Spotlight on the Instrumental Music Program

At Emerald Secondary College, our students have the wonderful opportunity to enrol in our instrumental music program.

Research shows that learning to play an instrument can help reduce stress, increase creativity, develop patience and Perseverance. If this isn’t enough, learning an instrument has also been shown to improve memory and improve time management skills. There is also an abundance of research and also Ted Talks on how learning music benefits the brain. Research conducted by physiologists Daniel Levit and Mona Chanda discovered that listening to and playing music can even increase the immune system.

If I haven’t convinced you about the value of picking up an instrument, keep reading!

Playing an instrument has also been proven to; build confidence, increase non-verbal IQ, increase spelling and also speed up reaction times.

It is also great fun.

At Emerald Secondary College we currently have students enrolled in the following instrumental lessons:

Drums
Piano
Singing
Saxophone
Flute
Clarinet
Guitar
Bass guitar
Trumpet

There is still a small window of opportunity for students to enrol in the in the 2022 instrumental music program in the following areas:

Flute
Clarinet
Drums
Beginner piano

New to the program we may also have some availability in enrolling in instrumental lessons for the:

Ukulele
Banjo

All inquiries for the remaining places in the Instrumental music program should be directed to the College at emerald.sc@education.vic.gov.au

Students in the instrumental program could also join bands, ensembles, and choirs the College.

Student snapshot on instrumental music lessons at Emerald Secondary College:

Kai Hughes (year 11), who has been undertaking piano lessons since year 7:

‘Music is my life, music is not in me, it is me.’

Anonymous (year 8):

‘I’ve started learning the drums and I’m really enjoying it. It’s nice exploring a new instrument.’

Janine McMahon - Assistant Principal

Wellbeing Corner

Below are three important dates that help our community flourish

19th March - National Day Against Bullying

Friday 18th March is an important day on the calendar as we all stand as one to say that bullying is not acceptable in any setting. All schools take bullying issues very seriously and days like this highlight the importance of students letting teachers know if they are having problems. Can you please have a conversation with your child/ren regarding this issue?

https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/preventing-bullying/national-day-of-action-against-bullying-and-violence

17th March – National Close the Gap Day

In 2006, more than 40 national organisations came together to form Close the Gap ‐ Australia’s largest ever campaign to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Every year, Australians are encouraged to hold their own event on National Close the Gap Day to raise awareness about the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Since 2006, the Close the Gap campaign has achieved an enormous amount through community support.

21st March – Harmony Day

Harmony Day is a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home – from the traditional owners of this land to those who have come from many countries around the world. By participating in Harmony Day activities, people can learn and understand how all Australians from diverse backgrounds equally belong to this nation and enrich it.

School Photos

Our school photo days have been completed. We are now in the proofing stages which I hope will be completed very soon to allow photos to be printed.

Student’s return to school

Reflection is the key to growth. Like all things, student behaviour is something that requires constant reflection and adaptation. Can I please request all parents speak to their child/ren about the importance of this style of reflection? How are they behaving? What are they doing to address their own behaviours? Are they doing everything possible to learn to the best of their ability? Are they aware of the Positive Learning Behaviours, especially Respects the Learning Environment? Working together we can improve the learning opportunities of all students.

Parent Drop off and Pick up

As mentioned previously there have been changes to the parent parking on school site. Unfortunately, we are still having issues where parents do not utilise the available spaces which is causing the main road to block up. Can I please request you consider picking you child/ren up off site in one of the side streets that may be available such as Lawsons Road or Royal Parade. In addition, the car park at Chandler reserve may be of use. Unfortunately, the Local Council and Vic Roads have been unable to help at this stage. We appreciate your support.

School uniform

All students are regularly reminded of the importance of wearing the correct uniform. Can parents please speak to students about the following key issues that we are facing at the moment;

Students are not permitted to wear tracksuit pants
The rugby jumper is only to be worn during a scheduled PE practical lesson or on a sports day
Hooded jumpers are not permitted by any student in Years 7 – 11. Year 12 students are still permitted to wear the old senior hoodie. This will not be worn after this year
Facial piercings should be clear or removed

Buildings and Grounds update

At the time of writing the refurbishment of the library is looking great. The builders are on schedule for a handover before the end of term.

Unfortunately, over the previous weekend one of the main pipes responsible for carrying water to the fire hydrants broke. This has caused some damage near the entrance to G Block. Plumbers are now in attendance to repair this.

Jonathon Rogers - Assistant Principal

Dates to Remember