Welcome to Our Final Edition for 2023

Orion Night – A Night of Celebration

On Monday 11 December we conducted our Orion Night Awards presentation evening at the Knox School Auditorium. While not all students could receive awards, the evening acknowledged students from each year level who achieved the highest academic results, demonstrated greatest endeavour, students who received significant success in sport, performing arts, leadership and community service.

Special awards were also presented including: ADF Long Tan Awards, ADF Future Innovators Awards, University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Award, Thermo-Fisher Scientific Science Awards, Rowville Endeavour Award, Rotary Club of Knox Award, Insight Publishers English Award, Mullum Cluster VET Awards, Chaplaincy and School Values Awards

The evening was an opportunity to acknowledge other achievements that have been presented to our students whilst representing our college: Victoria’s fist secondary student graduates from Swinburne Universities Children’s University Secondary Student Program and recipients of the prestigious Crime Stoppers Mersina Halvagis Award.

Congratulations to all students presented on their hard work and dedication to their studies this year. Thank you to teachers, tertiary, business, industry and community partners, parents, carers, and fellow students, for the part each of you played in the success of our awardees. We have an amazing learning community!

On Monday students who had selected to complete their Year 12 with an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) received their examination results. Congratulations to Shuai Yang (Joey) Zhuang who was announced as Dux. Joey hopes to follow his passion for Medical Sciences and gain entry into The University of Melbourne for 2024.

Congratulations to every student who undertook the external exams, especially students whose results exceeded their expectations, your achievements are commendable. Whilst scores can be one measure of success, for any students who may be disappointed, remember, your worth goes beyond any score – you are defined by your resilience, character, and the countless opportunities that lie ahead.

Scoresby Secondary College Leading Success

Last Wednesday, 6 December, our Year 9 students and staff showcased how our Scoresby Secondary College has led to the continuous improvement in student learning outcomes on Channel 9 News. Throughout the past week the media outlined the decline in Australian student’s literacy and numeracy outcomes. It is credit to the commitment of our teachers to use evidence based practises to engage students in their learning so all students have the opportunity to experience success.

Visitors including Department of Education executives, principals and teachers from other schools tertiary providers, employers, local politicians and more. Our students are exceptional, and the majority have been successful in demonstrating positive attitudes towards their learning, growth in their academic outcomes or excelling in other areas of their education.

Orientation Day

Orientation Day was held on Tuesday 12 December, where we officially welcomed our new 2024, Year 7 students to participate in their first full day of activities at the College. I would like to congratulate Mrs Kiri Caracasidis, Head of Junior School, Ms Angie De Boer and Ms Aoife Le, Year 7 Coordinators for 2024, Mr Patrick Dempsey Transition Coordinator 2024 and the team of staff who led transition and organised a fabulous day today.

Transition programs that are well planned and implemented can set up solid foundations for students to settle into their secondary environment. Mrs Emily Bartlett our 2023 – 2024 Transition Coordinator and Mrs Michele Rogers, Enrolment Officer for the work they have undertaken since August. Based on the observations, our Year 7 cohort for 2024 are well placed for a great start.

New Arrival

We are proud to announce the arrival of Amelia (Milly) to Mrs Emily Bartlett (Phibbs) and her husband Dave on Friday 1 December. Millie was due to arrive on 12 December, Milly didn't want to be late (just like her mum).

End of Year Activities

I would like to thank staff and students for the positive start to the end of year activities program. We have offered the students an array of activities including a day at Gumbaya Park, Christmas tree making for Arcare residents, Christmas baking for Arcare residents, get fit get active, robotics, board games, sports, music, making bath bombs and more.

On Thursday 14 December, the activities come to a conclusion. As previously advertised Friday 15 December, is a Curriculum Day and next Monday 18 December and Tuesday 19 December, staff will be using their professional practice days for planning next year's classes.

Community Service is important in fostering skills and attitudes for giving back to the community. Arcare Aged Care residents will be receiving the Christmas tree decorations and cookies produced by the students during the activities and cards with messages from the students on Christmas day.

Australia Federal Police - Important Information for families

The Australian Federal Police through the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation is seeing a concerning global trend of teenage males being targeted to send explicit images of themselves and then blackmailed. This is called sexual extortion, or sextortion.

The AFP is urging families to have important safety conversations ahead of the school holidays to prevent young people from becoming victim. This crime can have serious wellbeing and psychological impacts.

How does sextortion start?

Unsolicited friend and follow requests on social media
Direct messages on one app and then being asked to keep chatting on a secondary app
Conversations suddenly and quickly becoming sexualised
Requests for sexualised images or content.

What can families do?

Have open and regular conversations about your child’s online activities and interactions
Know what platforms, apps and games they are using and who they are interacting with
Remain open and approachable, victims will be reluctant to come forward if they feel they will be punished or blamed
Ensure your child knows that it is okay to leave conversations if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe
Support your child and know how to respond. The Online blackmail and sexual extortion response kit has been created to recognise sextortion and get help.

The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation is here to keep young people safe from online sexual exploitation and abuse.

You can make a report via accce.gov.au/report

For further information, resources and advice visit thinkuknow.org.au.

2024 Uniform

The uniform policy has been attached and students have previously been informed of requirements, including the specifications for the dress and skirt length to be at knee length.

It is also important to check the details regarding the requirements for shoes to be black leather lace up (non-runner style), mandatory use of the College black school bag, policies for jewellery and natural hair colours and sock colour.

I recommend that you do not leave purchase of new uniforms or carry out any required adjustments to existing items prior to the start of the school year. If you are ordering items, the sooner you order the more likely your items will be at the store and not the warehouse when you need them. Parents who are eligible for CSEF can seek assistance through State Schools Relief by contacting Mrs Vicky Kamfonas prior to Tuesday 19 December 2023.

End of Year

As this is the last newsletter for 2023, I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of College Council, student, parents and carers, business and industry partners and other members of our community for the support throughout the year.

I would particularly like to thank members of the leadership team and teaching and non-teaching staff for their dedication and efforts towards student learning and supporting student wellbeing. Their courage to take risks and commitment to improving student outcomes in and out of lockdowns has been a crucial element in the on-going success of the College.

I would also like to publicly recognise the service several departing staff who have given to our college and wish them well in the next exciting chapter of their lives:

Ron King who is retiring after 40 years’ service to education
Lee Smith who is retiring after eighteen years as Scoresby Secondary College’s laboratory technician
Ms Saleema Majida and Mr Mohammed Sameem resigning from teaching
Mrs Ellen Hanson, Mrs Kiri Caracasidis, Ms Kathleen Shirer and Mr Rahul transferring schools

Last Friday 8 December we welcomed new staff members for 2024. Our college continues to be a ‘College of Choice’ for teachers which has supported us to appoint high quality teachers.

I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday period and look forward to working together next year.

Mrs Gail Major

Principal

Community

One Hope Community Church

Upper Ferntree Gully Football Club