From the Principal
Principal's Report
It’s been three weeks since the last newsletter and I feel like it has been three months. The past weeks have been all about travel and exploring the possibilities open to us.
China Trip
Last week I travelled to China with Mr Tan to sign our Sister School agreement with the Xiaoshan District Xianghu Middle School. Not only did we sign the Sister School Agreement, but we visited the Xiaoshan District Jin Song Primary School, the Clare International English, the Xiaoshan District 1st secondary vocational technical school, similar to the HDSC. We now have established the connections not only for our students to visit each other’s schools, but for students of the HDSC to work in similar settings in China and for our graduate students to work as language teachers overseas. The pace at which china is growing, building new schools, new industries and new cites is staggering but our timing is perfect and for Baimbridge students the idea of being a global citizen is now a reality. It may initially be a little bit daunting to think of travelling so far from home but what you will see and learn as a student of Baimbridge, the HDSC or a gap year graduate will change your thinking forever. You need only show a little courage.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Tan who is passionate about wanting our school to experience a different culture and showcasing our way of life to others. The trip was enlightening and opened my eyes to the many possibilities that we can explore as a school, from the use of technology to reduce the geographical constraints we face as a rural community being connected to industry to the opportunities for our students beyond Baimbridge working in China. I foresee this relationship as being mutually beneficial to the students from years 7-10 in particular but also HDSC students and even our parents for many years to come.
Year 11 Tertiary Institutions Camp
Reports from both students and staff are that the Year 11 Tertiary camp was a very successful one. Giving our students an idea of Tertiary life beyond Baimbridge is an integral part of future decision making for them. Students will now have an idea of what University or TAFE feels like and that can drive their motivation further for their studies. The trip also opened a few eyes to the facilities that are on offer, I hear that the exact replica hospital rooms at ACU were very impressive. Our students were exposed to courses and career options that they had not yet considered and this in itself is invaluable.
Transition Visits
Some of our Year 7 students have been visiting their Primary Schools in the past week to talk about life at Secondary School before we host the district Grade 5’s on Tuesday the 23rd of July next term. Feedback from the students is that their Primary Schools are very small and that whilst it was lovely to visit, they feel that they identify as Baimbridge students now and feel that they have transitioned from their primary education in full. We look forward to meeting the district 5’s next term and seeing what they are capable of when they attend Secondary School for a day. Thanks to Mrs Cook for her work on this.
Work Experience
I have signed many work experience forms over the past few weeks and am impressed with some of the initiative shown, from leaving Hamilton to experience city life and work to attending local industry as a follow through to already established pathways, I look forward to hearing the results of the Year 10’s experience of full time work and wish them luck in their chosen fields. Thank you to Mrs Vincent for your work in organising this for our students.
Year 9
Year 9 are about to have a busy couple of weeks with the Melbourne Experience and Careers Week, once again, Mrs Vincent has put together a great program where students will be speed dating with local professionals and exploring the world of opportunity that is open to them. Parents are reminded that if your child is not attending the Melbourne Experience that they are expected to attend school as a timetable will be in place and fully operational classes running for the week.
Attitude to School Surveys
We have completed the Attitude to School Surveys for our students, this data collection helps drive our Annual Implementation Plan and we utilise this data in all aspects of school planning. Parent surveys will be issued to a random sampling later in the year.
Reporting
We are nearing the end of the Semester, reports will be issued at 2:30PM on Friday 28th June when students are dismissed. If you do not have access to Compass to download reports we invite you to request a printed copy from the school. Reports will look a little different in years 7 – 10 with a summary of results only, for all feedback on common assessment tasks (CATS) completed throughout the year you can log into compass at any time and check the feedback as they are graded. Year 11 and 12 will have a generalised comment on the progress in the subject as well as the grade achieved.
Warwick Price
Principal