Castlemaine Secondary College News

Assistant Principal & College Processes

2024 Term 1 - Embracing Aspiration, Respect, and Empathy with our enhanced Precinct Leader Support Structure and newly developed Behaviour De-escalation Continuum

 

It is with great excitement that I welcome you to the 2024 academic year! I sincerely hope that you had a wonderful summer break and are ready to take on the new challenges and opportunities that 2024 has in store for us all.

 

At Castlemaine Secondary College, we are dedicated to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all our students so that they can grow academically, socially, and personally, upholding our recently developed college values of aspiration, respect, and empathy. As a college, we are committed to helping each student reach their full potential and achieve their ambitions and goals.

 

As always, I would like to extend a formal welcome to all our new students transitioning from other schools, those new to Castlemaine, and all our new Year 7 and Year 9 Steiner students.

 

We, at CSC, understand that starting a new academic year can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, but rest assured that our staff are here to support you every step of the way.

 

At CSC, we boast a relationship-based approach, recognising each student within their Precinct. We have moved to enhance our support system: whereby each precinct will now be led by a dedicated Precinct Leader that will support mentors and students within their assigned precinct. This change allows for a more focused and substantial time allocation for each of the precinct leaders of Artisans, Performers, Engineers, and Wellbeing.

 

In addition to this organisational enhancement, we are proud to usher in our newly developed Behaviour De-escalation Continuum this year. This continuum establishes clear expectations for all staff, students, and parents, distinguishing our expected behaviours, and consequential minor and major behaviours, resultant actions, and supports that will be provided.

 

The Behaviour De-escalation Continuum, based on our School-Wide Positive Behaviour journey, serves as a framework for understanding and addressing behavioural situations effectively. It provides a comprehensive guide for expected conduct, ensuring a harmonious and conducive learning environment. We will be working with staff, students, and parents in becoming familiar with the de-escalation continuum to develop a shared understanding of our behavioural expectations.

 

We also understand that communication within large schools can often be challenging. Parents and students are always asked to reach out to their assigned mentor teacher as the initial point of contact. In cases requiring additional support, mentor teachers will guide you to your dedicated Precinct Leader, particularly in instances that necessitate high-level assistance.

 

In contrast to primary schools , requests for principal support from parents or students should be directed through your Precinct Leader, who will navigate and facilitate the your support process. This streamlined approach aims to address the complexity of a large school and the often challenging process of principals requiring prior contextual understanding of individual student needs and circumstances—an understanding that Precinct Leaders possess to a much greater extent.

 

I look forward to 2024 and our journey of growth, learning, and mutual respect throughout the academic year, where our commitment to Aspiration, Respect, and Empathy is coupled with an enhanced support structure and a new Behaviour De-escalation Continuum geared towards the success and well-being of every student.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Mielimaka

Assistant Principal

 

XUNO - Family App

Remember to stay in touch with the school using XUNO Family App for your mobile devices. It is FREE to download in the App Store

Uniform Expectations

At CSC we have high expectations of students in all aspects of school life, which begins with their attire. We acknowledge that sometimes students may need to be out of uniform, therefore the following process will be applied. 

  • Students should make their way to Administration Office before 9am, where they will be provided with the correct uniform or given a uniform pass if uniform is unavailable. Students should have a note from home explaining why they are not wearing uniform. Students are allowed to have 5 uniform passes per term, which will be recorded on XUNO.
  • Students arriving late, who are out of uniform, should follow the same process.
  • Any student arriving at mentor or class time out of uniform and who doesn’t have a uniform pass, will have this logged on XUNO as an incident “Out of Uniform / Not Being Responsible.” An automated SMS will be sent to their family. 
  • Students can only get one incident per day.
  • Students who reach 5 XUNO entries will be required to complete a lunch or afterschool detention. 

Laptop Borrowing Process 

The following process outlines how students can borrow a device from the College.

  • All CSC laptops to be stored in the library.
  • Students can borrow these on an individual basis (similar to borrowing a library book). 
  • Students must borrow before 9am, and return at recess, lunchtime or after-school. Students arriving late must obtain a 'late pass' from the front office to borrow a device.
  • This system will allow us to track students who borrow laptops regularly and ensure laptops are cleaned thoroughly in response to CoVid 19 DET recommendations. 

Rationale for Laptop Borrowing Process

  1. Encouraging students to take more responsibility in being ready to learn.
  2. Many students who legitimately need a laptop, often miss out because laptops are often used by students who have their own device, but haven't brought it to class/school.
  3. Tracking damage to laptops is really difficult when large numbers are borrowed by one class.
  4. Students often don't bring their own device because school laptops are made readily available.
  5. Valuable class time is wasted by students having to collect and return laptops during class time.
  6. Adhering to CoVid 19 health procedures.

Mobile Phone Expectations & Process

Students are not allowed to use mobile phones between 9am and 3.15pm. Phones should be stored in their locked locker throughout the day. The ban on using mobile phones applies from the first bell at the start of the day and remains in place until the last bell at the end of the day. If a student requires to make an urgent phone call they should see their Precinct Manager, Precinct Leader or Mentor.

If a student fails to adhere to this expectation, please follow the following process (Steps 1-3).

 

1: Student & Staff Member

Student using phone during school hours – teacher reminds student of CSC mobile phone policy.

2: Staff Member & Student

Log entry onto XUNO and ask student to take phone to library, an automated SMS will be sent home.

3: Student & Library Staff

Student takes phone to library immediately and they will be issued with a receipt. They can collect their phone the end of the day.

After 2 incidents for a term the phone is taken to the Office, which can only be collected by a parent / carer.

4: Precinct Manager or Leader

If student refuses, inform them the incident will be followed up by their Precinct Leader or Manager.

Students who refuse to submit phone to the library will receive a suspension.