From the Principal Class Team

BYOD Program

A critical component of our Teaching and Learning Strategy at St Albans Secondary College is harnessing technology to improve the student learning. Technology is used by our teachers in a range of ways to engage students, connect them real-world contexts and develop higher order thinking skills. There are a range of tools we also use to check student understanding, embed critical and creative thinking and differentiate instruction. To that end, all students are required to bring an approved device to school to use in their class under the guidance of their teachers.

If you are thinking of upgrading your device or purchasing a new one, please review the minimum system specifications which are detailed below. Please note that new devices, or devices brought from home will need to be 'imaged' with the school specified applications and settings. This process will not affect normal home use and is provided free of charge by our school IT Department. We also have a number of business partnerships that can offer discounted pricing and financing options to support you with the purchase of a new device. Please refer to the BYOD section of our school website for more information.

The school also provides and equity device loan program for students experiencing financial hardship. For more information on this program, please speak to your Sub School team.

Year 7 Camps

Each Year 7 class will attend a school camp during Terms 1 & 2 to our Outdoor Education Centre in the beautiful Strathbogie ranges. These compulsory camps are a vital part of our curriculum and help to build connectivity across our Year 7 cohort through a focus on our College Values. We thank all the families in our school community for their support of this program, which supports students in their social and emotional development. Camp dates are detailed below. For more information please refer to our Camp Coordinator Mr Mark Micallef.

Year 7 transition

We would like to officially welcome all of the new Year 7 students and families new to the College. The students have settled in really well, and have been making friends, learning the new processes and understanding the ways of secondary school. A particular thank you to the Junior Sub School team, and all of the Year 7 teachers for their support of the new students. If you have any concerns about how your child is settling, or have any other questions, please contact the relevant coordinator.

Grade 6 night

The information evening for prospective Year 7 students 2019 will be held on Tuesday, 13 March, 5.30pm to 8.30pm in the Performing Arts Centre. Please pass this information on to any of your friends or acquaintances who may be interested in finding out more about St Albans Secondary College.

Compass

A reminder that it is very important that all families are able to log onto the parent portal, Compass. This can be accessed through the College’s website, and usernames and passwords have been sent out previously. On Compass you will be able to see students assessment results, read progress reports, access Student Weekly Planners and approve and pay for excursions. This year we will also be using Compass to book Parent Teacher interviews. If you have any difficulty logging on the Compass please contact the General Office.

Progress reports

Term 1 progress reports, which will include assessment grades, will be available on Compass on the following dates:

Year 7 to 11: Wednesday, 14 March 2018

Year 12: Friday, 16 March 2018

We encourage all parents to log on and read these reports, to help understand how your child is settling in to the new academic year. Where there are concerns in a number of subjects, coordinators will make contact directly with families.

School photos

School photos will be held on Monday, 26 February. Further information and prices will be sent out prior to the day. Family portraits will be taken during recess and lunchtime. Once again all ordering and payments will occur through Compass.

Year 12 Parent Information Evening

On Monday, 5 February all Year 12 parents were invited to a session to outline the expectations of the Year 12 program being undertaken by students in either VCE or VCAL. The evening was run by the dedicated Senior School Team who went through key dates and support for both parents and students. Parents were addressed by a speaker from the Elevate Program, a study skills initiative which is designed to optimise the strengths of all learners. The speaker, a recent successful graduate, outlined the importance of balance and sticking to designated study schedules, allowing time for other interests and physical activity. This was a great lead in to the year and fitted in well with the theme of the Year 12 Camp.

Year 12 Study Skills Camp

On 8 to 9 February the Year 12 study camp was held at University College in Parkville. Guest speakers included the writer of the play being studied in the English classes who gave an indepth account of her themes and the background for her characters. It certainly made the play come to life. Students participated in a wellbeing session, and there were pathways and careers presentations, VCAL workshops and tours of Melbourne University and RMIT. All staff and students who attended found it a very positive and worthwhile experience. Thank you to all those staff who attended and supported the camp, including Ms Dowsley who was well received on reading a wonderful story highlighting the opportunities that lay ahead for our students, ask your son or daughter to read you the book they were each given. Congratulations to the Senior Sub School Team on organising such an informative and well run camp for the Year 12 students.

Student Learning Advisory Team (SLAT)

The SLAT group is again active in 2018 having had their first meeting on 12 February to discuss the provision of feedback for staff on key aspects of learning. This group is made up of dedicated students from Years 7-12 some of who attended a forum last year as part of our school vision to increase student voice at St Albans Secondary College. This group share ideas and insights that provide support for the instructional framework used throughout the school. They are assisting the framing of questions for a student survey as well as speaking to staff about what it means to be a learner at SASC and how we can best support their learning so that all students experience growth across the curriculum. It is an exciting initiative which we will be building on throughout 2018 and beyond.

Baby news

Congratulations to Antoinette, our highly regarded Office team member, and her husband Matt on the arrival of their baby girl, Arianna. We wish you all the best as you get to know your daughter.

Congratulations also to Simon Morrow and his partner Le who welcome the safe arrival of Allegra Rose Marrow Orozco. Allegra was born on 31 January 2018 at 7.25 am weighing 2920 g.

And finally....

Thank you to all of our parents for your excellent support in ensuring that your daughters and sons have been well prepared for the start of the year. We have had such a positive start, and this is in part due to your efforts, especially with books, equipment and uniform.

If you have any concerns or questions about how your child has settled in, please don’t hesitate to contact their Year Level Coordinator.