Principal's Report
Vermont Secondary College
CONCLUSION OF TERM THREE
Vermont Secondary College is an extremely large organisation and without the collaboration and support of so many people we would not be able to offer such a wide and diverse range of curricular and co-curricular programs for your children. We would also not to be able to offer the support and care that we do as a true community school.
Community support has never been more evident than over the last few weeks with the passing of two significant staff – Matt Squire and Rohan Holliday.
Matt arrived in 1987 as a Physical Education teacher fresh out of college while Rohan had been with us for some 12 years working in general maintenance and gardening.
Rohan was also a parent of the college with both his children attending Vermont Secondary College. Our deepest condolences go out to the families, close friends and work colleagues of Matt and Rohan, they will be deeply missed but always remembered. A very sad occasion for all.
I also take this opportunity to thank all of you who contribute to the positivity of our school community each and every week. Though I cannot thank each of you individually, I wish to assure you that your efforts do not go unnoticed, thank you.
YEAR 10 CENTRAL TRIP
After a significant break due to a global pandemic the Year 10 Central Australia trip is up and running yet again with Laura Gerbing, Lisa McIntosh, Tom Smyth and myself supervising 38 students. We depart Friday 13th of September at 2pm and return on Wednesday the 25th of September. We wish the group all the best in their travels, I am looking forward to the experience!
CONGRATULATIONS TO RISLEY C.
The Department of Education’s Performing Arts Unit audition students from across the state each year for the Victorian State Schools Spectacular Cast.
Congratulations go to Risley C. Year 8 who has secured a role in this year’s Spectacular core performing company.
The Spectacular will be performed twice on Saturday 14th September at the John Cain Arena, followed by a television broadcast in December. Rehearsals have well and truly commenced for this year’s production which will showcase more than 3,000 Victorian government school students in a performance of music, song, dance, skating, circus, puppetry and backstage areas such as audio, lighting, vision and stage management.
This is a fantastic achievement, well done Risley and best of luck for the performances.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DE) ANNUAL PARENT OPINION SURVEY 2024 – COMPLETION DATE EXTENDED
The DE have informed us that the 2024 Parent/ Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey (PCGOS) has been extended until the end of Term 3, Friday 20th September.
As of Tuesday 27/8/24, we have had 139 responses, which is a response rate of 11%
An email was sent to all VSC families on Monday 29 July. It may be in your spam/junk mail, so please check.
- The college has also followed up with several reminders.
- They survey now closes on Friday 20 September
- One response per family is requested
- The survey is available in 39 languages
- Do not share your unique login details as each family has its own personal login
Vermont Secondary College is conducting the annual Parent Opinion Survey to gauge what parents / caregivers / guardians think of our college. The survey is offered by the Department of Education (DE) and is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage all families to participate. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct, future school planning and improvement strategies. The school only receives anonymous, collated results which we then use in our future planning.
The survey is conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the survey period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones.
In 2024 the college has its four yearly major review in Terms 2 and 3. The results from this survey, plus the annual staff and student opinion survey will help form a large percentage of the review and future planning plus the writing of the new 4-year Strategic Plan.
As the completion of the survey is anonymous, apologies to families if you receive a reminder but have already completed the survey.
Thank you to the families that have completed the survey or thank you in anticipation!
YEAR 12 VCE EXAM PREPARATION
The time is rapidly approaching when our Year 12 students face their final exams. For a full copy of the 2024 VCE Examination Timetable go to the VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority) website –
https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/administration/Key-dates/Pages/VCE-exam-timetable.aspx
The last day for Year 12 is Friday 18th October leading into the exams.
It is crucial that our Year 12 students use this term break as a ‘study break’ and not as a ‘holiday’. It is a fantastic opportunity to balance study and exam preparation while recharging the batteries for the crucial exam period. The holiday period needs to be used to finish off any work owing but more importantly - it is a time to start revision. Below I have listed some very useful VCE resources.
With Year 12 exams fast approaching it is crucial that students take advantage of the VCE guides produced by a range of organisations.
All VCAA 2024 Study Designs can be found at:
https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/Pages/vce-study-designs.aspx?Redirect=1
These guides give useful and timely information on VCE exam preparation, and all Year 12 students need to be reading them now!
Dr Michael Carr Gregg, well known expert in adolescent mental health has a range of information on his website around VCE study habits. Here are his Eleven Top hints for Effective Study
- Establish a routine - set aside a particular time each day for study and revision and stick to it.
- Create a study environment.
- Set a timetable - with a timetable you can plan to cover all your subjects in an organised way allotting the appropriate time for each without becoming overwhelmed.
- Look after yourself - Drink and eat right. Get enough sleep each night –
Regular physical exercise makes you feel great, boosts your energy and helps you relax. So, try to keep up regular sporting activities or at least fit in some regular exercise. Reward yourself for studying. Watch your favourite television program, spend time with your friends, walk to the park, play sport. - Have variety in your study program - study different subjects each day.
- Do different types of work and revision in each study session.
- Avoid interrupting your concentration. Have all the appropriate materials with you before you start a session of study to minimise distractions.
- Test yourself on what you have studied - ask your parents or family members to quiz you on what you have learnt.
- Use draft questions from books, past assessments or major exam papers.
- Don't panic at exam time.
- Ask your teachers for guidance.
Another useful article written by Dr Michael Carr Gregg called ‘9 ways to manage Year 12 stress’ can be found at:
I wish the Year 12 class of 2024 all the best over the next two months.