuss these attributes at home in this newsletter.

The IB Middle Years Programme

We took another step in our MYP journey last week with hosting the MYP Victorian/Tasmanian network meeting at our college. MYP Coordinators and leaders from a range of schools attended and we were fortunate to have Shalini M Easwardas, IB MYP Curriculum Manager, join us to share key information around enhancements to the program. IB Head of Communications also attended and discussed ways IB is working with schools around the world.

A student focus group of Year 8 students also met with the Curriculum Manager to provide feedback around their learning experiences. I would like to thank these students for their mature and considered approaches to this special activity.

I wish all families the very best for a safe and restful break. I certainly hope to embody the attribute of Balance over the holidays with some reading, film and bike-riding!

I would like to remind secondary families that Homework Club runs in the school library - Monday to Thursday from 3.15pm - 5.15pm throughout the term.

We are very fortunate to have qualified and experienced tutors available to offer support to our students at no cost to families. Attending Homework Club is beneficial to students who would like assistance with completing learning tasks and revising/understanding concepts covered during class time. It can also assist with developing students' time-management and organisation skills, and provide opportunities for catch-up and growth.

Lori Michael

Acting Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning

Year 10 Legal Studies Excursion:

A Day of Justice and History

Last week, our Year 10 Legal Studies students stepped back in time and into the justice system with a visit to the Old Melbourne Gaol and Magistrates’ Court. The excursion gave students a firsthand look at how crime and punishment have evolved in Australia.

At the Old Melbourne Gaol, students explored the eerie cells where prisoners were once held under harsh conditions. They learned about the severe punishments handed down in an era where justice was often swift but not always fair. The visit sparked discussions about how legal rights and protections have changed over time.

The highlight of the day was the courtroom drama at the Magistrates’ Court, where students took on roles in a fictitious dangerous driving case. Acting as lawyers, witnesses, and magistrates, they argued their case and experienced the challenges of delivering justice. The activity brought legal principles to life and gave students a deeper understanding of court procedures.

The excursion was a valuable and immersive experience, helping students connect their classroom learning to real-world legal history and practice.

Kind regards,

Victoria DeRome

Year 10 Coordinator

9-12 English & Humanities Teacher

Year 8 ELA Harmony Week display

In celebration of Harmony Week, our Year 8 ELA students created posters introducing their home countries, cultures, and languages. With students from diverse backgrounds, it was a fantastic opportunity to learn from one another and appreciate the richness of our multicultural community at Collingwood College. Each student shared their poster with the class, making it an engaging and valuable experience for everyone. If you’d like to see their amazing work, the posters are displayed on the wall in the canteen - be sure to check them out! :)

Younghee Cho

EAL, English Language Centre Teacher

Chinese and Korean Language Teacher

Year 9 Cooking

Year 9 cooking gozleme! Gözleme is a savory Turkish stuffed turnover. The dough is usually unleavened, and made only with flour, salt and water, but gözleme can be made from yeast dough as well.

Robert Redfern

Classroom Teacher

Media & Food Studies

Head Start Program

Get a Head Start with a School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs)

Did you know that students enrolled in VCE can do an apprenticeship or traineeship and get credit toward their senior studies? It’s a great way to get into a career while completing Year 12. SBATs earn a wage, receive specialised training and complete their schooling all at the same time. The Head Start program is here to help. Speak to Nicola Smith, in the careers office Rm 320 to see if this is for you!

The Learner Profile

Below are a range of ways that you can promote the Learner Profile attributes at home within the family.

A simple approach is to model and recognise. Enjoy 🙂

The Learner Profile

Inquirers	We nurture our curiosity. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and value a love of life-long learning.	Encourage your child’s interests by visiting places such as the Local/State Library, Museum, NGV… Model being an inquirer: admit when you don’t know the answers to a problem or a question and seek out answers with your child Use the internet as a tool for inquiry and have conversations around reputable sites Discuss the role of inquiry in your personal and professional life
Open-Minded	We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, and those of other people. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.	Encourage your child to try new things - food, games, places, activities… Expose your child to different festivals, celebrations and traditions Encourage your child to listen for understanding Discuss issues and consider opposing points of view and reasons
Thinkers	We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.	Encourage your child to independently think of different solutions to problems Pose different real-life problems/questions to your child Ask your child questions when they are working on a problem: Do you have any ideas about how you will begin? Tell me about your thinking How could you do it differently? What do you notice and wonder?
Caring	We show empathy, compassion and respect. We act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.	Role-model the kind of behaviour you want to see in your child: helping others without being asked, being an active listener, acting in ways to show that you care… Reflect on the actions of characters in texts (prin/audio/film) Were they kind or caring? Recognise this quality in people’s actions
Knowledgeable	We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global decisions.	Encourage your child to make self/text/world connections with what they read/view. Include first language books/films. Ask your child what they are learning at school and engage in conversations about it: Why do you think that is an important thing to know about? Encourage your child to become familiar with current local/national/global events and issues
Principled	We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.	Discuss the importance of honesty/truth Talk about global issues and fairness/social justice Encourage your child to engage in team and independent sports/games Discuss the idea of norms Talk about the importance of effort over winning and being a gracious loser
Balanced	We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives - intellectual, physical and emotional - to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognise our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.	Encourage your child to participate in a wide variety of structured activities as a balance between school and leisure Discuss what you are eating with your child - is it a balanced diet? Emphasise that boredom is okay too - good for us! Put devices away Encourage your child to take timeout and go for a walk, engage with nature or read a book (Brain Breaks)
Communicators	We express ourselves confidently and creatively in different languages. We collaborate effectively, actively listening to the perspectives of other individuals or groups.	Encourage your child to stay in contact with relatives in other parts of Australia or different countries Encourage your child to explain their thinking orally or by drawing a picture Talk about what effective communication can look/sound/feel like Have family dinner-table conversations Play a game that requires a specific communication skill. e.g. Charades
Reflective	We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experiences. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.	Review your child’s report with them; talk about successes and opportunities for improvement Reflect on sport outcomes Talk about recent events/actions and what you have learned, or adjustments you would make Set goals with your child Talk about a growth mindset
Risk-takers	We approach uncertaining with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change. We see making mistakes as a natural part of the learning process.	Encourage your child to attempt new things and then reflect on it - whether they liked it and how it made them feel Discuss the difference between being a risk-taker and dangerous behaviour Recognise the learning gains that result from risk-taking and making mistakes Talk about comfort zones and the benefits of goal-setting Share your own growth stories from taking risks

Lori Michael - MYP Coordinator

INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE (updated 27 October) -Contact Person - Steve Wu

Please click on the attachment below to see a list of Stringed instruments for sale. If you

have an instrument for sale please email Steve at: fengchih.09@gmail.com

List of instruments for sale - 1 Mar 2025.pdf

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