Musings from the Senior Hub

After recovering from a bit of a fright brought about by three days of snap lockdown during February, the Senior Hub has settled down into a regular routine that has enabled students and staff to be off and racing completing learning tasks, formal assessments and setting goals for the future. School photos are behind us, Year 12 jumpers turned up on time and swimming sports are done and dusted. 2021 has also seen the College and our community work on the introduction of a new and refreshed set of College values - RESPECT, RESILIENCE and RESPONSIBILITY.

Making new friends in new classes is a significant part of achieving success at school. I’ve always believed that one of the greatest aspects of Bairnsdale Secondary College is that no matter how different our students might think or feel that they are, there is a friendship group for everyone. I’d like to make mention of the mutual respect and acceptance that our students demonstrate in appreciating the fact that we are all different, have different needs, interests, resources and aspirations. One thing we do have in common, is the same goal to always strive to be excellent in everything we do.

A mixed year like 2020 which began with bushfires, then extended periods of remote learning, drove us to investigate how we could continue to deliver a rich learning program for the duration of the lockdown periods. Innovation was certainly the key. While we understand that the impacts of the 2020 school year will continue to affect our students for some time we encourage them to remain resilient and learn from their experiences.

One idea that we have maintained and developed on the back of the success of year level assemblies that were conducted during the remote learning periods via Webex, is the introduction of “Radio 84.66”. All Year 10, 11 and 12 classes tune into an information packed broadcast hosted by our College Captains using the Webex platform. We’ve been working to iron out a few little hiccups along the way but are pleased to report that our audience is growing each week. By the way, in case you were wondering, 8466 is our official Education Department school number.

Being in class, on time and ready for learning is a mantra that easily rolls off the tongue and we love it. Students who are in class, on time and learning are showing responsibility. Responsibility for their learning progress, responsibility for the learning of their class mates and responsibility for having a better opportunity at a future with more choices and lets face it, a happier life. Responsibility comes with being an adult and for students at our end of the school, they are young adults and we like to treat them as such. As part of our new School Wide Positive Behaviour System, a lot of the postcards that we sent out to families this week had a theme demonstrating responsibility being exhibited by our students.

I’m too nervous to tempt fate by making any predictions about this year. While we can’t always control what happens to us, we can control how we react. We don’t know what 2021 has in store for us but we do know in difficult times, being respectful, resilient and responsible are qualities that will enable us to manage tough times and emerge from any storm that comes our way stronger, more capable, experienced and richer for having succeeded in the face of difficulty and so, armed with our values and Year 12 motto…..

"LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN”.

Belinda Anderson - VCE Coordinator

100% ATTENDANCE ACHIEVEMENT

Reminder to students and parents/carers, 90% attendance is a requirement to achieve a VCE/VCAL certificate.

VCE and VCAL Assessment and Delivery Polices are accessible on the BSC Website.

YEAR 10 - CONGRATULATIONS TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS/CARERS

AKKERMAN, Max

ALEXANDER, Dani

ALLEYN-COWELL, Jett

BORLAND, Charlotte

CORDERY, Grace

DUDLEY, Oscar

EATON, Lanie

EDWARDS, Holly

FORD-MASON, Calen

FOSTER, Brianna

FOSTER, Gabrielle

HUTTON, Aleka

JAMES, Hannah

LEE, Cameron

MARTIN, Georgia

MORSE, Nicholas

RADFORD, Luke

REIDY, Ryan

SCOTT, Zachary

SHERRITT, Griffin

STEELE, Xander

THOMAS, Riley

THOMSON, Corey

TRAN, Cindy

USHER, Sarah

YEAR 11 CONGRATULATIONS TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS/CARERS

BAILEY, Rhyan

BARRON, Jemma

BATCHELOR, Holly

BRUNSWICK, Ashley

BUTLER, Alyssa

CADDIE, James

CANARY, Imrahn

CARTER, Darryl

CORNWALL, Crystal

COX, Megan

DAVIS, Lani

DEWAR, Kael

DOYLE, Harry

DUDLEY, Talia

DUIGNAN, Mitchell

DUIGNAN, Thomas

EDEN, Kai

GASKELL, Zac

GOSNEY, Tara

HUNT, Haylie

JENMAN, Archer

KEARSLEY, Ruby

KYNOCH, Leah

MCANINLY, Bailey

MCGIVERN, Connor

MCGRATH, Jack

MCKEOWN, Blake

MCKERRELL, Skye

MCLEISH-KAUTER, Gabbie

MILLER, Kobe

POYNTER, Corey

REID, Amelia

RISELEY, Nathan

ROGERS, Jazelle

SARAL, Renze

SCIONTI, Jewel

SONNEMAN MATHIESON, Aidan

SQUIRES, Michael

SRIKARAN, Metha

ST JOHN, Leo

STEVENS, Elizabeth

STORER, Bree

STUCHBREE, Sam

TARLING, Paige

TAYLOR, Ty

WALKER, Lachlan

WALKER, Wren

WELLS, Jack

WESTHORPE, Molly

YEAR 12 - CONGRATULATIONS TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS/CARERS

AMENDOLA, Riccardo

ARMSTRONG, Ashleigh

BAKER, Julia

BARTLETT, Shawna

BATCHELOR, Charlie

BLACK, Aiden

BURCH, Tamlyn

DARE, Campbell

DAY, Grace

EARLES, Molly-Ellen

EAST, Olivia

ELLETT, Caleb

FRANCIS, Esther

GOULD, Keely

HARVEY, Alex

HEANEY, Jewels

HERBSTREIT, Ruby

INGRAM, Kurtis

JAMES, Claire

KELAART, Richard

KRONK, Caitlin

LAWRENCE, Sam

MITTON, Jye

NANCARROW, Amy

NELSON, Max

NEVILLE, Jordy

OVEREND, Millie

POYNTON, Alex

ROBERTSON, Emma

SANDERSON, Ethan

SCOTT, Olivia

SILVINO, Ariez

SMITH, Amber

SMITH, Lucy

STRONG, Lillian

THOMSON, Bree

TURNER, Dylan

VIRGO, Ben

WELLER, Bailee

WEST, Josh

ZAMMIT, Alex

Year 12 Biology

The Year 12 Biology class have been studying hard in preparation for their first SAC.

To consolidate their learning and have a bit of fun the students took on the role of enzymes and modelled some of the key concepts from Area of Study One. Needless to say, some competitive natures were definitely brought out in the course of the activity!

Michelle Ryan - Teacher

Study Nights

Study nights have proved very popular this year. Generally Wednesday has been tagged for English assistance and Thursday for Maths but we understand that students and staff commitments vary and the lines have been blurred.

Students have the opportunity to meet with their specific teacher, which they can

pre-arrange or there are always other teachers in that subject area available.

Many senior students have formed their own study groups and learning off each other is a well-recognised strategy for all participants.

Just because study nights are held in the Senior Hub LRC, they are not limited to senior students, all year levels are strongly encouraged to attend. Starting straight after school, generally we like to lock up by 5:00 pm.

VCAL Term 1 Community Project

VCAL’S Term 1 project for 2021 has been to organise lunch time activities each day of the week for the year 7’s to participate in. We are helping them to try and come out of their comfort zone and have a bit of fun and create new relationships. The activities involve basketball, chalk art, markers up, quiet room and handball.

This is giving the students the opportunity to engage in something that’s fun and letting them get to know one another outside of the classroom where they feel more relaxed.

Chalk art is on Wednesdays during lunch time. We will be taking the chalk and walking around the basketball courts, if anyone in year 7 would like to come and get involved. It gives the kids who are feeling alone a chance to join in and talk to us about anything while having a bit of fun.

Libby Sceney - Senior VCAL Student

VCAL at the Swimming Carnival

Swimming sports day once again marked the pinnacle of the VCAL Kitchen/Garden group’s highly organised BBQ. Whilst cheese toasties, delicious smoothies and healthy wellness shots started the day, yummy homemade burgers, a variety of handmade cookies and cold drinks kept the students and staff fed and watered right up to the end.

Well done to all involved both before, during and after the event. A resounding success and a great addition to a fantastic day all round.

Building their futures

Our first group of VET Building and Construction students completed their Construction Induction Card (CIC or 'White Card') at the College this week.

Holding a valid white card means you have completed official certified general construction induction training. Which prepares you to work safely in the construction industry.

Thank you to Vicky Halford for all the co-ordination that went into making this happen.

Interviewing their way to success

Senior VCAL interviews have commenced this week. These interviews are an opportunity to discuss exactly what the students need to achieve, and how the staff can support to ensure the best outcomes are achieved this year. This is such a great opportunity to spend 1:1 time with a great group of young adults. Their focus and determination to succeed has impressed us greatly.

Student Artworks