Principal's Report
2024 Headstart
This week concludes our 2024 Headstart Program which has run over the last two weeks and has given our students the chance to get to know their new teachers and understand the key skills and knowledge they will need to develop for each of their subjects. Furthermore, the program allows teachers to better get to know their students as people and as learners through a wide range of formative learning activities designed to facilitate this.
For VCE students, there will be holiday homework to complete in preparation for Term 1 next year. For much of this they will need to have access to Edrolo which is a fantastic online resource providing video lessons, tutorials and practice exams and questions for our students to gain an early understanding of the topics they will be cover next year. A reminder that payment of the subscription for this platform communicated recently on Compass is required to ensure access over the break.
2023 Exams
Well done to all our Year 10 and 11 students who sat their end of year exams recently. It was a great opportunity for our students to demonstrate the skills they have learnt throughout the year under exam conditions while also gaining invaluable exam experience in preparation for the exams they sit when they are in Year 12.
Student Recognition and Celebrations
In the past few weeks, as the year comes to a close, there have been a great number of events and celebrations that have allowed us a school community to share in the culmination of so much hard work and effort from students and staff alike.
Across last week the Junior production of Elf brought so many families, friends and supporters of the school together to enjoy another stellar experience. This one not disappointing with its cheer and joy, showcasing the talents of our students and the Performing Arts program.
To close the week Brentwood was selected as the government school to host the Department of Education’s Passion Project event last Friday which highlighted and promoted the success and value of pathways programs at Brentwood and in particular the high quality VCE Vocational Major course.
On the same day, a host of students received Growth and Merit Awards for Semester Two as part of a presentation ceremony and student lunch organized by the Heads of House.
The Arts Show yesterday, led by the Arts Captains was a celebration of the talents and skills of a wide cross section of students across a variety of arts based subjects. It was also another opportunity for the wider school community to gather, acknowledge and praise the efforts of students and staff and take pride in their many and varied achievements. This past week a snapshot of the many opportunities students have across the College to develop and have their talents and interests nurtured and recognised and for us to take pride in our great school.
Year 8 and 9 Camps & Alternate Program in Week 11 (Week beginning 11th December)
Next week many of our Year 8 and 9 students will be attending camps. Our Year 8s are heading off to Camp Toolangi in the Toolangi State Forest where they will participate in team building, fun and challenging activities and will also enjoy an overnight camping experience. Our Year 9 students are heading off to Tasmania, flying into and basing themselves in Hobart, experiencing many of the wonderful experiences Tasmania has to offer. We wish all our students heading off on camp a wonderful time and hope it allows them to build new and stronger relationships with all attending.
Due to many of our Year 8 and 9 students attending camp next week and its impact on staffing, we will be running an alternate program for our current Year 7, 8 and 9 students. This means that regular timetabled classes will not be running, and students in attendance will undertake a variety of subject specific theme- based classroom-based activities each day. A reminder that Semester Two reports will be made available on the last day of this program Friday 15th December.
Sonja Ardley
Associate Principal