Learning Updates -

School of Possibilities

Important week ahead for our Year 10s

Students in the School of Possibilities have some very important events coming up! Students will sit their exams next week. You will find a copy of the exam timetable below. Some students may have clashes and, as a result, will have been notified of an alternative time to sit one of their exams. Students will complete their exams from Tuesday, November 29 to Thursday, December 1. On Monday, November 28 and Friday, December 2, students will attend their normal timetabled classes. Students are expected to be at school for all three days of the exam timetable. If students do not have an exam, they will attend a study session or a scheduled class. I recommend that students reduce any stress or anxiety they may be feeling about the exams by ensuring they are prepared by completing revision materials. I also encourage the students to chat to their family, Pastoral Group Leader or a member of the wellbeing team if they feel they need support.

Year 10 Exam Timetable Semester 2, 2022

Students are expected to be at school for all three days of the exam period, even if they do not have an exam. Students not sitting an exam during the day will attend a study session or a scheduled class. Students absent from an exam will attend an exam catch-up in Sessions 1 and 2 on Friday, December 2. 

Note: Students who have a clash with their exams have been informed of an alternative session to attend to sit their exam. Students who are absent from an exam will need to see SOP leader, Sarah Baglin, to arrange an alternative time. 

YEAR 10 FORMAL

I am very pleased to inform you that planning and preparations are well under way for the inaugural St Anne’s College Year 10 Formal. As a school event, it is expected that all students will participate in dance practice and the evening. I understand that some students may find participation difficult for a variety of reasons and I encourage them to come and speak to myself or their Pastoral Group Leader. Parents of students who are not able to attend the evening for a valid reason must inform me as soon as possible. 

As previously communicated to families, the formal will take place on Friday, December 2 at St Mel’s Parish Hall, 35 Hamilton Street, Shepparton. Each student will be given four viewing tickets for family members to watch the formal dances. Tickets will be required to be shown for entry to the hall. No person will be admitted without a valid ticket, with the exception of the Year 10 students, who do not require a ticket. Priority seating will be available for the elderly and those with medical needs. There will be no pass-outs on the night and tickets will be numbered and assigned to each student. 

Formal Night Program

The program for the night will be as follows:

6:00pm – 6:30pm – Arrival of students and guests

6:30pm – 7:30pm – Presentation of formal dances

7:30pm – 8:00pm – Informal gathering of families and students

8:00pm - 10:30pm – Students-only social event, including dinner 

10:30pm sharp - Students to be collected from the event by a parent, guardian or pre-approved adult. 

Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up

Students will be required to be signed in and out of the formal by a parent or guardian. If your child will be picked up by another family member or another student’s parent, you must provide the name and contact details of this person prior to the night to myself or your child’s Pastoral Group Leader. Any student who does not have prior permission to travel home with someone other than their parent will require verbal confirmation by a parent via phone on the night. 

Medications and Photosensitivity

If your child requires medication during the formal, please contact me as soon as possible. Students with a photosensitivity are advised that we will have coloured disco lighting. There will not be any strobe lighting. If you have any concerns about your child and the possible effects of this lighting, please contact me to discuss how we can minimise the impact. EpiPens and asthma inhalers stored at school will be transported to the hall, but students will also be required to bring their personal devices as per their anaphylaxis and asthma plans. 

Behaviour Expectations

At all times during the formal, students will be required to meet our college expectations for behaviour. Students are not to consume alcohol or drugs, smoke cigarettes or inhale vapes prior to, or during, this school event. Failure to meet the college expectations will result in the student being sent home from the event, immediately. By signing your child in at the formal, you agree to support the college in reinforcing these expectations with your child and you agree to collect your child from the event if requested by staff. We are aware that students will often seek to attend “after parties” following the conclusion of these types of school events. These “after parties” often come with many risks for our young people and it is through concern for their safety and wellbeing that we advise against the organisation and hosting of these events.

Dress Code

It is not expected that families go to great financial expense for this night. We understand that some students may find a formal dress code a barrier to attending and, as a result, we will not be enforcing a strict dress code. We also understand that some of our families have been adversely impacted by the recent floods. If students are keen to dress up in formal ball attire, we encourage them to do so, but also will accept students' individual preferences. We would like to remind students that this is a school event and clothing choices should be suitable for such an event. 

If you have any questions about the formal, please do not hesitate to contact myself or any college staff member of the formal committee: Kate McGrath, Tara McGrath, Sarah Maloney or Mardie Guppy. I thank these members and the student members of the committee - Chiara Villani, Charli Guppy, Jesse Minicozzi, Mohammad Hameed, Ajay Shekhon and Emily Gleeson - for all of their contributions. 

I am looking forward to a successful and enjoyable evening for our wonderful students! 

Blazer purchase for 2023

To end the year, families will soon be notified of the process for purchasing the much anticipated School of Possibilities blazer. Uniform supplier Noone delivered the very first ever St Anne's blazer for final design approval on Monday afternoon. We are very impressed with the final product and know our students will take pride in wearing this item signifying their place as leaders in our school community. 

Book and stationery lists coming soon

A final note for families to look out for communication soon regarding students' book and stationery lists and subjects for the 2023 school year. 

 - Sarah Baglin, School of Possibilities Leader

sbaglin@sackialla.catholic.edu.au

Sweet way to calculate speed of light 

The Year 10 Physics class used the wavelength measured from melted chocolate in a microwave to estimate the speed of light. Their value was within 8% of the established value. 

 - Troy Lowe, School of Possibilities Learning Mentor