9-12 Community News
Welcome back!
As the dust settles on the first week of term, it is an opportunity to reflect on how well the students of the 9-12 Community have settled into the new school year. After the challenges of 2020, the 9-12 students have returned in 2021 with excitement and enthusiasm. There were many happy faces as students greeted their friends and teachers. Along with many familiar faces, we also welcomed a number of new students (and staff) and it was pleasing to see how well the new students were accepted and welcomed into the community.
Students have begun their classes enthusiastically, worn their uniform proudly and correctly and have established a fantastic environment in their learning and recreation spaces around the College. 2021 sees us adopt a new timetable schedule, moving from five lessons to six per day and an enhanced, 20 minute TA lesson every day. The students have adapted smoothly to their new routines and the classes are already buzzing with energy and activity.
With the continued development of our Teacher Advisor/TA system and the introduction of new staff members and roles, we have a number of new TA teachers across the year levels. Again, the students and staff have moved into these new arrangements positively.
For all families, the TAs for the 9-12 Community are:
Year 9 TA Teachers: Ms Elley Pinnuck, Ms Denise Stewart, Mr Danny Dmytriw, Mrs Loretta Shannon and Ms Bryana Pogue
Year 10 TA Teachers: Mr Ian Paterson, Mrs Loretta Richardson, Ms Nicole James, Mr John Forde and Mrs Rebecca Lowe
Years 9/10 Partnerships for the Future: Ms Penelope Jenner
Year 11 TA Teachers: Mrs Jenni Ryan, Mr Simon Costello, Ms Colette Deschamps, Ms Bianca Anderson, Mrs Cathy Kyne, Mrs Annalese Oliver and Mr Sean Martin
Year 12 TA Teachers: Mr Paul Richardson, Mrs Sharon Darling, Mrs Amanda Clohosey, Ms Tamara Brereton and Ms Ashley Warren
Staff in 9-12 leadership/responsibility roles are:
Ashley Warren is the VCAL Learning Leader
Sharon Darling continues in the VCE Co-ordinator role
Selga Langley continues in the VET Co-ordinator role
Cath Anderson continues as the Careers Advisor
Michelle Downie is the 9-12 Community Leader: Wellbeing and Pastoral Care
Brad Downie is the 9-12 Community Leader: Student Learning and Professional Practice
You may have noticed on our social media platforms we announced our involvement in 'The Resilience Project'. We are delighted to become one of their partnership schools.
· 1 in 4 adolescents have a mental illness
· 1 in 7 primary schools kids have a mental illness
· 1 in 5 adults will experience mental ill-health throughout the year
· 65% of adolescents do not seek help for mental illness
The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs to schools, providing practical, evidence-based mental health strategies to build resilience and happiness. The program focuses on three key pillars that have been proven to cultivate positive emotion; Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM).
Through a variety of digital presentations, age and stage appropriate curriculum and our Student Workbooks and Wellbeing Journals, we will be teaching and sharing the benefits of Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness and easy ways for our students to practise these in everyday life. We will also incorporate Emotional Literacy, Connection and Physical Health education and activities into our program, as they are foundational contributors to positive mental health.
Our mission is to teach positive mental health strategies to help our young people become more happy and more resilient.
As we roll out the Resilience Program across the F-12 communities, we will be sharing a range of resources with the students and their families so that all members of our St Augustine’s community can share in the benefits of the fabulous program.
On Thursday, the Year 12 VCE students participated in a session delivered by Elevate Education, aimed at arming them with the study skills and strategies to help them maximise their lessons and study times. This session was very beneficial and the students’ engagement commendable.
In preparation for the opening of the VCAL Café, the 2021 VCAL cohort are undertaking a Food Handler’s Certificate course today and will complete barrista training next week. Staff and students will be excited to see what is on offer when the café reopens in the next few weeks.
Some of our Year 12 students are pictured in our banner photo above, proudly wearing their new senior year school jumpers that were presented to them at our opening school assembly this morning.
5-12 Swimming Sports will be held next Monday, 8th February. This is a day at which we expect all students from Years 5-12 in attendance. Students are reminded to sign up for events early to avoid the disappointment of missing out. Students and families are also reminded of the dress code for the day, as detailed on SIMON.
Year 12 Retreat: The Retreat for our Year 12 cohort will be held in Axedale, from 15-17th February. Students and families are asked to ensure all permission details are completed promptly.
VCE/VCAL/VET Information Night: Planning for the VCE/VCAL/VET Information Night is underway. As we did in 2020, our planning around such events will continue to adapt to the public health directions that we receive from the CECV and Diocese. We will announce details of this event shortly.
Michelle Downie Brad Downie
9-12 Community Leader 9-12 Community Leader
Wellbeing Student Learning & Professional Practice