Principal's Report 

CONCLUSION OF FIRST SEMESTER AND WELCOME BACK

Thank you to all staff and students for their significant contribution throughout the first half of the 2022 school year, aware that we started Semester Two subjects in the last two weeks of Term Two! 

FARWELL TO HARRY RUFF

On Friday evening the school community was able to farewell Harry Ruff (VSC Assistant Principal) who has taken an ongoing position as Principal of Mullauna College.

Harry arrived at Vermont at the beginning of 1995 having completed some 3 years at Golden Square S/C in Bendigo. So, Harry has been at VSC for some 27 years.

Right from his arrival in 1995 Harrys strengths were evident. His administrative & organisational skills, his love of his subject areas – predominantly English and German, his work ethic, and his problem-solving skills.

Apart from his classroom teaching Harry has been a year 7 and 9 Level Coordinator, a Leading teacher overseeing Junior School and then a substantive Assistant Principal at the college from 2008 and onwards. 

Harry’s most important attributes are his passion for the students, his dedication to teaching, and his dedication to the college and in particular the broader college program. Harry’s reliability, honesty, dependability, and openness in his role as Assistant Principal cannot be underestimated. He is a team player and one of the sincerest, most humble people you will meet.

For Harry, the school, staff and the students have always been the central focus. Harry has always been a strong advocate for all students within the college regardless of their ability level. He truly believes in the government education system and that access to it is a right, not a privilege. Along with this he has strongly supported, guided and built specialist programs and areas within the college such as Inclusion, Student well-being and Pathways. Combined with this has been his ongoing work and support of the Vermont House model and a huge involvement in the broader college programs such as camps and sport.

Harry, well done and best wishes with your new role.

2021 PREMIER’S VCE AWARDS

On Wednesday Tamara Green and I had the privilege of attending the 2021 Premiers VCE awards at the Melbourne Convention Centre.

The Premier’s VCE Awards recognises the outstanding results of individual students and pays tribute to the principals, teachers and families who play a valuable role in supporting theses students during their VCE studies.

The following two students from VSC were recognised at these annual awards -

• Juen Foh for Biology while in Year 11 in 2021 – teacher Tamara Green
• Mitchell Cann for German Year 12 2021 – teacher Brigitte Ankenbrand. Mitchell also achieved a perfect study score of 99.95, which is the highest one can achieve.

The annual Premier’s VCE Awards recognise the top-performing students in the state. This year, 298 students across 90 subjects were recognised with awards for their outstanding results. 

To view the full Honour Roll and to read more about the Premier’s VCE Awards, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-vce-awards

Well done to Juen and Mitchell for such an outstanding result and for letting us share the moment with you!.

Tamara Green with Juen and his biology award

Mitch Cann with Mr Jacobs and his German award.

STATE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONS

Congratulations to our Senior Boys Cross Country Team featuring Matt, Isaac, Mitch and Zac who placed 1st at the recent State Cross Country Event and were crowned state champions! It is a monumental effort for students to even qualify for Cross Country State Championships as approximately 68,000 students across primary and secondary schools participate in the event at first or second stages of qualification. To win the 17-20 years teams event is a fantastic achievement, well done!

In addition, the under 16 girls featuring Brooke, Evie, Erin and Cherise placed 4th overall in their age group. You can read more detail in the Sports Update later in the newsletter. 

NEVR ANNUAL CONCERT

On Monday evening I was able to attend the annual North-Eastern Victoria Regional concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank.

This was the first time in this beautiful venue and this ‘Spotlight’ concert featured a selection of individual and combined school ensembles and solos from across the North-Eastern Metropolitan Region. 

This included the:

Camberwell High School Concert Band 

Templestowe College Piano Soloist

Vermont Sec College / Wantirna College Combined Symphonic Band performing Gently blows the summer wind and Music for happiness

East Doncaster Secondary College Chamber Strings

Blackburn High School Clarinet Ensemble

Balwyn High School VCE Jazz Ensemble

Canterbury Girls Sec College Lore Folk Ensemble

Doncaster Secondary College Piano solo

Ringwood Secondary College Jazz Combo

Balwyn High School Vocal Soloist

Special guests were the Royal Australian Airforce Big Band. 

It was a great evening, and many thanks and congratulations go out to the talented students involved, the parents who attended, Ben Muddyman (Vermont) Daniel Van Bergen (Wantirna) for working with our students leading up to the event and conducting the orchestra on the evening and Khristian Mizzi for organising our involvement in the event and overseeing the students on the evening.  A fantastic performance by our students and a great evening. Well done to all involved!

UPCOMING VSC PRODUCTION - THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

Our school production, The Drowsy Chaperone, is just around the corner! 

It is a parody of a 1920's musical that is full of ridiculous dance numbers, silly gimmicks and cliches, and biting commentary about the world of musical theatre.

You can purchase your tickets here: https://compasstix.com/e/6ypa1on2sz Come see our talented students over six great performances!

• August 12th - Friday evening - 7:30 pm
• August 13th - Saturday evening - 7:30 pm
• August 14th - Sunday matinee - 2 pm
• August 18th - Thursday evening - 7:30 pm
• August 19th - Friday evening - 7:30 pm
• August 20th - Saturday evening - 7:30 pm

 Prices

Adult tickets - $27 Concession tickets - $22

Please note:  a small processing fee applies to ticket purchases. 

This show contains some adult themes. 

DET (DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING) COVID UPDATE – 

Please refer to the DET advice/information below in relation to testing & isolation and the wearing of facemasks in the classroom and on public transport.

Exemptions for testing and isolation - 

The period of time when someone is considered a recently confirmed case and therefore exempt from testing and isolation requirements has been reduced from the previous 12 weeks to 4 weeks.

This means that staff and children who are household contacts of people with COVID-19 are now required to undertake the testing and isolation requirements from 4 weeks after completing isolation with COVID-19. Previously, this exemption period was 12 weeks.

After the 4-week exemption period, students and staff members who are a household contact of a new COVID-19 case, must follow the rules for household contacts, including reporting this to their school. 

As part of this they must take 5 rapid antigen tests (RATs) over 7 days and receive negative test results and wear a face mask (if over 8 years old) in indoor spaces.

Families and staff will also have to report being a household contact to their school after this 4-week period.

Thank you again for your support for these important measures.

Letter from DET 

Dear Parents and Carers

We are writing to you as parents/carers of a child or children in government, Catholic and independent schools across Victoria.

The Victorian Department of Health strongly recommends that face masks are worn in indoor settings.

As a result, we are asking all students aged 8 and over and all staff in all schools across Victoria to wear masks when in class (except where removing a mask is necessary for clear communication) from now to the end of winter.

Students won’t be required or expected to wear masks when outdoors, and this expectation won’t stop student participation in the full range of school activities, including music, sport and performances.

We are asking for your support in explaining to your child or children the importance of this simple step that will help keep our schools as safe as possible.

We also ask that you make sure your child (or children) takes a mask to school (and wears it if they are travelling on public transport) or collects a mask when they arrive at school.

We all appreciate how important it is for students to be back at school. This action will help make sure as many students and staff as possible are protected from COVID and other winter illness.

Thank for your help with this collective effort to keep our communities safe and healthy.

Cycle 2 Reports

Finally, a reminder to the college community that the student mid-year reports (Cycle 2) became available online in the last week of Term Two. Parents/guardians can access these reports through ‘Compass Parent Portal’ available on the college website. If you have trouble accessing these reports or need password support, then please contact the General Office.