Important information and Reminders

Year 12 2023

Year 12 exams have now all concluded. 

There are now only two key dates for this years graduating class. 

Valedictory dinner on November 24 is what we are all waiting for. This no doubt again be a highlight of the year for both students and staff.

The release of year 12 results is the other date that is on all our students minds, results will be released on Monday December 11. 

Students will are encouraged to attend the school to both celebrate with their peers and teachers but also to meet with the careers team incase there are any needs for change of preference for tertiary courses in 2024 and beyond.

Appointments will be made with the careers team via TryBooking system. Further information will be sent to students via Compass

Year 10 and 11 Exams

With all Year 12 Exams now having concluded, Year 10 and 11 exams are well underway. Students have been preparing hard over the last week or so and have met as a year level to ensure yet another smooth and effective exam week. This can however always be a challenging time. Please see below how you can support your child during exams.

How can I support my child during exams?

Exams can be a stressful time for students and parents. Good forward planning and a balance between study and recreational activities are vital for success. 

Some example of what parents/carers can do for their child are:

• Speak with your child regularly about their school work and how they plan to study for the exam
• Check in with work they completed a little while ago and gauge what they still know, remind them that the work is likely to be on the exam
• Create a quiet space at home and support them using it, develop a routine together
• Remind students about the study skills they have learnt through pathways class, are they using some of them?
• Contact your child’s teacher if you have queries or need advice on how to study for the exam.

Families and students, please remember that:

• Students attend only for their exam, there are no scheduled classes
• If students have a morning and afternoon exam, they are required to study in the study centre during the middle exam session. Students can not go and come back again.
• Students are not permitted to order food deliveries or take away during the exam period.
• If there are days without exams, students are expected to be using some of this time for study for upcoming exams. While students can choose to study from home, they are always welcome to attend school to study in the library.

Commencement Week

Commencement for our year 10-11 and 11-12 students’ begins on Monday 27th November ending on Friday 1st December. Our Commencement program is an opportunity for students to meet their 2024 teachers and gain an understanding of the courses they have chosen to study. Some work over the holidays may be set to ensure students have the best start in their final year of study. Students will not have their required textbook resources during Commencement, however the teacher will provide resources where required. It is essential that all students bring a new exercise book per subject for note taking/loose leaf paper in a binder folder and their devices fully charged each day. Attendance will be taken for each lesson and all absences must be recorded on Compass. 

Please contact our school reception on 7379 9600 if students are absent during Commencement week. Students will be able to access their Commencement timetable on Compass by the 24th of November. 

Please also note that our school canteen will reopen for Commencement week. 

Commencement will conclude with an awards ceremony and celebration colour run on Friday 1st of December. Students will have an adjusted schedule on this day and students are asked to wear casual clothing appropriate for the colour run. 

Second Hand Book Sale

Please find attached information on the second hand book sale. The items listed are available and will be used in 2024.

Please contact the front office if you are interested in purchasing any available second hand items.

Uniform Donation

Each year Homestead supports many students and families with uniform and other resources. As the year ends, there will be students who know they are not returning to Homestead next year, including Year 12 students. 

The college very much appreciates the generosity of our families when they are able to donate uniform items in good condition as this goes a long way in helping others. 

If you believe you have some uniform items or other resources that are able to be donated to others, please contact the front office on  ph: 7379 9600 or email: homestead.senior.sc@education.vic.gov.au

Year 12 Camp

Yr 12 Kangaroobie Camp in Princetown from Monday 15th to Wednesday 17th April 2024.

We are pleased to announce our inaugural Year 12 Camp. This camp is a valuable opportunity for students to strengthen their bond as a cohort with their peers, their Year Student Manager and other staff working within the Student Engagement, Wellbeing and Pathways team. Students will participate in team-building activities that will strengthen their resilience during their academic school year. 

The cost of the camp will be $300 per student. The first instalment for the camp will be a deposit of $50 which will be required by Monday 27th November 2023 to secure a place on the Year 12 camp. The second instalment of $125 will be required to be paid by Friday the 23rd of February 2024. The third instalment of $125 will be required to be paid by Friday the 22nd of March 2024.  Payment plans are available to families. Families are encouraged to reach out to the college should they need support.

Schoolies

If your child is a school leaver, the schoolies celebrations from Saturday 26 November to Sunday 4 December can be an exciting milestone in their lives. However, this shouldn’t mean impacting your child’s health and safety, or causing problems for the communities where they decide to celebrate.

We encourage you to speak to your child about the importance of keeping safe and healthy at schoolies. Information about staying safe at schoolies can be found at Partying safely at schoolies — Better Health Channel.

You can also follow the Good Times Great Breaks Victoria Facebook page, which provides information on what wellbeing support is available in the main schoolies destinations of Rye, Surf Coast, Lorne, Torquay and Phillip Island.

Remembrance Day

Elle Harding and Leah Delimitros delivered a remembrance day service to the college on November 10 this year followed by a minutes silence, as November 11 was on Saturday.

The following was read to students and staff:

Every year, on 11 November at 11 am — the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month — we pause to remember those men and women who have died or suffered in all wars, conflicts and peace operations. 

History of Remembrance Day 

In late 1918, after more than four years of bitter fighting, Allied forces finally broke stubborn German resistance and forced Germany to sue for peace. Entire nations cheered as fighting ceased and the armistice that ended fighting in the First World War took effect at 11am on 11 November 1918. 

One year later, commemorations to mark the anniversary of the end of the war were held across the Commonwealth. This day became known as Armistice Day. At the request of King George V, the people of the Empire ceased work at 11am to hold a two-minute vigil to remember the fallen. This vigil has evolved into the minute's silence of today's Remembrance Day services. 

By the end of the Second World War Armistice Day had grown from solely a remembrance of the men and women of the Great War into something larger, becoming a day to honour all those who had fallen in war. With this evolution came a change of name and 11 November became known as Remembrance Day. 

Australians continue to observe Remembrance Day and services are held at memorials, RSL clubs and schools across the country. One minute's silence is taken at 11am on this day in silent tribute to the fallen. Today we pause for one minute to remember those who have died in conflicts. 

One minute silence 

‘Lest we forget’

Well done Elle and Lead on delivering a moving service.

2024 Year 10 Orientation

With another year passing by faster than the last, it is sad to see our first graduating class finishing up, we are again excited to welcoming a new group of students to Homestead. 

Year 10 Orientation day is Tuesday December 12. The students will have an opportunity to see their new school, receive their timetables, meet their teachers and experience a small taste of senior school life. 

HSSC will also host school tours for new families and students. We can not wait to meet our new Year 10s and their families.

Camps, Sports and Excursions fund eligibility

Below are the criteria used to determine a student’s eligibility for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF).

Eligibility

To be eligible for the fund, a mature minor of sixteen years of age or over, a parent or legal guardian of a student attending a registered Government or non-government Victorian primary or secondary school must:

• on the first day of Term one, or;

• on the first day of Term two.

1. Be an eligible beneficiary within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004, that is, be a holder of Veterans Affairs Gold Card or be an eligible Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC) or Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holder, OR
2. Be a temporary foster parent, and;
3. Submit an application to the school by the due date.

Mature minors or parents who receive a Carer Allowance on behalf of a child, or any other benefit or allowance not income tested by Centrelink, are not eligible for the CSEF unless they also comply with one of (a) or (b) above.

Eligibility Date

For concession card holders, CSEF eligibility will be subject to the parent/legal guardian’s concession card being successfully validated with Centrelink on 29 January 2024 and/or 15 April 2024.

CSEF payment amount

The CSEF is an annual payment to the school to be used towards camps, sports and/or excursion expenses for the benefit of the eligible student. Secondary school student rate is $250.00 per year. The CSEF is paid directly the school and will be allocated by the school towards camps, sports and/or excursion costs for your child.