Newsletter

Principal's Report

Welcome to 2022! 

I hope this message finds you well and that you enjoyed a lovely Christmas and were able to spend time with friends and family. 

Everyone at Maffra Secondary College is excited about journeying through this new year with you and your children.

This year as we begin our new Strategic Plan, staff will be focusing on a few key areas. Firstly, we will be launching an Instructional Model which describes what effective teachers do in their classrooms to engage students in intellectually challenging work. Throughout the year staff will receive professional development around the use and implementation of the Instructional Model. A student version of the Instructional Model has also been developed which outlines each child’s responsibilities towards their learning in each phase of the lesson. This links directly with our Key Improvement Strategy (KIS) – Embed an instructional model consistently across the college.

The second focus we will have is on student wellbeing and ensuring that we consistently embed our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework across the College. We will continue to focus on each of our School Values. Respect will be our Term 1 focus, followed by Learning, Resilience and then Community. All staff will set up routines and expectations within their classrooms based around the various systems and practices we have in place at the College which are aligned to SWPBS. The teaching our expected behaviours is extremely important in order to ensure a consistent approach across the College. This aligns directly with our KIS – Embed a positive behaviours framework consistently across the college.

Both of these focus areas will be supported by a whole school approach to Coaching for staff, using the GROWTH Coaching model. We have 15 staff onsite who will be the Lead Coaches and they will each have 2-3 staff they are coaching. Each Lead coach will be coached as well by two external consultants who undertake similar work in other school around Victoria.

The third focus will be on improving student engagement. We are pleased to have appointed Mrs. Kristen Raine to an Acting Learning Specialist position – Student Engagement and Community Partnerships. Her portfolio will be focused on strengthening school pride and connectedness, along with student voice and agency across our College. Kristen has been leading our student leadership program previously and led the review of our student leadership re-structure. She is passionate about student engagement and strengthening the partnerships with families and community organisations. This combined with the expansion of our House System to include lunchtime activities, a much wider variety of opportunities for students to earn house points that are both academically, community, leadership and sport related, is exciting.

Finally, all staff will be undertaking professional learning this year focused on the Science of Learning. This initiative is led by Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath which will deliver the latest and most impactful applications from the Learning Sciences and help teachers develop a deep understanding of the learning process. Throughout Semester 1 our professional learning will focus on how the brain works to make sense of reality/drive learning, before diving into the key principles of learning which will assist staff to identify how each principle might inform their daily educational practice and then evaluate these learning principles within their classroom. Semester 2 will focus on how humans learn, remember and apply new knowledge.

Our professional Learning program is central to how we as a staff continue to learn and improve for the benefit of our students, our staff and ourselves.

 

 COVID-19 UPDATE

As a Community, we have certainly had our share of in and out of lockdowns and new guidelines since Term 2, 2020 I am hopeful that if we all remain vigilant and follow the guidelines that we will be better placed to enjoy less interruptions in 2022 and it is pleasing to know that school closures are much less likely. It is important that we continue to implement a range of health and safety protocols to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and the wider community. If the government advice changes or we have a confirmed case within our School Community, we will communicate with you via Compass in a timely manner. 

We understand that each circumstance is unique. Should you have any questions relating to COVID-19 or would like to seek advice regarding your specific situation please email covid19support@maffrasc.vic.edu.au or call the School on 5147 1790.

 

FREE RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS

Free rapid antigen tests will be available for the first 4 weeks of Term 1 2022. Twice-a-week testing will be strongly recommended for both students and staff. We ask that student test on Sunday night/Monday morning and again on Wednesday night/Thursday morning. If your child has been away from school, please test on the morning prior to their return.

The Department of Education will supply the tests to our school – you do not need to buy your own. The test kits are currently available for collection from the Admin building.

Students and staff will do the tests at home; you only need to report their result if it is COVID-positive. It is extremely important that you report a COVID-positive result to:

  • the school via our COVID email address covid19support@maffrasc.vic.edu.au  This is so that we can offer support, record that they will be absent while in 7-day isolation, and let the rest of the school community know there has been a positive case onsite and that they should monitor for symptoms. In the email please include the following information:
    • Child’s full name
    • Year level
    • Date of positive test
    • Date of last day onsite at Maffra SC
  •  the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form or call centre on 1800 675 398.  

Information about how to do a test and how to read RAT results, including a how-to video translated into 33 languages, is available online.

 

HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS

There are different types of contacts and different rules apply. Please make sure you follow the right advice for your situation. For the purposes of school, Household or household-like contacts are defined as:

  • You have spent more than four hours with someone who has COVID-19 inside a house, accommodation or care facility.
  • You must quarantine for 7 days.
  • You must get tested on Day 1 of quarantine (or as soon as possible) and get tested again on Day 6 of quarantine - with a rapid antigen test, or a PCR test if you can’t access a rapid antigen test.
  • If you test positive on a rapid antigen test, you must report your result. Visit Reporting your result page for more information.

Household or household-like contacts are also referred to as close contacts.

If your child is deemed a Household contact, they must stay home for 7 days and test as stated above. Please also register this on via our COVID email address covid19support@maffrasc.vic.edu.au 

 

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

All staff working in schools need to be fully vaccinated or have a verified medical exception. 

COVID-19 vaccinations for students are not required for them to attend school but vaccination for students is highly encouraged. For more information on how to book a vaccination, including important information about vaccination for children aged 5 to 11, visit Vaccination information for children and teenagers. 

 

VENTILATION

We will also make sure that classrooms are well ventilated by opening windows and doors, to minimise the risk of infection. We have 37 air purifiers at the College and these have been distributed across classrooms, staff offices and sick bay. This does not allow us to have an air purifier in every classroom so we have prioritised based on the number of classes in the room each week. All classrooms with 12 or more classes in them have an air purifier. It is extremely important that no students touch these under any circumstances.

 

VITAL COVIDSAFE STEPS

Hand hygiene, sanitising desks and chairs in rooms and mask wearing will continue in Term 1. Where possible we will remind students to socially distance wherever possible. It is an expectation that all students will come to school with a face mask (unless a medical exemption applies). They are to be worn inside at all times and can be taken off when outdoors. All students travelling on the school bus must wear a face mask.

 

STAFFING OUR SCHOOL

I know many of you will have questions about what happens if your child’s teacher gets COVID-19. We have a plan to use other teachers and staff to ensure our COVID-19 safe steps are all in place to ensure our safety. The Department of Education will also help source staff for us if we are unable to cover classes. Returning to remote and flexible learning for a year level of the entire school community is an absolute last resort.

 

TRAVELLING ON SCHOOL BUSES

School buses will continue to run as normal. Students are expected to wear their face masks while travelling on buses. 

Our bus operators will continue to carry out regular cleaning to maintain hygiene standards on our buses.

 

SCHOOL PHOTOS 

Our school photos will be on Tuesday 7th February. Each child has received their photo pack and this needs to be brought back to school on the photo day with the money in the envelope. Even if you are not purchasing photos, the envelope still needs to be returned on Tuesday.

 

HOUSE SWIMMING SPORTS 

Next Wednesday 8th February, will be our House swimming carnival at the Maffra pool. All students are expected to attend and are able to dress up in their house colours to support their peers and compete in various competitive and novelty races. It is always a fun day for all involved and we look forward to seeing everyone there.

 

NEW STAFF 

Over the holidays we have been able to recruit more staff to join the Maffra Secondary College team. Please find below the list of new staff we have welcomed to our College community:

  • Mrs. Sarah Schellen – Year 7 Leading teacher, English and Humanities
  • Mr. Aaron Johnson – Maths
  • Rebecca Jackson – English, Food Technology and VCAL PDS
  • Ms. Katelyn Ross – Psychology, Maths and VCAL WRS
  • Ms. Georgia King – PE and Outdoor Ed
  • Ms. Jessica Sabourne – PE, Maths and Humanities
  • Mr.Tom Wheeler –PE and Science
  • Mrs. Poppy Setiawan – Indonesian Language Assistant

The following staff are temporarily filling vacancies due to the late notice of staff leaving or requesting leave. We are very grateful they have been able to fill in at short notice to ensure all students are supported from the first day of school:

  • Mrs. Patricia Newgreen – VCE Food Technology 
  • Ms. Heidi Bassler – Legal and coordination of COVID related information and processes
  • Ms. Fiona Neilson – Education Support
  • Ms. Meg Noble – Education Support

Over the holidays Mrs. Juanita Steer resigned from her Education Support role to take up a position at another school. Another Education Support staff member, Ms Tori Hunt applied for leave to take up a position closer to home and Ms. Marita Robson will be on sick leave for Term 1. This Wednesday we will also be farewelling Mrs. Kirsty Missen who will be taking up a new job to support the nursing qualification she is currently studying. On behalf of the College, we wish all of these staff every success in their new positions and send our best wishes to Ms Robson.

2021 VCE RESULTS  

Our entire College community was thrilled to hear in December that the Dux of Maffra Secondary College for 2021 was Joshua Caithness with an ATAR of 95.55. 

The College’s 2021 VCE results have increased across the board, with a new median study score of 28.  One in every seven students achieved an ATAR above 90 which places them in the top 10% of students in the State. We are very proud of our entire school leaving cohort, who have worked very hard and will go on to access a broad range of pathways, both vocational and academic.  The majority of our VCAL students have secured great apprenticeships, due to the broad range of learning experiences and skills they have gained through our applied learning programs and structured work placements. 

We were also delighted to announce that our 2021 VCE students are well on their way to the next chapters in their lives, after receiving their tertiary offers in mid-January. An amazing 65% of students received their first VTAC preference, while 31% received either their 2nd or 3rd preference. Our students are a diverse bunch - there is an exciting range of courses being offered, from paramedicine to engineering; from advertising to public health.

Sincere thanks to Mrs. Marie Clark, Careers and Pathways Coordinator who helped and supported our students and their families over the break. We welcome Mr. Mark Lomas to the Careers and Pathways team this year, taking on the role 4 days per week, supporting Mrs. Clark.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM 2022

After a review of our student leadership structure in 2021, I am pleased to announce the successful candidates for the following student leadership positions in 2022:

School Captains – Lily Dierickx and Angus Neaves 

School Vice Captains – Chloe Curran and Tristan Neaves 

Year 10 Student Leaders – Kasey Svenson and Meagan Webster

Year 9 Student Leaders – Ruby Anderson and Julia Reti

Year 8 Student Leaders – Olivia Palmer and Emily Svenson

Art Captains – Jaimee Scott and Ruby Wostenholme

Diversity Captains – Jye Missen and Meagan Webster

Environment Captains – Kade Meredith and Jeremy Smyth

Early this term we will finalise the remaining positions which includes our Year 7 Student leaders, the Student leadership teams at each year level, our House Leaders and the student representative on school council who will attend meetings alongside Baxter Mather.

Congratulations to all of the students who have been successful in gaining a leadership position in 2022. We look forward to seeing your leadership skills develop and bringing along all of our students to enhance student voice and agency, as well as connectedness across our College.

We will be holding a formal leadership assembly later this term to induct our student leaders and will let the community know once the date is finalised. Hopefully we will be able to hold this face to face and have parents/carers of our new student leadership team in attendance for this special occasion.

Finally, I would like to extend my warm welcome to all new families to our School Community and to welcome back all of existing families. Here’s to a great year ahead!

Kind regards

 

 

Ms Jennifer Roep

Principal