Principal's Report
Whole School Expectations
As teachers at Brentwood Secondary College we are all very proud of our students and their various attributes, passions and achievements. The House Hub team of Heads of Houses and House Leaders work closely with staff and students on our agreed whole school expectations; outlined below:
Whole School Expectations
A member of Brentwood Secondary College:
COMMUNITY
• Wears full College uniform
• Upholds the 10 school values
• Cares for the College environment
• Celebrates success
RESPECT
• Respects student learning
• Respects the rights of others
• Respects equipment/property
• Respects the Staff
RESPONSIBILITY
• Is punctual
• Is prepared for learning
• Doesn’t give up
• Does their best
• Submits work on time
TECHNOLOGY USE
• Only uses devices in class to enhance learning
• Only uses software on devices in class to enhance learning
• Only uses devices in class with permission from their staff
Now that we have an established House System fully operational, a particular focus in 2020 is to ensure that an agreed student management plan is implemented consistently by all staff. Teachers will be collaborating together to improve the positive climate for learning by developing their capacity to use a strengths based approach which allows students to develop higher levels of positive engagement. Hopefully this will be reflected in your interactions with the college and clearly visible on your child’s Compass Chronicle.
Congratulations to each of the four houses and all the staff here at Brentwood for laying the foundations for a fantastic year ahead. Please find below a report from each of the Heads of House celebrating a successful beginning to 2020.
Peter Rhodes, Associate Principal
Banksia Report
What a great start to the year with students settling in nicely to 2020 both as returning families or those new to us this year. It has been fantastic to see Banksia House culture continue to grow since its implementation year last year, and through the House Activity on Year 12 Camp and Swimming Sports we have already seen pride and spirit grow. Thank you to all families for supporting the College and getting prepared with all the right materials, uniform and getting to school ready to learn.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind families to continue to engage with Compass both to approve events, update any attendance information and engage in your child’s learning and assessment. Please keep a look out for the opportunity to book an appointment for Learning Conferences on 19th March to meet staff and engage in conversations to improve your child’s achievements. I would also remind families that students should not have access to their parent’s log in information for Compass as student and parent log ins are separate and it’s very important that students are not accessing this information. Please contact the General Office if you need to update your Compass details.
We are endeavouring to improve our Positive Climate for Learning at Brentwood and staff will be celebrating positive interactions and behaviours they see from students with Green Chronicles and love the chance to recognise and share these moments. Please look out for emails and Compass Chronicles of this nature to also celebrate with your child at home.
We welcome you contacting us here in Banksia House via phone or email and encourage you to make an appointment if you would like to see us in person to discuss anything further.
Kind regards,
Acting Head of Banksia House – Phil Van Ginneken
Year 7 Banksia House Leader – Eliza Chancellor
Year 8 Banksia House Leader – Yogeeta Singh
Year 9 Banksia House Leader – Rhett Jordan
Year 10 to 12 Banksia House Leaders – Marty Strong and Jim Davatzis
Jacaranda Report
On behalf of the whole Jacaranda family of students and staff, it is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to reflect on the first four weeks of the school year. With classes in full swing, Year 12 Camp complete, the Swimming Carnival day over and our new Year 7s heading out for their first camp for their time at a Brentwood, I have been extraordinarily proud of the attitude and approach Jacaranda students have had to the start of the year.
Year 12 camp saw our Jacaranda students demonstrate exemplary team work and attitude to the program. Jacaranda was the recipient of the inaugural “Year 12 Camp House Cup” competition. Students worked together with trivia, banner making, team building and an escape room. They were outstanding team members and staff commented on their performance.
Jacaranda also came second in the Swimming Carnival with many students participating on the day and representing their house. Congratulations to ALL participants.
Part of my portfolio is overseeing the Camps, Excursions and Events at Brentwood. I would like to remind all families that our number one form of contact is via compass and all events, camps and excursions that require consent and/or payment require this to be completed at least two days prior to the date of the camp, excursion or event. It is vital that parents are checking compass on a regular basis and ensure their email address is up to date with the school. We are not able to accept late payment or consent after the due date. We thank you for your support in ensuring this occurs.
I look forward to getting to know the Jacaranda families more as the year progresses and will keep you up to date with the successes our amazing students achieve. The team are here to work with our students and families as we navigate this year together. Please feel to contact us at any time with questions or concerns.
Until next time,
Head of Jacaranda House - Joel Batalha
Year 7 Jacaranda House Leader - Kieran Shah
Year 8 Jacaranda House Leader - Michelle Meadows
Year 9 Jacaranda House Leader - Brendan Parkes
Year 10-12 Jacaranda House Leader - Lauren Davine and Andrea Weinbergs
Waratah Report
Welcome back to all our existing families in 2020 and a very warm welcome to all our new families joining our community for the first time both at Year 7 and all other year levels, I hope that you all had an excellent start to the year and are settling in nicely.
2020 has brought with it the implementation of our new ASPIRE program for Year 7-10 every Friday Period 3 which stands for Attitude, Self-Reflection, Positivity, Individuality, Relationships and Engagement. ASPIRE is a program carefully designed by a group of staff at the College to build student’s skills in their personal development and increase their connectedness to the College and their ASPIRE Teacher. The vision for the ASPIRE program empowers all to become active agents in their own development as learners and as people, to thrive in a global community and be future ready. Students complete these sessions in their ASPIRE OneNote notebooks and each session is run by their ASPIRE teacher, I encourage you to have a conversation with your children around what they have learnt so far. Over the first few weeks, Year 7 and 9 have focused on ‘Emotional Literacy’, Year 8 have focused on ‘Dollars and Cents’ and Year 10 have been focused on preparing themselves for Work Experience.
Last week, students engaged in our Swimming Carnival at Monash Aquatic Centre and it was incredible to see so many students and staff wearing their House colours, representing their Houses in competitions and novelty events. Congratulations to Waratah House on winning the carnival and to our new House Captains, Hailee Bourke and James Yu who were presented with the cup.
At Athletics Sports on Friday 13th March, I encourage all students to get involved in at least one activity, wear their House colours with pride and attend the day with their friends. Athletics is a great chance to contribute and get involved regardless of previous experiences in Sport.
Please contact Waratah House at the College with any questions or information you might need and have a chat to us.
Kind regards,
Head of Waratah House – Vee Anrep
Year 7 Waratah House Leader – Robbie Muljana
Year 8 Waratah House Leader – Kelly Hall
Year 9 Waratah House Leader – Bella Whitton
Year 10-12 Waratah House Leaders – Sam Hollier and Chris Tsolos
Wattle Report
Firstly, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the new families who have joined the Brentwood community in 2020. We are extremely proud of how well our new students have settled in. Whether they are new to Brentwood in Year 8 or 9, or one of the 300 plus families who have joined us in Year 7, the students have made an impressive and seamless start.
It is pleasing to have heard so much positive feedback on how Wattle House students are immersing themselves in their learning and taking the time to get to know their teachers and peers. I would also like to congratulate Wattle House students on the way they have exhibited school pride; through the wearing of correct uniform, their respectful manner in class, the positive attitudes they have displayed to their studies and their participation in house swimming.
Over the course of the year there are many ways for Brentwood students to get involved with their house, demonstrate house pride and earn house points for the coveted House Cup. At each year level there are House Captains who aim to represent their cohort and guide the programs that students want and need to feel success and a connection to the College. The House Hub is a welcoming space and House Leaders encourage students to drop in and share their ideas for improving their connectedness to the College.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Wattle House Office if you have any questions, concerns, attendance information or feedback on what we are doing well.
All the best,
The Wattle House Team
Head of Wattle House – Chad Abersteiner
Year 7 and 8 Wattle House Leader – Kathleen Pryor
Year 9 Wattle House Leader – Sue Bach
Year 10 to 12 Wattle House Leaders – Nicole Green and Niema Allan