Assistant Principal update

Student Achievement Acknowledgements - School Wide Positive Behaviour Support

Welcome to Term 4! It's hard to believe we're nearing the end of the school year already. Term 3 break has provided a time for reflection on the achievements of the past term, and we are proud of the significant milestones reached, particularly with the implementation of our School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework and the introduction of our student achievement acknowledgments. 

Both students and staff have embraced these initiatives with enthusiasm. Many students are keen to earn positive recognition for demonstrating behaviours aligned with our College Behaviour Matrix based on our values of Aspiration, Respect, and Empathy.

Currently, the student with the most achievements has 55 recognitions, with 664 of 722 enrolled students having received recognitions.

Performers Precinct was awarded with the most amount of achievements last term.

We encourage you to speak with your child about their acknowledgments and use the XUNO portal to track their progress in earning acknowledgments. Let's continue to work together to create and celebrate these successes as we head into our last term and the end of the year!

Mobile Phone Policy Clarification/School Canteen Use - Term 4 Focus

As per the Victorian Government’s Ministerial Order, and in line with Castlemaine Secondary College’s Mobile Phone Policy, students are not permitted to use mobile phones during school hours, including recess and lunchtime. All mobile phones should be switched off and securely stored in student lockers during the school day unless an exemption has been granted for specific purposes such as health and/or wellbeing concerns. Refer to policy.

Of recent concern is the increase in student requests for mobile phone ‘tap’ payments. We would like to remind parents and students that mobile phones cannot be used for ‘tap’ payments at the school canteen. Canteen staff are also bound by the Ministerial Order as they operate on school grounds during school hours. Students should carry cash or use traditional debit card facilities when making purchases. This policy is non-negotiable, and we ask for your understanding and cooperation in supporting the canteen staff and yard duty teachers supervising the canteen. This will help maintain a positive environment and not place undue pressure on these staff by students requesting mobile phone ‘tap’ payments.

Students who have forgotten to bring cash or a card can arrange with canteen staff for a next-day payment. Alternatively, students can also reach out to their mentor, any of their teachers and/or wellbeing staff member if they require support.

The process for students identified with a mobile phone or headphones/earphones (subject to any exemption) at Castlemaine Secondary College is as follows:

1. First Offence:  

              - The student is required to take their mobile phone to the library.

              - The phone will be stored securely, and the student can collect it at the end 

                of the school day.

             - This serves as a first warning for the student regarding mobile phone use during

                school hours.

2. Second Offence:  

              - If the student is caught using a mobile phone again, the phone must be taken 

                 to the library.

              - In this instance, the phone will not be returned directly to the student. 

                Instead, a parent or guardian must come to the school to collect it.

3. Non-compliance:  

              - If a student refuses to follow the process (i.e., does not take their phone to the

                library or comply with the instructions), they may face suspension for non-

                compliance with the Ministerial Order, as outlined in the mobile phone policy.

This process is in place to support a positive and distraction-free learning environment, and we appreciate your cooperation and support.

XUNO Excursions Approvals and Payment Update

Term 4 Trial of Online Approvals and Payments for Excursions and Events.

We are excited to announce that parents will now be able to approve selected excursions and events online through the XUNO portal. This new feature will allow parents once logged into XUNO, to provide approval, and make any required payments for school events and excursions.

During this term, we will trial the system with selected events and seek feedback to ensure a smooth experience. Keep an eye on the XUNO portal for more updates on events that will accept online payments.

This will, in turn, ensure greater accountability in processing events and excursions, particularly where time-sensitive constraints are paramount.

In addition, we are working on simplifying the medical form approval process. Students' medical information will be stored and updated based on both the data we have on hand and the details that are provided by parents during the approval process. This will then only require verification for upcoming events and excursions.

We appreciate your patience as our administration team and staff planning events/excursions transition into this new process. Should you encounter any issues with payments or approvals, please reach out to our front reception staff for support. They will then be able to best direct your questions.

Martin Mielimaka

Assistant Principal