Principal's Message
Dear Families,
It is a pleasure to welcome you back to Term 3. I hope you all had a relaxing beak with your loved ones.
Remote Learning
We have yet again been forced to implement remote learning due to the snap lockdown. We hope to be back on site on Wednesday 21st July but I will provide an update on Compass if the lockdown is to be extended.
The college received very positive feedback about remote learning from parents during previous lockdowns. An overwhelming majority of parents/carers told us that they were satisfied with the remote and flexible online learning, that sufficient work had been provided and that it was pitched at the right level for students. Most parents also told us that they were happy with the way the college supported their child/ren's wellbeing during this time as well.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Year 8 student Arsemma Tigistu for participating in the Rotary Wynspeak competition in May 2021.
Arsemma delivered a persuasive speech about Public Education at Lakeview SC, and competed with students from Staughton College, Bacchus Marsh Grammar, Footscray College and Altona College. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it to the finals in the competition, but she learnt a lot about public speaking and how to engage an audience. Well done Arsemma, a great ambassador for our college and modelling our school values of Aspire to Achieve and Strengthen the Community!
In addition to this event, Arsemma also responded to an email sent in 2020 whilst we were in lockdown inviting students in the Western Region to write a reflection about how CoVid has changed our lives. Arsemma entered the competition responding to the following prompt:
What have you learned about yourself and about those around you from experiencing the COVID-19 Pandemic? How do you hope the Pandemic will enable us to build a better world?
Arsemma won an award for her year level, and here’s an image of her accepting the award at the Rotary event which was attended by Ms Vass, Mr Leyland and I as well as Arsemma's family.
Congratulations also to Year 8 students Deon Azzopardi and Dean Nuttall (pictured right) who made the A side of the under 13’s junior Interleague football squad for the WRFL. This photo was taken at their jumper presentation night, wearing their Bulldogs representative football tops. Well done boys for modelling our school values of Aspire to Achieve and Strengthen the Community!
Semester Reports
A reminder to all families that Compass is our primary method of communicating with parents and carers. All student reports are available on Compass. The end of semester marked a key point in student's learning. It is an important opportunity for parents/carers and students to reflect on progress made in every subject.
It is important that parents/carers and students take the time to read the Semester Reports carefully to celebrate successes and note where further effort needs to be made. If you would like further information about your child's learning in any of their classes, or support with a plan for further improvement this term, please contact your child’s Year Level Co-ordinator or your child's subject teacher.
High Levels of Expectation and High Levels of Support
Every day of school is precious, and the college continues to have high expectations of student behaviour and effort so that learning and progress can be maximized and to provide students with strategies and resources to achieve their very best.
We feel strong and capable when we take the time to prepare and be ready to succeed in our learning. Coming to school in full uniform, with all necessary equipment (Binders, Cornell Notes, Student Planner and pens) and a fully charged device is the first part of every school day. This is preparation for success in work and life after school.
We keep up with our learning when we complete homework.
We can overcome challenges when we choose to be kind to others and choose a positive attitude.
We stay in control when we moderate our use of social media, mind our own business, and do not bring conflict or drama to school.
We stay safe when we seek help from parents/carers or staff instead of using aggression to solve our problems.
I expect students to have returned from the Term 2 holiday break refreshed, ready to follow all expectations and with everything they need as a successful Victoria University Secondary College Student.
Course Counselling for 2021
Over the next few weeks students in Years 8 to 11 will participate in a comprehensive career program, culminating in the choice of subjects for next year. It is important that much care and thought is given to this process so that students are completing the correct prerequisites for future tertiary courses. This information also informs our timetabling and staffing for 2022. Parents are able to support their children by using the school's Careers website.
The link for this website is https://www.vusecondarycollegecareers.com/
If you have any questions about our Course Counselling process, or Careers information in general, please do not hesitate to contact our Careers Coordinator Ms. Kristy Muratore.
Senior secondary certificate reform
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) has commenced consultation with schools regarding the move to a new integrated senior secondary certificate that will bring together the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL).
The goal is to give students greater choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and aspirations and develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life.
The move to a single certificate will occur in stages. The first stage is the introduction of a new vocational specialisation pathway within the VCE commencing in 2023. This will replace the existing VCAL at the Intermediate and Senior levels.
More information is available on the Senior secondary certificate reform page in this newsletter.
Year 12 Mid-Year Examinations and Reports
In the last week of Term 2 the Year 12 VCE students sat mid-year practice examinations for each of their subjects. This was organized to assist students to prepare for final VCE exams by providing practice in similar conditions experienced at the end of the year.
The purpose of practice exams is to enhance the development of the most effective exam techniques, assist students to refine summaries and to identify areas requiring further consolidation. Research suggests that lots of practice by students will ensure they are better prepared when the time comes to sit the actual final examinations.
We wish all our Year 12 students well in this final semester of their Secondary School journey.
Tutor Learning Initiative update
The State Government has provided the school with over $350,000 this year to implement a Literacy and Numeracy tutoring program for students affected by the lockdown in 2020. Our focus has been students in Years 7 to 10 who could benefit from support in Literacy or Numeracy, as well as VCE students in Maths and English. Participating students have found the program very useful, and early indications are that it is making a difference. Students for semester 2 have been selected based on learning data. New students to the program will be given a letter to give to their parents/guardians explaining the process.
New School
We are excited to see further progress of our new school buildings and sporting facilities at Cairnlea. View the progress photos below or feel free to drive past 43 Ken Jordan Rd, Cairnlea and take a look!
Please take care of yourselves and each other. I look forward to seeing you all when we return on site.
Elaine Hazim
College Principal
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Child Safety at VUSC
Victoria University Secondary College is a child safe organisation committed to protecting students from all forms of abuse.
Our College has stringent protocols in place and endeavours at all times to be fully compliant with the Child Safe Standards set out under Ministerial Order 870.
Our College has the following documents and policies in place to achieve compliance with the Standards. All of these documents are available for downloading on our website or contact the school for a copy.
- Commitment to Child Safety
- Child Safety Policy
- Child Safety Code of Conduct
- Child Protection Policy and Procedures