SCHOOL OF POSSIBILITIES

Lest We Forget. 

On 25 April, in recognition of Anzac Day, two of our student leaders, Matisse O’Brien and Charli Guppy attended the service at the Shepparton Cenotaph and laid a wreath to commemorate those who have served our country on behalf of St Anne’s College. This is a tradition that students at St Anne’s College partake in on an annual basis as a sign of respect for those before us who fought for our right to freedom. You can find further information and photos on this event in the 'Around the College' section.

Preparations are well underway for the Year 10 City Camp which will take place in the Melbourne CBD at CYC camps and is scheduled for Monday 13 May to Wednesday 15 May. Students have selected activities including ice skating, rock climbing, mini golf at Holey Moley. They will partake in a session at the Big Issue where students are given an insight into homelessness in Melbourne. Exposure to university life will be a big part of the camp. Students will visit a number of the city campuses in order to look at facilities and learn about the courses offered at the different universities, TAFE courses and pathways.  

Students will also have an opportunity to take part in a scavenger hunt around Melbourne and learn to navigate public transport in small groups and of course there will be some time for shopping.  Hopefully the nice weather continues as staff and students will use public transport, mainly trams to move around the city from place to place.

Students will have an information session, held at school during leadership classes, in preparation for camp. Students are permitted to have mobile phones during the day for purposes of navigation around the city.  All phones will be handed in at night in line with the school's Child Safe Policy.

Elevate attended the college this week to deliver their final session with Year 11 and 12 students. The session focused on time management including looking at your priorities and your schedule for each day and finding time to fit study in. This then moved to students creating a weekly planner and prioritising learning to achieve set goals. To simplify learning and reduce workload, it was encouraged to form a study group to help spread the load.

The second part of the session was title ‘Ace Your Exams’. This included ten steps to exam excellence. The session worked through six of the biggest mistakes in exam preparation.  Examples of the steps included giving yourself adequate time to prepare, working through past exam papers, getting advice from your teachers and learning from the people around you.  

The session finished with staying organised before the exam, how you are before the exam and strategies to stay calm. Students seemed to be engaged during the session and benefitted from hearing from how young people before them had developed strategies for success in their schooling.

As we head into winter, Year 11 and 12 students are expected to wear academic uniform day except for on Mondays while Year 10 students have the exception of Mondays and Thursdays. The academic uniform consists of white or navy ankle socks, black shoes, academic shirt and shorts or pants or navy skirt with a navy knitted jumper and/or a blazer as the outer garment. Rugby tops are not part of the academic uniform and should only be worn with PE uniform.  The soft shell jackets are not part of the SOP uniform and should no longer be worn. Exceptions to this include, where a student has a double PE class on a given day and also for Year 12s who can wear rugby jumpers which are only to be worn on Mondays with PE uniform and Thursdays with the academic uniform. It is not acceptable for parents to write a note for students to wear the rugby jumper on other days in lieu of the knitted jumper. Your support with uniform is greatly appreciated.

Uniform days:

Monday - all SOP may wear PE uniform and Year 12 students may wear their rugby jumpers.

Tuesday - all students wear academic uniform with either a school knitted jumper or blazer only.

Wednesday - some students may have a double PE on schedule and, if so, can wear PE.

Thursday - some students may have a double PE on schedule and, if so, can wear PE.

Friday - all SOP students are to wear their full academic uniform with either a school knitted jumper or blazer only.

Students are starting to work with the Formal Committee to plan for the formal.  Students have submitted their choices for a theme.  Approximately, 13 ideas for the theme have been submitted. The committee will reduce this number to three potential themes and the students will vote for the final theme.  

The event will be Friday 18 October at St Mel’s Hall, Hamilton St, Shepparton. Doors open at 6pm, with the formalities of the evening starting at 6.30pm and a pick up time of 10pm.  The evening will begin with a number of formal dances that families and invited guests can attend and watch. Families and guests will then leave and return to collect their children at the end of the evening. This is a ticketed event and each student will receive four tickets for family members.  If this presents any hardships, please contact one of the SOP leaders.

The Year 10 students have prepared for the upcoming work experience program in their careers classes this term. As part of this process, students have created or updated their resumes to reflect a professional style format. In addition, students are drafting cover letters to request potential work experience placements. As part of the legal requirements, students must complete two Occupational Health & Safety Certificates - one general module and one in a related industry area. Before completing their placements, there are two legal arrangement forms that must be submitted to the school fully signed ready for Sue’s (Principal’s) signature. All paperwork should be completed and returned to the student’s careers teacher who will arrange for Belinda to process paperwork to be signed. All paperwork must be submitted two weeks prior to students completing their placement. If you have any queries, please contact your students careers teacher.

Last Term students attended the St Mel's Parish Debutant Ball at the GV Hotel.

Congratulations to students Charlie Ratcliffe, Liliana Cirillo, Jayda Kennedy, Kiara Wilson, Charlotte Seddon, Olivia Jezewski, Bridee Selman, and partners Connor Mann, Rylan Farren, Will Skinner, Dante Sultana & Jesse Minicozzi.

Real estate is an industry that has embraced modern technologies and that’s exactly where Year 12 student Jed excelled when participating in Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) work placement over the recent school holidays.

Jed joined the team at Kevin Hicks Real Estate for a week-long placement and quickly impressed his fellow staff and managers, particularly with his ability to use technology.

Jed said he enjoyed flying a drone to get the overhead imagery of properties that were for sale which was crucial at Kevin Hicks - an agent that focuses on rural properties. Jed also assisted with 3D virtual tours which have become an increasingly popular way for potential buyers to view the property.

It is not the first time Jed has completed SWL work placement with a real estate agent. Jed said he completed previous placement in real estate and said he enjoyed getting experience in the industry.

Congratulations on Jed for the incredible feedback received from his week of placement. Jed was complemented for his willingness to learn and always lend a hand while his approachable and friendly attitude stood him in good stead when meeting new clients.

St Anne’s College VCE Coordinator Chris Segrave has highlighted the benefits of studying VCE Industry & Enterprise here:

Students have an opportunity to practice and develop their skills to be ready to contribute positively and confidently in the workforce.

Students develop their understanding of how enterprising and leadership behaviour is vital for success in a range of personal, social, community and work settings.

After completing the relevant OH&S induction program, students demonstrate practical application of their work-related skills by completing at least 35 hours of structured workplace learning in a workplace environment in their local community.

Outdoor Education students put their skills to the test during the first week of Term 2 with a four-day excursion along the Murray River. Students began by bushwalking into camp on Day 1 and then travelled by canoe on Days 2 and 3 along the river between Yarrawonga and Cobram. On the final day of camp, students bushwalked once again, out of their campsite. 

In addition to the distances covered via bushwalking and paddling, which ranged from 6km to 20km each day, students were required to set up their own camp and self-cater as well. Students cooked on camp stoves using camp fires and reflected on their time through journaling. 

The camp was a fantastic chance for students to demonstrate their outdoor skills as well as displaying the characteristics of resilience and endurance. Congratulations to these students for demonstrating a vast array of outdoor skills and knowledge during their time on this Outdoor Education excursion.

It was all about sustainability when the Year 10 Product Design students hit the tools this week. Students took apart old lawn mowers to salvage parts that they could use for future designs. While several other students created a timber book case insert.

What a great effort from these students - keep up the fantastic work with these fantastic creations and sustainable practices!

All students must be in their allocated room for these sessions and are not permitted to be seated at tables in the walk ways.  This is required for child safety purposes and for roll marking.  If there is any error in your timetable over the first cycle, please let Mez or Sarah know so that this can be rectified.  If there are any issues with this please see one of the school leaders.

𝗘𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 delivers high-impact workshops to our students to develop their study skills, motivation, and exam preparation. 

During Term 2, families are invited to join the parent/carer webinar series, where you can help support your student at home by reinforcing the skills they're learning at school!

Register for this series by clicking the link below and learn some great practical strategies to help support your child this year:

https://go.elevateeducation.com/auschoolwebinars

Please ensure you are up to date with your work for all your subjects.  If you are unsure check on SIMON or speak to your teachers.  Work hard to improve your standard of work and strive for excellence in all that you do.

This term staff will complete reports for all students and we want these reports to reflect - effort, improvement and excellence.

The theme for the SOP assembly this term will be - 'Striving for Excellence'.  We will be looking at awarding students who show excellence in many aspects of their schooling. Stay tuned for further information in relation to the awards.

SOP staff are here to support you in all aspects of life at the college. Please see your learning mentors, PG leader or SOP leader for help when needed.

The Furphy Literary Award is currently receiving entries for short stories and poetry. You can find out more about their Junior and Youth awards here: https://www.furphystory.com.au/junioryouth/  

Applications are also open for the Plain English Speaking Award. This is a public speaking competition for students aged 15 - 18 years. Students can speak to their English teachers or Sarah Baglin if they would like any more information about either of these opportunities.

We still have families with outstanding balances for the Jacaranda Digital Library subscription and Edrolo learning resources. We appreciate that families settle these accounts ASAP. Time is valuable and following up families to ensure payment is made takes away from other important duties our staff have. If you are unsure if you have a balance owing, you can contact me at sbaglin@sackialla.catholic.edu.au. 

All Year 10 and VCE students need to purchase the Jacaranda Digital Subscription through Campion using the code on the front of the booklist. Students pay for Edrolo through their Edrolo portal. Ask your student to log into their Edrolo account and you will see the red “Pay Now” link. Thankyou for your support in this matter. 

All students in the SOP are expected to remain focused in their learning spaces during all timetabled classes.  Students are to bring their macbooks, folders, pens, textbooks, a water bottle and anything else they require.

All students must have a lock on their lockers and this lock should be locked at all times.  This is essential for our Year 11 and Year 12 students’ lockers that are accessible from the outside.  There have been incidents in the past where macbooks and learning materials and books have been stolen out of unlocked lockers overnight and on the weekends.  It is a requirement of the signed ICT agreement that students have devices stored in locked lockers.

Year 11 & 12 students who do not have a lock on their locker by the end of the day Monday, will be moved inside to a locker indoors.

Students should arrive at school in time to attend pastoral group each morning commencing at 8.55am.  This is an important part of the day and a time for prayer and reflection.  Teachers are able to follow-up with students and check in on how they are doing. Daily messages are delivered to students at this time.  It is vital that the school completes accurate records for attendance and the roll is marked during this session.

Students are not permitted to use air pods or mobile phones while at school.  These items are to be left in students lockers during the school day.  Parents are asked not to ring their child’s mobile phone while they are at school or expect them to receive text messages.  If you need to get a message to your child during the school day, please contact the front office who will deliver the message on your behalf.

Your support on these matters is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your support, 

 - Mez Lia & Sarah Baglin

Great opportunity with fantastic prizes for SOP students!

Love the GV are running a Video Revolution Awards competition for 2024 open to all schools in the Goulburn Valley. You are invited to make a one minute video about a social issue that is important to you. Whether that be bullying, public speaking or even how you love living in the GV, this is your opportunity to educate locals. The competition is open to different age categories, there is also a group category. Videos will be judged by 'Shepp-famous' locals including the mayor, with fantastic prizes on offer for the winning entries.

Register now using the QR code below. 

Video submission closes 5.00pm,  Thursday, August 1.

VCE Assessment Task Dates 2024

Subject dates for VCE assessment tasks are as accurate as possible. Please note that dates can be subject to change based on school review.

Please find the link here to the live documents with assessment dates for each subject in Unit 1 and Unit 3 in Semester 1 2024:

• Unit 1 VCE Outcome Assessment Task (OAT) dates 2024
• Unit 3 School Assessed Coursework (SAC) dates 2024

The VCAA  is introducing the Student Achievement Profile - please click on the link for more information. St Anne's College will work with the VCAA through the VASS system to ensure students eligible for a Student Achievement Profile will have access when this becomes available. 

A first look at the VCAA's new Student Achievement Profile