Principal's Message
Dear Families,
As we continue our remote learning journey this term, I would like to commend you all on your adaptability, persistence and resilience, and encourage students to keep doing your very best every day. Look after yourself, do things that make you happy and stay connected with your family and friends. Please reach out for support if you're feeling down. We have four weeks of Term 3 to go and hopefully in the near future, we can look forward to once again enjoying the things we love to do with our families and friends.
Our Year 12 students are focusing on completing their final units of study this semester. We were pleased to hear the Minister's announcement regarding the new "Consideration of Educational Disadvantage" process to calculate VCE scores this year. This means that each student's circumstances and disruptions to learning will be taken into account and their final VCE scores and ATAR will be adjusted accordingly. I encourage all of our Year 12's to keep doing your best, keep up with your work and stay motivated, because you are nearly there!
Some of our staff have kindly shared their remote learning set up at home! More next issue...
Good news - new school construction
I am pleased to report that SJ Higgins have been appointed as the builder of our new school in Cairnlea. At our first site meeting, they advised that they are currently setting up their site sheds and plan to commence construction (with a reduced workforce due to restrictions) next week.
The development of our new school has been a discussion that has been ongoing for 10 years. Our students and wider community certainly deserve this, and I look forward to sharing more information with you as it comes to hand.
Free webinar for parents/carers
On Tuesday 25 August, the Department of Education and Training is presenting a free webinar for parents and carers by renowned child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, on building family resilience during coronavirus (COVID-19). Parents and carers play a vital role in helping children feel safe through uncertain times.Dr Carr-Gregg’s webinar is aptly named Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era.In this webinar, Dr Carr-Gregg provides tools and strategies for parents and carers to help manage the lockdown and remote learning. Topics include:
- your supportive role
- setting the emotional tone
- focusing on what you can control
- how to deal with disappointment
- further resources and where to get help.
Dr Carr-Gregg’s presentation will run for 45 minutes. This will be followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session in which parents and carers can ask Dr Carr-Gregg questions.
Webinar details
- When: Tuesday 25 August
- Time: 7:30pm - 8.30pm
- Duration: 45-minute presentation followed by 15-minute questions and answers session
- Format: online via Webex
- Cost: free
How to register
To register and for more information visit the
Access to e-Books
Jacaranda have generously extended complimentary access to the digital book bundle until the end of Term 3 due to the current situation and the necessity to learn from home.
Students can access a Jacaranda eBook account here: https://www.jacplus.com.au. This link is also available under the "School Favourites" on Compass.
Students will need to know their student code, which is the username they use to access Compass, School Computers, and School Email. Students can ask their teachers, office staff, or IT staff for their student code if they are unsure.
To log in to your Jacaranda account, use:
Username: <student code>@vusc.vic.edu.auPassword: Vicunisc3023
Information from Dept of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
People from refugee and asylum seeking backgrounds (including temporary visas) are eligible for 2 free reusable facemasks that are being provided to vulnerable Victorians by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services. These can be accessed through community health centres, pharmacies or councils. More information about the free reusable masks (including eligibility criteria) can be found at: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/reusable-face-masks-covid-19.
Translated written and video materials on masks are being published on the coronavirus site as they become available, including how to use, how to make, and how to access free masks if eligible: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/translated- resources-coronavirus-disease-covid-19.
Talking to your child about coronavirus - translated information
Translated info from DET is being updated and added to this page regularly: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/Pages/translated-advice.aspx
Languages include:
- Amharic, Arabic, Dari, Dinka, English, Hindi, Karen, Khmer, Oromo, Punjabi, Samoan, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Swahili, Tamil, Tigrinya, Tongan, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese
Free Triple P Positive Parenting Program
Families can now access free expert parenting advice through the online Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, courtesy of the Department of Education and Training.
The program is relevant to families with children between 2 and 16 years and provides strategies to deal with specific challenges, such as building children’s resilience and dealing with conflict.
There are courses specifically for parents of toddlers to tweens, and for parents of pre-teens to teens.
It gives parents strategies to:
- raise happy, confident kids
- manage misbehaviour so everyone in the family enjoys life more
- set rules and routines that everyone respects and follows
- encourage positive behaviour
- take care of themselves as a parent
- feel confident they’re doing the right thing.
Parents can sign up to the Triple P program via this link.
Elaine Hazim
College Principal
*******************************************************************************************
Child Safety at VUSC
Victoria University Secondary College is a child safe organisation committed to protecting students from all forms of abuse.
Our College has stringent protocols in place and endeavours at all times to be fully compliant with the Child Safe Standards set out under Ministerial Order 870.
Our College has the following documents and policies in place to achieve compliance with the Standards. All of these documents are available for downloading on our website or contact the school for a copy.
- Commitment to Child Safety
- Child Safety Policy
- Child Safety Code of Conduct
- Child Protection Policy and Procedures