School News

EDUCATION SUPPORT WEEK

August is the time that we acknowledge the huge contribution that Educational Support staff make to the school team. They are often the unsung heroes that help keep our school moving, happy and relaxed. Support staff include teacher aids, office staff, library, IT, volunteers - to name a few. 

To say thank you we will be hosting a morning tea in the Library on Friday at recess (10:45am). You are all warmly welcome to join us, all we ask is that you bring along something sweet or savoury to share. We will provide the tea and coffee. 

Collingwood College

INCIDENT ALERT

An  incident occurred during lunchtime on Wednesday 17/8/16 near the Vere Street entrance to the school.  An unidentified person passing by the school attempted to speak to a small number of secondary students through the school fence.  The students notified the yard teacher immediately and school systems and processes were followed as per our emergency management plan. The students involved are to be commended for responding responsibly in the situation.

P-1 students were sent back into the classrooms for a period of fifteen minutes and additional staff entered the yard promptly to provide extra assistance.  Remaining students were moved away from the unidentified person.

The response from all staff and students was excellent.  Our procedures were timely and efficient and we will continue to remind students of the ‘Stranger Danger’ awareness required in these types of situations.

We ask that you use this matter to  remind those students who travel to Collingwood from outside of immediate area to be mindful of a safe travel plan that you should devise for your children’s travel each day.

Coincidently, we have been planning an evening forum for parents to meet representatives from The Met and our local Community policing unit. This is planned to occur before end of term. Stay tuned  for the confirmation of date and time.

Dale Perichon

Collingwood College Principal

TAFE AND UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS

VCE students (and others) may be interested in attending TAFE and University Open days. Most of the larger institutions have webpages dedicated to their Open Day that enables assistance and planning for the day. 

http://www.openday.com.au/tertiary/melbourne/

This link shows dates and times for institutions across Melbourne and also links to the institution website.

In Advisory over the next few weeks we will be talking to the Year 12 students about the process for VTAC applications and other relevant pathways to life beyond school. The earlier and the better the planning, the easier this process can be!

Euan Morton

Senior Learning Community Leader

YEAR 9 & 10 NEWS

Another busy week for Years Nine and Ten!

Year Nine

Thanks to everyone who attended the Year Ten Information evening on Wednesday last week. Further information and documentation about electives for 2017, the Year Ten Handbook and Work Experience is available on the school website and Compass newsfeed. Thanks also to parents who have offered a Work Experience placement for a Year Ten student in 2017. We really appreciate your support.

The Year Nine home group rooms looked spectacular in support of their Olympic teams (perhaps I’m a bit biased but Team GB’s classroom was particularly good!) Well done to everyone for getting involved.

Year Ten

Year Ten have lots on over the coming weeks. Please check Compass events carefully and ensure you have paid and consented where required.

On Tuesday 23rd August, Year Ten students will be visiting the Reach Foundation at their Dream Factory in Collingwood to explore gender identity and interpersonal relationships. They will also have a follow-up session on Friday 2nd September.

Year Ten have also been super busy deciding their future pathways. This week they have been meeting with home group and advisory teachers for one-to-one interviews in order to prepare for their Panel Presentation Interviews from 24th-26th August. Well done Year Ten for all your hard work in preparing for this, I know it’s a nerve-wracking time for all of you! Good luck with your panels next week too.

Work Experience is on the horizon from 12th - 16th September. Please make sure you have returned your completed form to me or Lisa – these were due on August 15th. Hurry and I might squeeze in another reward session for those who are ready to go out into the world of work…

Attendance

Attendance at Year Nine and Ten has dipped in the past couple of weeks - I understand it is the season for colds and illness and quite a few students have been suffering! Please support the school and your child by telephoning us to report absences; updating reasons for non-attendance on Compass; and providing notes and medical certificates where needed. These should be given to home group teachers upon your child's return to school. 

WORK EXPERIENCE

Please return Work Experience forms to Lisa Owens or Christa Malone as soon as possible. Please contact us if you have been unable to find a placement for your son or daughter.

If you're able to help students with networking and offer a Work Experience Placement for 2017, or have a contact in any industry who may be able to, please contact Christa - christam@collingwood.vic.edu.au

Christa Malone

Year 9 & 10 Learning Community Leader

10D SURVEYING AND CLIMBING

Mt Arapiles never knew what hit it when 10D arrived last week. Armed with climbing shoes, surveying equipment and enough jelly to feed an army, the class survived inclement weather, vertical rock, and temperamental theodolites. They climbed each morning, then surveyed every afternoon, and they are currently working on their maps of the area. It’ll be 10C’s turn in November.

Ross Richards

Outdoor education

'WELCOME SWALLOWS' NEWS

Dear Welcome Swallows members and others,

In case you don't know, we hold a public meeting at school once a fortnight where any members are welcome to join in. This term we will hold the meetings on Fridays. If you are not yet a 'Welcome Swallows' member and would like to be, please let us know and we will add you to our members list. Alternatively you can contact our teacher, Kate Schmeiszl: schmeiszl.kate.m@edumail.vic.gov.au

Are you aware that the coal mining in Victoria is not only fuelling electricity, it's also fuelling climate change? Recently, the government expressed their intention to close Hazelwood- the biggest brown coal power station in Victoria. 

Another thing to be aware of is that there are many more endangered species of animals, which sadly i