Principal's Message
Dear Families,
Welcome back to Term 2. We have had a very positive start to the term with students engaged in a variety of learning programs and excursions across the school. We have also commenced morning fitness sessions at both campuses in the gym with personal trainers - students can sign up for these by speaking to Ms Adam at the Junior Campus or Ms White at the Senior Campus. There are all boys or all girls sessions available.
Term 2 is a busy term with Semester 1 and Unit 1/3 work ending mid June and mid year exams occurring to consolidate this knowledge. Semester 2 and Unit 2/4 work will commence after the King's Birthday weekend.
We were excited to learn recently that reciprocal visits will recommence this year with our Chinese sister school. We will be sending 24 students and 3 staff to China in September for the last two weeks of Term 3, and our sister school will be visiting us in July. This is the first time we have been given this opportunity since 2019 so we are all very much looking forward to welcoming our sister school again.
Jiangsu Sister School Visit - Homestay Families needed
In Term 3 our school will be hosting a visit from our Chinese sister school. Up to 40 Year 7 to 10 students and 7 teachers will be coming to Melbourne for a week from Monday 22nd July to Saturday 27th July.
We are seeking families in our school community who would be willing to host one or two Chinese students for the week. It is recommended that students are hosted in pairs if possible, for support and to make communication easier. An allowance of $300 per student will be provided to support homestay families with expenses.
The students will need to be transported to and from school every day and brought to school on the morning of Saturday 27th July for their departure. During the homestay, families are welcome to involve the students in their usual activities or take them out in the evening to show them a bit about Melbourne.
Please see the Responsibilities of Homestay Families below. Homestay families along with the host school and the DET are required to exercise a duty of care towards visiting sister school students.
Homestay families:
- Must ensure they provide a safe and comfortable living environment suitable for a student, with appropriate study facilities.
- All members of the homestay family over 18 years old must obtain WWCCs (Working with Children’s Check), (Volunteer WWCCs are free)
- Homestay families should participate in a briefing session with the school prior to the student’s arrival to develop their knowledge and understanding of issues relating to the visiting students.
- Must immediately report any critical or serious incidents involving a student to the Principal.
- Are required to work in partnership with the school in monitoring and supervising students.
- Will have the responsibility of taking the student to and from school and provide other transport needs.
- Ensure that students are provided with three meals a day, seven days a week, with appropriate quantity.
- Ensure that they brief the student on the following:
- Travelling to and from school arrangements
- Mealtimes
- safety issues and assist them in developing awareness of risks and dangerous situations, such as traffic rules.
- family’s emergency procedures, eg. Emergency evacuation location etc.
- House rules such as access to television and internet.
If you are able to host 1-2 students, please complete this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q2XNWSD
Thank you very much!
We honoured the ANZACS
The College commemorated ANZAC Day earlier this term with students, staff, and parents gathering to remember and pay their respects to those who have served in the armed forces. We hold this service annually in honour of the anniversary of when Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed on the beach at Gallipoli in Turkey on 25 April 1915. Thank you to our SRC students, Ms Hayes and Ms Atzarakis for organising these events, to commemorate a very important day at our college.
We also congratulate Jordan Doidge in Year 9 (pictured right) for his strong community spirit and fantastic contribution to ANZAC Day services. Jordan represented VUSC and did a reading at the Dawn Service; he then participated in a March from Flinders Street Station to the Shrine with the Hyde Street Youth Band playing “Waltzing Matilda” and “Pack up your Troubles”. Well done Jordan, we are very proud of you!
School Review 2024
This year we are undergoing a school review to develop our new Strategic Plan. This process takes place for all government schools every four years. It is an opportunity for schools to evaluate their progress in student learning and wellbeing, to consider new goals and targets, and to develop a plan to further improve in our target areas.
The School Strategic Plan sets our direction for the next 4 years (2025 to 2028) and includes our primary goal of improving student learning growth. A great deal of planning, organization and consultation will take place before the review even commences.
We are seeking feedback from parents and guardians to assist us in our pre-review self-evaluation. We value your input and would greatly appreciate you taking the time to complete a 2-minute survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LVMP9F9
This term we will also seek feedback from staff and students on what we have been doing well and areas for improvement over the next four years.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent teacher interviews were held on Thursday 18th April. We thank all those parents and guardians who took the opportunity to meet with teachers to discuss their child’s progress. The conversations are always useful for all involved and assist us to provide the best outcomes for students as well as providing a forum for parents to meet all their child’s teachers. Please contact your child’s Year Level Coordinator if you were unable to attend and would like some feedback on your child’s progress.
Open House, Monday 22nd April
On Monday 22nd April we had our Open House with morning tours and an interactive tour in the evening, where parents and prospective students experienced classroom activities in various subjects. This was a great night with over 500 people attending to have a look at our amazing school. The night was successful mainly due to all the staff and students who were able to talk about some of the fantastic learning opportunities that exist at Victoria University Secondary College. A special thanks to the campus captains and vice captains for their work on the night as MC’s and the 100 plus students who volunteered to help. Thank you also to Mr Dowie for organising the night and ensuring that the overall event and tours were a huge success.
Parents/guardians of Grade 6 children are required to submit their Year 7 preferences to their child's primary school by Friday 10th May.
Semester One Exams
Year 7 to 11 students will commence their semester one exams on Thursday 30th May. This is an important process for students to ascertain their level of achievement for each of their subjects and offers a great opportunity to plan for the next stages of their senior schooling. The results are key to their continued growth. Year 12 exams will run in the last week of term 2. Exam timetables will be provided to all the students in the next few weeks.
Student Attitudes to School Survey
Our school is conducting a survey to find out what students think of our school. The Attitudes to School survey is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education and Training. The survey assists schools in gaining an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Our school will use the survey results to plan programs and activities to improve your child's schooling experience.
Students from all year levels (7 to 12) will participate in the survey. They will complete the survey online during school hours using a purpose built secure online survey tool. Students are not identified in any of the results. A summary of the survey results will be reported back to the school in Term 3 in our school newsletter. Last year we used the survey results to plan new programs, activities and initiatives.
Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea – Thursday 23rd May 2024
The College we will be taking part in the Biggest Morning Tea at both campuses to raise money for cancer research. The morning teas will be in tribute to our beautiful Julie Smith who served as the College Board Vice President for seven years and passed away from breast cancer, and to all those heroes who have suffered or died from this dreadful disease.
Child Safety and Wellbeing at VUSC: Information for families and the school community
Victoria University Secondary College is committed to providing a child safe and child friendly environment, where students are safe and feel safe.
The Victorian Government has announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safety across organisations, including schools. The new standards recognise the critical importance of families and the broader school community in maintaining and promoting child safety and wellbeing.
VUSC has reviewed and updated our child safety policies and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements of the new standards. These are available to download below and can also be viewed on our school website.
We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and wellbeing and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures and practices.
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, please contact your campus and speak to your Campus Principal.
Elaine Hazim
College Principal