Melton Mail

Welcome Message from the Principal

Welcome to 2020 at Melton Secondary College 

Happy new year and a big welcome to students, parents and carers to the 2020 school year! I hope that the festive season and school vacation has been a happy one for you, providing time to relax and have fun with friends and family. I know from experience that the start of the school year can be a mixed blessing: relief that children looking for things to do, can return to school to reconnect with their studies and with staff and friends; and the pressure of adjusting the household to the routine of the school day. College staff returned to work last week and have been busy preparing for a smooth start. What follows are some important pieces of information about the start of the school year which I hope will assist you in preparing for the new school year.

Junior and Senior Sub-Schools

The college has reduced the number of sub-schools and we now have just two, a Junior Sub-School (Years 7-9) and a Senior Sub-School (Years 10-12). Each sub-school has a team of Team Leaders, a Team Manager and Heads of Year whose role it is to support student engagement and learning at each of the year levels.  Stay tuned for the next edition of Melton Mail for photos and a formal introduction to the wonderful sub-school teams.

The Senior Sub-School Office is in the same location next to the Canteen. The Junior Sub-School Office has moved to a larger space in the old administration building. Students can find the new JSS office via the walkway next to the Year 7 locker bay.

Attendance Counts Every Day

We want our students to be completely prepared and able to succeed in their learning by attending every day of school. The first days of the school year are incredibly important for attendance as this is when crucial information is provided and students make strong connections with the teachers and peers they will be learning with over the year.

All students are to bring books, equipment and materials on the first day of school. Timetables and lockers will be provided.

Year 7 Ready to Learn Day - Today!

Parents/carers would have received an email from Kathryn Sobey (Junior School Principal) about arrangements for this day.

Friday 1st February

Year 7 & 12 students commence

Students are to arrive no later than 8.45 am .

Year 12 students are to meet Mr Beliniak in the Canteen area and collect their 2020 timetable then attend P1 and P2 classes as normal. P3 Year 12 students will attend a Welcome Assembly in the Rec Court 1.

Monday 3rd February

All year levels and students attend.

Students in Years 8, 9, 10 & 11 are to arrive by 8.45 am 3 February. Students may check home group lists which will be posted on the Sub-School window.

At 9 am, Year 10 and 11 students are to go directly to Rec Court 2 where they will participate in a welcome assembly.

Year 8 and 9 students are to assemble in Courtyard 2 in their 2020 Home Groups. and then move to their P1 class.

New Mobile Phone Policy

All Victorian government schools are required to implement a local Mobile Phone Policy from the first day of Term 1, 2020. The full policy can be accessed via the college website.

 

At the end of 2019, the Melton Secondary College School Council developed and endorsed a new Mobile Phone Policy.  The key points of the policy are as follows:

  • Students who choose to bring mobile phones and personal mobile devices to school must have them switched off and securely stored in their lockers during school hours. Restrictions on mobile phone use also apply for school activities outside of these hours (e.g. Study Hall and Detention).
  • School hours are from first bell at 8.45 am to last bell at 3.10 pm (Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri) and 2.30 pm (Wed).
  • Students leaving the school during school hours may not use their personal mobile device while on school grounds.
  • Students who choose to bring ‘smart watches’ to school may wear this device, but must disable cellular network connections during school hours and make the device visible to staff if requested.
  • Accessories (including earphones/earbuds and speakers) are only permitted for use when under direct supervision of a teacher and connected to a school approved device in the Library, Senior Study Area or other area approved by the Principal.
  • Should parents, or carers wish to communicate with their child during school hours, they must do so by contacting the school office on 9743 3322.
  • Exceptions to this policy may only be granted by the Principal and must be officially documented. 
  • Breaches of the Mobile Phone Policy will result in consequences outlined in the DET and College Student Engagement and Wellbeing guidelines. 

Coronavirus advice for parents, families and school communities

The Department of Education has provided updated information for schools. (See attached). If you have any concerns about the health of a family member, please contact the dedicated hotline on 1800 675 398.

Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Factsheet

David Reynolds

Principal