Principal's Report
Student Voice Agency and Leadership
Recently we held a Leadership Assembly which provided an opportunity for the candidates for the College Captains and other senior leadership positions to present speeches on their leadership vision and values. Well done to each of the students who committed significant time and effort into their nomination and speech. The quality passion and commitment to Scoresby Secondary College was exceptional.
Following our student and staff election process, we are delighted to announce the following appointments for 2024.
College Captains
Loren Watson and Brayden Corey
Vice Captains
Anna Harper and Zach Bissett
Art and Technology Captain
Emma Foden
Performing Arts Captain
Iasinta Aiolupotea and Angie Norton
Rotary Interact Captain
Savannah Ferguson
Sports Captains
Sam Dunbar and Abi Sathyaseelan
Junior School Captains and leadership nominations and elections will occur prior to the end of the school year.
Student Success
Kwong Lee Dow Scholarship
Congratulations to Zach Bissett (Year 10) who was successful in securing entry into the prestigious Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program. The Kwong Lee Dow Program is an academic enrichment program offered by The University of Melbourne. Zach will take part in an exciting two-year program of events and activities that will expand his academic and personal horizons and set him up for success throughout his VCE, future studies at Melbourne, and beyond.
Australian Business Community Network Award
Well done to Storm Pascua (Year 10) who has been named as a recipient of a Highly Commended Award as a result of her application for the ABCN Accelerate Scholarship Program. Over 300 applications were received nationally for the 2023 Accelerate Scholarships making Storm’s selection as a Highly Commended recipient a fantastic achievement. Together with a certificate, Storm has access to Financial First's educational program and a grant from the Bank of Melbourne towards her education.
Crime Stoppers Award
We are thrilled to share that our students hard work and dedication have been recognised by receiving the Mersina Halvagis Award for Outstanding Contribution to Crime Stoppers. Our Scoresby Secondary College students collaborated with St Albans Secondary College, Victoria Police members, and the Crime Stoppers team on the 'Lose the Knife, Not a Life' Campaign. This has given them an opportunity to influence decision-makers, and we are immensely proud of their work in particularly during the design phase. Thank you to Stella Smith CEO of Crime Stoppers who empowered our students to make their voices hear and to George Halvagis, who honoured his daughter Mersina's memory by presenting the award. Let's continue to inspire our students to be agents of positive change in their communities.
Staffing Updates
The last week in October, we welcomed Ms Evie Popas as our new Office Manager. Evie comes with extensive business and recent school administration experience. Evie will oversee office communications, publications and promotions and will play a pivotal role in planning and publicity for next year's 50th year celebrations and the establishment of a Scoresby Secondary College Alumni. Mrs Michele Rogers will continue in her role as receptionist and the key office contact for school excursions, events, first aid and general enquiries.
Today we had a morning team to farewell Mrs Emily Bartlett and Mrs Emma Morris who are both taking family leave. We hope their respective husbands ensure they have plenty of rest prior in the coming weeks. We look forward to sharing news of the arrival of their new babies with students, staff and families.
Orion Night
Orion Night is being held this year on Monday 11 December. Orion Night is a wonderful event at which we celebrate 2023 student achievements. Invitations to students who will be recipients of awards will be distributed between 27 and 29 November. Information regarding tickets for the evening will be sent out soon after.
Arts Technology Showcase
Congratulations to Mrs. Suzanne Tate , Arts Technology Leader and Arts Technology staff for an exceptional showcase of student work and performances. The number of attendees exceeded three hundred and already we have received fantastic feedback from members of Scoresby Secondary College, local primary schools and special guests.
“Amazing exhibition. Serious talent in Scoresby!”
It’s such a strong selection of artwork! I’m so impressed. Great show!
We had a lovely night, thank you for the food treats
Love the whole thing including the gluten free food
“Fantastic loved it”
“Wow”
“Loved it, great talent”
We are looking forward to publishing award winners, acknowledging sponsors and sharing photos in our next newsletter, magazine and via the Scoresby Secondary College Facebook page.
Examinations
On Wednesday the VCAA Unit 3 and 4 exams concluded. Our students are to be commended on the exceptional way in which they prepared for and undertook the exams. The external supervisor had nothing but praise about the way in which our students conducted themselves and how they applied themselves throughout. Students who undertook the ATAR option will obtain their results on Monday 11 December.
Scoresby Secondary College is turning 50
2024 is the 50th Year of Scoresby Secondary College. If you would like to join the 50th Celebration Committee who are planning celebrations for Term 3 2024 please contact the General Office
World Teachers Day
On 27 October it was World Teachers' Day. It was an important day to celebrate and appreciate our teacher's passion, commitment, and the positive impact they make every day.
Remembrance Day
The teaching of the significance of history of events that led to Remembrance Day is an opportunity to educate and foster a sense of gratitude, empathy, and respect for those who served and continue to serve for our country. I commend students who attended services and took time to commemorate this important day.
On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a minute’s silence is observed and dedicated to those soldiers who died fighting to protect the nation.
In Australia and other allied countries, including New Zealand, Canada and the United States, 11th November became known as Armistice Day – a day to remember those who died in World War One.
That conflict had mobilised over 70 million people and left between 9 and 13 million dead. As many as one third of these died without a grave.
At 11.00am on the 11th of November 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. The allied armies had driven back the German invaders having inflicted heavy defeats upon them over the preceding four months.
In November, the Germans called for an armistice (suspension of fighting) in order to secure a peace settlement. They accepted the allied terms of unconditional surrender. The 11th hour of the 11thday of the 11th month attained special significance in the post-war years and became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in war.
After World War Two, the Australian Government agreed to the United Kingdom’s proposal that Armistice Day be renamed Remembrance Day to commemorate those who were killed in both World Wars. Today the loss of all Australian lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated on Remembrance Day.
The Flanders poppy has long been associated with Remembrance Day.
During the first World War, red poppies were among the first plants to spring up in the devastated battlefields of Northern France and Belgium. According to soldiers’ folklore, the vivid red poppy came from the blood of their comrades that was soaking the ground.
It led Laurence Binyon a worker at the British Museum at the time to write the poem “For the Fallen” part of which says…
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them
Mrs Gail Major
Principal