Beaumaris Secondary College Newsletter

Principal's Report

“Patience is not the ability to wait but to keep a good attitude while waiting.”

We know that everything takes time and often in a different length of time than we anticipate or maybe even hope for.  This applies to so much in our daily lives and is very evident in schools.  We are now 538 students strong with over 1000 parents as part of our extended community as well.  It is important that our families are patient and kind when working with the school whether it be matters of transition, camps or just day to day communications.  We always work closely with our families to maximise the students’ learning journey.  Please allow up to 3 days for staff to respond to a query, follow up on an issue that is not urgent or email responses.  There are a number of activities happening and we put our students at the centre of how we use our time at school. 

 

We would like to remind all parents that the school car parks are not to be used as pick up or drop off points in the morning or afternoon.  Also, if your child rides a bike to school have a conversation about safe riding as we have had a number of community concerns raised about speed and safe riding on local roads.

 

It has only been 12 days of school since the start of the year but already so much is happening at the college.  We had wonderful attendance at the Year 7 and 8 Parent Meet and Greet evening.  Our Year 7 parents were able to connect with each other and their GOAL Mentor.  Our Year 8 parents demonstrated a competitive team spirit as they vied for House points for their children.  Thank you to all those parents who took the time to further build our connections. 

 

Lunchtime activities are in full swing and students have the opportunity to participate in a range of fun activities during lunchtime.  I would like to thank our library parent volunteers for supporting the opening of the library each lunchtime.  It is great to have your support. 

 

If you are unsure about what is coming up as a school event please check the Compass Calendar which includes the dates for Parent/Student/Teacher Meetings as well as curriculum days.

 

We understand that there may be some anxiety in the community around students attending school camps and excursions in regional areas. But as Victoria recovers from the bushfires, it is important that we help our regional communities to get back on their feet by continuing to visit, and to travel to Victorian camps.  

Our upcoming camps and excursions, include Year 7 Camp at Rawson Village in Rawson.  We will continue to work closely with the Department to ensure student safety and remain vigilant in monitoring local conditions. Your continued support of our regional communities is greatly appreciated.

Bushfire Relief Fundraising Friday

 

Our wonderful school community has once again exceeded expectations of generosity.  The event was organised by Peter Bartlett and Chelsie Millar and led by a fantastic student group of Wildlife Warriors.

The funds raised were $1,920!  What an amazing effort!  Thank you to all those who generously donated.

New School Council Members

 

I am delighted to introduce our newest members of school council.  They have each provided a short bio that you will find below.

 

NICOLA FIDLER

I have been privileged to serve on the foundation BSC School Council, working with the College leadership Team.  During my time on the school Council I have drawn on my experience in both healthcare and legal fields.  I  hold a Bachelors of Nursing and Bachelor of Laws and am currently employed in the healthcare sector in a variety of roles including my most current appointment with Alfred Health as the Project Officer -Healthcare That Counts with a focus on child safety.  

My legal drafting skills, knowledge of the local community and healthcare connections  have been a valued addition to the School Council thus far and I hope they will continue to be in the future.  I am standing for re-election to BSC School Council so that I can continue to support Debby Chaves and her exceptional Team in creating educational opportunities that enhance our local community and create a safe, inclusive learning environment for all students.

 

I have been an active member of our local community, where I have lived with my two children for the past 14 years.  I have served on Primary School Parents and Friend Committees as Vice Presidents and Secretary.  Volunteering with sporting and community groups, I enjoy adding value to the work these groups undertake.  My interests include swimming, walking and child wellbeing.

 

ANNELISE PEARCE

 

I have worked in education for many years, as Business Operations Manager at a number of schools in NSW. Currently, I work as Head of Philanthropy for an educational not-for-profit, Teach For Australia.

 

With a range of experiences in a broad array of contexts including primary, secondary, boarding, government and independent education systems, I bring a wealth of practical knowledge and skills that would benefit BSC; including strategy development, financial management, HR, school improvement planning, community engagement, operational management, risk management and governance.

 

As a proud Gumbaynggiir woman, I share my heritage and cultural understanding to view the growth of BSC with a Reconciliation lens. I have written and implemented a number of Reconciliation Action Plans for corporate organisations, utilising the Narragunawalli framework for schools.

 

As a new parent to the school community I look forward to stewarding BSC to be a beacon of excellence in the local area.

 

SAMANTHA MORTON

 

My name is Samantha Morton, I am a parent to Holly (Year 9 BSC) and James who is Year 5 at BNPS. Some of you may know my husband Shaun Bowles who taught Food Tech in the school’s founding year and continues to teach cooking classes to parents and students. I am originally from Canada and have lived in Europe for many years.

 

We are now a local Bayside family and I would love the opportunity to continue to support the school’s growth and development.  I have a strong background in the Corporate Sector specialising in Project Management, Events and supporting Board Level Executives. I thrive working in a collaborative environment and being a member of the School Council will allow me to work with other parents, students and teachers towards a common goal.

MYLNS

 

The Middle Years Literacy and Numeracy Support (MYLNS) initiative provides funding to government secondary schools to improve outcomes for students who are at risk of finishing school without the literacy or numeracy skills they need for future work, education and training.  Schools should support any student at risk of finishing school without the literacy and numeracy skills they need.   We are pleased to introduce Simone Schuetz as our MYLNS Educator.  Simone’s role includes:

  • delivering literacy direct teaching support to students at risk of finishing school without the literacy skills they need, and
  • building capability in literacy teaching across the school.
  • establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with students, parents and other teaching staff to focus on student learning,
  • differentiating teaching practice to meet the students at their point of learning need
  • implementing high impact classroom teaching strategies which enable prioritised students to achieve their full potential
  • tracking and monitoring student progress

High Ability Practice Leader

 

The Student Excellence Program will support schools and teachers to stretch their high-ability students to reach their full potential. Under the Student Excellence Program, the great work government schools are already doing will be recognised, supported and expanded with schools receiving funding to develop their supports for high-ability students.

High-ability practice leaders will be supported to lead their school’s programs and supports for high-ability students and build teacher capability in their school(s) to cater appropriately for this cohort of students.   We are pleased to introduce Simone Hamlett as our High Ability Practice Leader.  Simone will be leading a number of initiatives including:

  • be a point of advice for their teacher colleagues in relation to high-ability students
  • coordinate students from their school(s) to participate in the Victorian High-Ability Program and the Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series which commence in Term 3, 2020 and continue each term
  • ensure that teachers of students in the Victorian High-Ability Program are provided access to the information pack to be prepared by Virtual School Victoria
  • Organising for students to participate in competitions and tests (eg ICAS Assessments).
  • Organising/hosting incursions / excursions targeted towards high-ability students
  • Liaising with GOAL Mentors, teachers and parents in supporting High Ability students

Maths Circle starting up this week

 

We are delighted to offer our students who are passionate about their maths the opportunity to work with a talented mathematician and scientist that also happens to be one of our parents, Steve Melnikoff. Steve believes that “Mathematics in particular forms a cornerstone in acquiring the many vital skills they will need.”

He shares this passion of creativity and critical thinking in mathematics with like-minded students every week.

We would like to invite all Year 7 students who are passionate about mathematics to join Steve every Tuesday at 3:45pm in B1 to explore their creativity in mathematics.

Rotary Zero School Drop Out Program Launch

 

Our local Beaumaris Rotary have launched a new program that targets student disengagement in the middle years of secondary schooling.  We will be the first school to benefit from their generosity.  The objective of this Project is to end high school dropouts so that all young Australians can complete Year 12 and hence are better prepared for employment or further tertiary education. This Project seeks to enhance, with the provision of support, education participation at all levels by students of varying abilities.  We are committed to maintaining a strong and positive relationship with Beaumaris Rotary and this is a great initiative that will benefit students in our college.  The success of this program will lead to implementation across a number of other schools and hopefully additional Rotary clubs following suit. 

Education Perfect Year 2019 End of Year Awards

We have a number of students who were highly successful in the Education Perfect Competitions in 2019.  Here are the names of students who were recognised late last year.

 

Felix Lichte

Gold award in science and Languages –top 2% of competitors

Emerald Award-top 1% in English of competitors

 

Henry Zhou

Emerald Award in Maths-Top 1% of competitors

 

Teah Kinney in Science-Top 10% of competitors

 

Joshua Baldsing

Credit Award in Languages-top 20% of competitors