Principal's Report
Welcome to this edition of our Newsletter
On site learning has now been back in place for eight weeks. I would like to congratulate students for their adherence to COVID-19 restrictions and positive attitudes towards their studies since their return. Their positivity is some reward for staff who have worked long hours throughout the year. Term 1 and Term 3 breaks required teachers to continually adjust learning programs as schools transitioned between onsite and remote learning. I thank teachers as they provided a seamless transition for students back into a safe, supportive and welcoming learning environment this term. I know many have appreciated the acknowledgement of the supports they have provided from students and families.
Student Success
Australian Business and Community Network Scholarship
Congratulations to Aimee Bugeja from Year 10, who has been announced as one of the thirty five scholars from across Australia to obtain a Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) Foundation Accelerate Scholarship. The scholarship provides Aimee access to the program, a business mentor and $7,000 over the next three years towards her studies.
The University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Award
Aimee has also been announced as a recipient of the prestigious University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Award. The Kwong Lee Dow award is presented to high achieving students in Year 11 and provides Aimee the opportunity to access academic enrichment through the Young Scholars Program and the potential to be offered of a guaranteed place in an undergraduate degree
Art Awards
Scoresby Secondary College students participated in the 2020 Speaking 4 the Planet Program which took place online in Term 3.
Speaking 4 the Planet was an Arts-based competition offering students an opportunity to address sustainability issues creatively. The competition was open to schools in the Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges municipalities). Two of our students obtained major awards in the art category.
Kalina Chan was awarded first prize and Joey Zhuang runner up. Both students were presented prize packs and certificates. Look out for their outstanding pieces at the link provided for our Art Technology Showcase.
Art Technology Showcase
Our virtual Arts and Technology Showcase is officially LIVE! The Arts and Tech team have worked hard to produce an exceptional platform to present all of the fantastic art and design work students have created and developed throughout this year. The following link was provided on our College Facebook Page https://arts.scoresbysc.vic.edu.au/, if you have not yet had an opportunity to log on and have a look, I would encourage you to do so and to cast your own vote in The Shortlist – our People’s Choice Award for 2020.
Year 12
After a challenging year, our Year 12 students commenced their examinations with the three hour English exam on Tuesday 10 November and continue until the final exam on 2 December. I have been impressed by our students for the way they have approached their formal assessments. Throughout the pandemic their determination, resilience and commitment to their studies and each other has been exceptional, especially as they faced many challenges with the constant changes between on and off site learning. All students were provided exceptional support from members of the Senior School Team, classroom teachers, fellow students, support staff and members of the Student Service’s Team. Equally families and friends have played a key role in our Year 12 students successfully completing the year.
This year, due to the delay in the examinations, ATARs and Study Scores will be received on Wednesday 30 December. As a school community, we acknowledge this cohort as an outstanding group of students and we trust that their final results will reflect their collective drive to be their very best.
All students in the Class of 2020 will each receive a copy of their end of school celebrations to share with their families. I would like to acknowledge the work of Mr Ben Phillips our media teacher and staff, many of whom contributed to the development of an excellent virtual valedictory film. Valedictory means to say farewell and whilst we had restrictions in place, we wanted the film to provide the fitting farewell our students deserved after completing thirteen years of schooling.
Orientation Day Grade 6
We are pleased with the announcements this week that will permit Orientation Day to take place on site for grade 6 students. Last week we conducted an online meeting with parents and outlined the restrictions required for this to take place. To further support students entering Year 7 next year there has been personalised WebEx session, transition films produced by our transition team and transition newsletters and more. We look forward to meeting the students, many of whom selected our College as their choice of secondary school despite being unable to see the College as Open Night and tours were not accessible this year.
Virtual Presentation Night
Planning for our Virtual Presentation Night ‘Orion Night’ is well underway. Whilst we may not be celebrating together this year, we are absolutely committed to producing another standout event on Thursday 3 December. Orion Night is the one evening we normally come together to celebrate the successes of all students in Years 7-12. It would have been easy to not conduct the event, however we have so much talent amongst our students and our students deserve the public recognition of the multiple awards they will receive.
Curriculum Day
Monday 14 December is a curriculum day. Unlike other schools we have held off holding our curriculum day until later in the year. The day will be the first Curriculum Day this year that the whole staff can focus on our teaching and learning priorities.
During the remaining days of the school year, teachers will continue their planning for 2021 uninterrupted. We know that many families often request for their children to finish early as they head off for holidays early and this year we recognise that the number will be higher.
Therefore no formal classes are conducted from 15 December. Replacement teachers will be supervising students present for community service during this time. The evidence of our year end planning with the committed time for teachers to prepare for the following year has been shown to lead to our student’s high learning growth.
In 2021, parents all year levels will have access to semester length curriculum plans outlining unit titles and topics of focus. These will be distributed at the information evenings in February.
Mrs Gail Major
Principal