GSSC Executive Team

Image - Artist Impression

The last two weeks have been a very busy time at Greater Shepparton Secondary College.  School life this term had been moving closer to what students would be familiar with.  When you walked around any of the campuses it was evident that classrooms were buzzing and a range of exciting opportunities were being offered to students.  Since our first lock down during term two teachers and support staff had been working hard at supporting students at all year levels to adjust to onsite learning again.  In addition we also saw the commencement of a number of additional programs that support students to engage at school.

 

Hand on Learning  

Our Hands on Learning program has commenced this term, which is coordinated by Justin Williams and separate coordinators on each campus (Barb Rigano, Tony Greely and Tash Jennings).  We have roughly 35 students across the three campuses that are spending a day a week participating in “hands on” activities that help to enhance engagement to school and also allow for different learning experiences to the standard classroom environment.  Students had participated in a range of activities including on site building and repairs as well as construction of things such as chairs and boxes.  Students are excited and very positive about engagement in this program.

 

Lighthouse lunch time programs

Term three also saw the reintroduction with lighthouse on site at both the McGuire and Mooroopna Campuses.  At McGuire Campus, lighthouse ran the pART program which included a number of art related activities such as comic making, whereas on Mooroopna Campus they ran a sport based program for year 9 students.  These have been running on Wednesdays and Fridays at lunchtimes and have large numbers of students enjoying the activities.  Thanks to Lighthouse and also school staff for running these great activities.

 

Cultural Training

All staff at GSSC have undergone two sessions  of cultural training presented by Mohammad Yassin.  It was fantastic to explore how we could be more culturally competent and aware, so that we can better support students and families.  I’d like to thank Lighthouse for arranging this for us and Mohammad for conducting such interactive and engaging sessions.

 

Building update

Another exciting development is the building works at the future GSSC site on Hawdon Street.  With the site cleared and the foundations in place for several buildings, the speed and scale of development is really impressive.  At least two of the neighbourhood buildings are now being formed. I suspect we will see weekly change now as the project starts to move along.

 

Stage three restrictions

Finally, what a difference a week makes!  Since our last newsletter two weeks ago, so much has changed in our community.  With the introduction of stage three restrictions, regional Victoria schools have returned to remote learning.  Our school and staff received this news on Sunday and without hesitation all staff were busy preparing for yet another change.   Our staff should be commended for the commitment they have shown to prepare quickly and thoroughly for teaching and supporting students remotely.  We have experience from our first lockdown that will help guide us with what will work and what doesn’t.  There has been communication via our website and Compass to families about applications for onsite learning.  These will be reviewed and feedback provide as soon as possible.  If you have any concerns for your child during this transition to remote learning we encourage you to make contact with your child’s learning mentor.  We have dedicated wellbeing and engagement, such as learning mentors, house leaders, neighbourhood leaders and our wellbeing team, that are here to support and assist your child.  

 

Our Executive leadership team wishes families all the best during this recent change, we know learning from home is different and can be tough.  We are here to help and support you all.

 

Nicholas Bamford

Director of Wellbeing and Inclusion

 

The Executive Team

Greater Shepparton Secondary College