From the Principal Class

Dear Viewbank Community,

The past few weeks have seen many College events, including the House Athletics sports. The threat of rain again impacting the carnival was present, but it turned out to be a great day.  High rates of participation from students, with many progressing to the Division Athletics days later.  Senior Round Robin sport was held this week, with great competition and a number of Viewbank teams progressing. 

See the sport report for more details and photos!

Production rehearsals have continued and tickets will soon be available for purchase. 

Keep an eye out in the next couple of weeks for the booking link in the next edition of the newsletter or Compass Newfeed.

VCE Theatre Studies - The 39 Steps 

Students, staff and parents were also treated to the Year 12 Theatre Studies performance of 39 Steps over two nights, with lots of rave reviews for show. 

Congratulations to Genelle Lentini and her class of Year 12 Theatre students.

Please see below the trailer of The 39 Steps.

Four  months of ongoing research, rehearsal and finally - PERFORMANCE! Live theatre is BACK and the VCE Theatre Studies class were thrilled to be able to present their interpretation of Patrick Barlow's "The 39 Steps". Kind of a Hitchcock film... definitely a comedy - the students did an outstanding job in presenting their hilarious self aware play for two packed out houses.

The students in the class collaborated in all areas of the production, taking on responsibility in acting, direction and design. This assessment task was enormous, and I commend the students in their collaboration and hard work. The end result was a highly energetic performance that had the audience in stitches. Thank you to the members of the community for supporting the Performing Arts program and the students in their academic outcomes.                                                       Ms Lentini

Year 8 Camp

Year 8 Camps have run this week, with students heading down to Merricks on the Mornington Peninsula for a great opportunity to engage in a range of activities, including surfing.  Whilst interstate travel is still not an option for our camps program, it is great to see our students connecting with teachers and other students and building positive relationships.  A very big thank you to all the teachers who gave up so much of their time to supervise the students to ensure they were safe and that they all had a good time. 

NAPLAN

NAPLAN has been conducted this year after no testing took place in 2020. 

We have had excellent attendance and participation across both Year 7 and Year 9 levels. Well done to the students, who really gave the test their best shot.  

We would like to thank parents for their support - the data that is collected is important in allowing us to adapt our teaching programs to meet the needs of our learners.

Year 9 NAPLAN certificates of achievement

A new feature of the NAPLAN assessment is being launched this year, with the award of Year 9 Certificates of Achievement.

The new certificates aim to celebrate and recognise the importance of both excellence and learning growth.

Beginning in 2021, Year 9 students who achieve outstanding results or who significantly improve their results in NAPLAN tests will receive a NAPLAN Certificate of Achievement.

The certificates will be awarded for two categories of achievement:

• Category one: the achievement of excellence through getting a result in the top band for reading or numeracy, or both.
• Category two: the achievement of outstanding learning growth through improve by two or more bands between the NAPLAN Year 7 and Year 9 tests for reading or numeracy, or both.

For more information about the new certificate and measures for learning growth, refer to Year 9 NAPLAN certificates of achievement on the Department’s website.

Senior School Overlay Respectful Relationships workshops

Senior Overlay Respectful Relationships workshops will begin for Year 11 and 12 students from next week. 

Students will attend in rotations according to their House Groups starting with Terra on Tuesday, 18th May during period 4.

It is expected, that all students attend these very important sessions that will reinforce the expectations, values and behaviours that align with being part of the Viewbank College Community. 

If a student cannot attend for any reason, they will be re-scheduled into another House’s session. 

This will be visible to students and parents on Compass.

The learning intentions for this series of sessions are outlined below:

• To understand the impact and possible progression of behaviour that leads to a culture of misogyny and sexism - Lesson 1
• To understand what is meant by enthusiastic consent and be able to identify this – Lesson 2
• To be able to respect and appreciate how consent or a lack thereof can impact an individual’s wellbeing and their social and sexual relationships – Lesson 3
• To identify and understand your rights in regards to consent and the law - Lesson 4

Some discussion may be of a sensitive nature and triggering for some students. 

There may be discussion that refers to Sexual Assault and Harassment. 

The sessions will be led by House Leaders and Heads of House and there will be Wellbeing Counsellors in attendance at all sessions, with follow-up support if required.

If students have concerns or think they may need additional support attending these sessions they should contact their House Leader.

IDAHOBIT (International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) Day

This Monday (the 17th of May) is IDAHOBIT - International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

It is a day to celebrate our LGBTIQA+ communities with pride and to raise awareness about the ongoing struggles that are faced regarding discrimination. 

To show your support on Monday, you can:

• Wear an accessory in rainbow colours (such as a ribbon, socks, badge etc)
• Show your commitment towards ending discrimination by signing your name on our IDAHOBIT Pledge (currently outside the library). This was created by students in 2017 and is just as relevant as ever. It will be set up again outside the PAC during Break 1.
• Come along to watch a film screening in the PAC during Break 1 and Break 2.

We look forward to having your involvement and support for IDAHOBIT this Monday!

Covid Safety

The past week has been a stark reminder that Covid remains a threat.

Students need to continue to wear masks on public transport and keep up high standards of hygiene.  We are able to hold many public events now, but another reminder to use QR codes when attending a College event.

From the Department of Education

Education and Training Reform Amendment (Protection of School Communities) Bill 2021: Information for Parents, Carers and Families

This information is for parents, carers and guardians about the new Education and Training Reform Amendment (Protection of School Communities) Bill 2021. 

Victorian school communities are overwhelmingly positive and safe places for teaching and learning where we all play a role in supporting students in their achievements, engagement and wellbeing needs. 

It is likely that you have heard the recent media announcements that the Victorian Government has introduced the Education and Training Reform Amendment (Protection of School Communities) Bill 2021. If passed through parliament, the proposed Bill would come into effect in May 2022. 

The Bill aims to protect and keep school communities safe by preventing and deterring violent and aggressive behaviors from adult members of the school community and ensure that schools are positive, safe and inclusive places to work and learn. This Bill will apply to the small minority of adult members of the Victorian school community who engage in this behavior, after early conflict resolution measures through non-legislative avenues have failed. 

The proposed law will empower principals and other authorized persons to issue School Community Safety Orders in response to parents, carers and other adult members of the school community who engage in harmful, threatening, abusive or disruptive behaviors on school grounds or places where school activities take place, or inappropriate and harmful communication through emails and social media.

This Bill will apply to the small minority of the school community who engage in this behavior when all other reasonable interventions have failed. The changes would ensure that all members of the school community are kept safe and to minimize any harm to their safety and wellbeing. There will be internal and external review mechanisms in place if a person who is subject to a School Community Safety Order wishes to appeal an Order. 

Arrangements will be available to ensure parents can still remain engaged in their child’s learning to and to minimize any disruption to the student. 

This Bill would not replace the existing avenues to raise any complaints, issues or suggestions with schools. Please visit our website to access our Visitors Policy, Respect for School Staff Policy and our Child Safe policies. By continuing to engage with these communication channels in a respectful and collaborative manner, we can continue to work together to support our students

Further information about the details of the Bill will be communicated to you if the Bill is passed by parliament. 

Principal Class Team 

Sharon Grimes, Principal

Emma Ford, Assistant Principal

Rachael Smith, Assistant Principal

Darren Murray, Acting Assistant Principal