Secondary School News

Dear Year 10 Students & Families,

As you approach the final weeks of your time at Collingwood College, we want to take a moment to celebrate all that you have accomplished this year. This is a significant milestone in your educational journey, and we are incredibly proud of every one of you, whether you joined us in prep, year 7 or at the start of this year.

You have navigated this year's challenges with resilience and determination, growing both academically and as individuals. The skills and friendships you have developed here will serve you well as you enter Year 11 at the Senior Campus and beyond.

As you prepare for the next chapter of your educational journey, we encourage you to embrace the opportunities that come your way. Each of you has unique talents and potential that can take you anywhere you wish to go.

Congratulations on reaching this important point in your education! We wish you all the best in your future endeavours and can't wait to see the incredible paths you will forge. We hope you and your family will join us on Thursday, 21st November, for your final assembly here at Collingwood College in the theatre at 2 pm.

The Teaching Staff of Collingwood College

Rachel Wood

Acting Assistant Principal Secondary

Taking Action in the MYP

Mainstream students recently visited Parliament House and presented their persuasive letters to the Minister for Education to mandate the study of Indigenous Perspective texts in the curriculum.

While at Parliament House, students were also fortunate enough to sit in on Question Time which started with ‘Are there any questions?’ and soon became a robust debate around a range of issues - some of which were very local and relatable to our school community. This opportunity was actually made possible from one of our own parents ‘taking action’ and organising for us to go behind the scenes - thank you Jess van Dyk!

Student involvement in taking action is a key component of the Middle Years Programme. It also allows for authentic connections to be made within the curriculum, and learning opportunities for students to undertake new challenges, show perseverance and commitment to bringing about change, and engage with local and global issues with integrity. Well done Year 7 - amazing work!

Global Encounter: Intercultural Exchange

On the 22nd of October, mainstream Year 7 students participated in a cultural exchange program hosted by the Johor State Department of Education, Ministry of Education, Malaysia - JDT Junior Ambassadors (Global Encounter)

Our students were invited to participate in a video conference where both Malaysian and Collingwood College students shared information about the cultural elements of their home countries, and collaborated in breakout rooms to create adverts highlighting what they learned about each country.

Feedback from the organisers was very positive, stating that our students were patient, calm and welcoming during the breakout room sessions, with many demonstrating the IB Learner Profile attributes of being knowledgeable and open-minded communicators.

We are grateful for this collaboration opportunity and look forward to seeing our students continue to learn, grow and develop as global citizens.

The Learner Profile

At Year 7 this year, students have been developing the Learner Profile attributes through classroom learning, but these also apply to all aspects of our lives and are central to life-long learning and being responsible members of local, national and global communities. Below are a range of ways that you can promote these attributes at home within the family. A simple approach is to model and recognise. Enjoy 🙂

The Learner Profile

Inquirers	We nurture our curiosity. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and value a love of life-long learning.	Encourage your child’s interests by visiting places such as the Local/State Library, Museum, NGV… Model being an inquirer: admit when you don’t know the answers to a problem or a question and seek out answers with your child Use the internet as a tool for inquiry and have conversations around reputable sites Discuss the role of inquiry in your personal and professional life
Open-Minded	We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, and those of other people. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.	Encourage your child to try new things - food, games, places, activities… Expose your child to different festivals, celebrations and traditions Encourage your child to listen for understanding Discuss issues and consider opposing points of view and reasons
Thinkers	We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.	Encourage your child to independently think of different solutions to problems Pose different real-life problems/questions to your child Ask your child questions when they are working on a problem: Do you have any ideas about how you will begin? Tell me about your thinking How could you do it differently? What do you notice and wonder?
Caring	We show empathy, compassion and respect. We act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.	Role-model the kind of behaviour you want to see in your child: helping others without being asked, being an active listener, acting in ways to show that you care… Reflect on the actions of characters in texts (prin/audio/film) Were they kind or caring? Recognise this quality in people’s actions
Knowledgeable	We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global decisions.	Encourage your child to make self/text/world connections with what they read/view. Include first language books/films. Ask your child what they are learning at school and engage in conversations about it: Why do you think that is an important thing to know about? Encourage your child to become familiar with current local/national/global events and issues
Principled	We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.	Discuss the importance of honesty/truth Talk about global issues and fairness/social justice Encourage your child to engage in team and independent sports/games Talk about the importance of effort over winning and being a gracious loser
Balanced	We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives - intellectual, physical and emotional - to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognise our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.	Encourage your child to participate in a wide variety of structured activities as a balance between school and leisure Discuss what you are eating with your child - is it a balanced diet? Emphasise that boredom is okay too - good for us! Put devices away Encourage your child to take timeout and go for a walk, engage with nature or read a book (Brain Breaks)
Communicators	We express ourselves confidently and creatively in different languages. We collaborate effectively, actively listening to the perspectives of other individuals or groups.	Encourage your child to stay in contact with relatives in other parts of Australia or different countries Encourage your child to explain their thinking orally or by drawing a picture Talk about what effective communication can look/sound/feel like Have family dinner-table conversations Play a game that requires a specific communication skill. e.g. Charades
Reflective	We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experiences. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.	Review your child’s report with them; talk about successes and opportunities for improvement Reflect on sport outcomes Talk about recent events/actions and what you have learned, or adjustments you would make Set goals with your child Talk about a growth mindset
Risk-takers	We approach uncertaining with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change. We see making mistakes as a natural part of the learning process.	Encourage your child to attempt new things and then reflect on it - whether they liked it and how it made them feel Discuss the difference between being a risk-taker and dangerous behaviour Recognise the learning gains that result from risk-taking and making mistakes Talk about comfort zones and the benefits of goal-setting Share your own growth stories from taking risks

Lori Michael - MYP Coordinator

INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE (updated 27 October) - Contact Person - Steve Wu

Please click on the attachment below to see a list of Stringed instruments for sale. If you

have an instrument for sale please email Steve at: fengchih.09@gmail.com

List of instruments for sale - 9 Nov 2024.pdf

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Instagram https://www.instagram.com/collingwood.college/ and like us on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/collingwood.vic.edu.au/ to keep up to date with everything that our school has to offer our students and the community.