Beaufort Secondary College Newsletter

School News

General Reminders

  • Students are not permitted between the Drama Centre and the Primary School play area, with the exception of going to and from a PE class in the Gym or a Student Assembly in the Drama Centre.
  • Students are not to remain in corridors during recess and lunchtimes unless advised otherwise by a staff member.
  • For safety reasons, there is to be no running in and around the school buildings; please save this activity for the school oval and/or the basketball courts.
  • Please ensure you are attending class with all the necessary items you need to learn (charged laptop, stationery, exercise and text books and any required homework).
  • All sign-up sheets for inter-school sports will be placed on the sports noticeboard in the Link corridor. We encourage students to try out new sports in addition to those they are passionate about. Due to there being a limited time to submit teams in any given sport, we ask that you please sign up for your chosen sport/s as early as possible.
  • Sports equipment can be collected from and returned to the Year 12 Common Room, located opposite the library, each recess and lunchtime. Please ensure you are responsible for what you borrow, making sure to return it and have your name ticked off prior to your next class.
  • Breakfast Club is held at 8:30am each Monday and Wednesday in the Student Centre; all students welcome.
  • If you have misplaced an item on school grounds, please see Mrs Newberry in the Library to check the 'Lost Property' box.

 

Say 'No' to Bullying and Racism

Beaufort Secondary College prides itself on providing an inclusive environment for students to learn and grow. We have a zero tolerance policy towards racism and bullying of any kind. Further information can be located on our website; beaufortsc.vic.edu.au, under the policies tab.

Uniform Reminders

As the weather starts to warm, we ask that all parents and carers ensure students are attending in correct school uniform. Acceptable 'summer' uniform items include the summer dress for girls and/or school shorts and short sleeved polo or short sleeved white shirt, for both boys and girls. Please note that the sports uniform shorts and polo are only to be worn for sporting events and P.E. lessons, not as everyday school attire.

All students are required to attend school in complete school uniform, including school hats, beanies, socks and shoes. Please refer to the school website, beaufortsc.vic.edu.au, for all uniform requirements. If, for any reason, it is not possible for a student to attend in their full uniform, students will require a note from a parent or guardian stipulating the reason. If you have financial concerns relating to the uniform, please speak with one of our Assistant Principals, Simon De Zoete Spiero, Jackie Kerr or Kate McGinty, at the earliest opportunity. Uniforms can be purchased from Crockers, Ballarat.

  • Skirts, dresses and shorts must be of an acceptable length (generally between the knee and mid-thigh).
  • Hats and beanies are not to be worn inside, including both corridors, classrooms and the Gym. Please don't wait to be asked to remove them.
  • Hair past shoulder length is to be tied up at all times. Once again, please don't wait to be asked to do so. If you do not have a hair tie, please see Mr. De Zoete Spiero.
  • Earring studs, small sleepers and discreet necklaces may be worn, while the only facial piercing permitted is a small nose stud. Students will be expected to remove all other facial piercings and visible jewellery, including rings.
  • Discreet and natural makeup and nail polish are acceptable.

Yard Duty Supervision

We would like to remind parents, guardians and students of our before and after school supervision times. The school grounds are supervised between the hours of 8:30am until 3:40pm or until the last bus departs. Outside of these hours, school staff will not be available to supervise students.

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club runs every Monday and Wednesday morning from 8:30am in the Student Centre. This is a joint initiative of the Victorian Government and Foodbank and provides students with a variety of free, nutritious breakfast options including toast, muesli, yoghurt, pancakes, toasted sandwiches and fruit. Students are most welcome to come and help themselves to whatever they feel like on the day.

School Canteen

The School Canteen is once again open for business, however there is a limited menu available between now and the end of the year. As well as accepting cash, students are now able to pay using EFTPOS (cards only, no phones and all lunch orders need to be submitted by recess.

 

We would like to give an enormous shout out to all those who have ensured it could remain open for the remainder of the year, particularly Megan. Please refer to the Canteen Menu below for items and prices.

Crockers 10% Off All School Wear Sale

Our uniform supplier, Crockers Ballarat, have 10% off all school wear for the month of November. If you need to replace uniform items now is the perfect time to pop in and make the most of the discount. 

Secure Your Bike

We have several students who enjoy riding their bicycles to school, which is a terrific healthy habit to encourage. It has been noticed that some students are not securing their bicycles to the bike-rack in the morning.

 

As with any private belongings brought to school, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure it is safely secured to the provided bike-rack in the morning, as the school can not take responsibility for these expensive personal belongings. 

 

It is recommended that students chain their bicycle to the rack, preferably using a bike-lock or a chain and combination lock to avoid students having to carry around sets of keys. 

Scholarship Support for Students

Scholarships are available for eligible students between Year 7 and Year 11, and for Year 12 students planning to undertake tertiary studies in 2024.

 

The Department of Education administers a number of scholarships that are available to eligible students who are enrolled in Year 7 to Year 12 in 2023.

Applicants for these scholarships will be evaluated on their:

· participation in school activities

· community involvement

· academic achievement.

 

Scholarships are either one-off payments or cover the duration of the student’s course or annual study. Many of these scholarships have specific eligibility criteria so please refer to individual applications for more information. Applications are currently open and will close on Thursday 1 February 2024.

For more information and a list of available scholarships, refer to the 2024 Student Scholarships for Grade 4 – Year 12 fact sheet, available from the School Office. For information on how to apply, refer to Student scholarships.

School Student Broadband Initiative

SUPPORT YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION WITH 12 MONTHS FREE INTERNET AT HOME 

 

The Australian Government has established the School Student Broadband Initiative to provide free home internet for one year for up to 30,000 eligible families with school-aged students. 

 

The initiative aims to boost education opportunities. NBN Co is leading the rollout of this initiative across the country. 

 

How the School Student Broadband Initiative can help your child 

Children who can access online learning at home as part of their education are more likely to engage in classroom activities. 

 

Access to fast internet at home can also support children to build their digital skills, learn how to safely use the internet and take part in a world that is more reliant on digital technology. 

 

Eligibility

To be eligible, families must: 

  • have a child living at home enrolled in an Australian school in 2023
  • not have an active National Broadband Network internet service at their home* (having a mobile internet service does not affect eligibility) 
  • live in premises that can access the National Broadband Network through a standard connection.  NBN Co will check this for you after you apply
  • register interest with your school and complete a consent form to be assessed for eligibility.

 

*If an address has been disconnected within 14 days prior to an eligibility check – the address will be classified as ineligible. There may be cases where exceptions can be made, please contact the School Student Broadband Initiative team at SSBI@education.vic.gov.au to discuss further.

 

 

 

How the School Student Broadband Initiative works

If you are eligible, your home internet service will be provided at no cost for one year with a participating internet provider over the National Broadband Network. Each internet provider has its own step-by-step process to get you connected, which may involve you providing identification. 

 

Once you sign up, the internet provider will help you set up your connection. The initiative does not include devices such as a computer or tablet. Other members of your household can use the internet service provided through this initiative. 

 

The one-year period will start from the day your service is activated with your chosen provider. At the end of the one-year period, you will not be placed onto a paid service by your internet provider without your consent. The Australian Government is considering options beyond the one-year free period. 

 

How to apply

  • Ask your school for a copy of the School Student Broadband Initiative consent form.
  • Complete the consent form and return to the school.
  • NBN Co will use student address details on the consent form to confirm eligibility.
  • If you are eligible, NBN Co will issue a voucher for your family to use to sign up with a participating internet provider. This will be provided to you by your school.

Please note: NBN Co will review the home address for eligibility. No personal information other than your main home address will be shared with NBN Co. Please see the consent form for details about how personal information will be used.

Find out more 

For more information about the School Student Broadband Initiative, visit https://www.infrastructure.gov.au

Lids for Kids

BSC is now a collection point for the 'Lids for Kids' program run by Rotary. The program encourages us to recycle clean, used milk bottle lids, rather than letting them go into landfill. If you have any that you would like to contribute, the collection box is located outside the Year 12 Common Room. Thank you to all those who have already contributed to the program.

Doctors In Schools

The Doctors in Schools program continues to run, with a doctor available each fortnight. This is a fantastic initiative and we are very fortunate to have it at the school. If you would like to make an appointment, please see Jackie or Mrs Newberry.