From the Principal

Welcome to all students and families - returning and new. It has been a great start to 2021 for students and staff. 

Thank you to all parents and carers for ensuring all children over the age of 12 leave home with a mask, as they are required to carry a mask at all times and wear a mask when indoors. If students need to replace their masks during the course of the day they can collect a replacement from the General Office.

Our staff spent the first two days of the year engaged in professional learning. We took time to:

• review our 2020 staff, student and parent survey data and our class of 2020 outstanding VCE results
• ensure a common understanding of our Behaviour for Learning Process and our SABRE instructional model
• work with Anna Bennett who led the teaching staff in professional learning in regards to Differentiating Teaching and Learning
• provide Learning Areas with an opportunity to work together

We are in the third year of our 4 year Strategic Plan. Our focus is to continue to improve outcomes for each of our students, providing them with a challenging and supportive learning environment with a range of opportunities to develop their skills and talents. 

Due to COVID – 19, the Department of Education and Training has determined the key focus areas for schools in 2021.

The table below indicates the goals and the Key Improvement Strategies we have set ourselves for 2021.

The Glen Eira 5

‘The Glen Eira 5’ is a document that articulates the practices behind the promises we make as staff, students and parents of GEC.

5 promises teachers make to our students;

• maintain a safe learning environment.
• know how you learn and what direction your learning should take.
• make classes engaging.
• listen, encourage and support.
• involve the wider community in your learning.

5 promises staff make to one another;

• share resources.
• support one another.
• work collaboratively to improve student learning.
• be consistent in applying policies.
• learn from one another.

5 characteristics you will see in our teaching;

• differentiate teaching and learning to support and challenge the full range of abilities.
• structure  lessons according to SABRE.
• be innovative and reflective.
• be enthusiastic.
• be accountable for improving student outcomes.

5 things you will see from our students;

• be enthusiastic and motivated.
• communicate and be respectful.
• seize opportunities to participate and learn.
• work together, acting responsibly and creatively.
• direct their own learning through questioning and exploring.

5 things you will see from our parents, carers and guardians;

• be involved and contribute to the broader educational program.
• play an active role in the child’s learning.
• support their children in achieving their learning goals.
• promote the school values.
• maintain open lines of communication with the school.

Being involved at GEC

We are always looking for ways to involve our parents in our community. Please contact me if you have ideas of how you would like to be involved. 

• Our Parents and Friends group is an excellent way to meet other families and I encourage you to join.
• Nominations for School Council are due Friday 12th February. This is a great way to get involved in the College. If you are interested in nominating, you can collect a nomination form from the General Office or contact us and we will email a nomination form to you.  We have three parent vacancies.

Thank you to one of our parents, Paul McNeill, who has initiated working bees at school on the 3rd Sunday of the  month, from 3pm-5pm.  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.  The next working bee is on Sunday 21st February at 3pm.

VCE results

We were delighted with the wonderful results achieved by our Year 12 students. Congratulations to our Dux, Luise Verhoeven with an ATAR of 99.4.   

• 15% of ATAR scores 90 or above
• 37% of ATAR scores 80 or above
• 60% % of ATAR scores 70 or above
• Median ATAR 72.5
• 5.9%  of study scores 40 or above
• Median Study Score of 31 - increasing again
• DUX – 99.4
• 93 students achieved first round or early offers – 45 of which were 1st preference

Glen Eira 2040 Community Vision

The City of Glen Eira provides the following regarding the draft Glen Eira 2040 Community Vision which is currently open for public exhibition until end of February. This will be the final chance to provide feedback on this important document. 

The draft Community Vision was developed by 32 community representatives of different ages, gender, suburbs and backgrounds who worked together for more than 25 hours  pre and post COVID,  face to face and online to develop the first ever draft Community Vision for our City.  We are now keen to understand whether you think it meets the aspirations and values for the future of Glen Eira.

Attached is a Frequently Asked Question document and the following links

• https://vimeo.com/502881737. A 2 minute video on how the Community Vision was made.
• https://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/get-involved/community-vision - The Have Your Say page which includes a copy of the Vision report and a tab to a survey that explores what you think of the Vision and whether you think anything is missing.
• https://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/get-involved/community-vision - The website page which provides more information on how you can get involved. 

All the feedback from this public exhibition will be given to the community panel who are set to meet one more time in March to finalise the Glen Eira 2040 Community Vision.  This Vision document will have considerable influence on future strategic planning processes for Council and the Community.

Professional Practice Days for Teachers

As part of the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2017, teachers will receive one day per term when they are out of the classroom to focus on the improved delivery of high quality teaching and learning. These are not student free days.  Casual Replacement Teachers (CRTs) will be employed to cover classes. We are scheduling the days ahead of time and have planned the day so that there is minimal impact.

Some staff will take their term 1 day on the day of the Swimming Carnival. The remaining staff will take their day in the week 1st – 5th March 2020 (Year 7 Camp Week). Teachers will ensure planned work is provided for students. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Insurance

Just a reminder that any insurance needs to be taken up on an individual user pays basis. The Department does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents and guardians of students, who do not have student accident insurance/ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance/transport and any other transport costs. Parents/guardians can purchase insurance policies from commercial insurers if they wish to insure their child.

Finally

Lockers:  All students are required to have a lock for their lockers. Combination locks are available at the General Office ($15).  Any lockers without locks will not be available for student use. I ask for parent support in providing a lock for their son or daughter.

Mobile phones are to be locked in student lockers during the school day.

Lost property: We already have a growing mountain of unnamed lost property including jumpers, jackets and shoes. I ask parents and carers to ensure all items of clothing and books are named so that they can be returned to students

Should you have questions or concerns at any time do not hesitate to contact me at school.

Sheereen Kindler

Principal