Community News
2023 Student Attitude To School Survey Results
2024 Booklists
The Booklists are now available for next year.
For more information please visit our website at: pakenhamsc.vic.edu.au/booklist
Uniform Changes for 2024
Scholarships to support students
Scholarships are available for eligible students in Grade 4 to Year 11, and for Year 12 students planning to do tertiary studies in 2024.
Student scholarships
The Department of Education administers a number of scholarships that are available to eligible students who are enrolled in Grade 4 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 open and 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.
For information on how to apply, refer to Student scholarships.
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 a 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.
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
* Complete the School Student Broadband Initiative consent form, which can be accessed here, and return the completed form to the College. Paper copies can also be obtained from the General Office.
* 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
Pothole on Princes Highway Entrance to PSC
Further to our Social Media post, please take extra care as you enter the College, as there is a pothole on the Princes Highway entrance.
It has been reported to VicRoads and we are hoping that the road will be repaired soon.
Students travelling home without helmets when riding bicycles
Our students safety is extremely important to us. We have noticed that there are students travelling to and from the College without wearing bicycle helmets. It is imperative that all bicycle and scooter riders wear a helmet.
Mandatory bicycle helmet laws were introduced in July 1990. This applies when riding:
- on roads and road-related areas
- on bike and shared paths
- in bike lanes
- in recreational parks
- in car parks
- on footpaths.
Police can stop bike and scooter riders and issue a fine or a warning for not wearing an approved bicycle helmet.
If you require further information please click here.
Bring Your Own Device 'Edunet' Information
In recent years Pakenham Secondary College has implemented a one to one netbook program. The netbook program has been embraced by students and staff. We believe they are a tool that our students need if we are to prepare them appropriately for the 21st century.
This year we will be using a preferred supplier, Edunet Technology. This company will provide the option of an upfront payment or a payment plan, with optional accidental protection insurance (ADP) and in-school repairs. All computers will be configured by the Education Department with the Department's School Technology Architecture and Resources (eduSTAR) standard platform software for free.
The eduSTAR program provides over 120 software applications covering animation, image creation, drawing, interactive curriculum resources, logic and more applications. While the student has ownership of the computer, the College maintains ownership of the eduSTAR suite of programs on the netbook.
If your child is due an upgrade or replacement laptop and you missed out on attending our Edunet Information Session this week, please visit our website by clicking here to find out more about this program.
Year 12 Valedictory Dinner
Protecting against mosquito-borne diseases
Victoria’s mosquito season started this month and will extend to late April 2024.
Warm and wet weather can result in greater numbers of mosquitoes and increased risk of illnesses from mosquito bites. While the overall risk is low, some mosquitoes carry diseases that make people sick.
The best protection against mosquito-borne illness is to avoid mosquito bites.
Families can protect against mosquito bites by:
- covering up as much as possible with long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing
- applying insect repellent that contains picaridin or DEET on exposed skin when leaving home
- limiting outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are active.
To reduce the risk of illness linked to mosquitos, such as Buruli ulcer, promptly wash any new scratches or cuts with soap and clean water and apply a topical antiseptic and dressing. Families with any health concerns should see their doctor or phone NURSE-ON-CALL: 1300 606 024 (available 24 hours).
Free Japanese encephalitis vaccines
Japanese encephalitis virus is spread to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes and can cause a rare but potentially serious infection of the brain.
Free Japanese encephalitis vaccines are available to protect Victorians at higher risk of the virus.
The Victorian Department of Health encourages eligible people who live or work in high-risk local government areas to get vaccinated ahead of summer, which brings an increased mosquito presence.
For more information, including what is considered a high risk area and eligibility for a free vaccine, refer to the Department of Health’s Japanese encephalitis webpage.
Find out more
For more information on protecting against mosquito-borne diseases, families can refer to the following Better Health Channel pages:
- Mosquitoes can carry diseases
- Protect yourself from mosquito-borne disease, including a handy checklist to help reduce mosquito breeding sites at home and resources translated into other languages
- Japanese encephalitis
- Buruli ulcer
Pakenham Level Crossing Removal Update
To find out the latest road closures and updates on the level crossing removal please click here.
Racecourse Road Closure
Racecourse Road will be closed at the level crossing from Monday 23rd to Tuesday 31st October. This is to allow for the delivery of L-beams and the construction of the rail bridge to be completed. Detour via McGregor Road and Princes Highway. Please allow additional time to move around the area and follow signage and traffic controller’s instructions.
Track installation
They will commence installing tracks on the rail bridge from Thursday 5th October to Wednesday 15th November. During this time there will be an increase in noise and vibration while ballast (rocks that are packed around the sleepers) is laid and steel to build the track is dragged from west to east on the new rail bridge. These works will be undertaken during the day.
Some parking on Stockmans Circuit and Heritage Boulevard will be removed. Residents directly impacted by this will be contacted closer to the time. Every effort will be made to complete these works during scheduled hours, however at times works may be required to continue past standard working hours.
Jindivick Cricket Club
Contact with Us
https://facebook.com/pakenhamsc
https://instagram.com/pakenhamsecondarycollege
Website