We Want Our Students To Tell Us What They Think

St Albans Secondary College values student voice as a means to improving student engagement, wellbeing and quality instruction and are conducting a survey to find out what your child thinks of our school. Starting on Tuesday 23 May our school will be conducting the annual Students Attitudes to School Survey. This survey is offered by the Department of Education and Training to assist schools in gaining an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Our school will use the survey results to plan programs and activities to improve your child's schooling experience.

The Department has updated the survey for 2017 to include important new measures that are known to influence student engagement and performance. Your child will complete the survey online during school hours using a purpose built secure online survey tool. It is important to note that we are not in any way “testing” your child. Your child has the right to refuse or withdraw from the survey at any point before, during, or after completion of the survey.

Your child will be provided with a unique login to complete the survey. The student login is an assigned identifier that may be used by the Department to combine data for research purposes only. Your child’s privacy and the confidentiality of your child’s survey responses will be protected at all times. No identifiable personal data is included in the survey response file.

The survey results will be reported back to the school in Term 3. No student can be identified in the results reported to schools or in any other report of the data. Last year we used the survey results to plan and implement processes and programs to support and challenge students to be their best.

This year the Attitudes to School survey will be conducted at our school over the period Tuesday 23 May to Friday 16 June. The survey only takes 20-30 minutes to complete and occurs during your child's class time.

Please contact the school on 9366 2555 if you would like more information or visit the Department of Education and Training website:

https://edugate.eduweb.vic.gov.au/sites/i/pages/production.aspx#/app/news

Year 11 Team Building Day

On Friday 21 April, Year 11 students and staff set off for a day of fun at the heritage listed Lady Northcote Recreation Camp, set in the picturesque Rowsley Valley close to Bacchus Marsh.

Students had the opportunity to try new and challenging activities. The camp program is designed to empower young people with important life skills, assist with personal growth and build the community spirit of the student cohort. Students had a fun day with their peers and got to take home new memories. Thanks to all staff who supported students by attending and the senior sub school team for organising this event.

NAPLAN Tests 2017

Students in Year 7 and 9 will be sitting the NAPLAN tests on from 9-11th May . NAPLAN tests the Literacy and Numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.

NAPLAN is not a test that students can “study” for in the same way they might prepare for an end of term test. The Literacy and Numeracy skills are taught as part of the school curriculum and develop and improve over time. Students have completed some activities in their English and Maths classes to ensure that they are familiar with the process of the test.

Should parents have any questions about the NAPLAN tests please contact the school. The NAPLAN test results will be available to parents by mid – August.

VCE and Careers Expo 2017

Year 11 VCE students attended the VCE and Careers Expo at the Caulfield Racecourse on Thursday 4th May. The expo is the longest running education and careers event in Australia attracting over 30,000 visitors each year and featuring 170 exhibitors. The entrance ticket is valid for 4 days and students gain access to information about university, TAFE and training courses, career advice, study advice, seminars as well as international exchange and gap year programs.

Students were excited to collect a range of information and resources including study guides, brochures from various institutions as well as a range of careers information. Thank you to the senior school team for their organisation of this worthwhile event and thanks also to all staff who accompanied the students on the day.

2016 Inky Awards

Teacher Amra Pajalic won 20 books that were shortlisted in the 2016 Inky Awards in a competition run by Centre for Youth Literature to promote the 2017 Inky Awards. The Inky Awards recognise high-quality young adult literature, with the longlist and shortlist selected by young adults, and the winners voted for online by the teen readers of InsideaDog.com.au. There are two awards: the Gold Inky Award for an Australian book, and the Silver Inky Award for an international book. Ms Pajalic has donated the 20 books to the library to be handed out as prizes to high-achieving students for the Premiers’ Reading Challenge.

And finally....

Congratulations to the fifteen Year 12 students and their teacher, Ms Marlene Cassar, who catered for and hosted the Caroline Springs Rotary Club's Aspire to inspire event held last weekend a the Hunt Club of Deer Park.

They did an outstanding job of the food & hospitality they provided.

Principal - Ms Kerrie Dowsley

Assistant Principal - Mr Ian Crocker

Assistant Principal - Ms Losh Pillay

Assistant Principal - Mr Craig Jennings

VET Hospitality Students