SCHOOL OF POSSIBILITIES

I would like to start this reflection with the words from one of our students.

“Retreat was an incredible experience for us year 12's. We were able to maximise the connections we already have whilst creating brand new ones with our peers. We had many activities on retreat, a highlight being the giant swing. The team work required to pull up 1 person up 27 feet in the air really just proves that we are stronger together.”

We were very fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend the year 12 retreat with our amazing year 12 students last week.  We travelled to Healesville and stayed at Fern Gully Lodge.  The grounds were beautiful and very picturesque and the facilities were great.  We were hosted by Tess and Jase, they were very welcoming and accommodated every request that we had.

Students participated in a number of reflective sessions where we looked at a number of themes.  Who you are, your faith, family, positive mindset and resilience and art therapy sessions all took place.

Students wrote a letter to themselves that they will receive back at the end of the year which reflected on their goals, hopes and dreams.  A couple of students said that they did not want to open their letters for about 4-5 years as they want to see whether they have achieved what they have set out to do.

A very emotional time for our students was when they received their letters from their families and friends to read in the afternoon of the second day.

On the first night we had a formal dress up night for dinner and students and staff had to have bought their outfits from the op shop.  It was interesting to see the variety of weird and wonderful things that everyone was dressed in.

The College Captains ran activities at night for the students on the first night that had a night walk and a disco and party.  On the second night the captains organised a murder mystery activity and had s'mores by the campfire.  

A liturgy was held on the final night around the campfire and it was an amazing scene.  We had a College candle lit and staff mentors had a long tapered candle to light tea light candles that the students all held.  That night students stayed seated around the bonfire and enjoyed being in each other's company.

We asked students to give us a picture perfect moment from retreat and some of the students' responses are below.

“A picture 'perfect' moment was when everyone bonded with each other after the letters received from loved ones. This made us all feel connected and a year 12 team.”

“Hanging out with Friends”

“sitting around the fire with everyone after hours”

“I think the last night was really good”

“everyone bonding and having fun”

“hangout with friends just as we sat down and did something, then it would be time to go to an activity”

Some more student's thoughts ...

“One tip for next year 12's is to be the first one in the shower in the morning so you get a hot shower, after 15 minutes those showers are colddddd”

“the camp was really good to express everyone’s feelings and get to know everyone a bit more and hang out with the whole year level and bond as the first year 12's of the school”

“The camp was a laugh we all made some good memories and had lots of fun, you get to know a little bit more of your classmates, and as the first year 12's of St Anne's will definitely will go down as history for the school”

“it was our last camp, I really enjoyed it. Lots of really great memories made”

“This was an amazing time, it was refreshing to be outside 

our comfort zones.”

The students took home a small “goose”. We have asked that students place their goose on their desks or a place where the goose can remind them that they belong and can reach out for support to any member of the “flock” that is the St Anne’s College community. 

Thank-you to the families and students who attended Wednesday night’s VCE Information Night. On this evening important information about the structure, expectations and assessment practices of VCE was delivered. Mez spoke about wellbeing and how families can support students during Year 11 and 12, which can be challenging at times for our young people. 

It was great to hear from our new Careers Practitioner, Naomi, who highlighted the very important role of the Careers team in supporting our students with not only careers counselling but also accessing scholarships and early entry University programs. The careers team will also be vital in assisting Year 12 students with the VTAC University application process. 

Families have been emailed the presentation from the evening and you will also find this attached below.

We still have families with outstanding balances for the Jacaranda Digital Library subscription and Edrolo learning resources. We appreciate that families settle these accounts ASAP. Time is valuable and following up families to ensure payment is made takes away from other important duties our staff have. If you are unsure if you have a balance owing, you can contact me at sbaglin@sackialla.catholic.edu.au. 

All Year 10 and VCE students need to purchase the Jacaranda Digital Subscription through Campion using the code on the front of the booklist. Students pay for Edrolo through their Edrolo portal. Ask your student to log into their Edrolo account and you will see the red “Pay Now” link. Thankyou for your support in this matter. 

Our College Captains and House Leaders will attend the Ethical Student Leadership Day on 7th March at the Woolshed in Shepparton.  This is a Diocese event and students will work with student leaders from all schools.  The focus of the day will be to help students gain a deeper understanding and practical application of ‘ethical and servant leadership’ which they can bring to their leadership practice both at school and in the wider community. The day has been designed specifically for senior students. The objective of the day is to provide a springboard for all secondary schools in Sandhurst to continue to develop leadership skills amongst their students and to ensure that our students have a solid understanding of the practices that identify them as ethical and servant leaders.

More information will be communicated to families regarding the attendance of Year 11 and 12 students at the Victorian Careers & Employment Expo in Melbourne on Thursday 14th March. We are also looking forward to our school leaders attending the annual Sandhurst Diocese student leadership day on 7th March. 

We encourage families to continue to stay connected to important school news and events through PAM, our school social media sites and each fortnightly addition of il Giornale. You will find upcoming events are regularly updated on the school calendar on PAM. 

All students in the SOP are expected to remain focused in their learning spaces during all timetabled classes.  Students are to bring their macbooks, folders, pens, textbooks, a water bottle and anything else they require.

All students years 10 - 12 have permission to wear their PE uniform to school on Mondays.  In addition to this year 10 students can wear PE uniform on Thursdays.  At all other times students are expected to wear the full academic uniform - this includes black shoes.  The only exception to this is any student who studies PE, VET Sport & Rec or studies sports coaching.  Any time students have a double lesson in one of these classes they can wear their PE uniform to school.

Year 12 rugby tops once received can be worn to school on Monday with PE uniform and on Thursdays with Academic Uniform.

We appreciate your assistance with ensuring that your child comes to school each day in the full correct school uniform.

Please provide a written note if your child is out of uniform and inform us how long it will be until the correct uniform will be available.

Thanks for your support, Mez & Sarah

Some reminders:

There is an expectation that all students have an academic uniform including blazers.  Blazers can be put on lay by and paid off.  We may be able to source a few secondhand blazers.  Wearing of uniform is as follows;

SOP UNIFORM - FULL ACADEMIC UNIFORM EACH DAY INCLUDING BLACK SHOES

PE UNIFORM PERMITTED AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES

THREE Infringements means a 

lunchtime reflection session with 

Mez in Collab 1 on Thursdays

- see you there! 😀

Lockers

All students must have a lock on their lockers and this lock should be locked at all times.  This is essential for our Year 11 and Year 12 students’ lockers that are accessible from the outside.  There have been incidents in the past where macbooks and learning materials and books have been stolen out of unlocked lockers overnight and on the weekends.  It is a requirement of the signed ICT agreement that students have devices stored in locked lockers.

Year 11 & 12 students who do not have a lock on their locker by the end of the day Monday, will be moved inside to a locker indoors.

Booklist items

Students and families are asked to ensure they have purchased all of the learning materials listed on the SOP booklist. This includes purchase of the Jacaranda digital library for all Yr 10 and VCE students, as well as paying for Edrolo subscriptions for VCE Psychology and VCE General Maths. 

𝐁𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭... ✨

Year 12 Retreat

An enriching and inspiring retreat experience was had by our inaugural Year 12 cohort last week reflecting and preparing as they embark on their final year of studies. The spirit of retreat was enjoyed by all participating in letter writing, affirmations, activities and personal reflection from their camp at Fern Gully Lodge in Healesville.

The 'We are Stronger Together' theme represented by geese, enforced our values of working in teams, flying together and helping each other out. Our students completed seminars designed around setting their hopes and goals, along with journalling, games, quizzes, outdoor activities, family reflection, a murder/mystery evening, painting, an op-shop dress-up dinner and a candlelit liturgy.

What a wonderful way to set your intentions and prepare for Year 12.

𝘿𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙗𝙞𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚; 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙥𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙.

In a kind gesture of giving, celebrating our Catholic Faith on Pancake Tuesday, Crystal made a chocolate ripple cake for our Celiac staff to enjoy. 

Great opportunity with fantastic prizes for SOP students!

Love the GV are running a Video Revolution Awards competition for 2024 open to all schools in the Goulburn Valley. You are invited to make a one minute video about a social issue that is important to you. Whether that be bullying, public speaking or even how you love living in the GV, this is your opportunity to educate locals. The competition is open to different age categories, there is also a group category. Videos will be judged by 'Shepp-famous' locals including the mayor, with fantastic prizes on offer for the winning entries.

Register now using the QR code below.

VCE Assessment Task Dates 2024

Subject dates for VCE assessment tasks are as accurate as possible. Please note that dates can be subject to change based on school review.

Please find the link here to the live documents with assessment dates for each subject in Unit 1 and Unit 3 in Semester 1 2024:

Unit 1 VCE Outcome Assessment Task (OAT) dates 2024

Unit 3 School Assessed Coursework (SAC) dates 2024

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

We are now one week into our introductory program. There is a clear expectation that all students returning to St Anne’s College in 2024 will attend the introductory program for either Year 11 or Year 12 next year.  This program enables students to see if their subject choices and program for the year are suitable for them. Students gain a deeper understanding of subjects and what is required of them and whether they believe they can succeed and if the subject is right for them. It is anticipated that by the start of the 2024 school year, no Year 11 or Year 12 student will need to change their subjects or programs. This allows for all students to seamlessly transition into the new school year without disruption to their learning program.  Parent support with this program is greatly appreciated so that our students can set themselves up for success in the 2024 school year.  Should you have any questions or concerns about any aspects of this program, please feel free to contact one of the School Leaders.

ACADEMIC UNIFORMS - 2024

Students in year 11 & year 12 are to wear academic uniforms including blazers (terms 2 & 3) and correct footwear.  For PE classes and VET Sport & Recreation classes students are permitted to wear sports uniform for practical classes only.  The practical classes will be for double lessons for PE and one full day for VET Sport & Recreation.  Students are required to ensure they purchase items of academic uniform over the school holidays so they are in the correct uniform at the start of the school year.  Your support with this is greatly appreciated. 

 - Mez Lia & Sarah Baglin

The VCAA  is introducing the Student Achievement Profile - please click on the link for more information. St Anne's College will work with the VCAA through the VASS system to ensure students eligible for a Student Achievement Profile will have access when this becomes available. 

A first look at the VCAA's new Student Achievement Profile

Reminders about expectations

Pastoral Group attendance

Students should arrive at school in time to attend pastoral group each morning commencing at 8.55am.  This is an important part of the day and a time for prayer and reflection.  Teachers are able to follow-up with students and check in on how they are doing. Daily messages are delivered to students at this time.  It is vital that the school completes accurate records for attendance and the roll is marked during this session.

Uniform

It is expected that students wear the correct academic uniform to school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  On Tuesday and Thursday students are permitted to wear their PE uniform, again this should be the full correct uniform including the St Anne’s tracksuit pants or shorts.  Year 10 students completing the sports coaching elective are permitted to wear their PE uniform on Thursday in addition to the above.

Use of air pods and mobile phones

Students are not permitted to use air pods or mobile phones while at school.  These items are to be left in students lockers during the school day.  Parents are asked not to ring their child’s mobile phone while they are at school or expect them to receive text messages.  If you need to get a message to your child during the school day, please contact the front office who will deliver the message on your behalf.

Your support on these matters is greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Sarah Baglin & Meredith Lia (SOP Leaders)