Assistant Principal's Report

Attitudes to Schools Survey.

Senior students will commence the Department of Education, Attitudes to Schools Survey from the 8 May.

The College values the input of all students and we will be using the survey results to ensure that we continue to improve our programs and the whole school learning environment. We always value student feedback and we encourage our students to utilise the Student Representative Council (SRC) as one form of student voice. We also utilise classroom survey’s, called PIVOT, with student’s so that they can give direct feedback to their teachers about the learning occurring in their classes. This enables us to support the continuation of best practice in teaching and learning at Wyndham Central College.

Mid-Year examination’s.

Good luck to all students as they prepare for their mid-year examination’s which commence from the 30 June, an exam timetable and letter will be sent home shortly. A reminder that student’s need to spend time preparing for their exam’s and I encourage all students to commence a revision and study plan, utilising AVID strategies, as soon as possible.

Below are some study tips that may assist students with exam study:

Use a school diary for planning.
Create 'to do' lists - don't leave things to the last minute.
Draw up a home work timetable using a calendar to plan activities listing study requirements, SAC’s, exams and deadlines for assignments.
List exam dates and other commitments.
List due dates for essays and work backwards to set mini deadlines for each stage.
Prioritise each task to help achieve goals, to avoid being overwhelmed by what must be done and then rushing at the end.
Maintain a balance between study and recreational activities.
Use a clear flat space for regular homework and study – not a bed or a couch.
Organise your equipment.
Keep your school work in an easily accessible spot.
If possible, choose a space away from distractions, such as television.

General Achievement Test.

The GAT (General Achievement Test) is on Tuesday 18th June in the College gymnasium (compulsory for all Year 12 student’s and any Year 11 student’s studying a Year 12 subject).

The GAT plays an important role in the quality assurance of VCE assessment’s and provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate that they meet the Victorian Literacy and Numeracy Standards expected at a senior secondary level. No special study is needed for the GAT, however studying past subject exam’s like English, Mathematics, Science and History can help prepare students for the GAT by building their general knowledge and skills in writing, numeracy and reasoning.

Athletics carnival.

The whole school athletics carnival was held on Monday 29 May at the Victoria University Athletics Track which was a great day that re-enforced a productive team spirit and competition amongst students. It was good to see senior student’s participating in the events and cheering on for their houses, well done to all involved.

Mobile Phone Policy.

A reminder that in accordance with the department’s Mobile Phone Policy, issued by the Minister for Education, personal mobile phones must not be used at Wyndham Central College during school hours (8.50am-3.00pm), including during break one and two and mobile phones need to be stored in a student’s locker.

School uniform is important.

Full school uniform is compulsory and allows students to have a sense of belonging and to show pride in our school within the community. Please ensure that your child wears the correct uniform to school every day and if you need any assistance with the supply of the school uniform then please contact their Tutor Teacher who will be able to assist you.

Attendance is vital.

Attendance is vital for a good education and it begins with students coming to school every day.

Students develop good habits by going to school every day, habits that are necessary to succeed after school, whether in the workplace or in further study.

Missing school can have a big impact on a student academically and socially. It can affect their results, including their VCE/VM certificate and, just as importantly, it can affect their relationships with other students, and lead to social isolation.

There is no safe number of days for missing school, each day a student misses puts them behind and can affect their educational opportunities. It is never too late to improve attendance, attending school more often can make a big difference. Every day counts. We are her to help you and if you are having attendance issues with your child, please speak to your child’s Tutor Teacher to assist in addressing the issues.

In Victoria school is compulsory for children aged 6 – 17 years.

Support is available.

Please remember that a parent/carer’s first point of contact, if you have any concerns, is your child’s Tutor Teacher. “Compass” is an effective way to communicate with teachers at school and/or by phoning the College.

As we know, when parents/carers are actively involved in conversations with their child about their education the outcomes are far more positive. When this is combined in a three-way partnership with teachers, the outcomes and opportunities are more successful, so please feel free to seek support when needed.

I would like to encourage all families of our College to work with us to develop positive relationships between students, teachers and parents/carers and we encourage open and respectful, two-way communication.

Bryan Woollard - Assistant Principal Years 10 - 12

Year Level Leader's Report - Year 10

Our class of 2026 has now finished their second and third units of work for this semester and are flying towards exams. Congratulations to all students for the effort they have put

into their assessment tasks. A reminder to parents and guardians that if your child is away for any reason to please report it on Compass so their subject teachers can help them keep up with their work or complete a resit assessment task.

Our SRC and student leaders have been running our assemblies and tutor challenges this last fortnight. It is a great opportunity for them to practice their presentation skills and advocate for the year level.

We have continued our focus on careers in our tutor program. Congratulations to our successful applicants for our work experience program. This extra-curricular program is about supporting students to experience what its like in the workplaces they aspire to – from hospitals, vet clinics, lawyers to the army. They will go out into the ‘real world’ late Term 2 and we look forward to hearing about their experience.

Continuing our focus on careers students have been invited to FutureTalk on the 13th of June. This is part of a partnership with the Smith Family where industry leaders meet with our Year 10s in small groups and talk about how to get into these amazing roles they are in. Make sure you check Compass and complete the excursion form so your child doesn’t miss out on this experience!

Finally, in the coming weeks students will have the opportunity to apply for our Vocational Major, VIP and VET courses for 2025. Please regularly check your emails and speak to your child if they are interested in joining these programs.

John Lister – Year 10 Year Level Leader

john.lister@education.vic.gov.au

Year Level Leader's Report - Year 11

Attitudes to School Survey

Year 11 students at Wyndham Central College will participate in the annual Attitudes to School Survey, scheduled from May 6 to June 14, 2024. This survey, facilitated by the Department of Education and Training, is a valuable tool for schools to gain insight into students' perceptions and experiences within the educational environment. At Wyndham Central College, we highly value the input of our students as it enables us to enhance student engagement, well-being, and the overall quality of instruction. The feedback collected from the survey will be instrumental in guiding our efforts to develop tailored programs and activities to improve our students' schooling experience. It is important to note that participation in the survey is mandatory for all Year 7 to 12 students during regular school hours. We assure you that all survey data provided in subsequent reports will be aggregated, ensuring the anonymity of individual students.

Examination

As the Year 11 examination period swiftly approaches, we wish to inform you that examinations will be conducted between May 30 and June 6, 2024. Each student will be required to undertake an exam for every subject they have pursued during semester one. Please note that these exams are compulsory. In the forthcoming weeks, students will receive an exam timetable. It is imperative for students to be present at school only when they have an exam scheduled. In the interim, we encourage you to support your child in organizing their knowledge, notes, and resources accumulated throughout the semester to facilitate effective preparation for the upcoming exams.

Should a student be absent from school during the examination period, it is mandatory to provide a medical certificate. Upon submission of a valid certificate, arrangements will be made for the student to resit the missed exam during the designated exam catch-up time. For Year 11 students enrolled in Year 12 subjects, attending the Year 12 examinations takes priority. Subsequently, students are required to attend the designated ‘catch up’ exam timeslot, which must be coordinated in advance with Mr Singh and the respective subject teacher. Students are not permitted to leave the examination hall before the allocated time. Any concerns or queries regarding the examination process should be directed to your assigned tutor teacher or Mr Singh.

Other

Students who bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored in their lockers during school hours (8.50 am - 3.04 pm). Parents/carers can reach their child in emergencies by calling the school’s administration office. Exemptions may be applied if certain conditions are met.
All students should wear full school uniform at school. Please ensure students leave home with full uniforms and seek support from the tutor teachers if you have difficulty arranging the uniform.
All students have been allocated a locker and a lock. They need to keep their bags in the lockers and not take them to class.

Students will be issued after-school detentions if they are found to have breached the above school rules. Continual breach will face further consequences.

Key dates for the remainder of Term 2

Year 11 Exams – May 30- June 6, 2024
Student Free Day - Assessment Day – June 7, 2024
King’s Birthday – June 10, 2024
Semester 2 begins – June 11, 2024
General Achievement Test (GAT) – June 18, 2024
Last day of Term 2 – June 28, 2024

Thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring the success of our Year 11 students.

Harpreet Singh – Year 11 Year Level Leader

harpreet.singh@education.vic.gov.au

Year Level Leader's Report - Year 12

Year 12 Unit 3 examination period is approaching and will be held between Thursday the 30th of May and Thursday the 6th of June. Students will complete an exam for each subject they have undertaken in Unit 3. Exams are compulsory. Students will soon be provided with their exam timetables and have been advised they are only required to be at school when they have an exam timetabled. In the interim, please encourage your child to collate their knowledge, notes, and resources from the semester to best prepare themselves for their upcoming exams.

If students are absent from school, they must submit a medical certificate and will be provided an opportunity to then resit the exam missed in Exam Catch Up time, these catch up exams must be pre-arranged with Mr. Brown or a member of the Senior Years Team. Students are not permitted to leave the exam before the stated time. Any concerns are to be directed to your tutor teacher or Mr. Brown.

In the coming weeks students will undertake the annual Attitudes to School Survey. The Attitudes to School Survey is offered by the Department of Education and Training to assist schools in gaining an understanding of students’ perceptions and experience of school. Wyndham Central College values student voice to improve student engagement, wellbeing, and quality instruction. Our school will use the survey results to plan programs and activities to improve student’s schooling experience. Students from Year 7 to 12 at our school will participate in the survey during school hours. All survey data that is made available in reports are for groups of students only so that no individual student can be identified.

To support students' preparedness for their upcoming exams, they engaged in an Elevate Education Seminar entitled "Ace Your Exams." This seminar was designed to equip students with essential strategies: from honing exam preparation techniques and pinpointing and rectifying errors for ongoing progress, to creating effective study schedules and managing stress and time constraints during exams. Elevate's commitment to student success extends beyond the seminar; each student has received an activity booklet and implementation kit. These resources facilitate the integration of acquired skills across different subjects, ensuring optimal preparation for each exam.

Key dates for the remainder of term:

GAT/Exam Assembly Monday 20th of May
Year 12 and AVID Photos Tuesday 28th of May
Unit 3 Exams Commence Thursday 30th of May
Student Free Day Friday 7th of June
King’s Birthday Public Holiday Monday 10th of June
Semester two commences Tuesday 11th of June
GAT Tuesday 18th of June
Last day of Term 2 Friday 28th of June

Ashlin Brown – Year 12 Year Level Leader

ashlin.brown@education.vic.gov.au

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