SCHOOL OF POSSIBILITIES

Welcome back to a busy term in the School of Possibilities.

We have the GAT, Year 10 and 11 exams, end of Unit 1 and 3, commencement of Unit 2 and 4, Year 10 Melbourne City Camp, Year 10 and 11 subject selection and much more.

With everything going on, organisation is the key to student success.  Be aware of events and deadlines that relate to your program, make sure you meet dates for submission of documents and you are consistently revising your work to ensure you are prepared and can achieve your best.

The end of Term 1 was a busy time for SOP students with lots happening. 

The SOP Assembly took place where Year 12 students were presented with special badges. It was fantastic to see so many SOP students receive Commendations as well - well done to all these students!

It’s also been an exciting time to focus on career and further learning pathways with a representative from La Trobe University coming to speak with students about the Aspire Early Learning Program which offers students access to an adjusted Aspire ATAR for their preferred course, securing an early conditional offer.

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.

Preparations are well underway for the Year 10 Melbourne City Camp. This camp takes place from Monday 13 May to Wednesday 15 May. It is expected all students in Year 10 attend, as this camp is an important part of Careers education. 

Parents and carers were recently emailed the required forms that must be completed ahead of the camp. Please ensure you read this email and fill out the appropriate forms and return them to the college.

The camp provides a great opportunity for students to connect with higher education providers as well as build confidence with public transport. If your child is not able to attend, please notify myself or Mez as soon as possible. In the coming days, students will be asked to provide important information regarding dietary requirements and medical needs. Please support your child to complete these tasks. A letter with more information will be sent to families prior to the end of this term. 

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. 

 - Mez Lia & Sarah Baglin

Wearing an academic uniform with blazers is part of the expectation of students in the School of Possibilities.  It is important that as a school we educate students for what is expected for ‘life’ out of school.  If students are required to wear uniforms as part of their part time work or in their work placement and/or they have to wear certain shoes i.e. black leather fully enclosed lace up shoes or work boots employers will often cancel shifts and send students home.  It is an expectation that students wear the correct uniform each day with the correct footwear.

We have had one term to get everything right and you have had time to organise correct uniform.  Please refer to posters displayed in all PG rooms to ensure you know when you need to wear your academic uniform, this includes the correct academic shorts - not PE shorts - and includes black shoes.  Students who are not in full uniform and do not have a parental note will attend a lunchtime reflection.  Year 12 rugby tops are only to be worn on Mondays and Thursdays.

We appreciate parents and carer's assistance with ensuring that your student comes to school each day in the full correct school uniform.

Please provide a written note if your student is out of uniform and inform us how long it will be until the correct uniform will be available.

• 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.

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