Positive Climate for Learning.
It has been a busy Term 2 for our Years 7-10 students. Many have been participating in Incursions, Excursions, Interschool sports and clubs/activities at school. We encourage all students in Years 7-12 to get involved in activities that are offered during school but also after school. We have a daily bulletin which is shared with students via Compass, which contains important information.
Speaking of Compass, have you checked to see your child’s recognition points? Recognition points are earned daily when our students' meet expectations within our core values: Respect, Resilience and Care. These are opportunities for our teachers and staff to acknowledge students making positive choices every day. It is always great to follow up with a conversation at home about receiving points and stay tuned for some more exciting news about these points that will be coming a little later this year.
Another key focus in our classrooms revolves around routines. As we start and end our lessons, we have a FIVE for FOCUS and FIVE for FINALE routine for our students and staff to follow. Another aspect about routines to consider is what their routine looks like at home. It is important that students are ready to learn and as many young people are gaining independence, it is critical that they are developing healthy habits to help reduce stress and build their confidence as a young adult.
National Sorry Day excursion at the Plenty Ranges Arts & Convention Centre.
This important event provided an opportunity to acknowledge the past, reflect on truth-telling, and walk together towards reconciliation. We are grateful for the chance to learn, listen, and honour the stories and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
On Friday 18th May, we acknowledged IDAHOBIT Day — the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia.
As part of our LFL (Learning for Life) classes, students had the opportunity to create posters promoting inclusion, respect, diversity, and belonging. Students also participated in a range of lunchtime activities in our Wellbeing House, coming together to show support for a safe and welcoming school community for everyone.
It was wonderful to see students engaging in meaningful conversations and celebrating the importance of kindness, acceptance, and equality.
A huge congratulations and thank you to all students who represented the College at the NRL Gala Day. We were fortunate to have three teams competing on the day, and each team represented our school with pride, respect and sportsmanship, consistently demonstrating our school values in an exemplary manner.
A special congratulations to our Under 18 Boys team, who have successfully progressed through to the next round of competition. This is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of their hard work, teamwork and commitment.
Our Under 14 Boys and Under 16 Girls teams should also be incredibly proud of their efforts. Both teams came together exceptionally well, supported one another throughout the day and displayed impressive skill, determination and resilience in every game they played.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the parents and families who came along to support the teams. Your encouragement from the sidelines helped create a wonderful community atmosphere and contributed greatly to the positive experience for all involved.
Well done to everyone who participated and represented our school so positively.
Our SRC and student leaders hit the city for a team-building excursion with a difference — watching Michael, the biographical film celebrating the life of Michael Jackson.
Beyond strengthening friendships and building rapport, we were treated to an incredible cinematic experience. Seeing our students tapping their feet and mouthing the words to classic tracks was a reminder of just how timeless this music really is.
The concert sequences were breathtaking — so vivid and immersive that we were transported straight to the final Jackson 5 concert of 1984. Goosebumps all round.
Our year 9 students ventured out for their first City Experience on Friday 15 May participating in the First Nations Yalinguth tour along Birrarung Marr. They began their journey at Speakers Corner, a site that served as an open forum for free speech, political debate, and activism. They then worked in teams to answer questions about how the Kulin Nation peoples historically lived along the river as well as reflecting on the impact of the British colonisation of Melbourne.
It was wonderful to see so many students engaging in the tour, completing their workbooks and sitting quietly to listen and reflect. Mr Lowrie and Mrs Mesquita were very proud of the respect students showed and appreciate the support of the staff in attendance. It was a truly a wonderful day with Melbourne blessing us with amazing weather. Well done, to the year 9 cohort.
Please join us in congratulating our new Aeris House Captain, Pavel! We’re thrilled to see him step into this role and can’t wait for the exciting journey ahead.
A huge THANK YOU to Emma for all her hard work, dedication, and time in the role. Your contribution has truly been appreciated, and we wish you all the very best for the future!
One of the things that is most important for students being ready to learn each day is to be well-rested and prepared for the school day. It would be great if you could talk with your young person about their routines after school and check to see that they have materials ready for school. We are often finding that students are not charging their laptops at home, so this is a friendly reminder to check on that. Also, remind them to check Compass every morning so they know what materials they will need for their classes. It is the little things that can have an impact on them being ready and focused for school each day.
Regards,
Kim-Anne Sohnle
Bill Van Driel