From the Principal Class Team
Dear Parents & Guardians
As you read this edition of Alba, you will notice that our students have been actively engaging with the community, both locally and more broadly, in many different ways over recent weeks.
Whether through welcoming their parents to the school for the Year 7 Expo; leading and catering for our annual Beacon Business Breakfast and for Rotary's Aspire to Inspire event; participating in mentoring provided through the school's business partnerships program; hosting secondary school Taster Days for local Grade 6 students and their teachers; participating in year level excursions to the zoo, museum, and the Careers Expo, our students have shown themselves to be excellent representatives of St Albans Secondary College, and leaders whom we can be extremely proud of. Their positive behaviour and attitude is regularly noticed and appreciated by members of the community. It is a wonderful reflection of the work that you as parents do everyday with you children.
Ms Lynda Vo and Mr Brendan McFarland with the Beacon Ambassadors
Left to right: Catherine Lok, Jacob Anastasi, Laeticia Santos, Daniel San Jose & Natalie Truong
Congratulations
Congratulations to all our Student Representative Council & House Leaders on their appointments.
Please click on the attachment below to view our Student Representative Council and House Captains for 2017.
Welcome
This term we are very pleased to welcome several new staff to our school. Ms Julie Hanna joins the Technology Department teaching Food Technology. Julie is replacing Ms Akaline Holton who has moved to Gippsland.
We also welcome Mr Melvin Becket, Ms Carolyn Jackson, Mr Sam McCall and Ms Hanh Nguyen to our Individual Needs Department as Teacher Assistants.
We hope you enjoy your time at St Albans Secondary College.
GOALs Program Launch
The value of high quality mentoring on both a personal and professional level is undeniable and can be, for many who are fortunate to experience a great mentor, a life changing relationship.
The GOALS program, provided by the Australian Business & Community Network (ABCN), enables 19 of our Year 9 students to partner with a mentor for a nine week program. Students are invited to apply for a place in GOALS and the selection process requires them to think and write about the ways in which having a mentor might benefit them.
This year our mentors are from Energy Australia, a new partner, and law firm, Norton Rose Fullbright.
On behalf of the school community, we thank the staff of these two organisations for their generosity in supporting our school and such a valuable program for young people. The students will participate in sessions on goal setting, communication, financial management, and interview skills.
Thank you, also, to Ms Shona Cowell for her leadership of this program.
A Taste of Secondary School - Transition Program
Our primary to secondary transition program continued last week as we welcomed over 320 Grade 6 students from our local primary schools for a taste of secondary school life.
They spent the day experiencing a variety of Year 7 subjects, learning about St Albans Secondary, and meeting new friends. They enjoyed a BBQ lunch and musical performances, as well as a range of fun & challenging activities.
Thank you to Transition Coordinator, Ms Marlene Cassar & Ms Ash Mana Mohan, for their coordination of two really engaging days, and to our staff and those from primary schools who supported this important transition event.
Progress Reports
Progress reports for all students, Years 7 to 12, will be completed by staff on Thursday 18 May.
Coordinators will be in touch with parents of all students whose progress is at risk in two or more subjects, and, where necessary, interviews will be arranged.
The reports will be available on Compass for parents and students on Friday 26 May.
Semester tests and exams
The semester test and exam period for students in Years 10 and 11 will commence on Thursday 1 June.
Timetabled classes will not run during the exams, and students are only expected to attend school for their scheduled exams. Full school uniform must be worn.
** Please note that students who do a Year 12 acceleration subject are expected to attend those classes as normal during the exam week.
Year 9 exams (core subjects) will be held in the week beginning Monday 5 June. These exams are for 100 minutes and are scheduled in normal class time. Other Year 9 classes will run as usual during the exam week.