Deputy Principal's Report

Uniform
The College and Federation of schools place great importance upon the requirement and appropriate wearing of a school uniform.
With the commencement of the school year, we do require that all students wear the College uniform with pride and variations to the uniform policy will not be accepted. The uniform policy and its requirements can be located on the college website and school diary.
In order to uphold the appropriate presentation of the College uniform, a uniform duty will be allocated in the mornings, to ensure that all students are in the correct uniform on their arrival at school. For uniform variations to be altered, students will be required to complete a lunchtime “Yard Beautification” program. For incorrect uniforms, student will have the options of contacting home to obtain the correct uniform or alternatively will receive a suspension.
If there is a legitimate reason for any item of the uniform not being able to be worn, a note from a parent or guardian is required. The note must be given to and signed by the cluster coordinator who will allow a formal exemption to be provided for the time required to meet the uniform requirements.
We ask that parents continue to support the College in maintain a high standard of presentation for the students of our schools.
During Term 1 and 4 students are to be in their Summer Uniform as described below.
Boys
- Blazer: CRC Blazer Trousers Navy Blue with CRC monogram.
- Shorts: Navy Blue with CRC monogram. Worn with navy blue socks.
- Summer Only Shirt: White short-sleeve shirt with CRC monogram.
- Jumper: CRC Jumper can only be worn to and from the College if under the Blazer.
- Tie: Optional, if worn the tie is to be done up to the shirt collar and worn correctly.
- Shoes: Black leather lace up school shoes. No street shoes or black runners.
- Socks: Navy Blue.
- Cap: Plain Navy Blue
Girls
- Blazer: CRC Blazer Dress
- CRC Summer Dress: Length - On the knee
- Jumper: CRC Jumper can only be worn to and from the College if under the Blazer.
- Shoes: Black leather lace up school shoes. No slip on, ballet or T-Bar style shoes.
- Socks: White short or long socks
- Cap: Plain Navy Blue
Jewellery
- Earrings are restricted to one small plain stud or sleeper in each ear lobe.
- No facial piercing jewellery may be worn. (This includes no clear caps in existing facial piercings)
- No necklaces, rings, bracelets or bangles other than a medical emergency bracelet or a discreet necklace with a cross/
- Crucifix.
Appearance
- No extreme hairstyles (This includes extremes of length, style or colour (only natural shades) as deemed by the Principal.)
- No tails.
- Hair accessories should be navy. No bandannas to be worn.
- No tattoos are to be visible whilst students are in college uniform
- Any make up is to be discreet. Eye make up or nail polish should be natural shadings only.
Medical Information
Catholic Regional College Sydenham is no longer using Care Monkey.
At the College we have reverted to using paper forms for the collection of student medical information.
Year 11 students received their forms at the conclusion of 2017. Year 12 students received their forms on Tuesday 13th February.
We ask that families please return these forms no later than Friday 23rd February.
As well as these medical forms, we do require that all management plans for anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes and other serious medical conditions please be brought to the college immediately. Without this important documentation, student may not be permitted on site.
Attendance,Achievement and Promotion at Catholic Regional College Sydenham
For students to learn most effectively and achieve their potential in Year 11 and 12 they need to attend classes. Attendance is monitored at each lesson to ensure that students meet the minimum attendance as required by the College and the VCAA. As outlined in the College Attendance, Achievement and Promotion Policy, students must not have more than 250 minutes of Unapproved Absence per semester in any subject. Students who exceed this limit will receive an N (Not Satisfactory) result in that unit or units of study. An absence can be approved for a number of reasons. For an absence to be approved due to illness a Medical Certificate should be provided. However, a Statutory Declaration made out by parents will also be accepted for an absence on a single day if it is made on the day of the absence and provided to the College within three days of the absence occurring. A range of school approved activities will also be automatically approved absences, including camps and excursions. Meetings with a College Counselor will also be approved. If a student is experiencing difficulty at home, this should be communicated to the relevant Cluster Coordinator who may also approve certain absences.
It should be noted that VCE and VCAL students are also required to actually be in attendance for a minimum of 75% of classes within a semester to eligible to receive an S result for that unit. This means that student’s absences, even approved absences, must not exceed 25% for a student to remain eligible to pass the unit.
Parents are advised to delay any extended holidays or travel during the final years of secondary education. If the absence is significant students may need to consider deferring their study, extending their VCE over three years, or enrolling in Distance Education. If an extended absence/ holiday is being considered parents are required to notify the College Principal in writing.
In order for both VCE and VCAL students to be promoted to the next year level, the student must receive a Satisfactory (S) overall result in at least 75% of VCE, VCAL or VET units undertaken in a calendar year. Students who do not achieve this may risk their ability to graduate or be promoted to Year 12.
The full policy is available on the College website under the Current Students tab – student policies. These expectations exist to enable students to achieve to their full potential within their studies. Parents are encouraged to contact the College if they require clarification about this policy and the accompanying procedures.
Subject Changes
Please note that the deadline for Semester 1 subject changes has passed. Subsequent subject changes must be processed by your son/daughter’s Cluster Coordinator. Any subject change from this point will require significant evidence from a well-being or learning perspective.
Estimated ATAR
Year 12 VCE students will receive an Estimated ATAR result based on their school assessed and examination performance in 2017. The purpose of this exercise is to provide students with a snapshot of their performance in Year 11. This data should then be used to create realistic and achievable study goals for Unit 3-4 subjects in 2018.
Unscored VCE Program (UVP)
A number of students have indicated that they wish to undertake an Unscored VCE in 2018. This approach to the VCE allows students to be assessed for satisfactory completion of VCE units through a variety of assessment modes. Note that only students that are not looking for a University pathway directly from school should consider this option. Students are able to opt into the UVP at any point of the Year 12 academic year. The estimated ATAR will also give parents and students an indication of the expected ATAR range and may prompt discussions about the appropriateness of the UVP.
Unit 3-4 Trial Examinations
Parents and students are reminded that Unit 3-4 Trial Examinations will be held during the term 3 holiday break. All students undertaking a scored unit 3-4 study are expected to sit these trial exams. Dates for these exams are Thursday 27 September – Friday 5 October.