From the Principal Class Team

Dear Parents and Guardians

For two days this week, the Principal Class team, Tracey, Craig, John and I, attended the two day South West Victorian Region Principals’ conference. Titled ‘Unleashing Greatness Together’ the conference brought together 400 schools to acknowledge and reflect on the achievements made over the first 3 years of the Government’s 10 year education strategy, and to consider how  to further strengthen the work we, as a system, are doing to improve teaching practice and the learning of our students. The Victorian government school system is one of the top performing systems in the world, and it was really pleasing to hear that parent confidence in and satisfaction with government schools have increased, as have enrolments across the state. It was also wonderful to see the work of our staff recognised in two Department of Education publications released at the conference. Amplify  (http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/teachers/teachingresources/practice/Amplify.pdf) includes a case study on some of the work we are doing in relation to student voice, and the Literacy & Numeracy Strategy (http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/teachers/teachingresources/literacynumeracy/Literacy_and_Numeracy_Strategy_Phase_2.pdf) showcases our numeracy program and the gains made in student learning in this area.  See page 26 for a copy of our case study. Congratulations to all of our staff involved in these two initiatives. 

School Council – Student Representatives elected

We are very pleased to welcome Selma Jamel of Year 11 and Laura Van Keulen of Year 12 to our school council as student representatives. They will commence their 2 year and I year term of office, respectively, at next week’s Council meeting.

Both Selma and Laura have been active members of the Student Representative Council, and strong advocates for their peers and for students having a voice in all aspects of the school’s core business.

Being members of School Council will enhance their capacity to do this, and, importantly, it will strengthen the role of students in contributing to policy planning at the whole school level.

Congratulations, Selma and Laura! We look forward to working with you.

Year 12 Mid Year Exams

This year, we have reintroduced mid year exams for all VCE subjects. The exams provide students with authentic practice, and an opportunity for further feedback on their understanding and progress to date in each of their subjects.

The exams will be held at the school in the first week of the mid year break, from Monday, 2 July to Friday, 6 July and will be overseen by our VCE exam supervisors.

All students are required to attend the exams, unless they have a medical certificate.

The mid year exam timetable is include on Senior School Report page.

Winter Uniform

Over the last couple of weeks, we have certainly felt the arrival of some colder weather. At this time of year, we often see students unprepared for the change to winter in terms of their uniform.

The College uniform includes plenty of options for winter, including a woollen jumper, fleece-lined jacked, and long sleeved shirt and polo top. The uniform show is open each Monday and Thursday from 12:30 until 1:30pm, and there is also an online store.

Please note that no non-uniform items (hoodies, scarves, jackets) can be worn on the way to and from school, and on school grounds.

Thank you for your support with this – it is important to us that we work together with parents.

We will contact you if your daughter or son is out of uniform.